Rose blooms at Thurles for broodmare to follow Hirayna

The old year ended with a Grade 1 performer for Hirayna and the new one started with a Grade 2 winner for Pat O'Reilly's Doyoun mare as her daughter Ballyshannon Rose sparked joyous celebrations in the Thurles winners' enclosure after the Grade 2 Coolmore National Hunt Sires Mogul Mares' Irish EBF Chase.

An eight-year-old daughter of Sunnyhill Stud's Doyen, Ballyshannon Rose is trained by Paul Fahey, who is responsible for the hooves of Willie Mullins' superstars in his main occupation as a farrier.

Owned by Fiona Hughes of Ballyshannon Stud, outside Kilcullen in County Kildare, Ballyshannon Rose is an older half-sister to Three Stripe Life who was second to fellow Gordon Elliott trainee Mighty Potter in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions' Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The pair were bred by Pat O'Reilly out of Hirayna, who he purchased for just €2,400 at the Goffs February Sale in 2012 at the age of 13. Her only victory came in a Perth bumper for Mark Brisbourne in the hands of the Racing Post's Irish editor Richard Forristal and she is a half-sister to the Listed Saval Beg Stakes third Hirapour.

Hirayna has produced four winners from five runners with Ballyshannon Rose, who went through the ring as a foal at the Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale, her first Graded success.

Her six-year-old Leading Light gelding Three Stripe Life was also fourth in last year's Champion Bumper and could line up in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival.

She is also the dam of five times winner Sealous Scout by Old Vic and the winning Westerner gelding O'Ceallaigh. Hirayna's seven-year-old Milan mare, A Milan To One, was third in a Kilbeggan bumper last summer for Paul Fahey.

Her Champs Elysees gelding made €20,000 to Patrick Turley's Kingsfield Stud from Galbertstown Stables at the 2021 Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale and her now two-year-old Doyen brother to Ballyshannon Rose was bought by Peter Nolan for €20,000 as a foal, consigned by the Hughes' Ballyshannon Stud. Hirayna was covered by Leading Light last year.

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