Maxios Mare Digs Deep For Third Stakes Success

Yaxeni (5m Maxios - Kithonia, by Sadler’s Wells) displayed her determined attitude once again on Sunday when recording a third Listed success in the Bluebell Stakes at Naas.

The Ger Lyons-trained mare was sent off favourite for the mile and a half contest and was ridden to make all by Colin Keane. Shaken up two furlongs from home, she was ridden approaching the final furlong and dug deep to deny Term Of Endearment by half a length. The first two finished five lengths clear of the field.

Speaking after the race, assistant trainer Shane Lyons said, “Other horses come to her and she grinds them out, she breaks their hearts. She always seems to have something left.”

Lyons confirmed that this would be Yaxeni’s final season in training, but that she might run again before retiring. "We still have to discuss it but the Finale Stakes on the last day of the Flat turf season could be an option.”

Yaxeni is owned by SBA Racing Limited, having been purchased privately following a Curragh maiden win on her sole juvenile start. The daughter of Castlehyde Stud sire Maxios was bred by the Niarchos family.