Augusta Kate (green cap)© Photo Healy Racing
Champion Trainer Willie Mullins completed a treble at Punchestown today as his Augusta Kate made it third time lucky at the three big spring Festivals, when landing the concluding Listed Weatherbys Ireland European Breeders Fund Mares Bumper, under Patrick Mullins.
Jockey Mullins sent the daughter of Yeats into pursuit of Forge Meadow in the straight and in the end was able to shake off her challenge to score a three lengths win.
Following the win trainer Mullins, earlier successful at Grade 1 level with Bellshill and Blow By Blow stated “Augusta Kate does what she does and I don't know why because she doesn't do it at home!
"She will go hurdling next season and her main target will be the mares novice hurdle at Cheltenham. Hopefully she will be good enough to go for the mares hurdle the following season.
"Glens Harmony ran well in third, and is one to look forward to. She has a lot of maturing to do but has the potential to try and emulate her sister Glens Melody who won the mares hurdle last year."
Augusta Kate's owners are the seven members Masters Syndicate, whose celebrity owners are Ant and Dec (TV), Chubby Chandler (agent), Lee Westwood (golf), Alan Shearer (soccer) and (well known racehorse owners) Graham and Andrea Wylie."
Augusta Kate had previously filled seventh place at the Cheltenham Festival and second spot at Aintree but was adding, of course, to a Listowel Festival win last September.
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee
