Saoire Makes History in Irish One Thousand

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Saoire made trainer Frances Crowley the first licensed woman trainer to win an Irish Classic when she rallied in the final strides to win the Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) at Curragh Sunday with Mick Kinane aboard.

Penkenna Princess wound up a short head behind the Irish filly after a spirited battle in the straight. Luas Line was third, a half-length farther back. The race drew 19 contestants, the largest Irish One Thousand Guineas field in nearly 20 years.

Utterly Heaven, who was ridden by Crowley's husband Pat Smullen finished fourth.

Saoire gained the lead inside the furlong marker after finding room along the inside and held her advantage at the wire. It took judges several minutes to confirm the result in the 3-year-old Classic race for fillies.

"We were right up there from the start and she never dropped out of the first three or four," Kinane said after winning his 12th Irish Classic. "I knew the others were coming to me but she picked up really well."

The 32-year-old Crowley told Racing Post, "I was watching from a little way down the track from the winning post and I thought we were second.

"It's fantastic to win a Classic. I made history a few years ago when I was the first woman to win the Irish amateur riders' title and it is great to do it again."

Crowley said Saoire is definite for the Irish Oaks July 17 but she would not commit to the English Oaks (Eng-I) June 3, saying she didn't think her filly would care for the going at Epsom.

Joe Joyce is the winning owner.

Favored Damson finished ninth.

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