Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes (Group 1)

IT wasn’t the first time in her career Iridessa crept into a Group 1 contest under the radar and not for the first time the Joseph O’Brien’s filly turned up in all her glory as she bolstered her already impressive big-race record with a third success at the top level.

A 14/1 winner of the Fillies’ Mile last year and the 8/1 outsider of the field when she won the Pretty Polly in June, the three-year-old daughter of Ruler Of The World was sent off at 10/1 this time after disappointing in the Irish Oaks two months previously. That Oaks run was banished to the distant past though as Iridessa bested the dual Guineas heroine Hermosa to book a trip to Paris next month.

Wayne Lordan, who had partnered the filly to her previous Group 1 triumphs and was winning this race for the third time in five years, was once again on board the Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez-owned filly who was always well placed. She tracked Hermosa and last year’s winner Laurens from an early stage and then loomed up with real menace in the straight.

A flagging Laurens soon gave way, but it wasn’t until inside the last furlong that Iridessa was able to subdue a back-to-form Hermosa.

As is her wont, the winner drifted a little left late on, but victory was in safe keeping at this point and she got home by three-parts of a length from Hermosa, with Just Wonderful a head back in third, while Laurens could only manage fourth.

“That’s fantastic. She’s a very tough and very good filly and she got a great ride from Wayne,” commented O’Brien. “We were trying different trips with her earlier in the season and she stepped up to a mile and a half in the Oaks but that was quite a messy race and we drew a line through that.

“She’s a filly that loves to chase a good pace and having something to aim at and the race worked out well for her. She was actually entered in the Blandford Stakes this weekend as well but we thought this race might suit her better. In terms of where we go now the Prix de ‘Opera on Arc Weekend was the race that we were thinking of.”

Coolmore 'Fastnet Rock' Matron Stakes Presentation after Iridessa won (L-R) Joseph O'Brien, Eddie Fitzpatrick (Sponsors), Tara and Bill Dwan and Wayne Lordan \ Healy Racing