By Tom Frary
1st-Curragh, €20,000, Mdn, 7-20, 2yo, 7fT, 1:30.21, g/y.
SUGAR ISLAND (IRE) (f, 2, Dubawi {Ire}–Heaven On Earth {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}), sent off at 9-2 with Ryan Moore's original mount Signora (Frankel) withdrawn, raced close to the early leader in this maiden won in 2020 by the stable's Oaks heroine Snowfall. In front passing two out, the granddaughter of Lillie Langtry (Danehill Dancer) stayed on to prevail by half a length from Cayton Park Stud's fellow newcomer Saint Agatha (St Mark's Basilica). “Ryan said she was very green, but found plenty which is usually the sign of a nice filly and had no problem with the ease in the ground,” Aidan O'Brien said. “She'll be a mile-and-a-quarter-plus filly next year with a great pedigree and everything is there. She has a sweet head, a lovely temperament and plenty of scope.” The winner's dam, one of six mares out of the aforementioned Coronation and Matron-winning producer supreme, has already produced Justify's G3 Give Thanks Stakes-placed Mother Nature. A full-sister to the Classic-winning luminaries Minding, Tuesday and Empress Josephine, with the former responsible for Dubawi's G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes hero Henry Longfellow, Heaven On Earth's yearling filly is by Wootton Bassett. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $13,947.
O-Westerberg, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, D Smith; B-Westerberg; T-Aidan O'Brien.
A sweet debut!
Sugar Island (Dubawi) digs deep to land the @curraghrace opener, the Sycamore Lodge Equine Hospital @IrishEBF_ Fillies Maiden for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore 🔴🔵@Ballydoyle | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/SVue1eddY4
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 20, 2025
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