Half an hour after the success of Galileo's Choice in the Kilternan Stakes, Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen doubled their score when Emulous grabbed the limelight by capturing the Group 1 Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes at Leopardstown by three lengths. This was a first success at the highest level at the Foxrock venue for Weld.
The successful four-year-old had to give weight away to her younger rivals but that was not a concern for jockey Pat Smullen who had her anchored at the back of the field early on.
The pair started to make their move around the outside of runners turning for home and swooped past her rivals at the furlong pole.
She strode clear for an impressive 9-2 success and added yet another Group One victory for her owner Prince Khalid Abdullah. Together (3-1) did best of the Aidan O'Brien trio in second, with hot 6-4 favourite Misty For Me clinging on for third from the fast finishing Barefoot Lady Wild Wind looked unlucky in running further down the field.
Smullen said: "I always felt she was of that level but that was a very hot race. It worked out beautifully for her in that they went enough pace that I could come from behind like I did with one run. She picked up very very well.
"She's a very good filly and she could have a good backend. That's as far (a mile) as she'll go."
Lord Grimthorpe representing Prince Khalid Abdulla said: "She travelled very well in behind and she picked them up almost for fun. She was in good shape for today – in a good frame of mind. She'll go for the Sun Chariot at Newmarket now."
Meanwhile Weld said: "I'm very pleased to win a Group One with her. She's already won three Group 3s and that's my first Group 1 winner for Prince Khalid. We just missed out with Famous Name in a French Derby. These Group 1s are hard to win, especially the prestige ones.
"Emulous is a joy to train and she is very consistent. The Sun Chariot at Newmarket will be her next race, it's the logical progression.
"She has progressed nicely through the year. She beat Lolly For Dolly at the Curragh impressively and then had an effortless win in a Group 3 at Fairyhouse.
"It is typical of her family to get better with every run. She is a very good filly and I felt that she'd take a lot of beating here. We decided to wait for today as I was tempted to run her in the Desmond Stakes."
