By Tom Frary
Bouncing back from a disappointing effort when last in the July 9 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational, Scott Heider's G2 Debutante S. and G3 Silver Flash S. winner Agartha (Ire) (Caravaggio) was at her dynamic best as she made all under Declan McDonogh to capture Friday's G3 Coolmore Stud No Nay Never Fairy Bridge S. at Tipperary. Dropping back from a mile and a quarter to 7 1/2 furlongs here, the Joseph O'Brien-trained 6-4 favourite had only stablemate Night Of Romance (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) to worry about in the straight but stayed on in typically tenacious fashion to score by a length.
“They thought the style of training in America didn't suit her and when she came home Pat McCabe, who rides her out, and I thought she was back working really well and we were proved right,” McDonagh said. “She was lugging out off the fence and was pulling up a bit in the straight, but it is a good confidence-booster. She loves Leopardstown and maybe she'll go to the Matron or something like that now.”
Agartha, who had the misfortune to encounter Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) when second to that star performer in Leopardstown's G3 Ballylinch Stud 1000 Guineas Trial Apr. 2 and when fifth behind her in the May 22 Irish 1000 Guineas itself, was also runner-up in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. at two. From the O'Briens' Whisperview operation, she is the first foal out of the strong-staying Listed Stanerra S. winner and G3 Irish St Leger Trial third Arya Tara (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) from the Aga Khan family of the G1 Prix Ganay hero Astarabad (Alleged), the high-class Azamour (Ire) (Night Shift) and the six-times group 1-winning The Autumn Sun (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}). Arya Tara's 2-year-old son of Churchill (Ire) named Agathon (Ire) was a €360,000 purchase by Justin Casse at Goffs Orby, while her 2021 and 2022 colts are by Ten Sovereigns (Ire).
Friday, Tipperary, Ireland
COOLMORE STUD NO NAY NEVER FAIRY BRIDGE S.-G3, €55,000, Tipperary, 8-26, 3yo/up, f/m, 7 1/2fT, 1:34.62, gd.
1–AGARTHA (IRE), 128, f, 3, by Caravaggio
1st Dam: Arya Tara (Ire) (SW & GSP-Ire), by Dylan Thomas (Ire)
2nd Dam: Anadiyla (Ire), by Barathea (Ire)
3rd Dam: Anaza (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
O-Scott C Heider; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Declan McDonogh. €33,000. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Ire, 13-3-5-2, $273,516. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Night Of Romance (GB), 133, f, 4, Night Of Thunder (Ire)–Shohrah (Ire), by Giant's Causeway.
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (45,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; 50,000gns HRA '21 TATTJU; 30,000gns RNA HRA '21 TATMA). O-E & S Racing; B-Llety Farms (GB); T-Joseph O'Brien. €11,000.
3–Spring Feeling (Fr), 128, f, 3, Buratino (Ire)–Royal Memory (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Robert Ng (FR); T-Ken Condon. €5,500.
Margins: 1, 2 1/4, HF. Odds: 1.50, 8.50, 6.00.
Also Ran: Sh Boom (GB), Galleria Borghese (Ire), Honey Girl (GB), Prettiest, Improvised (Ire), West Coast (Ire), Illuminazione (Ire). Scratched: Statement (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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