Jetara and Shane Foley © Photo Healy Racing
The Jessica Harrington trained Jetara claimed the final race of the 2024 Flat season when staying on strongly under Shane Foley to make a winning debut on the level in the concluding Rockshore Maiden at the Curragh.
A six-time winner under National Hunt rules, the mare has held her own in the strongest company, reaching the frame at Grade 1 level.
Sent off 2/1 to make a winning start in this discipline, the six-year-old had to work hard before her superior stamina kicked in inside the final furlong.
Dylan Browne McMonagle looked set for a four-timer as Osprey cruised into the lead over two furlongs out, with Shane Foley getting lower in the saddle on Jetara.
However, on the testing ground, it developed into a real battle in which the older, more experienced Harrington trained mare came out on top.
Jessica Harrington said: “She’s been declared twice and I couldn’t run her because of the ground.
“She did it nicely and Shane said she was always in control.
“We are going to run her in the Lismullen Hurdle and then either the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot or Leopardstown at Christmas.
“We can look at the Flat with her next year but I wouldn’t be running her on good to firm ground.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
