By Sean Cronin
Fairyland (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who earned 'TDN Rising Star' status in her May 7 unveiling at Naas, annexed a stellar renewal of The Curragh's May 26 Listed Marble Hill S.–accounting for subsequent G2 Railway S. hero Van Beethoven (Scat Daddy) and G2 Richmond S. victress Land Force (Ire) (No Nay Never)–and went postward for Thursday's G2 Sky Bet Lowther S. at York coming back off a first defeat in Royal Ascot's June 22 G3 Albany S., hitting the board in a third straight start at six furlongs. The January-foaled bay was away sharply and established an early lead. Easing to race underneath the stands' side rail by halfway, the well-backed 6-4 favourite came under when first tackled and then headed by The Mackem Bullet (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}) either side of the eighth pole and felt the full persistence of Ryan Moore in the dying embers to regain the initiative by a nose on the line for a career high. “She's been off since [Royal] Ascot, where she ran a very good race in the Albany, and I thought we'd won as her head was in the right place at the line,” commented Moore. “She had a good trip, it was very smooth and there's more to come from her. She's a lovely, scopey filly and I'm sure she'll be a better 3-year-old.” Trainer Aidan O'Brien, whose resume was short of a Lowther win until now, added, “[Owner] Mrs [Evie] Stockwell has liked her from day one and thinks she's a very special-looking filly. She's very classy, has lots of early pace and is brave too. Mrs Stockwell had it in her head that she would come here and then go for the [Sept. 29 G1] Cheveley Park [S. at Newmarket].” Reflecting on a recent virus which has afflicted the stable's fortunes in recent weeks, O'Brien continued, “It was in all three of our yards and was as bad as we've had at Ballydoyle. I think we're at the other side of it now and the year is not over yet, but if there is a relapse the season is over.”
Fairyland is one of three winners from as many runners out of Queenofthefairies (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and she is kin to MGSW G1 Irish 1000 Guineas placegetter Now Or Never (Ire) (Bushranger {Ire}) and a yearling filly by Muhaarar (GB). Queenofthefairies is an unraced daughter of G2 Flying Childers S. and G3 King George S. victress Land of Dreams (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}), herself the leading performer for G3 Molecomb S. winner Sahara Star (GB) (Green Desert), and she is thus a half-sister to dual European champion and MG1SW sire Dream Ahead (Diktat {GB}) and stakes-winning G3 Arc Trial runner-up Into The Dark (GB) (Rainbow Quest).
Thursday, York, Britain
SKY BET LOWTHER S.-G2, £225,000, York, 8-23, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:11.23, g/f.
1–FAIRYLAND (IRE), 126, f, 2, by Kodiac (GB)
1st Dam: Queenofthefairies (GB), by Pivotal (GB)
2nd Dam: Land of Dreams (GB), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB)
3rd Dam: Sahara Star (GB), by Green Desert
1ST GROUP WIN. (925,000gns Ylg '17 TATOCT). O-Mrs Evie Stockwell, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £127,598. Lifetime Record: SW-Ire, 4-3-0-1, $232,827. *1/2 to Now Or Never (Ire) (Bushranger {Ire}), GSW & G1SP-Ire, GSW-Aus, $283,187. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–The Mackem Bullet (Ire), 126, f, 2, Society Rock (Ire)–Elkmait (GB), by Trade Fair (GB). (£9,000 Ylg '17 GOUKSI). O-B Robe; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Brian Ellison. £48,375.
3–Queen Jo Jo (GB), 126, f, 2, Gregorian (Ire)–River Song, by Siphon (Brz). (£11,000 Ylg '17 GOUKPR; 68,000gns 2yo '18 TATBRE). O-Roger Peel; B-Bearstone Stud Ltd (GB); T-Kevin Ryan. £24,210.
Margins: NO, 2, NO. Odds: 1.50, 25.00, 16.00.
Also Ran: Firelight (Fr), Little Kim (GB), Orange Blossom (GB), Stage Play (Ire), Flawless Jewel (Fr), Angel's Hideaway (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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