Pearls Galore and Billy Lee have matters in hand © Photo Healy Racing
Pearls Galore notched her second Group 3 of the year when landing the Coolmore Stud No Nay Never Fairy Bridge Stakes under Billy Lee.
Previously successful in the Brownstown Stakes at Fairyhouse, the daughter of Invincible Spirit was always well placed from stall two and soon sat second in a race where the pace wasn’t overly strong.
After getting to the front a furlong and a half out, she was ridden clear to win by a length and three quarters from Roca Romu who came home well from off the pace to take second with Deauville Listed winner Loch Lein in third.
Diappointment of the race was the 6/4 favourite Pretty Gorgeous who couldn’t pick up when the pace quickened and finished in mid-division.
The winner is now four from seven in Ireland since coming over from Freddie Head’s yard in France.
Winning trainer Paddy Twomey said: “I’m delighted she did that. She was in great form when she won the Brownstown and I said we’d go straight for the Matron.
“She was in great form at home and I felt it would be unwise to bypass this one on our doorstep. It was a very good race and we had a 3lb penalty.
“I thought if she could do what she did there then we could have a crack at a Group 1. I felt it might be a bit fanciful if we hadn’t done something like that.
“She’s earned her shot wherever it might be. The Matron, the Foret and the First Lady in Keeneland on the 8th of October are all options and Keeneland would suit her. It’s a quick, tight mile but we’ll leave the dust settle and come up with a plan.
“She’s bred by Andreas Putsch who races her and raced all her family. I think we’re obliged to go for a Group 1 now. She won’t run next year so I’d say another run and that will be it.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
