THE David Christie-trained Maple Mons had 14 starts before she landed a five-year-old mares’ maiden at Lingstown in November 2013 but there has been little doubt since that she has been one of the toughest mares to race between the flags.

This was really proven over the final two weekends of the season as she and regular partner Barry O’Neill were both sore following a parting of ways at Inchydoney on Sunday, May 28th but, six days later, they won the mares’ open at Kinsale and a similar race at Ballingarry the following afternoon.

“I don’t mind telling you it was a very quiet journey back from Inchydoney as she had struck her knee very badly,” said Christie. “However, I’ve never had a horse as sound or as hardy as she is and she was quickly back to herself. She has always been far harder on herself at home than when racing so the time is right for her to retire to stud.

“Since winning at Ballingarry she has been covered by Mount Nelson at Boardsmill Stud and hopefully will be scanned in foal shortly. She may run over the summer on the track to get some blacktype. She has been a great servant to the yard, winning 15 point-to-points and, this season, she has also won three hunter chases.

“Ray Charles, her breeder, couldn’t get to Kinsale but was well on his way to Ballingarry from Donegal when I rang to say that Barry (O’Neill) needed her to secure the riders’ championship and that she was in good form following her win on Saturday.”

The Derrylin trainer will very much miss the daughter of Great Exhibition when she leaves his yard for good.

“She has become a favourite with point-to-point fans up and down the country and children in particular are always looking to have a photo taken with her. That’s the kind of following an older, successful horse will attract and we need more of them in the sport.”

Last evening, Christie was due to be in Stratford where Downpatrick-born David Maxwell was to ride his own Darwin’s Fox in the hunters chase. The 11-year-old Kahyasi gelding was seeking a third hunter chase success this season for connections.