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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Yaxeni proves hard to pass once again

Sun 16th Oct 2022, 16:35

Yaxeni (nearest) jumps from stalls Yaxeni (nearest) jumps from stalls
© Photo Healy Racing

Yaxeni recorded her third Listed success of the campaign when making all in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Garnet Stakes.

It was a typically game performance from the Ger Lyons-trained daughter of Maxios who looked vulnerable when Term Of Endearment made progress from the rear of the field to throw down a strong challenge in the final furlong.

Yaxeni, a winner of the November Handicap over two miles here last season, dug deep and found extra to score by half a length.

It was a bit of a six-pointer in the jockeys’ title race, as a win for Bill Lee on Term Of Endearment would have brought him back to within two of Colin Keane, whose victory on the 2/1 favourite extended his advantage over the former to four (85-81).

Assistant trainer Shane Lyons said: “We still have to discuss it but the Finale Stakes on the last day (of the Flat turf season) here could be an option.

“This will be her final year so it’s going to be very hard to replace her and the likes of Thunder Kiss -they are one in a million.

“Other horses come to her and she grinds them out, she breaks their hearts. She always seems to have something left.”

Quotes from Alan Magee

1st
2/1Fav
Tote €3.00 €1.30
2nd
0.5L
3/1
€1.60
3rd
5L
11/1
€3.70
4th
0.75L
13/2
About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.