Whirl proves 'absolutely concrete' in Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh
Whirl gained Epsom compensation when outbattling Kaplana in an enthralling Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes.
The Group One event looked a match on paper between Andrew Balding's proven Group One performer Kalpana (5-6 favourite) and Aidan O'Brien's narrow Oaks second, and so it proved as the pair served up a Curragh Classic.
Ryan Moore was quickly away dictating terms aboard the 13-8 second-favourite, with Colin Keane never far away aboard the Juddmonte-owned Kalpana and must have thought the race was his for the taking when Whirl was asked for maximum effort with two furlongs to run with Kalpana still travelling menacingly.
However, Whirl was not for giving in and after a titanic tussle, the Wootton Bassett filly pulled out extra inside the final furlong to prevail by a length and a quarter.
Oaks runner-up Whirl (13-8) outbattles and outstays Kalpana to claim the Group One Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien. pic.twitter.com/NLAtUf2Pi2
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 28, 2025
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