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| Staff Writer |
Lake Victoria emphatically returned to winning ways in the Irish One Thousand Guineas at the Curragh, delivering a performance that reminded observers why she was Europe's champion 2YO filly. The Frankel daughter's commanding 2¼-length victory under Ryan Moore represented a stunning transformation from her sixth-place finish at Newmarket just three weeks earlier.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien secured his 11th victory in the classic, ending a three-year drought that had seen the Ballydoyle maestro miss out on a race he had previously dominated. The triumph marked Moore's fourth Irish One Thousand Guineas success and his first since 2019.
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The daughter of Frankel had arrived at the Curragh carrying the scars of disappointment from her seasonal debut in the One Thousand Guineas Gr.1 at Newmarket. Having been unbeaten through a spectacular juvenile campaign that included victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Gr.1, the filly's early-season struggles raised questions about her wellbeing.
O'Brien maintained unwavering confidence in his charge, viewing the Newmarket run as essential preparation rather than cause for concern. "She went to Newmarket getting ready for a racecourse gallop and was beaten only a length or two in the Guineas," the trainer explained. "We thought she ran an incredible race in the circumstances at Newmarket."
The trainer's assessment proved prescient as Lake Victoria demonstrated remarkable improvement from her first outing. Moore was equally impressed by the transformation, noting: "She's come on massively from Newmarket and she's really exciting."
Lake Victoria's juvenile season had been nothing short of extraordinary, featuring five consecutive victories culminating in a Group One treble across three different distances, surfaces, and countries within seven weeks. This remarkable feat showcased an adaptability rarely witnessed in any Thoroughbred, particularly a 2YO filly.
Her autumn campaign included triumphs over six furlongs, seven furlongs, and a mile, demonstrating a versatility that O'Brien described as unprecedented. "We never had a filly who would win a Group One over six furlongs, seven furlongs, and a mile before as a 2YO," he reflected. "She has all the speed in the world. She travels well and she does everything right."
The victory at the Curragh provided further evidence of this exceptional range, with Lake Victoria effortlessly adapting to the tactical demands of classic competition.
Ryan Moore celebrated a memorable afternoon at the Curragh, securing victory in all four Group races on the card. His partnership with Lake Victoria proved the highlight of a day that also featured Group One success aboard Los Angeles in the Gold Cup.
The jockey's assessment of Lake Victoria following her Irish Guineas triumph was glowing: "She was very good. She quickened up very well. She's a very smart filly. She's exciting, she does everything beautifully."
Moore's confidence in the filly's future prospects was evident as he contemplated her development. "She's very good, she'll be very hard for the fillies to handle. We'll see what she does the next day, if she keeps building on it I don't think we've got to the bottom of her so hopefully she can keep progressing."
California Dreamer emerged as an unlikely protagonist, setting the pace before holding on for second place. The outsider's brave front-running display provided the perfect platform for Lake Victoria to demonstrate her class, though the winner's superiority was never in doubt once clear running presented itself.
Cercene completed the frame in third position, with both horses finishing well behind the dominant winner. The performance levels of the placed horses suggested this was a competitive renewal, making Lake Victoria's margin of victory all the more impressive.
O'Brien's team had executed their race plan to perfection, with Moore securing the necessary racing room behind the pacesetter before unleashing his mount's devastating turn of foot.
The trainer acknowledged the exceptional efforts of his team in preparing Lake Victoria for her seasonal return. "Everyone around her has done an incredible job. She was only ready to go to Newmarket, we were going to come here for her first time but the way it worked we went there."
O'Brien's praise extended to the preparation following Newmarket, revealing: "Everything went well after Newmarket and her work was out of this world really."
With Royal Ascot's Gr.1 Coronation Stakes identified as the immediate target, Lake Victoria appears poised to continue her assault on the sport's premier prizes. Her versatility suggests multiple options remain available, with connections likely to be guided by the filly's wellbeing and development.
The performance at the Curragh confirmed that class remains permanent, with Lake Victoria proving that temporary setbacks cannot diminish genuine ability. Her commanding return to winning ways suggests the best may yet be to come from this exceptional talent.