Most expensive point-to-point mare records first win under rules

Maire Banrigh, who created a stir when topping last year's Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham Festival Sale when purchased by Ryan Mahon and John Hales for £320,000, recorded her first win under rules in a 2m½f maiden hurdle at Market Rasen on Friday.

The six-year-old daughter of King's Theatre is the most expensive point-to-point mare sold at public auction.

Her lofty price-tag was in part thanks her facile win in a Lingstown maiden on the Sunday before the sale, and also due to the fact her Presenting half-brother Ballykan had six wins under his belt.

Trained by Dan Skelton and ridden by brother Harry, Maire Banrigh won in the colours of Hales and Jon Diver, seeing off her nearest rival by six lengths.

Bred by Donhead Stud on the same King's Theatre-Supreme Leader cross as City Slicker, Cogry and Fethard Player, Maire Banrigh is the third of five foals out of the late La Marianne, who also has an unraced four-year-old filly by Malinas.

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