Tag Archive for: Princess Child

Princess Child edges Fairy Bridge thriller at Tipperary

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Princess Child just got the better of Queen Of Thunder in a thrilling finish to the Coolmore Stud No Nay Never Fairy Bridge Stakes at Tipperary.

Trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle, Princess Child was sent off a 3-1 shot for the Group Three prize as a five-time runner-up at Listed level and winner of the Ahonoora Handicap at the Galway Festival at the start of the month.

Settled in mid division, McMonagle managed to avoid the worst of the trouble as the field tightened up turning into the straight, with Mataariki swinging across the track to the nearside rail and appearing to impede Chantez and 11-4 favourite Fingerpaint in particular.

Switched to challenge down the middle, Princess Child reeled in Queen Of Thunder who had set sail for home, eventually edging a short head in front on the line, with Fingerpaint making late gains to be beaten a further three and a half lengths in third.

O’Brien said: “If any horse every deserved to win a stakes race it was her, although you don’t always get what you deserve. She met a bit of trouble in running but hit the line strong and while it was a head-bobber, she had previously come out the wrong side of a few tight finishes in her career.

“We had been campaigning her aggressively to try to win a stakes race and while she has a load of black type, to win a Group race is great. I’d say it will be a career-best on the figures and I thought she won the hard way.

“She is a Group winner now so it is job done, although we might look to win another one now.”

The stewards inquired into Mataariki’s move across the track, with her rider Declan McDonogh banned for seven days after being found to have ridden carelessly.

Princess Child wears the crown at Galway

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Princess Child, who has been campaigned exclusively in Listed and Group races for over a year, dropped down in grade to land the valuable Irish Stallion Farms EBF Ahonoora Handicap at Galway.

The consistent four-year-old filly had finished second in a Listed event at the track on Thursday but was able to land her first win since racing in France as a juvenile.

Since joining Joseph O’Brien she was more than paid her way, finishing second in four Listed races.

However, this was the first time her handler had run her in a handicap since her first start for new connections in June 2024 and she was sent off 5-1 to gain a first win in Ireland.

Gleneagle Bay made a bold bid for home but Dylan Browne McMonagle brought Princess Child with a powerful run and she went on to win by a length and a quarter with Colm Quinn Mile winner Dunum back in third.

“She had a good run here the last day. She was very unlucky and just didn’t get the rub of the green until the straight,” said the winning rider.

“She’s had a couple of days to freshen up again and was bouncing around the parade ring and felt great going to post.

“The pace was good and even for me to aim at, and she quickened up good to win well. She seemed to get through the ground well.

“You need plenty of luck when you are drawn in there (stall six) but I definitely had a willing partner.

“She’s a very consistent filly and seems to grow a leg on this ground. She likes it around here and always runs a good race here. Hopefully she can progress into stakes company again and get her head in front.”