Patrick Prendergast confirms Moyglare victor will now head on a winter break
Patrick Prendergast will spend the winter dreaming of Classic glory after confirming his Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine Skitter Scatter will not run again this season.
Following victories in the Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown and the Debutante at the Curragh, the daughter of Scat Daddy was well-fancied to provide her connections with a first top-level success and did so in fine style.
Prendergast admits a trip to the Breeders’ Cup was tempting, but feels it will be more beneficial for his star filly to have a break before being prepared for the either the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket or the Irish 1,000 Guineas at home next spring.
Prendergast said: “She’s come out of the race perfect and we’re delighted with her.
“The ‘win and you’re in’ offer for the Breeders’ Cup is a very generous one, but the owners are very fond of this filly and they don’t want to go to the well once too often. They want me to train her for the Guineas and that’s what we’ll do.
“Obviously there’s the Guineas at home, but we will enter her for Newmarket, too. The ground will be a big factor as we know this filly acts very well on fast ground.
“She’ll be going on a holiday now and we can look forward to the spring with her.”
Prendergast is keen to pay tribute to Skitter Scatter’s owners, Anthony and Sonia Rogers, who look set to resist any big offers that might come their way in the coming weeks and months.
“A lot has been made about it being my first Group One winner and Ronan’s (Whelan) first Group One winner, which is great, but it was also a first Group One winner for Anthony. He’s a very hard-working man and he pays the bills at the end of the day, so I’m delighted for him,” the trainer added.
“The owners have a great place at Airlie Stud and if this filly can go on to have foals one day that are as tough as she is, that will be exciting.
“It’s been an incredible few months. When I gave her the entry in the Moyglare I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing or not.
“There’s a chance she could end up being the top juvenile filly in Ireland this year, which would be marvellous.”
