Sister To Winter Proves Progressive In Listed Contest

Lovelier (3f Galileo - Laddies Poker Two, by Choisir) became a third Stakes winner in three days for Galileo when taking the Listed Cairn Rouge Stakes at Killarney on Monday.

A full-sister to top-class filly Winter (Galileo), the Coolmore homebred made a promising seasonal debut last month when finishing fifth over seven furlongs. Stepping up to a mile on her latest start, she was given a patient ride by Wayne Lordan and stayed on strongly under pressure to lead inside the final furlong. The winning distance was half a length, as the favourite Celestial Object (Galileo) kept on to claim runners-up honours.

Speaking after the race, Wayne Lordan said, “She is a nice filly and had been working well. She is a very easy ride and doesn't waste any energy, and you can put her where you want. That was a nice performance and she might step forward again.”

Lovelier’s success followed a Group double for Galileo on Sunday, with Tuscan Gaze landing the Derby Italiano and Ballydoyle’s Nobel Prize winning the Ballysax Stakes at Dundalk.