Mahler Mare Provides Poignant Success On Chase Debut

Humm Baby (7m Mahler - Sonne Cinq) provided connections with a poignant victory when taking the Kieran Kelly Memorial Beginners’ Chase at Kilbeggan on Saturday.

The Michael Hourigan-trained mare was making her first start over fences and was returning to the two and a half mile trip of her three wins over hurdles. Darragh O’Keeffe rode the bay in mid-division, improving his position approaching the third last and took second with two to jump. She made good headway approaching the final fence and soon led, quickening clear on the run-in to win by two lengths and three quarters, with another 21 lengths back to the third horse.

Later speaking of the race’s importance, Michael Hourigan said, “This race meant so much to me and it is wonderful to win this race as I have been trying to win it for many years. Kieran Kelly and my son Paul were the very best of pals along with Jamie Spencer and the three were joined at the hip.”

Humm Baby is owned by C Tilly and was bred by William Scallan out of dual winner Sonne Cinq.