THE popularity of the offspring of Coolmore National Hunt sire Getaway in the sales ring is now being matched by their initial success on the racecourse, and his first crop already includes a pair of Grade 2 winning hurdlers in the Willie Mullins-trained Getabird, successful in both the Hardy Eustace Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse and Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown, and last weekend’s Elite Hurdle winner Verdana Blue, trained by Nicky Henderson.

Getaway has a third Grade 2 winner in Getaway Katie Mai, successful in the Nickel Coin Mares NH Flat Race at Aintree for John Queally and JP McManus, while his initial crop also numbers the listed-placed duo of Awayinthewest and Lady Ischia among their ranks.