Garden Blooms Brilliantly In Ribblesdale Triumph

Lightly Raced Pair Fill Minor Placings

The 40-1 outsider Understudy emerged from the pack to claim second place, staying on strongly from off the pace to finish ahead of the heavily supported Catalina Delcarpio, who could only manage third despite starting as the punters' choice.

Garden Of Eden had established her credentials with a Listed success at Naas on her previous outing, and this latest triumph provided O'Brien with his third consecutive Ribblesdale Stakes victory, following Warm Heart in 2023 and Port Fairy in 2024.

Trainer Targets Bigger Prizes Ahead

O'Brien was clearly impressed with his filly's progression, commenting: "I was impressed with that. Garden Of Eden is getting better, which is great. We always thought stepping up in trip would help her. We stepped her up to a mile and a quarter the last day and she improved a lot.

"She is by Saxon Warrior and, when they go up in distance, they do get better. The Irish Oaks would be a possibility, but she could also go to America for a Grade One over there – we will have to see."

Moore was equally enthusiastic about the performance, saying: "Garden Of Eden was very impressive. She has been gradually improving. Aidan kept saying every time she steps up, she will get better.

"We went a hard pace and got a bit detached. She kind of dropped the bridle and ran in snatches. Billy [Lee] sneaked down the inside but, when I asked her to quicken, Garden Of Eden quickened very well. Just typical Aidan – he keeps making them better."

Connections Delighted With Improving Performers

Thady Gosden, co-trainer of the runner-up, expressed satisfaction with Understudy's effort: "She has run a very nice race there. It was only the third start of her life. She won well at Southwell last time out and it was a change of scene here today. She is a homebred of Bjorn Nielsen's, with a very good pedigree. When they are upped as much in grade that quickly, you're not quite sure how it will go, but we hoped she would run a good race, and she has."

Paddy Twomey remained upbeat despite Catalina Delcarpio's third-place finish, explaining: "Catalina Delcarpio is a lovely filly and ran a career best. She probably just didn't see out the trip today, but I think when she is a little bit stronger and a little bit older, she will. She is just coming into herself and I think she will be a very good 4YO. We side-stepped Epsom and races like that on purpose, because I think it was coming too soon for her. I doubt I will run her in the Irish Oaks. Maybe something like a Blandford Stakes on Irish Champions weekend, something like that, over 10 furlongs."

The victory confirms Garden Of Eden as a filly very much on the upgrade, with connections now weighing up whether to keep her closer to home for the Irish Oaks or venture across the Atlantic for American Grade One honours.