Thurles Racecourse in County Tipperary, Ireland, hosted the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Flat Race on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The race, a flat contest for four-year-olds and upwards, drew six runners competing for a place in the upcoming racing season. The ground conditions were described as soft to heavy, presenting a challenge for both horses and jockeys. The race unfolded over a distance of two miles and one hundred and nine yards, with a winning time of 4 minutes and 30.90 seconds, according to official race results.
The race card, as detailed by Irish Racing and Sporting Life, featured a mix of experienced and promising young horses. Among the contenders was Mary O’g, a five-year-old mare who had shown potential with a third-place finish in a bumper race at Cork seven weeks prior. Trainer H. De Bromhead expressed confidence in her ability to improve, noting her strong pedigree. Another horse to watch was C’est Elle, a five-year-old with a notable background – the second foal of a dam that was a successful hurdle and chase winner. The Sporting Life report highlighted the horse’s promising performance in points races, suggesting a strong likelihood of success.
Race Highlights and Contenders
The race saw varied performances from the six runners. Certosa, aged five, was described as one to watch cautiously, having previously struggled in maiden hurdles and bumpers. Dlightofdsun, a six-year-old, had shown limited promise in previous bumpers, while Kiltybo, also five, displayed some improvement in a recent bumper race at Thurles, finishing fifth of sixteen. Moyneard, a six-year-old Affinisea mare, was returning to the track after a significant absence, prompting a “watching brief” from connections, as she hadn’t been seen since May 2024.
The pre-race analysis focused heavily on Mary O’g, with expectations that she could improve upon her previous performance at Cork. The Sporting Life report noted she “fancied to go a couple of places better here,” indicating a strong belief in her potential. C’est Elle also garnered attention due to her pedigree and successful run in points races. The race presented an opportunity for these horses to establish themselves as contenders in the upcoming flat racing season.
Key Runners and Trainer Insights
Several horses stood out based on their recent form and trainer comments. Mary O’g, trained by H. De Bromhead and ridden by Mr. J. L. Gleeson, carried a weight of 11-11. Her third-place finish at Cork, where she pulled clear of the remainder of the field, suggested she was on an upward trajectory. C’est Elle, trained by G. Elliott and ridden by Mr. H. C. Swan, also carried 11-11 and boasted a strong pedigree, being the second foal of a successful dam. The Sporting Life report emphasized the “plenty to like on paper” regarding C’est Elle’s prospects.
Kiltybo, trained by Conor Houlihan and ridden by Mr. B. T. Stone, showed some promise with a fifth-place finish at Thurles, despite an unpromising start in points races. This performance indicated potential for further improvement. Dlightofdsun, trained by Brendan Walsh and ridden by Mr. M. J. Walsh, had struggled in previous bumpers, leading connections to adopt a cautious approach. Certosa, trained by W. J. O’Doherty and ridden by Miss Sarah Leahy, was considered a longshot, having previously underperformed in both hurdles and bumpers.
Looking Ahead
The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Flat Race at Thurles served as an important stepping stone for these young horses as they begin their flat racing careers. The performances at Thurles will likely influence their future race selections and training regimes. The upcoming weeks will reveal whether the promising contenders, such as Mary O’g and C’est Elle, can build upon their initial showings and establish themselves as forces to be reckoned with in the Irish flat racing circuit. Further racecards and updates can be found on Irish Racing and Sporting Life.
The Irish racing season continues to unfold, offering exciting opportunities for both seasoned veterans and emerging talents. Keep an eye on these horses as they progress through the season, and follow the latest updates from Thurles and other racecourses across Ireland.
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