Irish Derby and Matron Stakes ranked Best in the World in 2017
<span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><span style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'><span style='color:black'>Two Irish Group 1 races have been rated as the bestin the world in their categories in the 2017 Irish, European andWorld Thoroughbred Rankings released this afternoon. <br><br>The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby has been rated as the leadingthree-year-old race in the world and the Coolmore Fastnet RockMatron Stakes is ranked as the world’s best fillies andmares’ race.<br><br>At the Curragh in early July, Capri gave Aidan O’Brien his12th Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. In a thrilling renewal, he edgedout the John Gosden-trained Cracksman which went on to win theGreat Voltigeur Stakes at York, the Qatar Prix Niel at Chantillyand the Group 1 Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot while in third placewas the Epsom Derby winner Wings Of Eagles. Capri completed anotable Classic double when adding the Doncaster St Leger wherethose in behind included Rekindling which was to become the firstthree-year-old since 1941 to win the Melbourne Cup for JosephO'Brien in November.<br><br>The Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes, one of the highlights ofthe opening day of Longines Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstownin September, also produced a race to remember with two top-classBallydoyle fillies fighting out the finish. Only a head separatedHydrangea and Winter, and the end of year ratings sees the racedeclared the best fillies and mares’ race in the world. Aremarkably consistent filly, Hydrangea rounded off her season witha decisive success in the Group 1 Qipco British Champions Fillies& Mares Stakes at Ascot. Winter was the leading contributor toAidan O'Brien’s record haul of Group/Grade 1 success in 2017with four Group 1 wins. The form of the Coolmore Fastnet RockMatron Stakes was further strengthened when the third-placedPersuasive ended her year with victory in the Group 1 QueenElizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.<br><br><strong><span style='font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'>JasonMorris, Director of Racing, Horse Racing Ireland,</span></strong>said: “It is very pleasing that last year the Dubai Duty FreeIrish Derby was the highest rating race restricted tothree-year-olds run anywhere in the world and that the CoolmoreFastnet Rock Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Longines IrishChampions Weekend rated the highest of all the fillies andmares’ races. To have two Irish races as the global leadersin their respective categories in 2017 underlines the incrediblequality of the Irish Flat racing programme and the calibre ofhorses that racegoers can expect to see on our premier Flat racingdays.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
