Belle Of The Ball

That debut win at Cork is the foundation of what could be an exciting career. For a two-year-old to win first time out shows a level of natural ability and readiness that not every young horse has, and it signals that the team at Moone had her well prepared from the start. She raced again just days later, finishing fifth, which tells you she is being kept busy and that her the yard are keen to find out what she can do.

Belle Of The Ball is trained by Mrs John Harrington, one of racing's most respected yards, based at Moone in Co Kildare. The numbers back up that reputation: 54 winners already sent out this season is a serious tally that speaks to a large, well-run operation firing on all cylinders. Having a yard like that behind you as a young horse matters — these are people who know how to bring a two-year-old along at the right pace. With only two races behind her and one already in the win column, there is plenty still to learn about Belle Of The Ball, but the early signs are exactly what you would want to see.