Finsceal Beo Completes Her Own Guineas Double

Finsceal Beo held off the late challenge of 66-1 outsider Dimenticata to record a Classic double in the Boylesports Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) at the Curragh on Sunday.

The Jim Bolger trainee is just the second filly to land the Stan James One Thousand Guineas (Eng-I)-Irish Guineas double.  In 2004, Attraction became the first filly to accomplish this feat.

The victory was all the more admirable after the filly was denied a sweep of the mile Classics when she was just beaten a head by Darjina in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Fr-I).  That race came just seven days after her triumph at Newmarket. 

Trainer Jim Bolger used Finsceal Beo’s win to urge the European Pattern Committee to rethink the scheduling of these races, and possibly make them into a fillies’ Triple Crown.  “It shouldn’t be beyond the capabilities of the European Pattern people to have two weeks between the English and French Guineas, and another two weeks between France and here,” he told reporters afterward.  “They could make it a fillies’ Triple Crown.  We went close to bringing if off and I’m sure it will happen one day if they decide on two-week gaps between the three races.”

Peeping Fawn, a 12-1 outsider trained by Aidan O’Brien, led from the break, and took the field of 11 on a strong gallop for through the first five furlongs.  Kevin Manning kept Finsceal Beo settled in sixth, content to let the other filly set the pace.  The duo came up to challenge Peeping Fawn with two furlongs left, and Finsceal Beo was finally able to put that filly away with just under a furlong to go.

Dimenticata was rolling on the outside, however, and just missed catching the daughter of Mr. Greeley by a neck.  Peeping Fawn held on well for third, another two lengths back.

Plans for Finsceal Beo are up in the air for now.  Bolger stated, “We’ll talk things over and decide whether we will try her over a mile and a quarter.  If we decide to go that route, then we’d be looking at the Pretty Polly Stakes (Ire-I) back here next month.  But if we decide to keep her at a mile, then the Coronation Stakes (Eng-I) at (Royal) Ascot would be a possibility for her.”

Finsceal Beo is a 3-year-old chestnut filly out of Musical Treat, by Royal Academy.