Stateira
Stateira did well to finish third in the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes at The Curragh on Irish Guineas weekend. Settled just behind the leaders early on by Oisin Murphy from her inside draw, she was a little keener than ideal, but she travelled well to the two-furlong marker. She just couldn't get a gap when her rider wanted to go forward but, switched back to the inside rail, she finished off her race strongly to take third place behind City Of Memphis, who kept on well on the near side, nearest at the finish.
Andrew Balding's filly went into the race on an upward trajectory. This was just her second run on turf but, her previous two runs, both in good handicaps at Newcastle over seven furlongs, were her best two runs by far, and she proved at The Curragh that she could be at least as effective on turf. She also proved that she could be as effective over a mile as she is over seven furlongs. This was her first run in a Group race, and she proved that she was up to this grade. She will be of interest wherever she goes next, she will be of interest if she goes to Royal Ascot, at a track at which a proven ability to operate on all-weather is never a negative.
The Curragh, 23rd May 2026
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