Black Type Next For Soldier Of Fortune’s Galway Winner

Connections are hoping Fortunate Lighting (5m Soldier Of Fortune - Sandymount Lady, by Okavango) can improve to black-type level after winning the mares’ bumper at the Galway Festival on Saturday.

The Charles Byrnes-trained mare finished a promising fifth behind the well-fancied Friends (Mahler) on return to action last month. Well-supported to build on that run on Saturday, she raced in touch with the leaders and became short of room with two furlongs left to race. Soon ridden, she was switched left a furlong out and ran on strongly under Ray Barron to win by two lengths and three quarters.

“She is a good honest filly,” the winning trainer later commented. “She came home well and surprised Ray in how well she quickened up. There is a Listed bumper at Gowran and I think she is up to getting black-type.”

Owned by Philip McGee, the daughter of Soldier Of Fortune was bred by Aileen Sloane and Margaret O’Sullivan.