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Fairyhouse Racecourse is set to host the Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle, a contest featuring a diverse field of young horses looking to craft their mark over obstacles. Several contenders boast intriguing pedigrees and varying levels of experience, promising a competitive race for punters and enthusiasts alike. The event showcases a mix of newcomers and those with prior point-to-point or bumper form, each hoping to secure a valuable early victory in their hurdling careers.
Among the horses attracting attention is a three-year-old gelding by Great Pretender, a half-brother to the French chaser History de Choisel, a 2½m-25f winner, and the French hurdler Gipsy de Choisel, who stays 21f. This newcomer, whose dam is unraced, is considered a longer-term project by connections. The race also features a Mahler gelding, sold for €20,000, who has shown promise in points, securing a win at the second attempt in January. He’ll be making his debut under Rules, despite modest form in three previous bumper starts, including a recent fourth-place finish at the same course.
Another horse to watch is a Getaway gelding, whose dam is a maiden hurdler who stayed 2½m and is a half-sister to the fairly useful chaser Roger Beantown. This contender finished third in his sole point start in November 2025 and may serve as a stable second-string on his Rules debut. He shaped accordingly when fifth at Gowran Park on his debut last month and is expected to improve with that experience.
The field also includes a gelding who was runner-up in a point-to-point race and performed well when finishing second on his bumper debut for Nigel Slevin. He showed encouragement despite a less-than-ideal position when fourth on his hurdle/stable debut at Gowran and is anticipated to make further progress. A final notable contender is a horse who enjoyed success in his only point-to-point outing and delivered a strong performance in bumpers, narrowly beaten by Tiktok Casey, who has since placed in a Grade 2 race.
The Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle promises a fascinating clash of potential, with each horse bringing a unique profile to the table. The varied backgrounds of the contenders – from point-to-point winners to bumper performers and newcomers – suggest a dynamic and unpredictable race.
Several horses have shown glimpses of ability in their previous outings, and the step up to hurdles will test their adaptability and stamina. The race is likely to provide valuable insights into which horses have the potential to develop into consistent performers over the coming seasons.
The Mahler gelding, despite his modest bumper form, has a point-to-point victory to his name, indicating a degree of aptitude for jumping. The Getaway gelding’s pedigree suggests he could benefit from a longer distance, even as the newcomer by Great Pretender represents an unknown quantity with a promising lineage.
The performance of these horses in the Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle will be closely watched by trainers and owners alike, as they seek to identify future stars of the National Hunt scene. The race serves as an essential stepping stone for these young horses, and a strong showing could pave the way for bigger and better opportunities.
Looking ahead, the connections of these horses will be carefully assessing their performances and planning their next steps. The results of this race will undoubtedly influence their future campaigns and help shape their long-term prospects. The Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse is a crucial event in the early stages of these horses’ careers, and the outcome will be of significant interest to followers of National Hunt racing.
What are your thoughts on the contenders? Share your predictions in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with fellow racing fans!
