'She's a joy of a filly to have' - Porta Fortuna strikes in Coronation Stakes for Donnacha O'Brien to land repeat Royal Ascot success

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Porta Fortuna simply loves Ascot. Last year’s Albany winner has been something of a bridesmaid since, finishing second in the Phoenix, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and 1,000 Guineas and third in the Moyglare Stud.

Her one victory in that time came in a big one, the Cheveley Park, and now this Group 1 winner at two is also a Group 1 winner at three thanks to a fine ride from Tom Marquand.

With American owners all roads lead back to the Breeders’ Cup, but she’s now turned up twice at her trainer Donnacha O’Brien’s “favourite meeting in the world” and twice she’s won.

She did so in style too, pulling a length clear of last year’s champion two-year-old filly Opera Singer, with the heavily supported favourite Ramatuelle in third and her Newmarket conqueror Elmalka in fourth. That’s what’s referred to in this game as ‘beating all the right sorts’.

Porta Fortuna is now her trainer’s first and second winner at the royal meeting and he said: “It’s very special. Ascot’s my favourite meeting in the whole world and it’s very special to have a winner here.”

O’Brien was full of praise for his whole team and the ride given by Marquand, who sat on the heels of Opera Singer. Marquand got the revs up early in the straight, and then waited, not lifting his whip until the final furlong to win going away. 

“She’s so uncomplicated and Tom gave her a lovely ride,” O’Brien added. “She relaxes, she quickens, she stays, she tries. She’s a joy of a filly to have. I was happy the whole way, everything went to plan. It’s not too often you can say that. I’m delighted. All along she hasn’t got the credit she deserves. She’s never missed a beat. She’s incredibly sound and incredibly tough.”

He added: “I think a mile is probably her maximum as she’s so classy, she has so much speed. On a turning track like this Tom could have a sit and use that speed. There are races like the Falmouth but the owners are an American group so I’d say the end-of-year plan is to turn up at the Breeders’ Cup.”

Donnacha O'Brien receives his trophy from the King after Porta Fortuna's victoryCredit: Patrick McCann

Porta Fortuna and Marquand broke well from stall five, holding the inside and forcing Skellet and Opera Singer to go hard up the hill to get around her and on to the rail. Once they had, Marquand eased out to sit one off the rail himself, on Opera Singer's heels, and from there they sat in her slipstream until passing the two-furlong pole.

Marquand could have eased out earlier off the bend, but deliberately took his filly back in behind Opera Singer. It was the first sign of what was to come and when he finally showed her daylight she was electric.

The winning rider said: “She made it extremely easy. She’s such a cool customer. She had that near-miss in the Guineas, she didn’t really show that much of a turn of foot that day, she looked like a grinder, but on this flatter surface with a nice one to aim at she was electric.

“These rides are hard enough to come by, let alone to keep, and I'm very fortunate to be on board today. Donnacha’s family are woven into racing history but they are a young team, so to be on one for them is fantastic. Any Royal Ascot winner is good but ones like this are pretty special.”

O’Brien jnr wasn’t beating just anyone into second, he was beating his legendary father’s star three-year-old filly. And yet, with his son training and his daughter Ana breeding the winner Aidan O’Brien was as much a proud father as he was proud of his horse.

He said: “We’re over the moon with Opera Singer, she ran a great race, and Donnacha’s done an incredible job with his filly, and Ana bred her, so it’s very good for them.”

The well-supported favourite Ramatuelle followed Porta Fortuna through but didn’t quite have the same acceleration and could finish only third.

Trainer Christopher Head said: “The filly ran very well and Oisin gave her a great ride. I’m very happy with her, she settled beautifully and travelled well in among horses. We’ll wait and discuss with all the owners to see where we go next with her and over what trip.”

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