Mendelssohn’s Without Words on Top in G3 Fairy Bridge

Mendelssohn registered a new Irish stakes winner on Sunday when his daughter Without Words (3f Mendelssohn x Border Dispute, by Boundary) won the Group III Coolmore Stud No Nay Never Fairy Bridge Stakes at Tipperary.

Cutting back to under a mile for the first time in her career, Without Words took up a spot in the rear of the field early in the 7 ½ furlong race. Moving up closer throughout the race, Without Words was one of the runners closest to the leader in the final furlong. However, she had her work cut out for her with the leader still over five lengths in front of the field.

Showing an outstanding turn of foot in the closing stages, Without Words clicked into gear and was able to catch Sioux Nation’s Matilda Picotte just before the line to win by a length.

“She is a talented filly when things fall right for her. That’s a career best today and she’s going the right way,” said trainer Joseph O’Brien’s representative Sean Corby.

Running for John Oxley, the Paget Bloodstock-bred Without Words was a €450,000 purchase at last December’s Arqana Breeding Stock Sale.

Without Words is a three-quarter sister to Grade I winner Combatant and half-sister to Group III winner Long Lashes, the Group II placed Mythical Border, and the stakes placed Bordini. The filly’s granddam is the four-time winner Scads, who produced Grade I-placed Just a Coincidence and Border Dispute’s Grade III placed full sister Plenty. Plenty produced the stakes winning duo of Plenty of Vision and Plethora.

Without Words has an unraced juvenile full sister named Border Control, who is working regularly.

Mendelssohn is the sire of 116 winners this year, the best of any third crop sire. The group includes eight stakes winners – second best of the crop behind only his studmate Justify.