Marquand hits the target with Porta Fortuna in the Coronation Stakes

Porta Fortuna has given connections a second Royal Ascot victory with a fine display in the Coronation Stakes. The Donnacha O’Brien-trained filly landed the Albany Stakes in 2023 and made a triumphant return in the hands of Tom Marquand.

She came close to Classic glory when finishing second in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas last month and went one better to give Marquand his first success of the week.

It was a race packed with quality and it was Opera Singer, trained by Donnacha’s father, Aidan, who led the field and kicked clear two furlongs out, but a persistent Marquand drove Porta Fortuna to close her down. French filly, Ramatuelle, was luckless in running finishing back in third.

Marquand was thrilled with the winner and 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 them 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.

“She keeps improving,” O’Brien added. “She’s so uncomplicated. 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.

“I think all along she hasn’t got the credit she deserves. She’s never missed a beat. She’s incredibly sound and incredibly tough”