Tarnawa and Colin Keane© Photo Healy Racing
Tarnawa was the star name on show at Leopardstown this evening and she didn't disappoint, as she blitzed her rivals in the feature Group 3 Grant Thornton Ballyroan Stakes.
After proving a bit difficult to load, the Dermot Weld trained five-year-old raced towards rear in the early stages, improving into a slightly closer fifth from halfway.
She made good headway on the outer approaching the straight and got to the front at the furlong pole, keeping on strongly from there to score by six-and-a-half lengths under Colin Keane. Silence Please (13/2) ran a fine race to finish second under Shane Foley for Jessica Harrington, while Hector De Maris (12/1) was a further thirteen lengths back in third.
The winner was recording her fifth straight success and won her last three at the highest level, the Prix Vermeille, the Prix de l'Opera and the Breeders' Cup Turf.
As short as 1/6 in early shows, the chestnut victor proved easy-to-back and was a returned the 1/2 favourite in the colours of the Aga Khan.
"It was her first run back after a long absence and as you could see she was carrying a few kilos extra compared to last year," Weld said.
"I had to be extra careful with her after the wonderful dry spell that we've had and my only concern was that I may have left her a little too short.
"She has not been away to a racetrack and has done all her work at home. I'd love to have got her away about two weeks ago but it just wasn't possible.
"She has been training extremely well at home and has probably strengthened since last year. I thought she was very impressive.
"It was always the plan to start here or the Give Thanks in Cork which she has won the last two years. The forecast was for plenty of rain in Cork so I thought it might be more prudent to come here. It was a very true run race.
"She is a wonderful mare as she won the Breeders Cup on firm ground and at Longchamp on heavy. She just cruised there.
"The Arc is the plan and the main reason for keeping her in training, while the Irish Champion Stakes probably fits into the programme. The Prix Vermeille would be a possibility but the Irish Champion is probably favourite for her next race.
"This year’s crop of horses look outstanding and she has joined an outstanding team of horses to look forward to in the autumn."
Tarnawa is now 7/1 (from 8s) with Paddy Power for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp in October.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
