English Oaks winner Cashen Maureen looks unlikely to race again after breaking a hock in the Irish equivalent at Shelbourne Park.

June McCombe’s runner was some two lengths clear and going away in heat six when pulling up at the second turn. The race went to Borna Helena, who went on to beat Tauriel by a length and a half in 28.74sec.

June said: “She had gone clear when it happened and we are gutted. At this stage I don’t know how bad it is but it is unlikely she will race again. Given what she has been through, we decided not bring her back on the ferry overnight. She is being looked after by Pat Guilfoyle and his sister who have been absolutely amazing. In fact, every one was, including all the other trainers, and I would particularly like to thank the paddock steward Dave who was there until after midnight.

“It was so sad to see her career end like that. She did 28.24 last week in her first look at Shelbourne in 18 months and she was just coming to hand. She raced eight times for me for four wins and four seconds, including second in the Scottish Derby and I don’t think I have ever seen a better race bitch.

“She will be seen by vet Denis Beary today and we will know more after her examination. Fortunately, the bone didn’t break the skin, so she doesn’t look too bad and we will bring her back here when she is eventually fit to travel. Fingers crossed we can have a few litters out of her, though I have no idea when she is due in season.”

Ballydoyle Honey again set the standard when taking the second qualifier. Graham Holland’s bitch found trouble three times before hitting the front off the third turn to beat Tyrur Dicky by four lengths in 28.31sec.

Holland was out of luck however with Skywalker Pearl, who was the meat in a sandwich at the opening turn in heat five. The race went to all the way winner Skymas, who held off the late challenge of Ravenswood Emily by a head in 28.76sec.

Honey’s litter sister Urban Gossip came from third place in heat three to catch long-time leader Camacca and score by a length in 28.54sec.

Fechin Mullen’s Lislevane Swift was faultless when making all the running in the first eliminator to hold the strong late challenge of last year’s consolation winner Springwell Watsy by a length in 28.41sec.

Aidan Roche’s Kingsmill Bound led off the second turn in heat four to hold the strong Piercestown Emily by half a length in 28.56sec.

Quarter final draw:

Heat 1

1 Jumeirah Star

2 Borna Helena

3 Rising Twirl

4 Ravenswood Emily

5 Tyrur Mairead (w)

6 Issys May (w)

 

Heat 2

1 Camacca

2 Jumeirah Dancer

3 Hitachi Grace

4 Shes A Dream

5 Tyrur Dickie

6 Piercestown Lucy

 

Heat 3

1 Sausalito May

2 Urban Gossip

3 Kingsmill Bound

4 Tauriel

5 Hovex Princess

6 Lislevane Swift

 

Heat 4

1 Ballydoyle Honey

2 Slippery Hanna

3 Shady Ash

4 Skymas

5 Springwell Watsy

6 Awatwithdepixies (m)