Porta Fortuna doubles up at Royal Ascot in the Coronation (G1) (Megan Coggin)
In The Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes At Newmarket
Sophie Kavanagh, JSC Comms
The Donnacha O’Brien trained Porta Fortuna heads a high-class field of seven in the Group 1 Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket’s July Course on Friday. An impressive winner of the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out, the three-year-old daughter of Caravaggio has been ultra-consistent and bids to add a third Group 1 to her impressive tally. Donnacha O’Brien told Tattersalls: “She’s in good form. Everything has gone well with her since Ascot. The soft ground is not ideal but we’re hoping it will dry out before the race. If the ground dries out somewhere close to good, then we think she has a big chance.”
The John and Thady Gosden trained Running Lion comes into the field following her Royal Ascot success in the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes. Owned and bredby David Howden, the daughter of the late Roaring Lion would prove a poignant winner for connections. Her jockey Oisin Murphy said: “Running Lion was very good at Ascot. I think some juice in the ground will be fine for her, particularly at a mile, it may help her. I really respect Porta Fortuna but hopefully this is a good chance for Roaring Lion [her sire] in a Group 1.
Rogue Millennium will line up for trainer Jospeh O’Brien. A two-time graduate of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale, both in 2021 and at last year’s renewal where she realised 1,650,000 guineas when bought by David Lanigan and Ted Durcan for the Heider family from Barton Sales, consigning on behalf of Tom Clover Racing and The Rogues Gallery. The five-year-old daughter of Dubawi was a star performer as a four-year-old, highlighted by her victory in last year’s Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes as well as finishing runner up in the Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown. New connections will be hopeful she can return to her best after finishing fifth behind Friday’s rival Running Lion when last seen at Royal Ascot. Joseph O’Brien said: “She has been good since Ascot. I would like to see the ground drying up as much as possible in the next couple of days, but it’ll be nice to get her out in Group 1 company and hopefully she runs a nice race.”
Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas runner up A Lilac Rolla is an eye-catching runner with only one defeat in four starts for her trainer Paddy Twomey. The ground will not be a concern for her with victories recorded on both good ground and more notably on heavy ground when winning the Group 3 Priory Belle Stakes at Leopardstown.
David Menuisier will saddle the four-year-old daughter of Soldier Hollow, Sirona, who has produced two Group placed efforts since switching to the Menuisier yard this season.
Dual Listed winner Jabaara trained by Roger Varian and Adrian Murray’s Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes winner Magical Sunset complete the field.
The Tattersalls July Sale, Europe’s premier midsummer sale, continues today and tomorrow. For more information, please visit www.tattersalls.com.
