Jetara and Sean O'Keeffe© Photo Healy Racing
Jetara (2/1jf) continued an amazing family tradition in winning her first Punchestown blacktype race today, as the Jessica Harrington-trained Jezki-relative landed the Listed William Hill Epic Value Novice Hurdle.
The keen-going Walk In The Park mare was settled in rear by Sean O'Keeffe and having shaken off Banntown Girl jumping the last, scored by six lengths from A Penny A Hundred
Harrington commented “she is a second-season novice so has got the experience from last year and unlike the rest of the family, goes on that heavy ground. She's hardy, won going away and quickened up great.
“I don't know where we'll go, she might get an entry in the mares race at Christmas (Grade 3 Kerrymount Mares Hurdle at Leopardstown) and then there is one at the end of January (Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse).
“We'll look at anything over 2m4f or 2m5f and I might try and find a three-mile race in England.
“The mares' novice at Cheltenham is only two miles so I'd rather wait and go to Fairyhouse for the 2m4f Grade 1 - that would be her aim in the spring.”
Jetara finished unplaced on a previous course run in a 2022 bumper but her family — one of the greatest Irish pedigrees, includes numerous big-race Punchestown winners.
Two of grandam Arctic Run's foals Leading Run and Strong Run were top-level Punchestown winners while another La Noire produced three Punchestown Grade 1 winners, including champion hurdler Jezki, Jered and Jetson, with another foal Jett managing a course Grade 3 success.
Others relatives to place in Punchestown graded races were Jenari (at Grade 1 level), and cousins Jetz and Jetez.
Quotes from Gary Carson
