Estrange beats Oaks winner Thundering On in Pretty Polly Stakes

Estrange delivered a masterclass in front-running brilliance to claim her first Group One victory in the Tattersalls Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, emphatically outclassing Oaks heroine Thundering On in the process. The near-white five-year-old, ridden by Danny Tudhope under David O’Meara, produced a scintillating turn of foot to secure a length-and-a-half advantage over One Look, with Thundering On fading to fourth. The result marks a significant milestone for O’Meara’s yard and sets up a compelling autumn campaign for the mare.

A statement of intent

The race had been framed as a clash between Thundering On’s Oaks-winning pedigree and Estrange’s burgeoning reputation, but the latter’s performance left little room for debate. Both fillies had been patiently ridden into the final quarter-mile, but it was Tudhope’s filly that accelerated clear with two furlongs remaining, her advantage growing with every stride. The margin of victory—length-and-a-half—flattered Thundering On, who never threatened to challenge after being boxed in traffic.

O’Meara, reflecting on the victory, described Estrange as “a wonderful mare” and suggested the drop back in trip from a mile-and-a-half to a mile-and-a-quarter may have been the key to unlocking her potential. “The drop back in trip has definitely not been a negative; it could have been the making of her,” he said. “Maybe we have been running her over the wrong trip.” The trainer’s optimism was underpinned by the mare’s smooth passage through the race, her late burst of speed suggesting she remains on an upward curve.

What comes next?

With the Group One win secured, the immediate question is where Estrange will target next. O’Meara confirmed the mare has an entry for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, a race she missed last year due to a dirty scope. Coral immediately slashed her odds from 20/1 to 12/1 for the Arc, while Paddy Power installed her as a 7/2 favourite for the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. The trainer, however, struck a cautious note: “We’d love to go for the Arc and she has the entry. It was important that she got the Group One win under her belt and she did so in good style today. We’ll enjoy this and figure out where we go next.”

The victory also underscores the strength of O’Meara’s yard, which has become a consistent supplier of high-class performers for Cheveley Park Stud. The owners’ long-standing relationship with the trainer was highlighted by O’Meara, who praised their loyalty: “They have been sending me horses now for over a decade and it’s brilliant for them.” The Pretty Polly Stakes triumph adds another elite-level success to a season that has already seen O’Meara’s team deliver top-level performances.

Thundering On’s setback

For Joseph O’Brien’s stable, the result was a rare disappointment in what has otherwise been a dominant season. Thundering On, despite her Oaks success, was never able to recover from a poor draw and the tactical challenges of the race. Her fourth-place finish was a stark contrast to Estrange’s authoritative display, though the margin of defeat should not overshadow the filly’s achievements earlier in the year. O’Brien’s team will now regroup, likely targeting another Group One contest where Thundering On can rediscover her best form.

The Curragh’s quick turnaround also saw Sun Goddess shine in the Airlie Stud Stakes, following her second-place finish at Royal Ascot. Aidan O’Brien’s filly tracked the leaders before asserting herself in the final furlong, demonstrating the yard’s depth of talent across multiple divisions. While Estrange’s victory dominated the headlines, the meeting underlined the competitive nature of the summer programme in Ireland.

The Pretty Polly Stakes has long been a barometer for top-level staying fillies, and Estrange’s performance suggests she is ready to compete at the highest level. Whether she targets the Arc or opts for a more immediate target like the Nassau Stakes, one thing is clear: her first Group One win was no fluke. With Tudhope’s tactical acumen and O’Meara’s patient planning, Estrange is poised to write the next chapter in what is shaping up to be a stellar career.