Masterful Dettori ensures fitting finale for Snow Fairy

The highlight of the five Group 1 races spread across Irish Champions Weekend is undoubtedly the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes and our week-long series continues with a look at a memorable edition of each of the five races by recalling Snow Fairy's 2012 Irish Champion victory under Frankie Dettori

Snow Fairy arguably saved one of her best performances until last when lining up against Nathaniel and St Nicholas Abbey in what proved to be her swansong at Leopardstown five years ago.

Many thought the five-year-old should have been retired after winning a Grade 1 in Japan in November 2011, but trainer Ed Dunlop brought her back from injury for a final flourish the following year.

Going into the race, the John Gosden-trained Nathaniel was sent off favourite at 13-8 after previously being beaten just a nose by Danedream in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, in which Aidan O'Brien's St Nicholas Abbey had finished third.

Snow Fairy was second best at 15-8 with the Leopardstown punters after a winning comeback against her own sex in the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet the previous month, although she was subsequently disqualified after a banned substance was found in her sample.

Come the race, the daughter of Intikhab was given a masterful tactical ride by Frankie Dettori, who completely ignored front-runner Daddy Long Legs, who was in as a pacemaker for St Nicholas Abbey.

Dettori was instead happy to cover Nathaniel's every move and when William Buick sent his dual Group 1 winner past Daddy Long Legs two furlongs out, Snow Fairy surged past his Newmarket opponent inside the final furlong to win by a cosy length and a quarter, with St Nicholas Abbey a never-dangerous third.

It was a fitting finale for Snow Fairy, who retired the winner of eight (not including the 2012 Romanet) of her 21 races – six of those wins coming in Group 1s – and nearly £4 million in prize-money.

A life-sized bronze of Snow Fairy now stands at Leopardstown, which was given by owner Cristina Patino.

The bronze of Snow Fairy at LeopardstownCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Dettori recalled on Tuesday: "I remember flying over with William from Haydock and neither of us said a word to each other all flight. In the race I wanted to keep tabs on Nathaniel, but to keep four or five lengths off him when sending Snow Fairy with her run.

"I knew Nathaniel was a battler, and also I wanted to get first run on St Nicholas Abbey. When I kicked, Nathaniel didn't have enough time to come back at me – it was a satisfying win."

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