Mullins holds the cards in determining Maughreen’s next course of action
Maughreen: Ready for the Next Challenge!
The stunning debut win of Maughreen has certainly left everyone in awe, but what lies ahead for this exciting mare is still up in the air. Following a flawless performance at Punchestown under jockey Patrick Mullins, she has proven that she is a force to be reckoned with.
Bred out of an unraced half-sister to Faugheen, the Champion Hurdle winner of 2015, it was expected that all eyes would be on Maughreen when she made her racing debut. And boy did she deliver! With a commanding victory by a staggering 11 lengths, she didn’t disappoint any members of the Closutton Racing Club.
Trained by the legendary Willie Mullins just like Faugheen, James Fenton (the syndicate manager) is happy to leave future plans and targets in the hands of their champion trainer. When asked about Maughreen’s potential targets, Fenton said,
“From day one, she was always professional. She had shown promise during training sessions but we had never seen her perform as brilliantly as that day at Punchestown.”
Fenton also expressed his admiration for Maureen O’Brien from Castlelyons who inspired the name “Maughreen” for this incredible horse. He revealed that his late next-door neighbor, who was like a mother figure to him, had always wished for a horse named after her. And with Maughreen’s pedigree and talent being reminiscent of the beloved Faugheen – O’Brien’s favorite racehorse – it seemed like fate that she would bear this meaningful name.
The Road Ahead: A Glimpse into Maughreen’s Future
While there is much speculation about potential appearances at prestigious events such as Cheltenham, Fenton hints towards keeping Maughreen against her own sex. He also draws comparisons to Ashroe Diamond, another successful bumper mare in their syndicate two years ago who went on to win at Aintree.
“There’s a lot of talk about Cheltenham but we had a very good bumper mare two years ago in Ashroe Diamond and she fits a similar profile for me (went on to win at Aintree). Ultimately, Willie will make the decision and we’ll discuss it over the next few weeks.”
Fenton emphasizes that Maughreen has taken her debut race effortlessly and is in excellent condition. The team behind her is thrilled with how professional she has been throughout the process.
“She’s come out of her race well; they are very happy with her… There’s 100 shares in the syndicate. Every year, we throw the few quid that we make into a dividend and start from scratch again.”
Fenton also assures fans that they won’t be over-racing Maughreen this year in order to preserve her strength for future campaigns. With seven mares currently under training within their syndicate stable, Fenton looks forward to seeing all of them compete over the coming months. In conclusion,
“We’ve seven mares in training and hopefully they’ll all be out in the next few months.”
As Maughreen’s journey continues, racing enthusiasts eagerly await further updates on her future plans and targets.