She won six Group one races, travelled more than 28,000 air miles and won just under four million pounds in prize money. Quite an achievement for a filly who was retained for €1,800 as a yearling at Tattersalls Ireland in 2008.
Earlier this week decision was made to retire the great mare Snow Fairy from racing, after reinjuring the tendon that had previously caused her problems.
After running six times as a two year old, winning her maiden under Kirsty Milzereck at Lingfield and being beaten a head in a Newmarket handicap, Snow Fairy took her chances in Group company finishing in the frame three times without winning.
At three she won the Height of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood by three lengths and the decision was made to supplement the daughter of Intikhab for the Epsom Oaks. Ryan Moore partnered her for the first time and showing her now trade mark turn of foot, Snow Fairy out classed her rivals to win by a neck, giving Moore his first Classic success and sealing a partnership that would go on to win all over the World.
The decision to reinvest some of her Epsom Oaks winnings, to supplement an entry in the Irish Oaks was rewarded in emphatic style. Snow Fairy trounced her rivals by eight lengths, evoking comparisons to previous stable star Ouija Board when she entered the winner's enclosure at The Curragh.
Snow Fairy ran seven times as a three year old, showing her tenacity by running in six consecutive Group one races from June to December. This culminated in a far Eastern double when she won Japan's Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup and The Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin in Kyoto. She was later dubbed "Queen of the Orient" by her trainer after retaining her Japanese crown the following year.
Possibly her greatest win ended up being her final run. After recovering from an injury sustained while preparing for the Hong Kong Cup the previous year, Snow Fairy ran against colts for the first time in Europe lining up in The Irish Champion Stakes.
The quality field featured King George winner Nathaniel and multiple Group one winner St Nicholas Abbey, along with three other Group or Listed winners. A frantic pace was set with Snow Fairy travelling best of all, showing her trade mark turn of foot to defeat Nathaniel by one and a quarter lengths, with the official winning time 2.08 seconds faster than standard.
Her win resulted in this Racing Post commenting "Old editions of this great race were broadcast throughout the week and evoked many memories. This renewal turned out to be up there with the best of them in terms of the impression it will leave, words cannot do justice to commemorate what Snow Fairy achieved."
Snow Fairy's success could not have been realised without the support of her owner Mrs Patino, who has been pivotal in the career of her homebred star, "most owners would have retired her a lot sooner and if that had been the case she would not have won the Irish Champion Stakes, which was without doubt her greatest achievement" commented Ed.
Great credit must also go to the whole team at La Grange, who have worked so hard to maintain such a high level of form for all four of her racing years.
Snow Fairy will now enjoy retirement and motherhood in Ireland. She will be missed, but we hope one day to see some of her progeny emulating her ability on the track.