Pearls Galore Delivers 16-1 Matron Upset

It was billed as the perfect stage for Homeless Songs  to debut the first single of a blockbuster autumn campaign, but Pearls Galore —joint-oldest runner in the line-up—delivered her sweetest tune yet to cause a 16-1 upset in the Sept. 10 Coolmore America Justify Matron Stakes (G1) at Leopardstown. 

She roared back to life for the unstoppable combination of trainer Paddy Twomey and jockey Billy Lee.

It was in this race 12 months ago that the "hard-as-nails" 5-year-old was last in full voice, narrowly denied by No Speak Alexander , but her form in 2022 couldn't have been described as an improvement despite running respectably.

However, Twomey showed just why he is regarded as one of the game's brightest training forces in extracting a career-best performance from the mare in what is likely to be one of her final races before retirement.

The application of cheekpieces and an exquisitely judged front–running ride from Lee meant there was no catching the Invincible Spirit  mare, who reversed the form of her Prix Rothschild (G1) fifth with Leopardstown runner-up Saffron Beach  and third-placed Tenebrism .

"If ever a mare deserved a group 1, it's her," said Lee, who was recording the fourth top-level win of his career in the race in which he registered his first on Fiesolana  in 2014.

"She has a heart of gold and is as tough as nails. The last couple of times she's been a little bit disappointing. Even when she won the group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes she was a bit disappointing (to) me as I thought she'd win better, but today she was on form."

Lee added: "The cheekpieces were a little help. She loves this course. I got a little breather before the turn-in and kicked again. She's a star. The owners (Haras De Saint Pair) have been very patient and got their just desserts."

Kept in training as a 5-year-old with the sole purpose of winning at the highest level, Pearls Galore's victory provided Twomey with immense satisfaction.

"The aim was to win a group 1 this year, and now she's done it," he said. "She's five and was only doing what she had to do, just going through the motions, so we put the cheekpieces on her.

She's got a lot of ability and can go at a high pace before burning off horses—that's her true running."

The Matron served as a Breeders' Cup Challenge qualifier for the Nov. 5 Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) Nov. 5 at Keeneland.

Homeless Songs was 5-4 favorite to win on her first start since a sizzling Tattersalls Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1) win 111 days earlier and traveled enthusiastically, but her lack of a recent run appeared to tell in the closing stages.

Reflecting on her fourth-placed effort, trainer Dermot Weld said: "I'm happy with the run. I know people may be disappointed that she didn't win, but you don't win all group 1s.

"She's had a long break during the summer and ran a solid race. She just got tired in the last furlong. We'll now look at the Prix de la Foret (G1)."

Hollie Doyle was pleased with the effort of runner-up Saffron Beach but felt the rain-softened ground dented her mount's chances.

"She ran a blinder," Doyle said. "She goes on the (softer) ground but possibly isn't as effective on it. I thought I had the winner covered, but she just struggled to pull that extra gear out."