More Galileo Magic In Irish Oaks
Magical Lagoon (3f Galileo - Night Lagoon, by Lagunas) brought the late Galileo a step closer to siring an unprecedented century of Group 1 winners when leading home a 1-2 for her sire in Saturday’s Irish Oaks.
Jessica Harrington’s charge announced her talent when breaking her maiden in the Group 3 Flame Of Tara Stakes at the Curragh last August and conquered the mile and a half trip last time out in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes. Sent off favourite for Saturday’s Classic, she led from the two furlong pole and was ridden out to deny Toy (Galileo) by half a length. The progressive Cairde Go Deo (Camelot) completed a 1-2-3 for Coolmore sires.
“She's such a game filly,” a elated Jessica Harrington said after the race. “I knew she would keep finding like she did at Ascot, although they probably did not go as quickly here as they did that day.”
Looking to the future, Harrington continued, “It's only her third run this year and I would say she will improve again. And if she stays in training next year she could be a fabulous filly. She's in the Yorkshire Oaks and we'll see from there.”
Magical Lagoon is owned by Zhang Yuesheng, having been purchased as a yearling in tandem with BBA Ireland’s Michael Donohoe. Bred by Coolmore, the half-sister to Novellist becomes a 96th Group 1 winner by the late, great Galileo.