Cathryn Fry is back with her Horses to Follow and Irish Eyecatchers from the last few weeks of racing from across the Irish Sea.
Irish Eyecatchers: Cathryn Fry’s Hot Horses to Follow, June 3rd 2025
Some fantastic racing coming up in June, match that with some eye-catchers for the biggest races and it could be a great month for us. I’m very keen on the chances of One Look in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh on 28th June. I don’t think she was knocked around when second to Porta Fortuna. The step up to 1m2f won’t trouble her at all, there is plenty of stamina on the dam side ranging from 1m4f – 2 miles. Porta Fortuna herself would have a cracking chance in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, already a winner on the track, she won the Coronation Stakes at last years meeting.
Horses to Follow: Storm Boy
Another horse heading across the sea to Royal Ascot, that I am very keen on, is Storm Boy. I know his Irish debut didn’t go to plan, but, let’s dig a bit deeper in to that race. Storm Boy finished 9/9 after being eased. First of all, he was huge! He also hung badly left and ran up the backside of horses. I’m convinced at this stage of his career, he wants 5f on quick ground. His dam won at 5f and 6f and there’s up to 1m 2f in the pedigree. However, I think the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot will be made for him (currently 20/1 for this race). He does have an entry at Leopardstown in the Group 3 Barberstown over 7f. I am hoping they go to Ascot, though!
Horses to Follow: Gleneagle Bay
Trainer Stephen Thorne looks to have a Royal Ascot chance on his hands in the shape of Gleneagle Bay. He had a trip over to Ascot when finishing third in the Victoria Cup. He’ll be right in the mix for the Buckingham Palace Stakes. Another one of Stephen Thorne’s charges that looks progressive is Independent Expert. It took Jack Kearney ages to pull her up after winning over a mile at Naas on quick ground. The County Dublin trainer had this to say post race:
“The last day over seven she got a little outpaced and she stayed on well. I think nowadays the stiff mile suits her well,. She was a good winner of a Killarney handicap last year on good to firm ground so we knew that she’d handle the ground even though she’s versatile, as she handles juice in the ground as well. She’s very tough, honest and genuine. Andy Slattery was moving her on last year and recommended her to us.
Horses to Follow: Sonnyboyliston
It couldn’t have worked out any better, on a nice day like this to win a nice pot. The colours are very important, she sports the colours of my assistant Stephen Mooney’s grandparents. My first winner carried those colours so it’s nice for Stephen and his family to have a nice winner on a day like this. We look for something similar. She might run well in a nice fillies handicap on one of the big weekends, because she has good Curragh form. We’ll see what’s there on Oaks or Derby weekend. She’ll be a nice filly for Galway as well.” Watch out for her, she’ll win again.
It would be remiss of me not to mention a certain Charles Byrnes horse (no, not that one!). Sonnyboyliston who won the Ebor and Irish St Leger in 2021, when in the care of Johnny Murtagh. According to Mr Byrnes, the horse has bad legs so it is a case of keeping him sound and running on an easy surface. I’d initially wondered, if they may go to Galway with the now 8 year old former star. However, he does hold an entry in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on 28th June. All I can say is: watch the market.
By Cathryn Fry
Please note that the information provided in this Irish Horses to Follow article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
18+ | BeGambleAware.org
