The Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes
Leopardstown
Porta Fortuna
Porta Fortuna has had a strong 2025 season, winning the Lanwades Stud Stakes Group 2 at the Curragh on 25 May. She also secured victories in the Matron Stakes and Falmouth Stakes in 2024. Trained by Donnacha O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, she has shown consistent form at Group 1 and 2 levels. A minor setback ruled her out of a Royal Ascot repeat bid, with plans for a return in the autumn.
Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria’s 2025 form: finished sixth in the Group 1 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on 4 May, then rebounded strongly to dominate the Group 1 Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh by 2¼ lengths on 25 May under Ryan Moore.
Cercene
Cercene has flourished in 2025: placed in three group races—3rd in the Group 3 Priory Belle, 2nd in the Group 3 Irish Athasi, and 3rd in the Group 1 Irish 1,000 Guineas—before stunning a Group 1 Coronation Stakes win at Royal Ascot on 20 June under Gary Carroll at 33/1 odds.
Zarigana
Zarigana, a 3‑year‑old Siyouni filly trained by F‑H Graffard, has excelled in 2025: won the Group 3 Prix de la Grotte (Apr), the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches via DQ (May), and finished 2nd in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot (Jun) under Mickaël Barzalona. All roads lead to Irish Champions Festival.
Crimson Advocate
Crimson Advocate, a Nyquist-sired 2021 bay filly trained by John & Thady Gosden and ridden by James McDonald, has thrived this season. She won a Listed Goodwood return in May, then powered to victory in the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot (June 18), rallying strongly for a 1¼-length success. Now entered in the Falmouth, Nassau, Lennox Stakes, and Matron Stakes at Irish Champions Festival, she’s tracking a top-class summer campaign.
Matilda
Matilda, a March 12, 2022‑foaled Soldier Hollow filly trained by Yasmin Almenräder in Germany and ridden by Frida Valle Skar, remained unbeaten in her two 2025 starts. On May 18, she stormed to victory in the Coolmore City of Troy German 2000 Guineas (G2, Cologne), powering home by an emphatic 6½ lengths. Rated mid‑120s, she's being eyed at top European middle-distance fillies’ races this summer, with her eyes on Matron Stakes at Irish Champions Festival.
