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The 2026 Thousand Guineas Prelude results at Caulfield delivered a major boost to the Thousand Guineas hopes of the promising Icelady, with the Ciaron Maher-trained filly shedding her maiden status in style when taking out the key Group 1 lead-up event on Underwood Stakes Day.

Despite entering the Group 2 $300,000 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) as a maiden after four career starts, Icelady ($7.50) had already shown plenty of talent with three runner-up finishes, including a placing at black-type level in the Group 3 David Coles AM Stakes in Adelaide.

The daughter of Japanese sire Maurice justified the stable’s confidence, producing a gutsy on-speed performance under Ethan Brown to score by three-quarters of a length over stablemate Saintly Dancer, while race favourite Profligate finished third.

Icelady made full use of her early speed from the outset. Brown positioned the filly prominently before controlling the race from the front, and when challenged in the straight she responded strongly to hold off the late advances and secure a deserved breakthrough victory.

The win represented a bold placement by Maher, who bypassed easier maiden options to test the filly at Group level.

“She was probably one of the best maidens in the country,” Maher told Racing Victoria post-race.

“There was a maiden with a $100,000 bonus tomorrow at Bendigo but we thought she was right in this race and Browny gave her a good positive ride.

“She’s a tough horse. She was beaten by a good horse last week of Freedman’s that franked the form.”

Maher was also delighted to reward the filly’s ownership group, while confirming both Icelady and runner-up Saintly Dancer are now on course for the spring’s premier fillies’ mile – the Group 1 $1.5 million Thousand Guineas (1600m) back at the track on Caulfield Cup Day, October 17.

“The Thompson Creek crew, they’ve been great supporters basically my whole career and we’re rapt to get another good horse for them,” Maher said.

“They’re on to the Guineas and Saintly Dancer was very brave in defeat there as well, so probably both horses head towards the Guineas.”

Irish Lights (2009) meanwhile is the last filly to complete the Thousand Guineas Prelude – Thousand Guineas double, but the Thousand Guineas Prelude has also produced recent Thousand Guineas winners Amicus (2nd in 2014), Stay With Me (6th in 2015), Flit (9th in 2019) and Ole Dancer (2nd in 2025).

Brown echoed his trainer’s confidence, praising the filly’s professionalism and indicating the step up to the Thousand Guineas distance will be ideal.

“Group 2 to break your maiden, very good,” Brown said.

“She’s a nice filly. She’s got a good racing style and we were keen to make use of her barrier speed and control the race.

“She showed her good will to win then. It was a tough effort.”

Importantly for her Classic prospects, Brown believes the filly will relish stepping up to the mile of the Thousand Guineas.

“She will get it,” he said.

“I thought she relaxed quite well then. She had a bit more fitness on her side and probably a little bit more of a lid on her. Up to a mile, I think, will only suit.”

The impressive Prelude victory was Icelady’s first win from five starts and took her earnings beyond $220,000, while also propelling her into Thousand Guineas contention.

Bookmakers were quick to react, with Ladbrokes dramatically shortening Icelady’s 2026 Thousand Guineas odds from $51 into $15 following Saturday’s breakthrough Group 2 success.

With a valuable Group race now on her resume, natural improvement still to come, and confirmation from connections that a 2026 Thousand Guineas tilt awaits, Icelady has emerged as one of the leading fillies to watch heading towards Melbourne’s premier three-year-old fillies’ feature.

2026 Thousand Guineas Prelude Results