Galileo Filly Captures Silver Flash Stakes

Shale (2f Galileo - Homecoming Queen, by Holy Roman Emperor) confirmed her class when taking Thursday’s Group 3 Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown.

An impressive maiden winner last time out, the Donnacha O’Brien-trained filly dropped back to seven furlongs on her Stakes debut and tracked the leader under Gavin Ryan. Pushed to lead approaching the final furlong, she ran on well to hold off the favourite Pretty Gorgeous by a length and a half.

Speaking after the race, O’Brien said, “She's done it very well and has obviously improved from her maiden. She looks smart.” Another step up in class is now on the cards for Shale, he added, saying, “I'd imagine that it'll be the Debutante Stakes before heading on to the Moyglare Stakes, something like that.”

The Coolmore Stud homebred becomes the third black-type performer produced by Homecoming Queen (Holy Roman Emperor), all of them by Galileo. Homecoming Queen herself won the 1,000 Guineas by all of nine lengths and is closely related to outstanding racehorse Dylan Thomas (Danehill).