By Tom Frary
Stepping up from her striking Wolverhampton debut win, Forest Fairy (Ire) (Waldgeist {GB}–Bahama Girl {Ire}, by Lope De Vega {Ire}) booked her Classic ticket with success in Wednesday's Listed Cheshire Oaks. Kept in a pocket throughout the home turn, the Ralph Beckett-trained 11-4 shot was out in time to reel in Ballydoyle's Port Fairy (Ire) (Australia {GB}) close home for a head verdict. “She did well, as she was very green still and had never been on the grass,” jockey Rossa Ryan said. “She was very timid in coming out from behind, but dug deep for me today and I would be very disappointed if she doesn't take a massive stride on from today. She'll definitely be better when the ground gets softer, she's a big rangy filly who gets a mile and a half well and might even stretch out further later. She's there physically, but mentally is still working it out.”
Beckett, who also saddled the third-placed Seaward, commented, “It was a very good result on all levels, the winner is still a work in progress and was still learning plenty on the job today. I think it's probable she'll end up at Epsom on the last Friday of the month. I don't think I will be too worried about the ground, they usually do a good job for the first day of that meeting, she's a good-moving filly and I would imagine it will be similar ground to today. She was just very immature at two and we had to take our time with her. I think we were all a bit surprised by how well she won on her debut at Wolverhampton, but we certainly haven't underestimated her since!”
Forest Fairy is the first foal out of a granddaughter of the G1 Deutsches Derby and G1 Grosser Preis von Baden heroine Borgia (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}), whose daughter Born Wild (Ger) (Sadler's Wells) produced the G1 Prix Vermeille winner Baltic Baroness (Ger) (Shamardal). Bahama Girl's 2-year-old colt Raedwald (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) was a €88,000 purchase by Peter and Ross Doyle Bloodstock at the Goffs Orby Book 1, while she also has a yearling filly by Circus Maximus (Ire).
Forest Fairy chins Port Fairy in the Cheshire Oaks at @ChesterRaces! @Rossaryan15 | @RalphBeckett pic.twitter.com/32q9EsDlx8
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 8, 2024
WEATHERBYS EPASSPORT CHESHIRE OAKS-Listed, £120,000, Chester, 5-8, 3yo, f, 11f 75yT, 2:28.27, gd.
1–FOREST FAIRY (IRE), 128, f, 3, by Waldgeist (GB)
1st Dam: Bahama Girl (Ire), by Lope De Vega (Ire)
2nd Dam: Bahama Bay (Ger), by Dansili (GB)
3rd Dam: Borgia (Ger), by Acatenango (Ger)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. (€78,000 Ylg '22 GOFOR). O-Forest Fairy Partnership; B-Philip & Orla Hore (IRE); T-Ralph Beckett; J-Rossa Ryan. £67,224. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $90,903.
2–Port Fairy (Ire), 128, f, 3, Australia (GB)–Fabulae (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus).
1ST BLACK TYPE. O-M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs J Magnier/Westerberg; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £25,596.
3–Seaward (Ire), 128, f, 3, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Zvarkhova (Fr), by Makfi (GB).
1ST BLACK TYPE. (€460,000 Ylg '22 GOFOR). O-Seaward Syndicate; B-Loughtown Stud (IRE); T-Ralph Beckett. £12,816.
Margins: HD, 1 1/4, 1. Odds: 2.75, 7.00, 8.50.
Also Ran: Galileo Dame (Ire), Beeley (GB), Lasting Love (GB). Scratched: Ambiente Amigo (GB), Flying Finn (Ire), Rubies Are Red (Ire).
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