Ed Dunlop's mare defeated the Coral-Eclipse winner Nathaniel, and the reigning Breeders Cup Turf winner St Nicholas Abbey in devastating style to win the Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown - in a new 1m 2f track record. Her victory by just over a length was her 7th Group 1 and her first in GB & Ireland since her 3 year old campaign.
Nathaniel and William Buick took things up from the long time pacemaker Daddy Long Legs as they turned for home and quickly created daylight between him and the chasing pack. However, Snow Fairy was still cruising in behind Nathaniel and once the gap was bridged she powered away once Frankie Dettori, deputising for the injured Ryan Moore, shook the reigns at her. Amazingly, this was Dettori's first win aboard the mare at the 4th time of asking.
Dunlop said he was 'almost speechless'. He went on to label her 'The Horse Of A Lifetime' and praised his luck to have had two as he had also trained the wonder-mare Ouija Board.
Of course the main attributer to this amazing story is the career threatening tendon injury Snow Fairy suffered last year. Dunlop was thankful to the owners Anamoine Ltd, in particular Cristina Patino, for deciding not to take the easy option and retire her, but instead opt for the horse to undergo surgery. Dunlop was keen address that Snow Fairy had come back better than ever this year after the race. In addition, he also rated yesterdays performance as 'her best ever' after she broke the track record.
With regard to the future, Dunlop said: 'I don't want to sit on the fence but we will take her home and discuss plans. She's in the Arc and there is also the Champions Stakes and the Breeders Cup.
Snow Fairy's odds for the Arc contacted last night to as short as 7-1 with most firms, with Camelot as big as 3's (if he turns up) and Danedream at 6's.
In my personal opinion I consider Danedream to be a worthy Arc second-favourite on all given form. The German raider was a superb winner last year and although her victories this year haven't been as impressive, she is still the one to beat. A.Starke's mount was Snow Fairy's conqueror by 5 and a half lengths in 2011 and up until yesterday I thought she was the best mare around. However, as Snow Fairy's performance suggested that she is better than ever, I don't see any reason why she cannot bridge those 5 lengths next month. Rest assured they are two of the best mares in recent times and this years clash will be something to savour.
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| Danedream winning the Arc in 2011 with Snow Fairy behind in 3rd |
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