Tarfasha (Pat Smullen) holds a clear lead inside the final furlong© Photo Healy Racing
Tarfasha appreciated the drop back to a mile and a quarter when taking the Moyglare “Jewels” Blandford Stakes in convincing fashion at the Curragh. Shell House set the pace in this Group 2 event and kicked into a clear lead approaching the straight but Pat Smullen’s mount reeled her in before quickly asserted well over a furlong out.
The Dermot Weld-trained filly stayed on well inside the final furlong to beat Chicquita who was making a belated seasonal debut having changed hands for six million euro last November to make her the most expensive horse ever sold at auction in Ireland.
Tarfasha had a length and three quarters to spare over last year's Darley Irish Oaks winner, with a gap of a further two and three quarter lengths back to Roheryn in third.
Weld said, “That is probably her right trip. She was second in the Epsom Oaks but was just running out of stamina at the line, and she didn’t get the mile and a half in the Oaks at the Curragh.
“She has been working well before this, and I was confident that she would be difficult to beat. I will have to have a word with Sheikh Hamdan but her end of season target will probably be the Breeders Cup Fillies & Mares, and we will have a look at the Prix de l’Opera.”
