Agartha with trainer Joseph O'Brien © Photo Healy Racing
A four-race maiden coming into the race, Agartha sprang a 16/1 surprise when making all the running in the Group 3 Frank Conroy Silver Flash Stakes.
The Caravggio filly broke very smartly and never relinquished the couple of lengths advantage gained in so doing.
Declan McDonogh ’s mount galloped on strongly in the straight to beat Juncture (2/1) by two and three quarter lengths.
The 10/11 favourite Prettiest who had beaten the winner in a Navan maiden in May, finished back in fourth but a possible excuse emerged after the race when, on examination, she showed signs of being in season.
Winning trainer Joseph O’Brien said: “We've always thought a lot of her and she's been running very well.
“Today we said we'd let her bowl along and she loved it. Maybe we were restricting her a bit much.
“When we let her bowl along today she really got into a great rhythm and galloped. They didn't let her go, they followed her along all the way, she's a good filly.
“I'd say she'll go further too. The dam won a mile-and-a-six Listed race (at this venue under Ana O’Brien five years ago) so she could certainly go a mile at two anyway.
“We'll probably head for the Debutante with her now. We've always had a very high opinion of her and she's done nothing but improve with each run.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
