BORICE landed a thrilling renewal of the Galway Plate on Wednesday, sponsored by the Tote and upped in value to celebrate the 150th running of the iconic race. It was great to see Simon Munir present to accept the plaudits and the trophy from the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins.

A winner in France where he was placed at Grade 3 level over jumps, this win was by far the biggest for Borice and in so doing he further enhanced a female line that has come back to prominence in recent years. This is thanks, in the main, to Bacardys (Coastal Path). That dual Grade 1 winning novice chaser is the best progeny of Oasice (Robin Des Champs), a six-time winner on the flat in France and a half-sister to Borice.

This pair of successful offspring are among seven winners, from eight foals, produced by the minor winner Judice, a daughter of Agent Bleu (Vacarme). The best of the rest was the listed hurdle winner Visionice (Dom Alco), while the only non-winning progeny of Judice was Terenice (Dom Alco). The latter was placed a few times but she made up for being a non-winner by breeding the progressive four-year-old Farnice (Saddler Maker), and his last run in June saw him land the Grade 3 Prix La Perichole Chase at Auteuil.

This is a family that produces no end of winners, Judice being one of seven out of Herenice (Laniste). Best of these was Arenice (Brezzo) and he numbered three listed races among his eight career victories.

Borice is the latest big race winner for his German-bred sire Network (Monsun), who retired in 2002 and this year completed his 18th season at stud in France. A Group 2 winner, he will forever be known as the sire of the brilliant Sprinter Sacre, but you can add in Grade 1 winners Delta Work, Le Richebourg, Ball D’Arc, Adriana Des Mottes, Rubi Ball, Rubi Light and Saint Are for good measure.