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Tahiyra much the best in Matron Stakes

Tahiyra stamped her authority as the best filly of her age group over this distance with a commanding fourth Group 1 victory in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.

TAHIYRA winning the Coronation Stakes at Ascot in England.
TAHIYRA winning the Coronation Stakes at Ascot in England. Picture: Tom Dulat/Getty Images

TAHIYRA winning the Moyglare Stud Stakes (Fillies' Group 1)
TAHIYRA winning the Moyglare Stud Stakes (Fillies' Group 1) Picture: Pat Healy Photography

The now four-time Group 1 winner suffered her sole defeat when worried out of it close home by Mawj in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket back in May, but Dermot Weld's filly hasn't looked back since, recording top-level victories in the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh and the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

Stablemate Homeless Songs was a late withdrawal due to ground conditions leaving Dermot Weld relying solely on his stable star, but the Rosewell House-based trainer would have had little worries as Tahiyra always caught the eye travelling strongly under Chris Hayes.

The Aga Khan-owned filly arrived on the scene travelling powerfully with two furlongs to run and she quickened up smartly to join Just Beautiful approaching the final furlong. Chris Hayes soon sent his mount for home and the 5/6 market leader drew readily clear of a staying-on Rogue Millennium (12/1) for a commanding one-and-a-quarter-length success.

Just Beautiful (6/1) finished back in third with Aidan O'Brien's Meditate putting in some good late work to grab the fourth spot.

Dermot Weld, who was recording a third Group 1 Matron Stakes success, said: "No matter how many Group 1 races you're fortunate enough to win that will always go down as a special one to us,"

"All the pressure was on this filly; she'd won the Guineas and won at Royal Ascot and some of those that she'd beaten have fallen by the wayside, but she keeps on winning. Chris rode her with confidence. We knew there'd be a good pace on, these are good fillies, and it was an excellent renewal of the race. I'm sure the time is good and she's very talented.

"She was 8 to 10 kilos heavier today than she was when she won at Royal Ascot, and I was very happy when I saw Chris cruising there on the outside. I told him to gradually get there and that's what he did.

"She's an amazing animal, I have a wonderful team and it's great credit to them. We've a lot to look forward to with her. The Breeders' Cup has to be a possibility and there's a decision to be made as to whether she stays in training next season."

Paddy Power cut the winner to 4/1 from 5/1 for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day, whilst the same firm make her the 5/1 joint-favourite for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita in November.


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