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
Leader Live
19-05-2025
- Leader Live
Atsila to be added to Irish 1,000 Guineas field
She did not make her debut until April this year when winning a minor event at Bellewstown but she stepped up markedly on that a month later to win the Group Three Athasi Stakes at the Curragh. 'The plan is to supplement her on Tuesday for the 1,000 Guineas,' said O'Brien. 'Her form looks strong. To be fair to Barry (Fowler, owner) he is game for anything. It was my fault that I didn't have her in the race in the first place but he's more than happy to supplement and take a chance. 'I think she's entitled to be in the race.' O'Brien also plans on being represented in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas by Comanche Brave after he pushed Henri Matisse close on his seasonal return and the winner subsequently went and won the French Guineas. 'He is working very well and I think he'll probably outrun his odds,' said O'Brien. 'He's not a big horse but he's always worked like a very good horse. We're going to give him a chance in the Guineas. 'We could end up going back to seven for the Jersey at Ascot. He's working very well so I'm happy to let him take his chance.' Stable star Porta Fortuna, a multiple Group One winner last year, is on course to return in the Lanwades Stud Stakes. 'She's going to go to the Lanwades. She's in good form. She put on plenty of weight. Everything has gone smooth with her but she's probably taken a bit longer to get fit this year. 'She's probably going to take the run and then go to Ascot but she's in great form so I'm looking forward to getting her back on track.' O'Brien also mentioned that Falling Snow, by Justify out of Winter, would miss the 1,000 Guineas but be back in the second half of the season.
North Wales Chronicle
19-05-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Atsila to be added to Irish 1,000 Guineas field
She did not make her debut until April this year when winning a minor event at Bellewstown but she stepped up markedly on that a month later to win the Group Three Athasi Stakes at the Curragh. 'The plan is to supplement her on Tuesday for the 1,000 Guineas,' said O'Brien. 'Her form looks strong. To be fair to Barry (Fowler, owner) he is game for anything. It was my fault that I didn't have her in the race in the first place but he's more than happy to supplement and take a chance. 'I think she's entitled to be in the race.' O'Brien also plans on being represented in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas by Comanche Brave after he pushed Henri Matisse close on his seasonal return and the winner subsequently went and won the French Guineas. 'He is working very well and I think he'll probably outrun his odds,' said O'Brien. 'He's not a big horse but he's always worked like a very good horse. We're going to give him a chance in the Guineas. 'We could end up going back to seven for the Jersey at Ascot. He's working very well so I'm happy to let him take his chance.' Stable star Porta Fortuna, a multiple Group One winner last year, is on course to return in the Lanwades Stud Stakes. 'She's going to go to the Lanwades. She's in good form. She put on plenty of weight. Everything has gone smooth with her but she's probably taken a bit longer to get fit this year. 'She's probably going to take the run and then go to Ascot but she's in great form so I'm looking forward to getting her back on track.' O'Brien also mentioned that Falling Snow, by Justify out of Winter, would miss the 1,000 Guineas but be back in the second half of the season.
South Wales Guardian
19-05-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Atsila to be added to Irish 1,000 Guineas field
She did not make her debut until April this year when winning a minor event at Bellewstown but she stepped up markedly on that a month later to win the Group Three Athasi Stakes at the Curragh. 'The plan is to supplement her on Tuesday for the 1,000 Guineas,' said O'Brien. 'Her form looks strong. To be fair to Barry (Fowler, owner) he is game for anything. It was my fault that I didn't have her in the race in the first place but he's more than happy to supplement and take a chance. 'I think she's entitled to be in the race.' O'Brien also plans on being represented in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas by Comanche Brave after he pushed Henri Matisse close on his seasonal return and the winner subsequently went and won the French Guineas. 'He is working very well and I think he'll probably outrun his odds,' said O'Brien. 'He's not a big horse but he's always worked like a very good horse. We're going to give him a chance in the Guineas. 'We could end up going back to seven for the Jersey at Ascot. He's working very well so I'm happy to let him take his chance.' Stable star Porta Fortuna, a multiple Group One winner last year, is on course to return in the Lanwades Stud Stakes. 'She's going to go to the Lanwades. She's in good form. She put on plenty of weight. Everything has gone smooth with her but she's probably taken a bit longer to get fit this year. 'She's probably going to take the run and then go to Ascot but she's in great form so I'm looking forward to getting her back on track.' O'Brien also mentioned that Falling Snow, by Justify out of Winter, would miss the 1,000 Guineas but be back in the second half of the season.
