Juddmonte Pretty Polly Stakes |
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| Fillies Group 1, Curragh 17:25 Race Value: €300,000 1m 2f  |
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| Friday 28th June 2019 | |
1 Iridessa 8/1
2 Magic Wand 9/2F
3 Pink Dogwood 11/10F
5 ran NR: Happen, Who's Steph Distances: 2¼l, 1¼l, 1¼l
Time: 2m 6.46s (slow by 2.46s)
Iridessa wins for Joseph O'Brien and Wayne Lordan
Iridessa wins the Juddmonte Pretty Polly Stakes pic.twitter.com/Yq1gbfDCXJ
— Horse Racing Ireland (@GoRacing) June 28, 2019
The Joseph O’Brien-trained Iridessa had ended her juvenile campaign on a high with victory in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket, but had fallen short at the highest level in both the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas after being beaten on her seasonal debut.
However, she showed her true colours to land the second Group One success of her career.
Magic Wand was the first to lead, but Wild Illusion went on seven furlongs out until into the straight.
Magic Wand regained the advantage, but Wayne Lordan produced Iridessa (8-1) with a well-timed run to assert in the final furlong and cross the line two and a quarter lengths to the good.
Pink Dogwood, trained like the runner-up by Aidan O’Brien, was a never-dangerous third. Charlie Appleby’s Wild Illusion faded into fourth, with the David Lanigan-trained Worth Waiting last of the five.
“She won very well and it was a huge performance. Wayne gave her a lovely ride and the race worked out well for her. I’m over the moon,” said O’Brien.
“It was very strong race. There wasn’t a big field, but there were some very very good fillies in the race.
“We were hopeful, and confident of a good run from her. The lads at home felt that she was as good as she has been all year.
“Obviously the step up in distance was a big help to her as well.
“It was fairly obvious from her pedigree that she should step up once she went up in trip, but obviously you don’t always know that until you do it.
“She ran well here in the Guineas. She had to battle for her position through the race and she still ran on well.
“She seemed to improve as she went on last year and naturally she carries condition and she’s strong and hardy.
“That’s obviously a career-best again today and she’s progressed with each run so far this year.”
O’Brien is understandably thinking of the Kerrygold-sponsored Irish Oaks next.
“We’ll see how she comes out of this. Obviously against her own age group it would probably make sense to go to the Oaks,” he said.
“It would be the logical step, but at the same time she won today like a pacey filly. We’ll get her home and have the conversation then.”
Pretty Polly Stakes (Fillies' Group 1)
€300,000 added, 3yo plus, 1m 2f, Class 1
5 ran
Going: Good
1 (3) Iridessa 3 - Joseph Patrick O'Brien Wayne Lordan 8/1
2 (6) 2¼ Magic Wand 4 - A P O'Brien Donnacha O'Brien 9/2
3 (1) 1¼ Pink Dogwood 3 - A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 11/10F
4 (7) 1¼ Wild Illusion 4 - Charlie Appleby James Doyle 7/2
5 (5) 14 Worth Waiting 4 - David Lanigan Frankie Dettori 7/1
NR 2-2121 Who's Steph 4 - G M Lyons NON RUNNER
NR 41-216 Happen 3 - A P O'Brien NON RUNNER
