Birthday Brilliance from Ana O'Brien

Champion Trainer Aidan O'Brien's daughter Ana O'Brien was made to work hard for a memorable 18th birthday present at Fairyhouse today, finishing with a late flourish on her parent's Beyond Brilliance to win the Follow Fairyhouse On Twitter Median Auction Maiden.

The jockey, who sits her leaving cert next week, was out of luck in the previous event when collared near the line on Pixie Spirit but, in contrasting fashion, arrived late and fast on Beyond Brilliance (heavily backed 3/1f), for a last gasp neck win over 50/1 chance Princess Andorra.

The daughter of Holy Roman Emperor was homebred by the family's Whisperview Trading Ltd and also carries the colours of Aidan's wife Anne-Marie.

Following the win, the proud winning trainer later stated “it was nice she (Beyond Brilliance) won on this day as she had the option of running on Monday at Naas too. It was good we came here and great she won and I'm delighted for Ana as it's a nice birthday present.

“They went a good pace and it looked like she wasn't going to get there but she's a tough consistent, little filly and we think she's better than her rating and might progress into stakes company. She probably stays a mile and hopefully will progress.”

The win was Ana O'Brien's first win of the year and her sixth in total.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson