Racing:Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen enjoyed more success at the Curragh this afternoon as Chinese White overcame fears concerning the fast ground to record a richly deserved Group One triumph in the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes.
Lady O’Reilly’s popular mare was sat in second place as Akdarena cut out the running, with the well-backed Flying Cloud behind in third.
Smullen hit the front over a furlong out on the 4-1 chance and although Flying Cloud flashed home to take second under Frankie Dettori, she was a length and a quarter down at the line.
Akdarena boxed on admirably for third but nothing else got into the race and Aidan O’Brien’s 7-4 favourite Remember When was well held.
Weld said: “This is a very special moment. I am thrilled to have trained a first Group One winner for Lady O’Reilly who has been a fantastic patron of ours down the years. I am also delighted that Chinese White is the mare to do it.
“Chinese White has been a fantastic servant, she has won at Group Two and Group Three level and has been multiple placed at Group One level before today. This is her last run and it is fitting that she should go out on such a high. She is in foal to Cape Cross and retires this evening.”
O’Brien and Johnny Murtagh had got the Irish Derby weekend off to the perfect start when Wild Wind (7-4 favourite) narrowly landed the opening Tipperary Crystal EBF Fillies Maiden.
Puttore took over from the front-running Light Footsteps at the two-furlong marker but the eventual winner and Laughing Lashes went in pursuit.
Murtagh’s mount, having her second start following a promising introduction earlier in the month, ran green when put under pressure inside the distance but got up close home to beat Laughing Lashes by a short head. Puttore had to settle for third and the trio finished clear of the remainder.
Precious Gem, trained by Weld and ridden by Smullen, then supplemented her recent Listed success at Limerick with victory in the Group Three Ballymacoll Stud International Stakes.
Odds-on favourite Recharge proved a major disappointment and trailed home well beaten after coming under pressure over three furlongs from the finish.
Grand Admiral took the five-runner field along at a decent clip, but in-form filly Precious Gem (9-2) moved to the front entering the straight and Smullen simply had to keep her up to her work to beat 4-1 shot Shintoh by a length and three-quarters.