THE Gain Mares’ Final occupied centre stage at the Ballynoe meeting on Sunday, with this year’s renewal coming with a generous bonus of €3,000 to the winner that was sponsored by Gain Equine Nutrition and the Ballynoe point-to-point committee.

The Josh Halley-trained Lucy Wang (4/1 - 5/1) returned to the coveted number spot following a vintage running of the race under 20-year-old Aine Connolly, who was creating her own piece of history by becoming the first female rider to win the event.