Vera's Secret graduates to Group Three glory at Leopardstown
The six-year-old, trained by John Feane and ridden by Seamie Heffernan, was making her seasonal bow having last been seen coming home fifth in the Listed Concorde Stakes at Tipperary in October.
She was an 11-2 chance to hit her stride instantly when stepping up to Group Three level, and quickly took the lead to make all of the running.
It was a position she did not surrender as the race developed and in fact she only pulled further clear, eventually prevailing by four lengths from Gavin Cromwell's Fiery Lucy.
'She was good last year and hasn't had a lot of racing,' said the winning trainer.
'She is a big, strong six-year-old now, a quality filly and she proved it there today.
'She goes well fresh and is a bit more relaxed this year, so we kept it simple today.
'Nathan Crosse was to ride her. He's done a lot of work with her this year but he had to go to Germany today and Seamie was an able substitute.
'She's entered in the Lanwades Stud Stakes and later on in the year will probably come back here for the Matron Stakes, but that is a long way off. She doesn't take too much running.
'She will come on for that run today. She is over 600 kilos and takes plenty of work at home. She's a tough bit of stuff.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Tennis duo soar to national doubles title at Wimbledon
Daniel, 28, and Vera, 35, who represent Kent at tennis and live in Crystal Palace, featured in the national finals at Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, which is the UK's largest individual mass participation tennis competition and is delivered in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club. Thousands of players took part in the qualifying stages this year, leading to county and regional finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on Wimbledon's Aorangi Courts last week. Daniel and Vera, who described Jannik Sinner as their tennis idol, claimed victory in the women's doubles competition on the famous grass courts of Wimbledon and revealed it was an experience they will never forget. Our grass courts are back in action 🤩 This week, they're hosting the Finals of Play Your Way to #Wimbledon, powered by @VodafoneUK 🎾 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) August 7, 2025 Daniel said: "It's crazy, absolutely crazy. We said at the beginning just enjoy it, take each game and each point as it comes. We didn't expect [to win] at all. 'I competed two years ago but didn't get past the round robin stage, so this is a very different experience going further.' Vera added: 'I never thought I would be playing here. I played a lot of tennis as a kid and you obviously always think about Wimbledon, even if it's not the actual Grand Slam, just being here is amazing. 'It's very surreal to play here, also because we don't usually play on grass so it's a really nice feeling.' This year's tournament delivered over 10,000 playing opportunities with thousands of singles and doubles players taking part at 800 venues, leading to county and area finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on the All England Club's Aorangi Courts from 3 – 9 August 2025. The competition aims to broaden playing opportunities and to inspire people of all ages and abilities to play tennis and follow in the footsteps of their tennis heroes by competing for a chance to play on Wimbledon's iconic courts. In addition to 14 and under singles, 18 and under doubles and adult doubles draws, the categories also included wheelchair (adult and juniors), learning disability and visually impaired competitions. The national finals also saw the return of popular para-standing and deaf tennis exhibition matches held during the week. World No.1 wheelchair doubles partners and Vodafone ambassadors Alfie Hewett OBE and Gordon Reid OBE were in attendance to cheer on the players at SW19 and offer their experience and advice. 'We would have loved to have had something like this when we were younger and playing'' said Hewett. 'Play your Way to Wimbledon is a massive event for someone to pick up a racket for the first time or start playing again if they haven't for a while. 'It's about being active at grassroots level, making friends and new tennis partners and that is the beauty of events like this.' Reid added: 'We want tennis to be available and accessible to everybody and get as many people as possible enjoying the sport. 'This event encapsulates that perfectly and we're proud to be a part of it.' Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, is the UK's largest individual mass participation tennis competition. It is delivered by Vodafone, in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club, forming part of Vodafone's ongoing commitment to supporting grassroots tennis in the UK and making the sport more accessible for players of all ages and abilities.
South Wales Guardian
13-08-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Waiting game for Porta Fortuna's Matron Stakes defence
Donnacha O'Brien's stable star has been absent since making a winning reappearance in the Lanwades Stud Stakes in May. The winner of two Group Ones last year, including the Matron at Leopardstown, as well as the Cheveley Park at two, a setback forced her to miss Royal Ascot and the Deauville mile races. O'Brien said: 'As everyone knows she had a setback, but she's on the way back. 'We'll just have to see whether we make Champions Weekend or not. 'Obviously if we're going to make it we can't have any hold ups with her between now and then, but the plan is to go there for now. 'It's one of those where everything will need to go in the right direction.'
Rhyl Journal
12-08-2025
- Rhyl Journal
Waiting game for Porta Fortuna's Matron Stakes defence
Donnacha O'Brien's stable star has been absent since making a winning reappearance in the Lanwades Stud Stakes in May. The winner of two Group Ones last year, including the Matron at Leopardstown, as well as the Cheveley Park at two, a setback forced her to miss Royal Ascot and the Deauville mile races. O'Brien said: 'As everyone knows she had a setback, but she's on the way back. 'We'll just have to see whether we make Champions Weekend or not. 'Obviously if we're going to make it we can't have any hold ups with her between now and then, but the plan is to go there for now. 'It's one of those where everything will need to go in the right direction.'
