O’Brien and McMonagle dominate juvenile events at Leopardstown

Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle combined to win all three maidens on the card at Leopardstown, but perhaps the most informative was the one-mile event won by Bellesque.

Having finished second on her debut at the track earlier in the month Bellesque went off the even money favourite for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

There were two beautifully bred fillies up against her, though, in Exceptionally, who had disappointed on her debut but is a half-sister to City Of Troy and So Lovely, the first living foal of the multiple Group One winner Love by Wootton Bassett.

McMonagle controlled the race on the favourite but Aidan O’Brien will have been thrilled by the debut of So Lovely who closed to within three-quarters of a length while her stablemate Exceptionally took a huge step forward to finish a further half-length away.

The winner holds an entry in the Moyglare Stud Stakes later in the season and her trainer said: “She did it well. She had a nice debut here last week. I thought Dylan got to control the race lovely and she’s a nice filly.”

In the opening Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden Star Of State (1-3 favourite) proved in a different league to her rivals to set up a potential crack at the Lowther.

“She was very impressive. We liked her going to Fairyhouse (when second) and we were very happy with that run,” said O’Brien.

“You don’t really see more impressive maiden winners than that (nine lengths). I don’t know how strong a race it was, or not.

“I’m delighted for State Of Rest (sire, his Cox Plate and Prince of Wales’s winner). I’m delighted for Mr Jaber Abdullah (owner), it’s our first winner for him. She looks a very exciting filly.

“Jaber mentioned that we might go to the Lowther next month, so I suppose we’ll see how she pulls up and then we’ll make those plans.”

Ballyskeagh (7-4 favourite) won the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden by half a length in the colours of Anne Marie O’Brien.

All three were winning on their second outings.