Iridessa Secures Second Group 1 Success In Pretty Polly Stakes

The Joseph O’Brien-trained Iridessa (3f Ruler Of The World - Senta’s Dream, by Danehill) gained the second Group 1 success of her career when taking the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Irish Derby Festival.

Victorious in the Group 1 Fillies Mile last year, she was last seen finishing fourth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and was once again ridden by Wayne Lordan. Now racing over ten furlongs, she tracked the leaders and was forced to bide her time in the straight, waiting until a gap appeared approaching the final furlong. Switched left, she ran on strongly to lead inside the final furlong and stayed on to score by two and a quarter lengths. Magic Wand (Galileo) took second, with Pink Dogwood (Camelot) completing a 1-2-3 for Coolmore sires.

Speaking after the race, Joseph O’Brien said, “She had good form last year and ran well at Newmarket and here last time. She loved the step up in trip and Wayne gave her a fantastic ride - the race worked out lovely for her. It was a huge performance in a very strong race.”

O’Brien added that the Irish Oaks would be the likely aim for Iridessa, who won in the colours of Mrs CC Regalado-Gonzalez, who purchased her privately after her four length win on debut last July. She was bred by Whisperview Trading out of Senta’s Dream, a daughter of Robert Frankel’s dual Grade 1 winner Starine.

Ruler Of The World stands for €8,000 this season.