Mighty mares: three fine chasers who showcased their talents in open company

After the announcement that a Grade 2 chase exclusively for mares will be run at the Cheltenham Festival in 2021, we look at the careers of three who made their mark in open company . . .

Anaglogs Daughter
1980 Arkle Chase

In a brilliant front-running display this ultra-tough mare, who was making her 86th career start (Flat and jumps), made light work of her rivals in the 1980 Arkle.

Sent straight to the front for the championship contest for novices over two miles, Anaglogs Daughter showed her customary scope and technique over her fences before sauntering to a wide-margin success. Ferdy Murphy's then seven-year-old was to run more than 100 times over the course of a sparkling career.

She was undoubtedly one of the standout mares of her time and her extraordinary pursuits will live long in the memory.

Anaglogs Daughter and Tommy Carberry on the way to victory in the 1980 Arkle Trophy at CheltenhamCredit: Gerry Cranham

Dawn Run
1986 Gold Cup

The Paddy Mullins-trained mare may not have completed the remarkable achievement of being the sole horse to win the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup if she had been targeted to races for her own sex.

Sent off the 4-5 favourite for the 1984 Champion Hurdle and 15-8 for the Gold Cup two years later, she was capable of handing out the soundest thrashing to her male counterparts and she was campaigned ambitiously with open races in mind.

A gritty victory in the Gold Cup cemented the mare's place in the record books.

Liberthine: won the Mildmay of Flete in 2005 and the Topham Chase at Aintree in 2006Credit: Edward Whitaker

Liberthine
2005 Mildmay of Flete Handicap Chase

The Robert Waley-Cohen-owned mare made nothing of running against male rivals when landing the Mildmay of Flete (now Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Plate) by an emphatic seven lengths in 2005.

She did not make an immediate impression on her first few starts in Britain but clearly enjoyed the good ground at the festival when improving from the back of the field.

She proved that big-race success was no fluke when landing the Topham Chase a year later.

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