Europe: Sky Lantern earns fees-paid berth in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf after Moyglare Stud Stakes win

Sky Lantern gave noted trainer of 2-year-olds Richard Hannon his latest success in a major race for juveniles when she won the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes on Sunday at The Curragh in Ireland.

Sky Lantern raced midpack under Richard Hughes in the early stages of the 13-horse Moyglare Stud, a seven-furlong race. Hughes moves her into a challenging position about a quarter-mile from the finish, and Sky Lantern had little trouble dashing to a clear victory. She beat runner-up Scintillula by 2 ½ lengths, with favored Harasiya another head back in third.

The Moyglare Stud is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series of races, earning Sky Lantern a fees-paid berth (plus travel expenses) into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Hannon, based in England, has had little luck sending runners to the United States, but after the Moyglare Stud his son and assistant, Richard Jr., suggested a trip to California this fall might be in the works.

“She could get a mile, and Santa Anita is an option now,” he said.

Sky Lantern, a Red Clubs filly, has three wins and two second-place finishes from her five races.

* Another race Sunday at The Curragh, the Group 2 Blandford Stakes, also could have Breeders’ Cup implications, with the winner, Up, reportedly being pointed to the BC Filly and Mare Turf by trainer Aidan O’Brien. Up would be making her second overseas trip of the year if she comes; the filly finished sixth last month in the Beverly D. Stakes at Arlington.