Broodmare career next for Maire Banrigh after recovering from Arkle fall

Top-class mare Maire Banrigh has made a remarkable recovery from a career-ending fall in the Arkle Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, with connections now looking forward to her new career as a broodmare.

The eight-year-old, formerly trained by Dan Skelton, was in contention for the Grade 1 before crashing out four from home. She suffered a leg injury following the fall and has been retired from racing.

Maire Banrigh was treated at the Newmarket Equine Hospital before returning to Shaw Farm Stud, where she was looked after by Lisa Hales, daughter of her owner John Hales. The six-time winner was in the field for the first time since her injury earlier this week, with connections delighted with her progress.

Lisa Hales said: "She injured her hock quite badly and the vets in Newmarket did a great job. She's been handwalked since she came back and the other day was the first time we could put her out in a small paddock. We want to give her plenty of time before she starts her career as a broodmare."

Maire Banrigh proved a class act on the racecourse, thriving when sent novice chasing last season. She won her first four races over fences, including the Listed Lady Protectress Mares' Chase, before her racing career ended in the Arkle.

"It's such a shame really," added Hales. "She'd won six on the trot and never made a mistake in her life up to that point – it's just the one mistake she then did make was a bad one. Luckily she's still here, she's a mare and she got black type so we can look forward to the next chapter."

Hales looked after her father's top horses over the summer and a video from the farm's Twitter account of Champion Chase hero Politologue demanding more breakfast was watched over 44,000 times.

She added: "He's such a character but he always gives it his all. He's a loving horse but he makes sure you know when he's not had enough to eat!"

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