BY coincidence two former winners of the Grade 1 Irish EBF Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse had their first foals last weekend, just before this year’s running of the race.

Honeysuckle is very much a Fairyhouse favourite, having raced there eight times, winning seven, so it’s fitting the Easter Grade 1 is named after her.

Now retired, she foaled a filly by Walk In The Park at owner Kenny Alexander’s stud in Scotland last weekend. Racing manager Peter Molony took a quick trip over to see the foal last weekend and, to cap a perfect few days, was back at Fairyhouse in time to see Jade De Grugy carry the Honeysuckle colours to success in the race named after the dual Champion Hurdle winner.

Not to be outdone, Shark Hanlon reported that his fairytale winner of the same Fairyhouse feature, Skyace, had a colt foal by Affinisea last weekend for owner T.J. McDonald.

It’s a wonder BoyleSports didn’t price up the chances of either foal winning at Fairyhouse at some stage of their careers.