Private purchase Porta Fortuna gains Group 1 breakthrough in Cheveley Park Stakes
Porta Fortuna, a private purchase by Avenue Bloodstock in conjunction with Philip Shelton of Medallion Racing back in the spring, broke through at Group 1 level with an authoritative display to win the Group 1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.
Carrying the colours of owners Barry Fowler/Medallion Racing/Steve Weston/Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Porta Fortuna had the pace to hold a prominent position under Oisin Murphy and having picked up the running coming out of the dip, quickened clear for a length and a half success over Pearls And Rubies and Sacred Angel.
The Donnacha O’Brien-trained daughter of Caravaggio was purchased following her debut win at the Curragh and quickly vindicated that decision next time out when landing the Group 3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint Stakes at Naas. She has held her own in top company since then, with a win in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot supplemented by a second against colts in the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes and third in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes.
“She is a smart filly,” said Donnacha O’Brien. “That is the first time she has had proper quick ground since Ascot and she seems to be a lot better on it back to six. She is a very good filly. I think she is fine at seven, but I think ground is important to her as she seems to be a lot better on better ground as she travels and quickens.
“She hit the line strong and the plan is to go to the Breeders’ Cup (Juvenile Fillies’ Turf) and that is a mile. We think there is every chance she will get that as well.
“Her performance in the Albany was probably one of the best performances of any filly and then she has probably run a little bit below par on slow ground on her last two runs and that is why she was a bit bigger in the betting, but thankfully she came back to her form today.
“She is very uncomplicated and very easy to train and usually the good ones are. She is owned by an American syndicate and the plan was to go to the Breeders’ Cup at the end of the year if that was how it turned out, so that is what we will do. There is a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and then, but I suppose we would start her off in a trial over seven and make a decision then whether we go sprinting or go for the Guineas.
“It is always hard to win Group Ones and anytime you get one it is fantastic.”
Porta Fortuna was bred by Whisperview Trading out of Too Precious, a winning Holy Roman Emperor sister to Group 1 Doomben Cup runner-up Numerian. It is the further family of St Leger winner Milan.
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