Staffordstown Stud Stakes result: Chattering Classes swoops late at the Curragh

Chattering Classes came from off the pace to land the Group 3 Staffordstown Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Tuesday, giving Shane Foley and Jessica Harrington a 16/1 success in the feature race of the afternoon.

The Ghaiyyath filly had not even won a maiden coming into this, having finished fourth on her debut over seven furlongs here in August before being short of room when third at Thurles earlier this month. She left that form well behind on the step up to a mile on yielding ground, charging home late and powerfully before being eased down by Foley close home, with a length-and-a-half to spare at the line.

The Good Wife looked the most likely winner for a long way. Paddy Twomey’s filly, a front-running maiden winner at Punchestown last time, made most of the running under Billy Lee and looked to have them all in trouble, but she faded late on and had no answer once the winner swept past. She was a further three-and-three-quarter lengths clear of 80/1 shot Blonde Over Blue, who ran well above market expectations in third for Joseph O’Brien, with Isle Of Capri fourth.

Breaking a maiden in Group company is no mean feat, and it bodes well that Harrington’s filly appeared to have more to give at the finish. This may not prove the strongest juvenile Group 3 of the season, but she looks a progressive middle-distance type in the making, and a mile and a quarter or further should be well within her range next season.

Maire Rua flops as favourite

The day belonged to the outsiders, as Even-money favourite Maire Rua was very disappointing. Ger Lyons’ Juddmonte-owned filly arrived having won the Listed Ingabelle Stakes at Leopardstown last month, but she ran well below that level under Colin Keane and trailed home tenth of the 11 runners, around ten lengths behind the winner.

The step up to a mile on easy ground was a new test for the daughter of Frankel, who had only raced over seven furlongs on good ground before, so connections will hope there is a straightforward explanation. Aidan O’Brien’s Golden Ring, sent off at 13/2, finished fifth under Ryan Moore.

€3m Marylebone makes a winning debut at Yarmouth

Earlier in the afternoon, Amo Racing’s record-breaking yearling purchase Marylebone got off the mark at the first attempt in the 1.50pm fillies’ maiden at Yarmouth. The Night Of Thunder filly cost a staggering €3 million at the Arqana August Sale in Deauville last year, smashing the auction’s previous record, and she is about as well-bred as they come.

Her dam, Prudenzia, is a blue hen of the Ecurie des Monceaux broodmare band and has already produced Irish Oaks winner Chicquita and Group 1 winner Magic Wand. On this evidence, Marylebone has inherited plenty of the family’s grit as well as its looks.

Sent off the 11/4 second favourite for Kevin Philippart De Foy, she tracked the leader under David Egan, was ridden over two furlongs out and kept on gamely to wear down Ralph Beckett’s Avebury Ring inside the final 110 yards, winning by three-quarters of a length. The pair pulled five lengths clear of 11/8 favourite Cloak Of Power, which gives the form a solid look for a five-runner maiden on soft ground.

A mile on soft ground in late October was a thorough test for a debutante, and she passed it with plenty of credit. With a pedigree that screams middle distances, Marylebone looks a filly to keep on the right side of as she steps up in trip and class next season.

Commercial notice: This article on GG.co.uk contains affiliate links. The offers we promote come from operators that we trust and our experts have first-hand experience dealing with. If you open an account through one of these affiliate links then GG will earn revenue. However, we ensure that the money earned goes back into improving and enhancing our coverage of horse racing and other sports, as we look to provide an excellent service to our growing audience.