Donnacha O’Brien hoping Porta Fortuna will be back for the autumn

Donnacha’s O’Brien’s star filly Porta Fortuna will return later in the year after being forced to miss Royal Ascot with a minor setback

The Caravaggio four-year-old has twice run at the showpiece fixture and twice been victorious, winning the Albany in 2023 and the Coronation Stakes in 2024.

She is a multiple Group winner alongside those successes, but will not add to her Ascot tally this term as an injury has sidelined her for the time being.

“She’s had a bit of a setback, she’s not going to make Ascot but hopefully it’s nothing too serious,” said O’Brien.

“We’re hoping to have her back for the second half of the season. It’s bad timing, but we’ll give her all the time she needs and aim to have her back at her best towards the autumn.

“We won’t take any chances with her, we’ll do what’s right by her – as we would with any horse, of course.

“She’s been very special to us, she’ll get all the care and attention she needs.”

Another filly from the yard who will come to hand later in the year is Falling Snow, a daughter of Justify and dual Guineas winner Winter.

The grey made her debut at the Curragh last season, beating the subsequently Group One-placed Ballet Slippers, but has not been seen since after a niggle delayed her return to action.

“She’s on the way back, she had a bad muscle pull earlier in the season but she’s done a few canters now,” O’Brien said.

“She’ll be back in work soon and again, she’ll be one for the second half of the season.

“She’s coming along well and she should be a nice filly for later in the year and into next season.”