Snow Fairy’s famous last gasp victory in the Epsom Oaks was the stuff of real fairytales, the bargain basement filly fulfilling the dream of every small owner. To top that performance Ed Dunlop’s filly ran away with the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Sunday, destroying the opposition by an eased down 8 lengths, writes Elliot Slater.
She might have cost just a paltry 1800 euros, but the daughter of Intikhab has belied her modest background to prove herself to racing tips experts as the best middle-distance female of her generation in Europe.
There were a few anxious moments for backers of Snow Fairy (7/2) as she came off the bridle around half a mile for home before picking up the bit at the three marker, finding a devastating turn of foot to sweep into the lead past Lady Lupus and Meeznah, the filly who ran her so close at Epsom.
At the furlong pole the race was already beyond any doubt and Moore had the luxury of coasting in to beat the staying-on Godolphin representative Miss Jean Brodie, with Lady Lupus finishing an honourable third under young J P O’Brien. Ribblesdale winner Hibaayeb was sent off the betting tips 10/3f but was never travelling well and finished tailed off last of the 15 runners under Frankie Dettori.
Moore reported that Snow Fairy won despite the easy ground, not because of it, and made it clear that she hadn’t given him as good a feel as at Epsom six weeks ago.
For his part, Dunlop was achieving the Oaks double for a second time having sent out the mighty Ouija Board to win both races in 2004. A trip to the Breeders’ Cup could be on the agenda later in the year for this season’s ‘Cinderella’ horse, who may first take in the Yorkshire Oaks at the York Ebor fixture next month.
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