Brave Matilda Picotte just caught close home in Group Three feature.
In a thrilling finish at Tipperary, Without Words stormed to victory in the Coolmore Stud No Nay Never Fairy Bridge Stakes, denying Matilda Picotte in the final strides. The Group Three race saw a dramatic late surge from the 40-1 outsider, trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Mikey Sheehy. Her unexpected win was a testament to patience, strategy, and raw power as she outpaced the more fancied runners in a field of eight.
Coming off a respectable fifth-place finish in the Listed Ruby Stakes at Killarney, Without Words wasn’t considered a leading contender in this race, especially when stacked against strong favorites like Paddy Twomey's Super Sox, the 5-6 frontrunner, and last year’s runner-up Matilda Picotte, a solid 5-2 shot.
Matilda Picotte, as expected, took an early lead and dominated much of the race, while Without Words was held back, biding her time at the rear of the pack. With just two furlongs remaining, Without Words was still trailing the field, seemingly out of contention. But that’s when Sheehy unleashed her, and the response was electric.
From last place, she made a rapid, almost unbelievable progression, weaving past her rivals with a blistering turn of foot. As she closed in on Matilda Picotte, it became a two-horse race, with the pair battling neck and neck. In the final few strides, Without Words found an extra gear, edging past the gallant front-runner to win by a full length. It was a victory that left the crowd buzzing and marked a career-best performance for the filly.
Sean Corby, representing O’Brien's yard, reflected on the victory, expressing his pride and surprise at the outcome. “She ran well the other day at Killarney, and Dylan (Browne McMonagle) felt she needed a good gallop to aim at, and she got it here today,” Corby explained. “She can be a bit keen, but she settled beautifully today with the pace that was set. She picked up really well and just got there at the right time – in fairness, Matilda Picotte stayed on strong.”
Corby continued, “She’s a talented filly when things fall into place for her, and today was a career-best. She’s going in the right direction, and it’s been a great day for the stable with three wins. The horses are running really well at the moment.”
This victory marked the third win of the day for Joseph O’Brien's stable, underscoring the exceptional form they’ve hit as of late. Without Words’ performance, in particular, will stand out as a highlight of the day – a classic underdog story where patience and timing triumphed over expectations.
The favorite, Super Sox, never quite found the stride that had marked her as the pre-race favorite, and she finished disappointingly down the field. Matilda Picotte, meanwhile, showed incredible determination, setting the pace early and holding on gamely until Without Words’ late burst. It was a race filled with suspense and surprises, proving once again that anything can happen in racing, no matter the odds.
For Without Words, this could be the start of a promising next chapter in her career. Her impressive finish suggests she has the potential to compete at this level regularly, and today’s performance will no doubt boost her confidence moving forward. As for Joseph O’Brien and his team, they’ll be celebrating a job well done, with their horses performing at their peak when it matters most.
This win for Without Words is a reminder of the unpredictable beauty of horse racing. The ability of a 40-1 outsider to outshine favorites speaks to the sport’s thrilling nature and the significance of strategy and timing. Without Words’ win wasn’t just a triumph of speed, but a display of well-thought-out tactics, where holding back at the right moment proved to be the winning formula. This race will be a confidence booster not only for the filly but for O’Brien’s yard, as they continue to show that they can compete – and win – at the highest level.
