Princess Child just got the better of Queen Of Thunder in a thrilling finish to the Coolmore Stud No Nay Never Fairy Bridge Stakes at Tipperary.

Trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle, Princess Child was sent off a 3-1 shot for the Group Three prize as a five-time runner-up at Listed level and winner of the Ahonoora Handicap at the Galway Festival at the start of the month.

Settled in mid division, McMonagle managed to avoid the worst of the trouble as the field tightened up turning into the straight, with Mataariki swinging across the track to the nearside rail and appearing to impede Chantez and 11-4 favourite Fingerpaint in particular.

Switched to challenge down the middle, Princess Child reeled in Queen Of Thunder who had set sail for home, eventually edging a short head in front on the line, with Fingerpaint making late gains to be beaten a further three and a half lengths in third.

Princess Child prevails in a thrilling €60,000 @coolmorestud No Nay Never Fairy Bridge Stakes for @DylanBrowneMcM, @JosephOBrien2 and Janine Byrne pic.twitter.com/UnOAjyRjA3

— Tipperary Racecourse (@tipperaryraces) August 31, 2025

O’Brien said: “If any horse every deserved to win a stakes race it was her, although you don’t always get what you deserve. She met a bit of trouble in running but hit the line strong and while it was a head-bobber, she had previously come out the wrong side of a few tight finishes in her career.

“We had been campaigning her aggressively to try to win a stakes race and while she has a load of black type, to win a Group race is great. I’d say it will be a career-best on the figures and I thought she won the hard way.

“She is a Group winner now so it is job done, although we might look to win another one now.”

The stewards inquired into Mataariki’s move across the track, with her rider Declan McDonogh banned for seven days after being found to have ridden carelessly.

Grand Marques could make the leap to Group One company on Irish Champions Weekend after a front-running success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Abergwaun Stakes at Tipperary.

Group Three-placed last year as a juvenile, Fozzy Stack’s charge had fallen short when tried in a grade higher this term but dropped back to Listed level, she was in the front rank throughout in the hands of Seamie Heffernan.

Erosandpsyche proved her main rival in the last of the five furlongs, but Grand Marques had a little extra in reserve and eventually ran out a half-length winner as an 8-1 shot.

Stack is now looking towards the Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh on 14 September.

Grande Marques powers home in the €45,000 @IrishEBF_ Abergwaun Stakes, landing Listed honours for Seamie Heffernan and @Stack_Racing 🥇 pic.twitter.com/agpPM62nxJ

— Tipperary Racecourse (@tipperaryraces) August 31, 2025

He said: “She had the right draw (stall 14) today and was able to get to the stands’ side rail, which was a big help. Nothing really bothered her in front and he (Heffernan) was able to sit until a furlong and a half down.

“If they all did what she did, a Listed winner and Group Three-placed, we’d be all right and today’s race was a win-and-you’re-in for the Flying Five Stakes. We have nothing to lose and all those sprinters seem to be beating each other this year.”

Endorsement built on a debut second by claiming the Camas Park Irish EBF Maiden for Aidan O’Brien and Wayne Lordan.

The Wootton Bassett colt, who hails from the family of Group One winner Johannes Vermeer, briefly looked as though he might have to settle for the runner-up prize again as Limestone made a good battle of it, but Endorsement found the required extra and was pulling away again as he crossed the line a length and three-quarters to the good as the even-money favourite.

The Ballydoyle team doubled up with Mississippi River in the Glenvale Stud Race, edging out Bravais by a head as the 6-4 favourite.