The Group I Pretty Polly Stakes (1m2f) for fillies and mares at The Curragh has proven a launching pad to further G1 success for past winners that include Via Sistina (IRE) and with the short priced race favourite failing to fire it gave Night of Thunder the opportunity to post yet another G1 winner.
Epsom Oaks winner Thundering On was expected to win this in a breeze, but the quick ground was not to her liking and the best she could do was fourth with five year-old mare Estrange scoring a dominant length and a half win for trainer David O’Meara and jockey Daniel Tudhope.
Winner of the Group II Lancashire Oaks last year and twice second in Group I mares races, Estrange proved too good for Wathnan Racing owned One Look (Gleneagles) with the Juddmonte home bred Frankel mare Red Letter in third.
“It looked pretty straightforward. Estrange was caught a little wide but that wasn't a huge concern and she's worked with some good milers at home so the drop in trip wasn't a concern,” said David O'Meara.
“Her form is very strong and she's shown here that she handles quicker ground. There's a few options for her so we'll discuss it with the team at Cheveley Park.”
Cheveley Park purchased Estrange for 425,000 guineas at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and she has the overall record of six wins and two seconds from nine starts.
A glorious grey, she holds an entry for the Arc and Daniel Tudhope thinks she could be up to the task.
“You can't fault Estrange’s efforts and she came up against a couple of good fillies in Group 1s (Kalpana and Minnie Hauk) last season,” he said.
“She's a dream ride for a jockey. I thought dropping back in trip would suit her and she has a lot of speed. She felt good and picked up well when I asked her and put the race to bed. Hopefully the Arc will be a target for her again. It would be a dream to go for it, so why not?”
Estrange is a half-sister to two stakes placed horses in Lmay and Basalt being the best of three winners from three foals to race out of Alienate, an unraced half-sister by Oasis Dream to Group I winner Logician, Group III winners Suffused, Okeechobee and stakes-winner Collide.
Estrange is the 13th Group I winner for Night of Thunder and the Darley based son of Dubawi is on track for his best ever year as she is his fifth G1 winner in 2026 joining Bow Echo, Ombudsman, Ten bob Tony and the US based Portfolio Duration.
She is the second stakes-winner bred on the Night of Thunder x Oasis Dream nick which has produced 15 winners from 19 starters so is 79% winners to runners.
