Order Of Australia once again made the most of having his sights lowered to register back-to-back victories in the Romanised Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

Aidan O’Brien’s 2020 Breeders’ Cup Mile hero was an authoritative winner of the Group 2 contest 12 months ago, since when he has been campaigned exclusively at Group 1 level.

During that time he has been placed in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, the Prix du Moulin at ParisLongchamp and the Queen Anne Stakes, finishing just under six lengths behind the brilliant Baaeed when third at Royal Ascot last month.

Dropping in class back on home soil, Order Of Australia was the 4/5 favourite in the hands of Ryan Moore and produced a dominant front-running display.

Paddy Twomey’s high-class mare Pearls Galore, previously successful in listed and Group 2 company this term, did her best to keep tabs on the leader, but he was ultimately much too strong and passed the post with three and a half lengths in hand.

Pearls Galore stuck to her guns to repel Dr Zempf and hold on for second.

“He’s a lovely horse, he has loads of speed, is tough, genuine and hardy,” O’Brien said of the winner.

“He’s out of that great mare (Senta’s Dream). He ran a lovely race first time back at Ascot this year and the plan was to come here and go on to the Sussex at Goodwood with him.

“Obviously he’s a Breeders’ Cup Mile winner so he has plenty of class. As he’s getting older he’s getting quicker and stronger. We’re delighted with him.

“He was working very well going to Ascot but it was his first run so he had to tire a little bit and that’s what he did do.

“The plan is to go to the Sussex and finish up at the Breeders’ Cup and he could go to Hong Kong and do all those races.

“He’s at that great age now that he’s seasoned, has experience, and he’s quicker this year which is great. That’ll be a big help in those big races.”

Minor upset

Lily Pond caused a minor upset in the Kilboy Estate Stakes.

A field of nine fillies went to post for the nine-furlong Group 2, with William Haggas’ British raider Purplepay all the rage as the even-money favourite.

A €2,000,000 purchase in December, the daughter of Zarak had since run well in both the Irish 1000 Guineas and and the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, as well as winning a Group 2 in France.

However, while she travelled smoothly into contention in the hands of Tom Marquand, Purplepay failed to pick up when required and was ultimately well beaten in fifth place.

Dundalk maiden winner Lily Pond, who had come up short in three previous outings in Pattern company, was an 8/1 shot for the formidable combination of Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore.

After tracking pacesetting stablemate Galleria Borghese, the Galileo filly dug deep late on to repel the challenge of Seisai by half a length.

“We tried the last day to go up in trip but it was just too far,” said O'Brien.

“We knew after the last day that her trip was between nine and twelve furlongs. This was a lovely race and she was very well.

“She’s a very tough, consistent filly but I’d say probably a mile and a half is as far as she wants to go. She’s very comfortable from nine to twelve.

“I’m delighted with her, she’s a very well-bred filly.”

Considering future plans, he added: “She could go up into a good mile and a quarter race now. That’s a Group 2 today so she could step into any of those races from now on.

“She could be there for Arc weekend for the mile and a quarter fillies’ race (Prix de l’Opera).”