Promising Yeats Mare Returns Better Than Before

The consistent Cottie (7m Yeats - Rostellan, by Flemensfirth) gained a well-deserved success in the mares’ maiden hurdle at Clonmel on Thursday afternoon.

Previously placed in similar contests, the Henry de Bromhead-trained bay was sent off favourite as she returned from a break. She raced prominently throughout under Darragh O’Keeffe and was pushed along to challenge after the second last. Soon in front, she kept on well on the run-in to score by three lengths and three quarters, with Barbaha Queen (Yeats) and Latest Model (Milan) completing a 1-2-3 for Coolmore NH sires.

“She was unlucky not to win one last year,” de Bromhead commented after the race. “She came back bigger and stronger after her break and hopefully now will kick on from there. All those rated novices hurdles and handicap options are open, or maybe she could go over fences, as she is a lovely scopey mare who jumps well.”

Cottie is owned by Pimlico Racing Ireland and was bred by Frank Motherway and Billy Fitzgerald. The daughter of Yeats is a full-sister to West Balboa (Yeats), who finished second in the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle on just her second start in December.