Monday 11 September 2023
TAHIYRA lit up day one of Irish Champions Weekend in Ireland on Saturday, as she once again demonstrated her class to land the Gr.1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown. The three-year-old filly was fresh from the spell at Gilltown Stud that followed her win in the Gr.1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, and on this occasion was facing her elders for the first time in her career.
Positioned mid-field by jockey Chris Hayes, she began her run at the entrance to the straight, sweeping easily into the lead to win comfortably by a length and a quarter – one year after she took her first top-level victory in the Gr.1 Moyglare Stud Stakes.
Dermot Weld said after the race: “No matter how many Group Ones you're fortunate in life to win, that will always go down as a special one for us. All the pressure was on this filly, she'd won the Guineas and won at Royal Ascot. Some of the other fillies she'd beaten had fallen by the wayside, but she keeps winning.
“She's a very talented filly. She was 8-10 kilos heavier today than when she won at Royal Ascot and I was just very happy when I saw Chris cruising there on the outside. I said to just take your time and gradually get there, that's what he did.
“She's an amazing animal and I've a wonderful team and it's great for them. We've lots to look forward to with her.”
TAHIYRA’s victory marked the 30th Group 1 success for her sire SIYOUNI, who was also responsible for 2018 Matron Stakes heroine – and fellow multiple Group 1 winner – Laurens.
