Lady Buttons heading for date with Walk In The Park

Ultra-popular jumping mare Lady Buttons will have her first covering by elite sire Walk In The Park, her owner Jayne Sivills has announced.

Bred by the owner's husband Keith, the daughter of Beneficial won a slew of Thoroughbred Breeders' Association awards, not to mention 15 races on the track.

She had a particular affection for the nearby courses of Doncaster and Wetherby, claiming the likes of the Silver Vase Mares' Chase and the Grade 2 Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle at Doncaster.

Trainer Phil Kirby had been preparing her for another campaign as a rising ten-year-old before drawing stumps in late September after his pride and joy suffered a slight setback.

Lady Buttons was retired to Kirby's Green Oaks Farm in Yorkshire, where he raises youngstock alongside the active racehorses.

She is set to leave for Ireland next month for a date with the Coolmore stallion, who has already made his mark on the track with the likes of Douvan and Min and enjoyed spectacular results at the sales since their emergence. This will be Walk In The Park's sixth consecutive year standing for a private fee at Grange Stud.

"It was really a case of giving her the best opportunity that they could, and at the moment that looks like Walk In The Park," said Kirby.

"She's due to go over in early February. She's settled very well into the routine of not being in training. She's really switched off and seems very happy."

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