Bloodstock focus on Galway: The weight of greatness on Annie Power's son in the Bumper

Annie Power was one of the greatest National Hunt mares of the modern era. Bred by former Wexford Hurler, Eamon Cleary she was originally trained by Jim Bolger before transferring to Willie Mullins. She won fifteen of her seventeen starts, being second once and falling the other.

Next week at Galway, her son by Camelot, Power Of Knowledge, will make his debut for Willie Mullins and JP McManus in the Bumper on Monday and naturally expectations will be lofty.

Annie Power became a star for the Closutton team winning a Doncaster Mares' Hurdle, a Mares Champion Hurdle twice (2014, 2015), a Champion Hurdle and an Aintree Hurdle.

She was unbelievable because she would stay all day but equally, she was fast.

By Shirocco out of an Old Vic mare, Anno Luce. She was inbred 4 x 4 to Northern Dancer which wouldn’t be unusual for some breeders.

Retirement wasn’t the end for Annie

When you have a race mare as good as Annie Power retiring to stud, who do you send her to? Galileo of course.

On the 2nd February 2019 Annie delivered a Galileo colt who was later named Mystical Power.

As breeders, we often hold our breath when it comes to the first foal but Mystical Power was so smart that Annie Power went straight back to Galileo. Unfortunately, the second colt was born on the 11th February 2020 but did not make it to the naming stage.

In 2021 and 2022, Annie visited Camelot. Foaling Davy Crockett and Power of Knowledge. She also has a Walk in the Park which was born in 2024.

History tells us that a great race mare isn’t guaranteed to produce great racehorses though.

Annie’s boys hit the track

Mystical Power (Galileo) - Gelding

A highly anticipated first run in a bumper winning easily. He made very easy work of his first two runs over hurdles, winning both. It was then off to Cheltenham where he was second in the Supreme behind Slade Steel. The last win of his career was following this at Aintree in the Novice Hurdle. He only beat one horse in his five races after that.

Davy Crockett (Camelot) - Gelding

Similar pattern to Mystical Power. He won his bumper exceptionally well. Davy Crockett went on to win two Novice Hurdles easily, including at Galway, but then hasn’t been able to get anywhere near mid division since.

He fell last time out at Ballinrobe in a beginners chase under Harry Cobden, that was in May.

Power of Knowledge (Camelot) - Colt

Holds an entry in the bumper on the Monday of Galway. History tells us that he should wipe the floor with everything else. There is no reason why he shouldn’t.

The most exciting part for me is that the powers that be have chosen to leave him entire! Are we making a National Hunt stallion? I think we could be!

Monday

In Galway on Monday evening, Power of Knowledge will simply be out to win a bumper. He will be oblivious to the legacy he carries and the potential his future holds.