The consistent mare Rathbawn Rose is set to return to competitive action after a time in the paddocks as a broodmare where she gave birth to a foal last year.
Placed in five of her six outings between the flags, the daughter of Kayf Tara last saw competitive action in the pointing fields when second at Ballindenisk in December 2017, before disappointing at Tramore a month later on New Year’s Day.
Carlow-based handler Willie Murphy has entered the now eight-year-old in both the adjacent mares’ maiden and older maiden at Knockmullen House on Sunday and explains the background behind her absence.
“She had put in some nice runs and works like a good mare that should win a race; we just couldn’t get her to win.
“After she ran in a maiden hurdle at Tramore we decided to put her in foal, and she had a colt foal by Snow Sky. He is actually a smashing colt foal to be honest that we still have here, and he will be kept to race now in a few years’ time.
“She went late this year so we just said we would go back racing and see how she was. It’s a case of so far so good with her training. We will run her once and see. I think she is working away well so fingers crossed.
“She has two entries on Sunday, whether she runs this weekend or not, she is ready to run. It will either be this weekend or next weekend,” added Murphy who currently has 20 horses in training.
It was no coincidence that Rathbawn Rose was covered by Snow Sky, as the dual Group 2 winner has proved a popular addition to the stallion ranks at the Murphy family’s Ballycurragh Stud.
“Snow Sky is going very well. He covered Voler La Vadette this year and has covered some really nice mares, like Shesaportrait and Macville who are also graded mares.
“His first crop from his time with us will be turning three in the new year and has covered the guts of 100 mares for each of the three years.”
