Lough Derg Rose produced a very taking debut performance when taking her five-year-old mares’ maiden at Loughanmore in March. One of four newcomers in the field, she was ridden patiently throughout before taking closer order at the penultimate fence where she progressed to lead before the final obstacle. She stayed on strongly in the closing stages and showed an impressive turn of foot to go away from her runner-up by eight lengths at the finish. The Denis Murphy-trained winner is out of a half-sister to the Grade two placed Port Melon. She is also from the family of the prolific winners Padre Mio and Father Rector. Lough Derg Rose showed an abundance of stamina along with a game attitude and won in the style of a mare who is destined for a profitable career on the track.