Varian raider the Real deal as she takes Fairy Bridge honours
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Realtra landed her second Irish Group Three prize of the campaign when outclassing her rivals in the Coolmore Stud Fairy Bridge Stakes at Tipperary.
Saddled with a 3lb penalty for her triumph in the Brownstown Stakes at Fairyhouse, Roger Varian's raider settled in mid-division from her wide draw before Colin Keane brought her to the stands side in the straight.
Drumfad Bay made the best of her way home on the far side but had no answer when Realtra swept by, and the 4-1 chance crossed the line with a length and three-quarters in hand.
Music Box, the 9-4 favourite, was third.
Keane said: "She had a bad draw, but I got the best position as possible and ended up following Seamie (Heffernan, on Music Box) around. We were going to come up the middle, but I followed Seamie over and when she got to the good ground, she picked up really well.
"She is good and genuine and tries hard and we were saying beforehand that her mother won on soft to heavy, so that might have come into play here."
Leading jumps trainer Henry de Bromhead registered a landmark Listed victory on the level when Gorane made much of the running in the Kilfrush Stud Abergwaun Stakes.
Declan McDonogh bounced the 14-1 chance out smartly and she soon led narrowly from Alphabet and Green Door.
Favourite Son Of Rest tried to throw down his challenge but could not quite get on terms with the principals, with Gorane responding to all of McDonogh's urgings to deny Snowstorm by half a length, with Ardhoomey the same distance away in third.
De Bromhead said: "I can't say enough about the rider as it was a fantastic ride. She got a bit lost coming out of the stalls, but when she got into her rhythm she has a great big stride on her. It was a super ride to save that little bit at the end.
"Soft ground is definitely not a minus - it doesn't look like it from that anyway and over five (furlongs) it might even help her a little.
"We'll see now - she's in (the Flying Five Stakes) at the Curragh, but we'll see what her owners want to do. It is my first stakes winner on the Flat and it's unreal, brilliant."
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