Denton Hall News

Glowing tributes as gallant mare Gale Force Maya is retired to stud

TRIBUTES have been paid to the gallant mare Gale Force Maya who has today gone off to stud after a glittering career.

The seven-year-old chestnut sprinter, with a striking white blaze, ran 46 times, with 13 victories, including two listed races, and earning almost £300,000 in prize-money.

Owned by Frank Lowe and trained by Michael Dods, she left Denton Hall stables, near Darlington, this morning to start her career as a brood mare at Byerley Stud, in Wiltshire.

Frank said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic having a horse like her – she’s been a dream to own.”

The director of Magnus Homes bought Gale Force Maya as a yearling, and she won first time out on the all-weather at Newcastle as a two-year-old. However, Frank said he knew he had a really good horse on his hands when she won her first race at Pontefract as a three-year-old.

Her career highlights came in September 2022 when she won two listed races in a row under Connor Beasley – The Garrowby Stakes, at York, and the Arran Scottish Sprint EBF Fillies Stakes.

However, Frank also fondly remembers her winning three races in a row at his local track, Carlisle, in the summer of 2019.

“It’s been so enjoyable, and we’ve met so many people because of her. People have come up and asked ‘Are you the owner of Gale Force Maya?’ because they’ve followed her throughout her career,” he added.

“She’s always ran her heart out – was always so tough and refused to give in. If she passes on those attributes to her progeny, along with her speed, there’s a lot to look forward to.”

The mare is by Gale Force Ten, winner of the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, in 2013, when trained by Aidan O’Brien. ‘Maya’ comes from Frank’s granddaughter.

Trainer Michael Dods said: “She’s definitely among the toughest we’ve ever trained – she’s been tremendous from day one and improved every year. She’s a big loss to the yard but it’s exciting to see what she produces as a brood mare.”

With conditions against her, Gale Force Maya didn't add to her tally of wins in her final season but managed a typically brave third, beaten only a length, in the Group 3 William Hill Summer Stakes at York.

Frank has four other horses in training with Michael: Boy Douglas, Happy Helen, A Girl Named Ivy, and Roaring Ralph. He also has a Havana Grey filly yearling at Denton Hall.

Gale Force Maya’s unraced half-sister, Silky Sue, is also at Byerley Stud, and has a colt foal by Zoustar, and is in foal to Advertise.