Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes (Group 1)

A ONE-two for Aidan O’Brien in a Group 1 is nothing new but this was perhaps one from left field as Fairyland and her fellow three-year-old filly So Perfect bested a field of seasoned rivals to dominate the finish of Ireland’s newest Group 1.

The Ballydoyle duo finished sixth and ninth in the Haydock Sprint Cup just eight days previously, but it was all change this time as a drop back to five furlongs and a switch to better ground enabled the pair to show just what they were capable of.

Both horses had shown up well in top sprints over the course of the season and Fairyland had previously struck gold at Group 1 level in last season’s Cheveley Park Stakes, so on their day the 12/1 shots more had the capacity to make an impact in a top-level sprint.

The Evie Stockwell-owned Fairyland was partnered by Ryan Moore and she made good progress on the far side to strike the front approaching the last furlong. So Perfect stormed home for Donnacha O’Brien but found the line coming too soon and lost out by a short-head. Invincible Army did best of the English raiders to finish a length and a half back in third. Favourite Soffia was reported to have burst a blood vessel.

“She’s done that well and her best run of the season was probably over this trip in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot,” reported O’Brien.

“So Perfect also had good form at this trip and the plan with both fillies provided they are okay would be the Abbaye at Longchamp and then we could see about the Breeders’ Cup. The ground at Haydock had probably just gone a bit soft for both fillies last week.”