"Real star" Eileen wins Sligo's first

Aunt Eileen earned rave reviews from her trainer John Ryan following her first win, under jockey Adrian Heskin, in the opening Sligo Maiden Hurdle at Sligo today,

The daughter of Whitmore's Conn improved to challenge from the second last and went clear of Baltimore Buzz from the final flight for a length and three parts success over that rival.

Following the race a delighted Ryan stated “she's probably the best I've ever had. She's a real star — a special filly.

“She's very green and showed it as it's only her second run but quickened up well on ground she couldn't walk in; she hated it and didn't travel a yard.

“She's just a classy little filly with a very good pedigree; her dam (Corbetstown Queen) cost E350,000 and that's still a record price for a filly.

“I won this last year with Jesmond Lodge but this is a better filly. She'll have a bit of time off now and go novice hurdling in the winter.”

The winner’s dam is a half-sister to Fota Island and comes from the family of Luska Lad and Black Jack Ketchum.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson