Fancy Blue

She was from the ninth crop of foals sired by Deep Impact, who was the Japanese Horse of the Year in 2005 and 2006, winning races including the Tokyo Yushun, Tenno Sho, Arima Kinen and Japan Cup.

Ridden by her trainer's son Donnacha O'Brien she raced in mid-division before staying on strongly to overtake the favourite Chasing The Dawn in the closing stages and win by half a length.

With Seamie Heffernan in the saddle she started slowly but produced a sustained run from the rear of the field in the last quarter mile to win by a head from A New Dawn after taking the lead in the final strides.

[8] The flat racing season in Ireland was disrupted by the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Group 1 Irish 1,000 Guineas was run three weeks later than usual on 13 June behind closed doors at the Curragh.

[9] On 5 July the filly was sent to France to contest the Prix de Diane over 2000 metres at Chantilly Racecourse in which she was ridden by Pierre-Charles Boudot and went off the 8.1/1 fourth choice in the betting behind Alpine Star, Peaceful and the undefeated Raabihah.

[11] Twenty-five days after her victory in France, Fancy Blue was partnered by Ryan Moore when she was matched against older fillies and mares in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes over ten furlongs at Goodwood Racecourse in England.

She settled in second place behind the front-running Magic Wand before taking the lead a furlong out and held off the challenge of the 20/1 outsider One Voice to win by a neck.