Misty For Me Lands Irish One Thousand Guineas

Misty For Me capped off an incredible weekend for trainer Aidan O’Brien with a thrilling three-quarter- length victory over stablemate Together in the $459,921 Etihad Airways Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) at the Curragh May 22.

It was the fourth victory of the day for O’Brien, who swept the three stakes races on the program with Misty For Me, So You Think (Tattersalls Gold Cup, Ire-I), and Alexander Pope (Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes, Ire-III). He also won the opening race on the card, a 2-year-old maiden race with an Oasis Dream colt, Reply.

A day earlier, the O’Brien-trained Roderic O'Connor captured the Abu Dhabi Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) by three-quarters of a length. Roderic O’Connor was ridden to victory by O’Brien’s oldest son, Joseph.

Misty For Me also added to an already impressive season for her sire Galileo, who now has sired four classic winners in 2011. Galileo is also the sire of the runner-up, Together.

Placed prominently by jockey Seamie Heffernan, Misty For Me tracked the early lead set by Jim Bolger’s Claiomh Solais. Banimpire and Together rated just off of Misty For Me, with Laughing Lashes and History Note also in contention early on.

It was Together and Ryan Moore that made the first move, charging up to challenge Claiomh Solais and overtaking her with a furlong left to run. Misty For Me came swooping late to steal the victory from her stablemate in the shadow of the wire.

Laughing Lashes finished third, one length further back. Final time for the eight furlongs was a quick 1:35.90 over the course rated as good.

It was the third group I win for Misty For Me, who captured the Moyglare Stud Stakes (Ire-I) and the Total Prix Marcel Boussac (Fr-I) as a juvenile last season.

O’Brien, who conditions the filly for owner Michael Tabor, told reporters after the race, “She’s always been a very good filly and she stays well. The plan for her was to come here and then on to Epsom for the Oaks (Eng-I).

“Together is likely to go for the Coronation (Eng-I) now,” he added.

Misty For Me was bred in Ireland by March Thoroughbreds. She is out of the unraced Storm Cat mare Butterfly Cove. Butterfly Cove is a half sister to champion Fasliyev (by Nureyev), and also hails from the immediate family of Menifee and Desert Wine.