Precise strengthened her reputation as one of Europe’s leading fillies with a commanding victory in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, adding another major success to an already impressive season for trainer Aidan O’Brien.
Coronation Stakes result
The Irish 2,000 Guineas heroine travelled strongly throughout the race before being asked to take control by Ryan Moore entering the final two furlongs. Racing on the outside of the nine-runner field, Precise found plenty when challenged and stayed on powerfully to record her sixth victory from eight career starts.
Precise won the Coronation Stakes in a performance that underlined her class and versatility.
Moore kept the daughter of O’Brien’s stable moving smoothly as the pace developed, and once she hit the front, she showed the determination that has become a feature of her racing. The winning margin was decisive, with Touleen finishing a length and a half behind in second and True Love, the 1000 Guineas winner and stablemate of Precise, a neck further back in third.
Touleen emerged as the unlucky runner of the race after meeting trouble during the decisive stages. Despite the setback, Owen Burrows’ filly stayed on bravely to split two Classic winners and confirmed her place among the leading three-year-old fillies.
Precise has now secured two Group 1 victories this season after also collecting the Irish 2,000 Guineas. Her outstanding juvenile campaign had already marked her as a star, with top-level victories in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and Fillies’ Mile helping her finish last season among Europe’s highest-rated two-year-old fillies.
Aidan O’Brien praised both the filly’s ability and Moore’s handling of the race, admitting Precise has a tendency to wait once she hits the lead.
“She was a little bit slow away, but Ryan did a great job keeping her out of trouble,” O’Brien said. “When she gets there, she can look a little bit lazy, but when you ask her, she really opens up.”
The trainer added that Precise has options ahead, with her future potentially including either staying at a mile or stepping up in distance.
Moore was equally impressed with the filly’s effort, explaining that he focused on keeping her balanced rather than worrying about her position early in the race.
“She got into a beautiful rhythm,” Moore said. “I knew she was going to stay well. She is the best filly and there was no need to complicate it.”
He suggested that a longer trip could be within her capabilities, although the mile remains a distance where she appears extremely effective.
The Coronation Stakes result also provided plenty of encouragement for Touleen’s connections. Burrows admitted he would have been satisfied with second place beforehand but felt the filly deserved extra credit after encountering interference.
“She split two Guineas winners and was unlucky doing it,” Burrows said. “She has shown she belongs at this level.”
Rider Saffie Osborne shared those thoughts, describing the finish as frustrating given how strongly Touleen was closing after finding herself short of room.
The performance was also welcomed by Shadwell representative Angus Gold, who said Touleen had demonstrated the quality her team believed she possessed. He highlighted her improved confidence and maturity after previous runs had not gone entirely her way.
Moon Target, who finished fourth, also earned praise from trainer Sir Mark Prescott, who felt the filly had produced a strong effort and could possibly progress to longer distances later in the season.
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