Tag Archive for: Falling Snow

A Boy Named Susie lined up for Futurity test

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Donnacha O’Brien is not concerned A Boy Named Susie will be dropping in trip when he lines up in the Coolmore Stud Wootton Bassett Tom Cooper Irish EBF Futurity Stakes at the Curragh later in the month.

The Starspangledbanner colt was very impressive in giving weight away on his debut in a race at Killarney which has produced the likes of Luxembourg and Lambourn in recent years.

For O’Brien it is a real family affair as A Boy Named Susie is owned by his sister, Ana, who has so far resisted the temptation to cash in after his hugely likeable debut.

“The plan is to go to the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh in about a fortnight,” said O’Brien.

“I don’t think coming back a furlong will bother him. He showed plenty on his debut and that turned into a sprint so it wasn’t really like a mile maiden anyway. I don’t have any concerns coming back to seven.

“There was a lot of interest in him, which was to be expected, but we decided to keep hold of him, for now anyway. Obviously it’s a gamble when you hold on to impressive maiden winners, but we’re keeping him for now anyway.”

Another nice juvenile in the yard is Havana Anna, a Listed winner in good style at Naas last month.

“She’s going to go to Longchamp on August 31 for a Group Three,” said O’Brien.

“We’ve entered her in the Cheveley Park, so long term we see her going back over six, but we wanted to keep her at five for now which is why she’s going to France.”

Falling Snow with trainer Donnacha O'Brien (left)
Falling Snow with trainer Donnacha O’Brien (left) (Brian Lawless/PA)

One of O’Brien’s most promising juveniles last year was Falling Snow, by Justify out of Winter, who made a winning debut against Ballet Slippers, who went on to be third in the Fillies’ Mile. She has not been seen since but her return is imminent.

“She’s on the comeback trial. I’d planned to start her back in the Snow Fairy Stakes on August 30,” he said.

“On paper it looks a very hot race, but there’s not many options for her so it’s possible she runs there. She’ll obviously need the run, we wouldn’t be expecting her to win first time but we need to get her started.

“I think she’ll probably need further in time, but she only won over seven so I wouldn’t send her straight over a mile and a half or anything. This is a  mile and one so this is what I have in my head, for all it will be a tough ask first time out on only her second ever run.”

Donnacha O’Brien hoping Porta Fortuna will be back for the autumn

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Donnacha’s O’Brien’s star filly Porta Fortuna will return later in the year after being forced to miss Royal Ascot with a minor setback

The Caravaggio four-year-old has twice run at the showpiece fixture and twice been victorious, winning the Albany in 2023 and the Coronation Stakes in 2024.

She is a multiple Group winner alongside those successes, but will not add to her Ascot tally this term as an injury has sidelined her for the time being.

“She’s had a bit of a setback, she’s not going to make Ascot but hopefully it’s nothing too serious,” said O’Brien.

“We’re hoping to have her back for the second half of the season. It’s bad timing, but we’ll give her all the time she needs and aim to have her back at her best towards the autumn.

“We won’t take any chances with her, we’ll do what’s right by her – as we would with any horse, of course.

“She’s been very special to us, she’ll get all the care and attention she needs.”

Another filly from the yard who will come to hand later in the year is Falling Snow, a daughter of Justify and dual Guineas winner Winter.

The grey made her debut at the Curragh last season, beating the subsequently Group One-placed Ballet Slippers, but has not been seen since after a niggle delayed her return to action.

“She’s on the way back, she had a bad muscle pull earlier in the season but she’s done a few canters now,” O’Brien said.

“She’ll be back in work soon and again, she’ll be one for the second half of the season.

“She’s coming along well and she should be a nice filly for later in the year and into next season.”