She’s Delighted

She’s Delighted is a good looking and balanced 5-year-old mare, now in training with Fergal O’Brien.

She was purchased by Highflyer Bloodstock at this year’s Goffs UK Spring Sale, the very same sale we bought multiple winner John Barbour from last year.

She's Delighted's form reads 2-1-1. Her first success came at Portrush in March 2025 on yielding ground and the horse she beat that day has since gone on to win. Her previous trainer Paddy Turley had previously won at this venue with King Of Kingsfield (also by Vadamos), who went on to be placed at Group 1 level.

She then justified favouritism when making her debut in winners’ company at Bartlemy in May 2025, beating a previous winner into second. Under a patient ride, she travelled well in mid-division until progressing into fourth on approach to the penultimate fence. She took up the lead at the last and asserted from here to score by a comfortable two lengths.

She’s Delighted seems to be fairly versatile, having run on everything from ‘Soft’ to ‘Good’ and in varying conditions but is certainly seen to best effect when able to utilise her natural speed.

She’s Delighted is a daughter of Vadamos, a Group 1 winner in France who competed at the highest level throughout his racing career. Now at stud, he is proving to be a promising sire over both codes. He has already produced exciting National Hunt performers such as the Grade 1 placed King Of Kingsfield, as well as Madrilene and The Other Mozzie, who have both won Grade 3 contests.

She’s Delighted is out of Deckers Delight, who was herself a winner over hurdles, as well as placing multiple times. She is from the family of Mise En Place, who was a multiple winner and Black Type mare before becoming a dam of several winners.

Fergal is already very taken with She’s Delighted, informing us that “she’s a lovely individual”, who will go through the whole system for us, so “I’m really delighted to have got her”. He also feels that she’ll make a great syndicate horse because “she’s straightforward… she’s hardy and she’ll stand racing well”.

Based on her starts in Points and recent form (2, 1, 1), She’s Delighted is clearly an improving type and shows all the right attributes to continue her career between the rails.

She’s Delighted is currently enjoying a summer at grass but will be brought back in next month in preparation for a first run under Rules.

Fergal O’Brien was born in Ireland and made the move to England in 1989 to work for Captain Tim Forster. He then made the move to Nigel Twiston-Davies where he stayed for 19 years and finished as Assistant Trainer. During his time there he oversaw two Grand National winners and a Gold Cup winner in Imperial Commander.

Fergal started training in 2011, following a brief spell as a successful Point-to-Point trainer. He is joined by his partner and Assistant Trainer, Sally Randall, who held a license in her own right before joining the team. Together they moved to the state-of-the-art Ravenswell Farm in 2019 and has since achieved multiple Graded successes with the likes of Poetic Rhythm scoring in the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle. In the 2020-21 season, Fergal achieved his first century of winners, a feat he now strives for every year.

Getting to Know: Fergal O'Brien