19:25 Leopardstown (IRE) 13 Sep 2025
Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes
Fillies' & Mares' Group 1 | Class 1 | 3YO plus
Winner €240,000 - 11 ran
tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headway to dispute lead 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
tracked leaders on inner, ridden in 3rd 2f out, headway to dispute lead 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
dwelt, in rear, briefly short of room entering straight, pushed along 2f out, soon ridden, went 4th 1f out, 3rd inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, 5th 1f out, 4th inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, ridden in 7th 2f out, 8th 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong
in rear, pushed along in 10th 2f out, soon ridden, 10th 1f out, kept on without threatening in 6th close home
dwelt, mid-division, ridden and closer in 5th 2f out, 6th 1f out, no impression
rear of mid-division, pushed along early, ridden and closer in 6th 2f out, weakened
always towards rear, ridden entering straight, no impression
led, pulled hard, pushed along 2f out, soon ridden, headed and dropped to 3rd 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden entering straight, weakened
Expert Analysis
A reasonable edition of this G1, backed up by a good time, the winner just 1lb or 2lb below the usual standard. It was a strongly-run affair, with Fallen Angel’s 24.88s for the final 2f the slowest in relative terms (99.4% finishing speed) on the card. The runners kept a bit off the rail in the back straight but stayed centre/far side in the home one, unlike the majority of other races on the day.
FALLEN ANGEL (114 here and previously) went one better than she had done in this 12 months ago, nothing quite of the calibre of Porta Fortuna to contend with on this occasion, in second most of the way, effort over 2f out and taking a while to pick up the leader, passed marginally by Exactly but digging deep to prevail. She has more than justified connections’ decision to keep her in training with two G1 wins now, without proving herself better than before.
EXACTLY (113 here, 106 previously) was heavily backed and ran a new personal best, possibly just found out for stamina at the end of a strongly-run affair on easy ground, tracking the pace before running on to lead marginally for the first half of the final 1f. She could have a good race in her before the season is out.
ATSILA (111 here, 104 previously) ended last year on a high and probably ran better than ever here, despite being on the back foot due to a slowish start, improving a few position mid-race then more clearly in the penultimate 1f, one paced near the end (trip likely a maximum).
CATHEDRAL (110 here, 107 previously) ran at least as well as she ever has, staying on from mid-field and likely to get a bit further.
CERCENE (106 here, 113 previously) was a bit below form, always around the same place but sticking to her task.
QUEEN OF THUNDER (102 here and previously) was never on terms but did make a little late headway under pressure out wide.
JANUARY (99 here, 113 previously) failed to uphold her good run of form on this slightly easier surface, finding little in first-time cheekpieces.
SPARKS FLY (99+ here and previously)
DUCKADILLY (99 here and previously)
VERA’S SECRET (98+ here, 106 previously) set a strong pace until over 1f out, having her rivals on the stretch at one point, this trip just beyond her ridden in this fashion.
CALIFORNIA DREAMER (0 here, ? previously)
Video Highlights
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Post-Race Reaction: 16th Sep 2025
Future Form
| Type | Stats | Type | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | 13 runs, 2 wins (2 horses), 1 placed, 10 unplaced | Next time out | 8 runs, 2 wins, 1 placed, 5 unplaced |
| Class analysis | 0 runs up in class, 0 wins, 0 placed, 0 unplaced | Ratings check | Highest winning OR: 115; Highest placed OR: 115 |
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Good | 9 | Porta Fortuna | 8 | 3 | 9 2 | - | 312-211 | 64 days | Donnacha O'Brien (119 miles) | Tom Marquand | 5/ 4 | 1:40.67 |
| 2023 | Good | 12 | Tahiyra | 4 | 3 | 9 2 | - | 11-211 | 78 days | D K Weld (38 miles) | Chris Hayes | 5/ 6 | 1:37.50 |
| 2022 | Soft | 9 | Pearls Galore | 7 | 5 | 9 7 | - | 26-1125 | 39 days | P Twomey (119 miles) | Billy Lee | 16/ 1 | 1:44.36 |
| 2021 | Good | 13 | No Speak Alexander | 3 | 3 | 9 2 | - | 424-130 | 39 days | Mrs J Harrington (38 miles) | Shane Foley | 25/ 1 | 1:41.98 |
| 2020 | Good | 11 | Champers Elysees | 8 | 3 | 9 2 | - | 612-111 | 10 days | J P Murtagh (38 miles) | Colin Keane | 9/ 2 | 1:39.77 |
| 2019 | Good | 7 | Iridessa | 4 | 3 | 9 0 | - | 1-38417 | 56 days | J P O'Brien (76 miles) | Wayne Lordan | 10/ 1 | 1:38.81 |
| 2018 | Good to Firm | 7 | Laurens | 5 | 3 | 9 0 | - | 11-2116 | 23 days | K R Burke | Daniel Tudhope | 10/ 1 | 1:39.23 |
| 2017 | Good - Yielding | 10 | Hydrangea | 9 | 3 | 9 0 | - | 0-10334 | 37 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Wayne Lordan | 20/ 1 | 1:41.89 |
| 2016 | Yielding | 8 | Alice Springs | 7 | 3 | 9 0 | - | 337318 | 41 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Ryan Moore | 5/ 1 | 1:42.80 |
| 2015 | Yielding | 9 | Legatissimo | 4 | 3 | 9 0 | - | 411221 | 42 days | D Wachman (119 miles) | Wayne Lordan | 7/ 4 | 1:39.95 |
| 2014 | Good to Firm | 10 | Fiesolana | 4 | 5 | 9 5 | - | 51-6243 | 34 days | W McCreery (38 miles) | Billy Lee | 5/ 1 | 1:38.16 |
| 2013 | Good | 12 | La Collina | 4 | 4 | 9 5 | - | 4-32266 | 44 days | K Prendergast (38 miles) | Chris Hayes | 25/ 1 | 1:39.00 |
| 2011 | Good | 8 | Emulous | 8 | 4 | 9 5 | - | 311-611 | 66 days | D K Weld (38 miles) | P J Smullen | 9/ 2 | 1:38.47 |
| 2010 | Good to Firm | 7 | Lillie Langtry | 4 | 3 | 8 12 | - | 318-515 | 59 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Johnny Murtagh | 7/ 2 | 1:39.68 |
| 2009 | Yielding | 7 | Rainbow View | 4 | 3 | 8 12 | - | 1-54342 | 35 days | J & T Gosden | J Fortune | 5/ 4 | 1:39.89 |
| 2008 | Soft | 10 | Lush Lashes | 2 | 3 | 8 12 | - | 615121 | 16 days | J S Bolger (56 miles) | Kevin Manning | 9/ 4 | 1:40.73 |
| 2007 | Good to Firm | 9 | Echelon | 2 | 5 | 9 3 | - | 5-11561 | 14 days | Sir Michael Stoute | Ryan Moore | 9/ 4 | 1:39.52 |
| 2006 | Good to Firm | 9 | Red Evie | 8 | 3 | 8 12 | - | 111111 | 36 days | M L W Bell | Jamie Spencer | 6/ 1 | 1:38.76 |
| 2005 | Good to Firm | 9 | Attraction | 3 | 4 | 9 2 | - | 2021-04 | 28 days | C & M Johnston | Kevin Darley | 10/ 3 | 1:38.90 |