Blue-Blooded Discoveries Takes Moyglare Stud Stakes

Group 1 celebrations Sept. 11 were put on hold pending the outcome of a stewards' inquiry but there was no such delay to Shane Foley and Jessica Harrington's unbridled joy after Discoveries  upheld family honor with an ultra-gutsy Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) success Sept. 12 at the Curragh.

Beautifully bred by owners the Niarchos Family as a sister to superstar filly Alpha Centauri  and half sister to dual top-level winner Alpine Star , the 17-2 shot had too much for the courageous Agartha  after a hard-fought final furlong.

The only group 1 defeats in Alpha Centauri's career came as favorite for this race and the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes (G1), but any memories from those losses were banished by the unstoppable Commonstown trainer, who came away with both prizes on a sensational weekend.

"How can I be so lucky to have three fillies out of the one mare (Alpha Lupi) all win group 1s?" said an ecstatic Harrington.

"That's the most amazing Niarchos family. She's a lovely filly and completely different to Alpha Centauri. She's not as big as 'Alpha' but has done a lot of growing, has a lovely temperament and isn't as feisty. Alpine Star looked completely different again."

The Moyglare Stud Stakes served as a "Win and You're In" event for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) Nov. 5 at Del Mar.

The supplemented Cairde Go Deo was well backed to continue Ger Lyons' outstanding weekend and was sent off the 85-40 favorite, but seemingly over-raced before fading to sixth, while Homeless Songs was a shade disappointing.

"I don't want this weekend to end—it's been phenomenal," said the 33-year-old Foley.

"I thought I'd get closer to Agartha today sitting closer to her on better ground. There was no hiding place, we were skipping along, but I knew this filly had stepped forward from the Debutante (G2). She's still quite green and had never gone that fast in her life."

Bookmaker reaction was mixed with a view to next year's QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (G1). Betfair Sportsbook introduced Discoveries at 20-1, whereas Ladbrokes were more impressed and cut the daughter of Mastercraftsman  to 10-1 (from 33).

Harrington, who saddled four winners across the weekend, said: "To win two group 1s this weekend is something else. We'll sit down with the Niarchos Family and have a discussion as to what she'll do next. It's very special to win this."