Ireland: Estrange grabs elusive Group 1 in Pretty Polly
In her third attempt, Estrange won her first Group 1 in Saturday’s $455,000 Pretty Polly Stakes for fillies and mares at the Curragh in Ireland, arguably the most attractive win of her nine-race career.
Ridden by Daniel Tudhope for trainer David O’Meara, Estrange closed from sixth in a field of eight to take the lead in the final furlong. Estrange was quickly clear and won by 1 1/2 lengths over 22-1 One Look, who raced in traffic briefly with a quarter-mile remaining.
Red Letter (10-1) finished third, two lengths behind Estrange, who paid $4.20 in American pools as the second choice.
Thundering On, the winner of the Group 1 English Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at Epsom Racecourse on June 5, was the 4-5 favorite, but could only manage fourth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths. Thundering On closed from last, but could not keep pace with Estrange in the final furlong.
Estrange has won six times, including three other group stakes, but had never beaten a field with the quality of the Pretty Polly Stakes, which was run at 1 1/4 miles.
Estrange’s win led to conversations about a start in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe against males at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris on Oct. 4, Europe’s leading race.
Estrange was withdrawn from the Arc last October after being diagnosed with an illness.
A 4-year-old filly by Night of Thunder, Estrange races for Cheveley Park Stud. Last year, Estrange won the Grade 2 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock Park last July, and was later second in two Group 1 races – the Yorkshire Oaks at York last August, and the British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes in late October.
Prior to the Pretty Polly Stakes, Estrange won her lone start this year in the Group 3 Fillies’ Stakes at 1 3/8 miles at Carlisle Racecourse on May 30.
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