THE Mid-Antrim Harriers hosted the opening fixture of the new season at Toomebridge, and it was the four-year-old mares’ maiden that attracted the biggest field of the day, with nine mares heading to post. It was the well-bred newcomer Sarah’s Sister (2/1 - 4/1), who prevailed for the Aidan Fitzgerald stable.
Out of a half-sister to Grade 1-winner J’y Vole, her dam also bred the 143-rated and multiple-listed race winner My Sister Sarah.
This daughter of Order Of St George tracked the pace throughout before picking off rivals on the final circuit and taking up the running from four out.
She soon stamped her superiority, quickening into the straight to score by 11 lengths from the more experienced I’m Feeling It.
The winning handler was full of praise for the impressive winner in the colours of Cobjay Stables, as he stated: “I think she’s very good; she has an excellent pedigree.
“I own her with Colin Bowe, and I have had a few agents in my yard the last few weeks and put her to all of them, and now she has the result to back it up.
“It’s great for Brian [Dunleavy, jockey] as well; he comes in one day a week, and he’s a great rider with loads of experience, so I’m delighted to have him.”
Sarah’s Sister also brought up a 50th career success for jockey Brian Dunleavy.
Southern success
The only other southern winner of the day came in the older maiden when The Gallan (7/4 - 6/4) made his first start since joining the Peter Flood stable a winning one under Georgie Benson.
The son of Diamond Boy was sent out with conviction and battled gamely in the straight to fend off the late challenge of Glendine Billy.
Acquired for £11,000 at the Goffs Doncaster Sale in May, he jumped fluently throughout, battling to the line to score by half a length in the colours of Teresa Flood.
Despite this being his 12th start before shedding his maiden, he had finished runner-up on his previous two starts.
THE local Caherty Stables team of Philip McBurney, Gerald Quinn and Noel McParlan enjoyed an excellent start to the season as L’Alpagueur (6/4 - 7/4 favourite) opened their account, justifying favouritism in the four-year-old geldings’ division.
Front-running winners soon became a common theme, and this smart son of Born To Sea was no different.
The newcomer put in a foot-perfect round of fencing, gaining lengths everywhere before quickening smartly into the home straight to score by eight and a half lengths from Gortahara.
Out of a half-sister to Port Joulain, he was acquired privately by McBurney as a yearling out of France.
“He was very impressive; we thought a lot of him coming here,” Quinn stated. “His homework was all brilliant, and we didn’t think he could be beaten here today.
“He put in a serious round of jumping. Philip acquired him privately from France as a yearling and he will now be sold.”
Patient ride
The second leg of McBurney’s double and the Quinn-McParlan treble came courtesy of newcomer Doagh (4/5 - evens favourite), who landed the five-year-old geldings’ maiden in a race which attracted only three runners. Lupin Du Chenet set strong early fractions, drawing up to 60 lengths clear on occasions.
McParlan allowed Doagh to bide his time, gaining experience jumping from fence to fence before picking up the pieces when Lupin Du Chenet folded from the penultimate obstacle.
He quickened smartly into the straight to score by 21 lengths.
“The other horse went off very hard in front, Noel gave him a patient ride, and he picked up easily,” the winning owner noted.
“He did it well, but will improve a lot for the run. He’s a very nice horse who will now be sold.”
Nancy makes her comeback
The final leg of the Quinn-McParlan treble came courtesy of Crazy Nancy (5/4 - evens favourite), who landed the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden in the colours of the Kerr family.
This was a very well-received winner, as the seven-year-old daughter of Conduit’s racing career had been in the balance after picking up a nasty cut last season, bringing her campaign to a premature end.
This homebred was produced in excellent condition and was another to land victory from the front, putting in a polished display of jumping to score by seven lengths from newcomer Mount Heather.
A delighted Robert Kerr stated: “The last time she ran, she got a very nasty cut and was within 24 hours of being euthanised.
“She chipped a bone and had a very nasty injury, so I’m just delighted to have her back and to win makes it even more special.
“I have to give great credit to the vet and the whole team to get her back in this form.”
IT was the family-run Ward operation who denied the Caherty Stables team a four-timer as Western Wishes (2/1 - 7/2), the outsider of the field in the winners-of-one, put in a game bid from the front under Bertie Finn, who picked up a nice spare ride to open his account for the 2026/27 season.
Sent out with intention from the drop of the flag, the eight-year-old son of Westerner set an end-to-end gallop, jumping fluently throughout, other than a slight error five-out.
To his credit, he quickened again after this and, when faced with a challenge into the straight, showed a real willing attitude to battle to the line, fending off the odds-on favourite Katkoriko.
“It was great to get that there,” owner-handler Patrick Ward stated.
“We know he runs well fresh and he was tough today, and Bertie gave him a great ride. We may take him to a hunter’s chase now.”
Horse to follow
Gortahara (G. McGill): This son of Valirann ran with great credit; having been given a patient ride in mid-division, he proved to be the one horse that was able to put up some sort of challenge to the dominant winner.
He showed a very likeable attitude, sticking to his task all the way to the line. He could be one to note next day and should also make his presence felt on the track.