‘More than just a racehorse’ - Cousin Kate just keeps on improving for Mulryans Cousin Kate was bred in Ireland by Kevin Doyle and is by Maxios (GB), a high-class Flat performer by Monsun who has become a noted source of stamina and toughness for National Hunt horses, out of Augusta Kate (GB). Her dam was a very talented mare herself, a Grade 1-winning mares’ novice hurdler, and is by Yeats (IRE), the four-time Ascot Gold Cup winner who has become one of the most influential National Hunt broodmare sires. Altogether, it’s a pedigree packed with stamina, class and jumping ability, which goes a long way to explaining why Cousin Kate has improved steadily and looks well suited to strong-run handicap hurdles and potentially stepping up in class. Cousin Kate has been making a serious name for herself in handicap hurdles, very much one of those late-bloomers who just keeps finding more. A Family Favourite She was bought for €50,000 by Hugh Mulryan as a horse for his father Liam. Tragically, Hugh passed away in his mid-20s, and that’s a big part of why her wins have carried so much emotional weight. Every success feels like a tribute, which is why people talk about her as more than “just a racehorse.” Early on, she didn’t show much. Nothing flashy, nothing to suggest she’d end up winning valuable handicaps. But once Dennis Hogan got time into her, it was all about steady, visible improvement - run by run, step by step. On an Upward Curve Speaking on this week’s irishracing.com’s Irish Angle, Emma Nagle reflects on the winning combination of the Paddy and Maureen Mullins’ Handicap Hurdle; “She was a very, very impressive winner for Denis Hogan and up-and-coming young claiming jockey Michael Kenneally. “He’s had a savage season so far, and this was a big win for them. Absolutely savage season so far. “He’s no background in racing, kind of a little bit unheralded I suppose to a lot of racing fans when he came into the game.” Johnny Ward added: “The funny thing was, she wasn’t really showing anything when she was sent to Denis Hogan - just improvement, improvement, improvement. “The way she travelled in the race, you know, at her local track in Mallow last year she was very good, but that was almost a nothing race compared to this. “This was proper competitive. The fact that this is a €100,000 race now that a mare was targeted for it.” Cheltenham? If connections head to Cheltenham, the race that looks tailor-made for Cousin Kate is the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle. Staged over three miles, it is a strongly run contest that regularly suits progressive, well-traveling stayers coming in under the radar, exactly her profile. If connections preferred something slightly shorter or wanted to take advantage of the mares’ allowance, the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle over 2m4f on the Friday would also make plenty of sense. Either way, Cheltenham’s emphasis on stamina and rhythm looks ideal for a mare who is still improving and bred to thrive in a proper test. Johnny Ward enthuses: “I was talking to Hugh’s brother Michael before the race, just wishing them the best, and he said: “You mentioned Cheltenham - maybe we have something for Cheltenham now.” The way she’s improving and travelling in her races, she’s such a well-bred mare. I got a great kick out of this.” “I think Denis Hogan has done a really, really good job with her. “The way she’s travelling in her races now, she’s probably well up to going up in class at Cheltenham. “She’s a mare massively on the up. Very well bought by Hugh Mulryan, and hopefully she continues to give the Mulryan family plenty of good days out in years to come.”
