Pencarrow’s former Australian galloper Irion (Danroad x Dopff) produced an impressive win in the $10,000 Tui Backing A Winner Since 1889 Mile Rating 75 1600 at Wairarapa Racecourse on Friday.

It was Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie’s second win for the day as they trained stablemate, Pencarrow-bred and owned, Skywards (O’Reilly) who won earlier in the day.

Friday was Irion’s third win from 10 starts; her first two wins were achieved as a three-year-old in Australia with trainer Mark Kavanagh. Irion’s racing debut in New Zealand took place just three starts ago where she ran third followed by a fifth place last start.

“I was well impressed with Irion,” commented Ramsay. “It was her first start with the blinkers on and she sat just outside the leader. She was keen early on and once she turned for the straight she exploded and won by three-lengths.

“She is definitely a horse that we will try to get some black-type racing into.”

Starting from barrier 7, Irion went forward to sit in second position for rider Darryl Bradley. The four-year-old mare raced strongly with front runner Redalign (NZ) (Align) as they quickened the tempo approaching 700m.

Irion placed Redalign under pressure as she travelled well around the corner and pushed forward to gain the lead for a three-length victory. Mae West (NZ) (Sir Percy) was second and Crackling Rosie (NZ) (Faltaat) finished in third place.

“Darryl Bradley got off her and he was very impressed. She showed him a really good turn of foot and said she is definitely a black-type horse which is very exciting,” stated Ramsay.

“She [Irion] will have another start before lining up some black-type races in the autumn.”

The daughter of Danroad has now earned a total of $43,873 for her owner Sir Peter Vela.

The four-year-old mare was purchased at the 2012 Karaka Select Sale for $130,000 by New Zealand Bloodstock as agent from Highview Stud.

Bred by Highview Stud, Irion is out of stakes winning mare Dopff (Tights), winner of the Group 2 Bluebird Foods Trophy. Irion is a half-sister to stakes performer Octapussy (Octagonal) who placed second in the Group 1 Doomben Cup.

Close relations to Irion include stakes winners Pussy Willow (O’Reilly), Pussy O’Reilly (O’Reilly), Valpolicella (Red Ransom), Vavasour (Redoute’s Choice), Catalonia – Vilanova (Commands) and Dancer’s Tale (Tale of the Cat).