WILLIE Mullins has conquered pretty much everything there is to do in the world of National Hunt racing, but his son and assistant Patrick reckons victory in today’s Juddmonte Irish Oaks (3.40) would rank right up there with his biggest achievements in the sport.
Not many fillies go from winning a maiden on their only start of the season to plundering a competitive fillies’ classic on their next start, just as Lope De Lilas is attempting to do. Then again, not many trainers seem to be able to pull off the extraordinary feats Mullins makes look routine.
The Lope De Vega filly looked something out of the ordinary herself when bolting up over 10 furlongs at Leopardstown in May, a race won 12 months earlier by subsequent triple Group 1 and Royal Ascot winner Warm Heart. According to RaceiQ data, no horse on that Leopardstown card had a bigger stride length than Lope De Lilas, and the closest to her was subsequent Irish Derby scorer Los Angeles.
The dominant display also caught the eye of one of racing’s fastest growing powerhouses. Wathnan Racing, headed up by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, swooped to privately buy the former Jackie Mullins-owned three-year-old following that breakthrough win, with today’s classic feature at the Curragh immediately identified as the target.
The Mullins family have history with the €500,000 contest. Vintage Tipple, ridden by Frankie Dettori, memorably captured the same prize back in 2003 for the champion trainer’s late father, Paddy.
“It would mean a huge amount to Willie if he could emulate his father in winning a Juddmonte Irish Oaks - it would be up there with the top of his achievements,” said Patrick Mullins.
“James Doyle came over to ride her work at the Curragh on Tuesday and she worked very well and everyone was very happy. It is obviously a big ask coming straight out of maiden company into a Group 1 classic but that is the route we have decided to take. She had a fantastic preparation at home.”
The most successful amateur rider of all time added: “Port Fairy is a Royal Ascot winner and she sets the standard but it is hugely exciting to be involved in a classic. I vividly remember Vintage Tipple winning, I was actually at a hunter trial in Stradbally and I was listening to it on the radio with my cousin, Emmet. It’s a big ask but we are very happy going there so fingers and toes crossed.”
Ballydoyle bookings
There was an eyecatching development in terms of jockey bookings after Thursday’s declaration stage. Against market expectations, Ryan Moore will take the ride on Pretty Polly Stakes third Content, rather than fellow Aidan O’Brien-trained representative Port Fairy, who landed the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot last time and will now be partnered by Wayne Lordan.
Speaking in his Betfair-sponsored blog, Moore said: “Content stayed on very strongly for me when third to Bluestocking and Emily Upjohn over a mile and a quarter last month and that may well be the strongest piece of form on show.
“It gives you encouragement that this Galileo filly could well stay further and make her presence felt.
“We know Port Fairy is a guaranteed stayer, having won the Ribblesdale last time. Form-wise, there is very little between the pair, so I’d have gladly sat on either. Both have winning form on soft if the forecast rain arrives, although it is currently on the quick side.”
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