Friendly goes clear under Wayne Lordan © Photo Healy Racing
Joseph O’Brien ran five in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cooley Fillies Stakes but it was his father Aidan who landed the Listed prize with 33/1 chance Friendly
Wayne Lordan ’s mount, whose only previous success had come in a Bellewstown maiden in July, travelled well in mid-division and improved to challenge over a furlong out. The daughter of Galileo hit the front 150 yards out and went away to score by two and a half lengths.
Only inches separated the next four home, with former dual winner and last year’s runner-up Surrounding (9/1) enhancing her fine record in the race by finishing second and So I Told You (50/1) faring best of the Joseph O’Brien quintet in third.
Rated as high as 102 earlier in the season, Friendly was winning this off a mark of 90. She’s a full-sister to Group winners Gustav Klimt and Wonderfully and a half-sister to Group 1 winner Nayarra.
“She’s a very well-bred filly and that was great to get a Listed win into her," said Lordan.
“I can promise you if you could see the way she works you’d be surprised it took her as long as it did.
“She’s run some nice races all year and was sixth in the Guineas not beaten that far. That would entitle her to do that today.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
