Ash Hobbs, a five-year-old daughter of Jack Hobbs, landed her first black-type success in the G3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Feathard Lady Mares’ Hurdle at Down Royal on Friday.
Trained by Henry de Bromhead for Robcour, Ash Hobbs has now won three times from just five career starts, including her successful point-to-point debut in March 2025. Having broken her maiden over hurdles on 10 October at Fairyhouse, she backed up that favourable impression with a comfortable victory over six rivals in the Grade 3 contest.
Her trainer, who enjoyed a double on the day for the same owner, indicated that he would aim her towards the G2 Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Ash Hobbs was bred in Britain by Arthur England and is out of the steeplechase winner Fly Town (Turtle Island). Led out unsold as both a foal and a store, she later sold for £170,000 to Mags O’Toole at the Cheltenham Festival Sale as a winning point-to-pointer.
Over at Uttoxeter, another five-year-old, the Frontiersman gelding Taranis Dubh, also notched his third win in five starts when landing the Quinnbet Novices’ Hurdle under a penalty for Olly Murphy and Owners Group 158.
Bred by John Lightfoot, Taranis Dubh was bought for just £2,000 as a two-year-old
