Walk In The Park Mare Rallies For Grade 1 Glory

Aurora Vega (7m Walk In The Park – Quevega, by Robin Des Champs) produced a career-best performance when running out a game winner of the Grade 1 Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse on East Sunday.

Ridden prominently by Paul Townend, the Willie Mullins-trained mare had a clear advantage turning for home and dug deep when challenged at the final flight. Running on gamely, she led by two and a quarter lengths on the line, with another seven lengths back to the third.

“I'm very happy with her, it looked like she'd stay further,” Mullins commented after the race. “She's like her mother, just getting better with age. She never showed me that sort of stuff at three or four but you have to let them come.”

It marked a seventh career win for Aurora Vega, who previously won a Grade over hurdles and a Listed mares’ bumper. Owned and bred by the Hammer and Trowel Syndicate, the daughter of Walk In The Park is an own-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Facile Vega.