The consistent Heavens Gate gained a deserved first Group success in the Group 3 Weld Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.
The daughter of Galileo has been a stalwart juvenile for the Aidan O'Brien team this season, picking up prize money at all major meetings. Third in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, she followed up with a third in the Group 3 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket's July meeting before taking the valuable auction race, the Ballyhane Stakes at Naas.
Heavens Gate started favourite for the seven furlong contest but faced stiff opposition from eventual second Fiery Lucy. Ryan Moore settled the filly in midfield in the early stages before switching right to make a bid with two furlongs to run. She held off the challenge of Fiery Lucy in the closing furlong, holding on for a neck victory with Jessica Harrington's Barnavara back in third.
In an interview with Racing TV, O'Brien said: "Ryan thinks that she'll get a mile, riding her patiently. He said she quickened well and waited when she got there. He was very happy with her.
"She deserved that, she's after having two very big runs.
"[The Breeders' Cup] is very possible. Round the bends, loads of speed, that's what you need."
