Apples Jane out to uphold family honour at Naas this weekend

Apples Jane, the first progeny of prolific winner Apple’s Jade, will make her racecourse bow at Naas on Saturday.

Apple’s Jade was an 11-times Grade One winner for Gordon Elliott, triumphing from two miles up to three during her 28-race career which included three victories in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Following her final outing at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, she was subsequently covered by Walk In The Park and sold by Gigginstown House Stud in December that year, with Bective Stud paying €530,000 for the daughter of Saddler Maker.

Apples Jane is the foal she was carrying when going through the ring, with the now four-year-old keeping the Elliott link alive by being housed at Cullentra House yard.

Elliott can see elements of her dam in the filly and is eager to see how she fares in at the first attempt in the Christopher Dunne Memorial (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

He told Racing TV: “She’s in good form, she’s well and she’s a bit like her mother, she’s not fancy at home but she’s very tough.

“Hopefully she runs a good race, but as I said, she’s like her mother, she’s not fancy but she has a big heart.

“She’s maybe not as big as her (Apple’s Jade) yet but she’s going to grow, she’s only just turned four. She’s a good attitude and she’s tough and if she’s half as good as her mother, I’ll be happy.

“We’re looking forward to it.”