Thundering Nights denies Santa Barbara in Pretty Polly thriller

There was a short, sharp burst of emotion from Shane Crosse after crossing the line on Thundering Nights, who got the better of a prolonged battle with Santa Barbara in the Group 1 Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

Here was a filly who had been around the world and back but, rather than baulking at the challenge, confirmed herself as tough as she is talented in making the breakthrough at the highest level just three weeks after suffering a narrow defeat in a Grade 1 in the United States.

Joseph O’Brien was just as proud of his filly as he was his jockey. It would be fair to say that lady luck was not on O’Brien’s side for Derby weekend as a whole but frustration turned to elation when Thundering Nights proved a neck too strong for Santa Barbara.

Pretty Polly Stakes: race result and replay

O’Brien said: “Shane deserved that because over the last couple of days a few things didn't go well for him. That's the way it goes in racing and you just have to remain confident and keep doing what you are doing. That's what he's done and he was rewarded.”

Thundering Nights (no. 5): held off Santa Barbara in a thriller at the CurraghCredit: Patrick McCann

Some nine months have passed since Crosse missed the winning ride aboard Galileo Chrome in the St Leger after testing positive for Covid-19.

He took what must have been a seriously difficult blow at the time like an old pro and was rewarded for treating triumph and despair just the same when Pretty Gorgeous delivered a breakthrough Group 1 in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket.

Crosse will have to make room on his wall for Thundering Nights, who became his second top-level winner, although the wall space at Owning Hill has long been filled.

Not one to bask in his own glory, O’Brien was already plotting the next step with Thundering Nights, the rapidly progressive mare who could be on her travels again before long.

O’Brien said: “She's a great mare. She's very tough and every time you ask her a question she rises to the occasion. She's never run a bad race really and I'm delighted for Shapoor Mistry, the owner..”

He added: “She always has a bit of a look around when she goes to the front and she did that again today but when the other one came to her she really fought back. Broome just nabbed her here one day on the line but she had an opportunity to fight back today and she did that.”

Joseph O'Brien (left): 'She has options back in America, like the Beverly D, and she also has the likes of the Nassau and Matron'Credit: Patrick McCann

“She was a bit unlucky in America and would have won in another stride. The tight track caught her out a little bit as it was her first time around the bends over there.

"She had to spend a week over there after the race so she's only been back a couple of weeks. She trained there for a week, then shipped straight back and came straight here. She has a great constitution.”

On future plans, O’Brien said: “She has options back in America, like the Beverly D, and she also has the likes of the Nassau and Matron. She's a Group 1 winner now so she's a very exciting broodmare prospect no matter what happens.”

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