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Winter stands tall in Matron Stakes

3 minute read

Winter is the star name among 14 fillies and mares to stand their ground for the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Winter
Winter Picture: Pat Healy Photography

The daughter of Galileo has won the English and Irish versions of the 1000 Guineas, the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood this season, and will be a warm order to stretch her top-level tally to five if turning up for this one-mile Group One.

She also remains in the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes later on the card.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien is unsurprisingly well represented, with Winter joined by stablemates Hydrangea, Rain Goddess, Rhododendron and Roly Poly.

There are four potential British challengers. Persuasive, runner-up 12 months ago for John Gosden, looks set to return, while the William Haggas-trained Sea Of Grace, Hugo Palmer's Unforgetable Filly and Wuheida from Charlie Appleby's yard could also make the journey across the Irish Sea.

Fozzy Stack's Diamond Fields, Tony Martin's Laganore, Jim Bolger's Bean Feasa and the Joseph O'Brien-trained Intricately make up the home team.

The field is completed by Jean-Claude Rouget's top-class French filly Qemah, who was beaten into third place when a hot favourite for last year's renewal.

Qemah's participation was confirmed by Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Al Shaqab Racing.

"It is very much the intention to run Qemah," he said.

"Jean-Claude has told me she is in very good form and we're looking forward to running."


At The Races

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