The Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes
Leopardstown
Porta Fortuna
a 2022 foaled filly by Caravaggio, bred by the O’Brien family and trained by Donnacha O’Brien, has firmly established herself among Europe’s elite. A Royal Ascot winner at two in the Albany Stakes (G3), she secured a breakthrough Group 1 in the Cheveley Park Stakes before finishing runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. At three, she placed second in the 1000 Guineas before sweeping the Coronation Stakes, Falmouth Stakes, and Matron Stakes, earning Cartier honors as Europe’s top three-year-old filly. Now four, she returned in style with a Group 2 victory at the Curragh in May. Porta Fortuna is entered once again in the Matron Stakes (G1) on Irish Champions Festival, where she bids to defend her crown and reaffirm her dominance among older fillies.
Fallen Angel
A 2021 filly by Too Darn Hot trained by Karl Burke, established herself early by winning the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) as a two-year-old. She progressed impressively at three, capturing the Irish 1000 Guineas (G1) in May 2024 before finishing a close second to Porta Fortuna in the Matron Stakes (G1) at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Festival. Continuing her top-level form into 2025, Fallen Angel scored a notable victory in the Prix Rothschild (G1)3rd August, reinforcing her status as a leading miler. Entered in the Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes (G1) for Irish Champions Festival, Fallen Angel’s proven Group 1 ability, toughness, and mile-winning pedigree make her a key contender aiming to add another elite success to her record.
Cercene
A 2022 filly by Australia, is trained by veteran Irish handler Joe Murphy and has rapidly developed into one of the standout fillies of the 2025 season. After causing a 33/1 upset in the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot, she confirmed her class with a gallant second in the Nassau Stakes (G1) at Goodwood, chasing home the highly regarded Whirl on testing ground. Genuine, tough, and thriving at the top level, Cercene is now firmly on course for the Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes (G1) on Irish Champions Festival. With her proven Group 1 form over a mile and a strong finishing kick, connections believe the Leopardstown feature presents a prime opportunity for Cercene to add another elite victory to her rapidly growing résumé.
Crimson Advocate
Crimson Advocate, a 2021 foaled chestnut filly by Nyquist, now trained by John & Thady Gosden for Wathnan Racing, has transitioned impressively from sprint to mile. After being restarted over middle distances, she launched her season with a Listed win at Kempton and followed up with a confident success in the Listed fillies and mares' race at Goodwood. Her profile soared when she claimed the Duke of Cambridge Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot in June, dismantling her rivals with a powerful turn of foot. Now a marked filly over a mile, she holds confirmed entries in the Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes (G1) on Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown. Connections are expecting her strength and race craft to shine through again at the top level, making her a standout among the older fillies in the field.
January
A 2022 foaled bay filly by Kingman out of I Can Fly, is trained by Aidan O’Brien for the Coolmore partners. A late-developing type, she broke her maiden stylishly at Gowran Park in June 2024 before immediately stepping into Group company. She ran a strong second in the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh and confirmed her class with placed efforts in both the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket. A filly with tactical speed and a strong finishing kick, January is being aimed at top-level prizes this autumn. She finished a close second to fellow Matron Stakes entrant Fallen Angel, She currently holds multiple group 1 entries including key races on Irish Champions Festival: Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes (G1) and the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (G1) . Connections are confident that her upward trajectory will soon be rewarded with a breakthrough Group 1 victory.
Choisya
A 2020-foaled mare by Night of Thunder out of Fragrancy, is trained by Simon & Ed Crisford and has risen to international prominence in 2025. A dual Group 2 winner during the Dubai Carnival, she confirmed her elite credentials when landing the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland in April, showcasing a sharp turn of foot and tactical class. Now a proven top-level miler, Choisya is entered in the Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes (G1) on Irish Champions Festvival. The high-profile Curragh contest is firmly in the sights of her connections, who believe her blend of speed, stamina, and global experience makes her a serious contender among Europe’s leading older fillies.
