[NoChanceToDance]

This story is along the same lines, about a different super mare.

From Racing Post....

by Tony O'Hehir
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ONE big name missing from action during the 2007-2008 jumps season will be multiple Grade 1 winning hurdler, Asian Maze, who was on Wednesday reported to be in foal to Presenting and retired from racing.

The winner of nine races, all over hurdles, she ran what turned out to be her last race in April when sixth to Al Eile in the Baltika Beer Aintree Hurdle, an event she won in great style the previous year when beating dual Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace by 17 lengths. That stylish victory cataplulted her into the top bracket of performers in what was dubbed a golden era for hurdlers trained in Ireland. She achieved Rating Post rating for 165 for the Aintree win.

Her other Grade 1 victories were achieved in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle over 3m 1f at Aintree in 2005, the 2m 4f Menolly Homes Champion Novice Hurdle at that year's Punchestown Festival and the 3m Whitewater Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown last year. She never won again after that 2006 Punchestown festival success.

Tom Mullins, who trained the eight year old daughter of Anshan for all of her Grade 1 wins, said on Wednesday: "At her best she was a very high-class mare, but she was never quite the same after she went to run in Auteuil in May 2006.

“She finishedlast in the Prix La Barka and although she ran a good race to finish second to Iktitaf in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown following a six-month break, her subsequent form was way below her best.
"We were never able to get to the bottom of what exactly was wrong but for some reason she just wouldn't let herself down in her races the way she used to.”

Mullins won a total of five races with the mare following the retirement of his father, Paddy, who won four consecutive races with her.

Bred by her owner Sheila Moore, Asian Maze is enjoying her retirement at home at her owner's stud farm near Mallow in County Cork. She ran 26 times, accruing career earnings of £364,592.

Such was her standing after trouncing Hardy Eusace at Aintree that opposition ahead of her follow up win in the stayers' hurdle at Punchestown was beaten before the off.

Trainer Tom Taaffe, preparing to saddle Emotional Moment in the race, memorably said: “I honestly believe none of us will get within an ass'sroar of the mare.”

ASIAN MAZE'S GRADE 1 ROLL OF HONOUR
Apr 27 2006 - Champion Stayers' Hurdle - Punchestown - 3m - Ruby Walsh

Apr 8 2006 - Aintree Hurdle - Aintree - 2m 4f - Ruby Walsh

Apr 29 2005 - Champion Novice Hurdle - Punchestown - 2m 4f - Paul Carberry

Apr 8 2005 - Sefton Novices' Hurdle - Aintree - 3m 1/2f - Ruby Walsh



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So, in a few years time, we may see Feathard Lady's and Asian Maze's babies taking eachother on at the track (both by Presenting), could be something special to look forward to.