The Fugue hits super-stardom in Irish Champion Stakes

The Fugue eases to victory in the Irish Champion Stakes with Al Kazeem in second and Trading Leather third. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

She had tried in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot on her seasonal debut, but had to settle for third place behind Al Kazeem and Mukhadram.

She tried again in the Coral-Eclipse, but was found to be ill after finishing last.

Then after her scintillating Darley Yorkshire Oaks triumph at York last month, she tried a third time to defeat top class colts.

This time in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown yesterday she succeeded in style.

John Gosden had always rated his star filly, The Fugue, who is owned and was bred by the exceptional musical composer, Andrew Lloyd-Webber.

This time she proved her superstar status with Al Kazeem soundly beaten by a length and a quarter in second place – almost a five length turnaround compared to Royal Ascot – and Irish Derby winner and Betfair King George and Juddmonte International runner-up Trading Leather a further two lengths away in third.

The sky is the limit for The Fugue now, though she needs a good or faster surface to show her best.

William Buick said after her victory yesterday: "She’s one of the greats now.

"She’s been so unlucky and should have won so many times last year. I’m just glad she’s getting the rub of the green.

"She’s always been special and has always been a special one for in the yard everybody.

"She’s very good and has arguably beaten the best around at the moment.

"She’s beaten the colts in a championship race and it was a great performance the way she did it."

Will she turn up for the £1.3m QIPCO Champion Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday 19 October? Time will tell…