Milan Mare Makes All To Maiden Hurdle Success

Thursday saw Via Rosa (6m Milan - Robyn’s Rose, by Golan) gain a well-deserved success in the Mares’ Maiden Hurdle at Sligo.

Placed in three of her four starts in bumpers, the Padraig Roche-trained mare was last seen finishing third to Kilbarry Chianti (Getaway) and dropped back to two miles and two furlongs at Sligo. Ridden to make all by Mark Walsh, she was pushed along when challenged at the second last and drew clear approaching the final flight. Keeping on well, she scored by three lengths from the favourite Knocknagappagh (Getaway).

“She jumps and she gallops,” Roche commented after the race. “She had some good runs in bumpers and was probably a bit unlucky not to win one, but she got the job done today, thank God.”

Owned and bred by John Power, Via Rosa provides an important update for her two-year-old sister by Order Of St George.