McCreery vindicated as Vespertilio delivers in the Dash Classic-placed Vespertilio (2/1f) gained a second career success at the Curragh today, as the Willie McCreery-trained filly benefitted from a patient ride from jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle in the Listed Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes. The daughter of Night Of Thunder broke her maiden in a seven-furlongs juvenile Group 2 contest in 2023 and, the following year, filled third place in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches — the French 1,000 Guineas. Somewhat unusually dropped to sprint distances this year, Vespertilio was produced from rear-division in today’s six-furlongs contest to eventually lead in the closing stages, beating My Mate Alfie by a short-head. McCreery said “she has lots of speed and needs cover. Dylan was very patient and said when she hit the front she thought she had everything done and pulled herself up. I’m delighted to get her back in the winners enclosure. “She won a Group 2 as a two-year-old and was third in a French Guineas so it was hard to persuade the owners to bring her back to six furlongs, as she had such good form over a mile, but it has paid off. Night Of Thunder puts loads of speed into them. “The important thing is to switch her off early and we might go for the Maurice De Gheest now. She has a French breeder premium so she gets another bonus on top if she does well over there.” Quotes from Alan Magee
