Pat Smullen celebrates with Brooch in Gowran Park© Photo Healy Racing
Pat Smullen brought up his first century with a winning ride on Brooch in the featured Group 3 Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies Stakes at Gowran Park.
The 11/8 favourite tracked English raider Regardez throughout. Smullen was pushing along on her coming into the home straight as Regardez made a bold bid to make all.
It wasn’t until deep inside the final furlong that Brooch finally mastered her rival and got up late on to land 47,125 euro by half a length.
Ralph Beckett’s charge paid for the trip over with a second-placed reward. She was a length and three parts in front of another raider, Odeliz (11/4).
Pat Smullen said: “It's probably more a personal thing than anything. It's not an easy achievement in Ireland. It's down to the power of the Dermot Weld stable, a good agent and support from a lot of trainers. It's a good achievement and I'm delighted with it.
Dermot Weld added: “That's wonderful. It's Pat's 100th winner of the season and my 15th Group winner this season.
“She has progressed nicely through the ranks, winning her maiden then a Listed race and now a Group race. I imagine that'll probably be it for the year.
“She always appreciates a nice ease in the ground and when I came here and walked the track I was delighted. It's in beautiful condition and a credit to the ground staff.
“She could develop into a Group One filly next year. The two English fillies she beat have been running at the top level.”
It was also a double on the card for Weld and Smullen who landed race two with Intransive
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
