Port Fairy showed great determination to secure Aidan O’Brien’s fifth victory in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot. The Ballydoyle trainer had previously won with Bracelet, Even Song, Magic Wand, and Warm Heart. Ryan Moore rode Port Fairy to victory at odds of 12-1, choosing her over stablemate Rubies Are Red.
Port Fairy, who had previously finished second in the Cheshire Oaks, wore a visor for this race and tracked the leader You Got To Me before making her move in the final two furlongs. Despite being briefly headed by Lava Stream, Port Fairy fought back to win by a neck, with Kalpana finishing third.
Ryan Moore’s win also saw him surpass Frankie Dettori as the most successful current jockey at Royal Ascot. Aidan O’Brien praised Port Fairy’s toughness and bravery, calling her a potential Irish Oaks contender.
Trainer David O’Meara was pleased with Lava Stream’s runner-up performance, while jockey Oisin Murphy praised Kalpana for running a career-best race in third place.