Maybe (IRE) announced herself the leading juvenile filly in Europe with a smooth success in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday. A second Group 1 for her very accomplished rider Joseph O’Brien, Maybe took up the running two furlongs out and galloped on strongly to beat Fire Lily (IRE) and La Collina (IRE) in great style. The first two home run in the colours of Michael Tabor and winning trainer Aidan O’Brien was understandably thrilled with the result saying; “Joseph said she is very uncomplicated and she has the gears and everything went smoothly. She has the option of the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp next – we are thinking about it. She is progressive and loves her racing. A filly with that class you have to be thinking of the Guineas, but we’ll finish her two-year-old career first.”

As seems to be the norm with Group 1 winners this year, Maybe is a daughter of Galileo and was bought as a yearling by Demi O’Byrne for €340,000. She was bred by Epona Bloodstock, the breeding arm of Denis Brosnan’s Croom House Stud out of the stakes winning Danehill mare Sumora. Sumora has a wonderful pedigree, being a half sister to dual Oaks winner Dancing Rain (IRE) and from the family of Derby winner Dr Devious. Unfortunately for the Brosnans Maybe’s yearling full brother had to be put down recently following an accident in the paddocks but they will surely have lots more to look forward to given Sumora is only a 9yo and is back in foal to Galileo. She also gave birth to a Pivotal colt foal earlier this year. The pedigree will also be represented at Goffs Orby sale next month when a full brother to Dancing Rain is offered by Camas Park Stud (lot 251).

The credentials of Maybe had been boosted before her race when Lightening Pearl (IRE) blitzed home in the Group 3 Go And Go Round Tower Stakes. Runner up previously to Maybe in the Group 2 Debutante Stakes, Ger Lyons filly was vey impressive on this occasion stretching right away from Experience (IRE) to win by five lengths under Johnny Murtagh. Lyons was thrilled with the daughter of Marju and reckons this years 2yo fillies are a formidable bunch; “I think the fillies are better than the colts this year. She’s now Group 2 placed and a Group 3 winner, she’s done all we’ve asked of her.” Lightening Pearl was bred by Lady O’Reilly’s Castlemartin Stud and was sold by her breeders at Goffs Orby Sale to David Redvers for €125,000. Redvers was acting on behalf of owner Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, who through his bloodstock venture Pearl Bloodstock has become a significant and very welcome supporter of British and Irish racing.