Frain graduates to the track for Ballydoyle Freya Frain was a new name to racing fans when she was jocked up for her first ride on Aidan O'Brien's Cactus at Navan on Saturday, and stable representative Chris Armstrong has talked about her background in Ballydoyle. He said: "Freya has been with us a couple of years, started off obviously on weekends during school, and has gone full-time. "She has a background in pony racing and Aidan has brought her along gradually. He felt in the last couple of weeks that she was ready to make her racecourse debut. "I suppose like any apprentice starting out you want to give them a very good experience first off, and she gave the filly (Cactus) a lovely ride. Cactus travelled and did everything right, and just collared in probably the last 25 yards. "Freya is a pleasure to have around the place and is a very good worker, and rides a lot on the gallops. "Her father, Johnny, has been in Ballydoyle for years, so it is a nice family tradition and hopefully this is the first of many (rides) in a building block to the future. "Aidan will look at the race more, but I'd say he will be delighted with the ride she gave the filly. I suppose it is like anything, bring them on gradually and let them find their feet rather than rush them to start with. Hopefully, she will have a nice future ahead of her." Cactus and 10lb claimer Frain finished second in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Race at Navan, beaten a neck by Slaudeen and Shane Foley.
