Porta Fortuna cemented her position as this season's leading filly at a mile in claiming the Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes, bringing to an end Fallen Angel’s love affair with Ireland.
Runner-up in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, Donnacha O’Brien’s charge skipped the Irish 1,000 Guineas won by Karl Burke’s Fallen Angel to head straight to Royal Ascot, where she got the better of Opera Singer in the Coronation Stakes.
Tom Marquand, who was in the saddle at the Royal meeting, had to watch from the sidelines when Porta Fortuna added to her Group One haul in the Falmouth Stakes but was back in the saddle at Leopardstown as the brilliant filly secured a big-race hat-trick.
Sent off the 5-4 favourite, Marquand was never far away from George Boughey’s Soprano and Fallen Angel who dictated the pace, the latter making her return to action after that Classic triumph in May.
The field was packed closely rounding the turn for home where James Doyle asked Fallen Angel to go on and add to her Classic victory on Irish soil, having won on this weekend 12 months ago.
However, Marquand soon unleashed Porta Fortuna’s trademark turn of foot as she surged to an impressive length success, with Fallen Angel and Soprano filling second and third spots respectively.
Porta Fortuna was immediately shortened as favourite for the Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket, but O’Brien hinted she may skip that assignment in favour of heading straight to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Porta Fortuna (5-4F) becomes a four-time Group One winner after landing the Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes at Leopardstown for Donnacha O'Brien and Tom Marquand. pic.twitter.com/iw48HRZZYF
"She’s an incredible filly, she shows up every day. It’s a huge
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