GIVEN National Hunt mares have been the driving force behind his ownership success over a number of years, it was not out of turn that Kenny Alexander emerged as the biggest winner in January’s Weatherbys ITBA NH Fillies Bonus scheme.

Mares have made up 12 of the Honeysuckle owner’s 13 runners in Ireland this season, and he collected a pair of €5,000 bonuses thanks to a first victory over fences for 2021 Cheltenham Festival winner Telmesomethinggirl in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase at Naas and a dead-heat for Ladybank in the Bar One Racing Mares Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown.

His two winners represented 50% of all prizes won in the incentive during the month. The efforts of William Flood, who played a key role in introducing the scheme, were honoured last month when he was inducted into the ITBA’s Hall of Fame.

Alexander’s racing manager and representative Peter Molony has been a major advocate for the development of Irish National Hunt racing’s programme for mares, and believes the quality of racing in this division is now stronger than ever.

That is evidenced by a potential clash between Champion Hurdle heroines Honeysuckle and Epatante in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, while top-level performers Brandy Love, Marie’s Rock, Love Envoi and Echoes In Rain could also join the quality line-up.

“Any of Kenny’s mares who are eligible to be nominated for the Weatherbys ITBA NH Fillies Bonus Scheme are nominated - it’s something we’re very keen to do,” said Molony.

“The growth of the mares’ National Hunt programme over the last number of years has been fabulous. Take this year’s Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham as an example; the entries are obviously very strong.

“It’s a similar story with the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, and the Mares’ Chase is getting deeper each year. The effect has taken root over time. I think it is brilliant.

“We can see the impact of the programme when you look at how fillies have sold at the store sales, and the foal sales, too. I think it’s really strengthening and I’m very positive about it.”

International power

A talking point to emerge from a blockbuster Dublin Racing Festival earlier this month was the dominance of French-bred horses in the meeting’s biggest races. French-breds managed to collect each of the eight Grade 1 events at the Leopardstown highlight, including a 1-2-3 in the Donohue Marquees Spring Juvenile Hurdle - won by Alexander’s Gala Marceau - and a 1-3-4 in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase. All five runners in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase were bred in France.

Molony believes Irish-bred horses of the future will be aided by the fact more broodmares are being tested on the racetrack before retiring to the breeding sheds.

“One of the advantages that the French-bred horses have had over us down the years is that they have probably raced fillies more than we have up to now,” said Molony.

“Then those fillies have proved their soundness on track before going to stud. I think that’s a real positive for them. The fact we are racing more fillies now than before should be a huge factor in improving the overall quality of what is produced in Ireland.”

Molony, one of the most respected consignors in the country through his Rathmore Stud operation in Co Limerick, believes more can be done to enhance the race programme available to National Hunt mares.

He explained: “My one criticism over the years in Britain and Ireland has been that the programme sees the odd race added here and there a bit piecemeal. I think it might be a good idea if the racing authorities in both countries could sit down and create a proper pattern. It would be a great help.

“Sometimes you do find yourself short of races to run-in, but overall I’m delighted with how the programme has progressed. It’s a hugely welcomed development for everyone in the industry.”

On plans for Alexander’s pair of January bonus winners, Molony added: “Ladybank has been given an entry for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle [at the Cheltenham Festival]. We’ll sit down together and have a chat about how things are going over the next while.

“Telmesomethinggirl will run at Thurles in the Carey Glass Irish EBF Colreevy Mares Novice Chase on February 23rd. We’ll see what she shows us there. If she jumps better, which I think everyone expects she will, we could be looking at the Mares’ Chase [at the Cheltenham Festival] for her.

“Looking back on her last start, her jumping wasn’t great on soft ground but she’s a spring mare who enjoys decent ground. Hopefully we’ll get that at Thurles.”