Coolmore America Justify Matron Stakes
Group 1, Leopardstown 14:50
€400,000 added,
3yo plus, fillies,
1m, Class 1   
Saturday 13th September 2025

Porta Fortuna is back in light work as connections set their sights on a return in the Group 1 Matron Stakes, a race she landed so stylishly last year for Donnacha O’Brien.

The four-time Group One heroine had started this campaign in familiar fashion, winning the Lanwades Stud Stakes with authority. But her season was abruptly paused after a setback ruled her out of Royal Ascot, with a ligament injury proving slower to heal than hoped.

“She’s back cantering and moving well,” reported O’Brien. “It’s just taken a bit of time—ligament issues aren’t something you can rush. Realistically, the Matron is the first race that fits.”

With the Irish Champions Festival looming on September 13 and 14, O’Brien concedes that a prep run is unlikely. “We’d be going straight there, all being well. But it’s a Group 1 at home, and given her record, it makes sense on a few fronts.”

So while the road has been far from smooth this term, the defending champion is on the comeback trail—and the Matron Stakes may yet play host to one of racing’s most talented fillies once more.

Coolmore America Justify Matron Stakes
Group 1, 1m , Race Value: €400,000
40 entries
Going:

NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY (form as of Jul 16)
1 351-63 Azada 4 9-7 D K Weld
2 -11174 Choisya 5 9-7 Simon & Ed Crisford
3 0-2113 Crimson Advocate 4 9-7 John & Thady Gosden
4 1-14 Duckadilly 4 9-7 Daniel McLoughlin
5 44-244 Elmalka 4 9-7 Roger Varian
6 124-63 Fallen Angel 4 9-7 K R Burke
7 4-4556 Francophone 4 9-7 Charlie Johnston
8 18-255 Jancis 4 9-7 W McCreery
9 12-126 One Look 4 9-7 P Twomey
10 1118-1 Porta Fortuna 4 9-7 Donnacha O'Brien
11 2/7-16 Queen Of Thunder 4 9-7 K J Condon
12 20-170 Soprano 4 9-7 George Boughey
13 111-83 Sparks Fly 5 9-7 David Loughnane
14 643-31 Spiritual 4 9-7 John & Thady Gosden
15 15-141 Vera's Secret 6 9-7 John James Feane
16 1176 Atsila 3 9-2 Donnacha O'Brien
17 155-62 Bedtime Story 3 9-2 A P O'Brien
18 5111 Blue Bolt 3 9-2 Andrew Balding
19 -10420 California Dreamer 3 9-2 Adrian Murray
20 7-3231 Cercene 3 9-2 Joseph G Murphy
21 11-763 Chantez 6 3 9-2 G M Lyons
22 15 City Of Memphis 3 9-2 P Twomey
23 9-2511 Copacabana Sands 3 9-2 M D O'Callaghan
24 3-1940 Duty First 3 9-2 Archie Watson
25 5-2758 Ecstatic 3 9-2 A P O'Brien
26 1-477 Elwateen 3 9-2 Saeed bin Suroor
27 31-246 Exactly 3 9-2 A P O'Brien
28 112 Faiyum 3 9-2 G M Lyons
29 1- Falling Snow 3 9-2 Donnacha O'Brien
30 1128 Hey Boo 3 9-2 Jack Channon
31 22-832 January 3 9-2 A P O'Brien
32 111-61 Lake Victoria 3 9-2 A P O'Brien
33 1-134 Mandanaba 3 9-2 F-H Graffard
34 11 Matilda 3 9-2 1 F-H Graffard
35 4-11 Pina Sonata 3 9-2 James Fanshawe
36 214-72 Red Letter 3 9-2 G M Lyons
37 13-229 Shes Perfect 3 9-2 Charlie Fellowes
38 1-19 Swelter 3 9-2 D K Weld
39 1-6121 Whirl 3 9-2 A P O'Brien
40 12-112 Zarigana 3 9-2 F-H Graffard