Magical Lagoon (far side) winning under Shane Foley at Ascot© Photo Healy Racing
Jessica Harrington is strongly represented in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday by Royal Ascot winner Magical Lagoon plus course and distance scorer Fennela.
Magical Lagoon first came to prominence when landing the Group 3 Manguard Plus Irish EBF Flame Of Tara Stakes at the Curragh last August.
The Zhang Yuesheng-owned daughter of Galileo made a pleasing return this season when just touched off by Concert Hall in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes at Navan before landing the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.
“She seems to have come out of her last run at Ascot very well. She’s had four weeks since that race so has had plenty of time and I’m very happy with her,” the Moone trainer told broadcaster Dave Keena.
“She stays very well and likes quick ground which it looks like we’ll get this weekend.
“When she was just beaten in the Salsabil at Navan we were never going to go for the English Oaks even though she was in it as we didn’t think it would suit her.
“We waited for the Ribblesdale and the plan from there was to go straight for the Irish Oaks.”
Harrington will also saddle Fennela who appreciated the step up to a mile and a half when successful on the latest of her three starts here last month.
“She’s only won her maiden but she is beautifully bred. She’ll stay every yard of the mile and four and she is a classy animal.
“She has a chance to win or be placed in a Group 1 at three and you always have to take that chance.
“I’ve been placed twice before in an Oaks and it would be lovely to get my name on the scorecard.”
The Sea The Stars filly is a half-sister to three Group 1 winners including 2018 Oaks heroine Forever Together.
