Leopardstown's Irish Champions Day opener came down to a battle between the TDN Rising Stars in the line-up and it was Juddmonte's Maire Rua (Frankel) who subdued Timeless Tale (Sioux Nation) for success in the Listed Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes.Impressive on debut over course and distance in July, the full-sister to the classy Red Letter had met trouble in running when third in Cork's Firville Stakes last month but was in the clear the whole way from her wide draw with Colin Keane keeping it simple. Allowing the 2-1 market-leader Timeless Tale first run in the straight, the 5-2 second favourite was able to reel her in close home for a half-length success, with 1 1/2 lengths back to Ballydoyle's pace-setting Snowing (No Nay Never).Maire Rua was providing Keane with an ideal 32nd birthday present and Ger Lyons with an impressive fourth renewal since 2021. “She's a filly we always held in high regard and she got wiped out coming out of the stalls last time and did well to be third under hands and heels,” her rider said. “It all went to plan today–she was out quick, travelled around well, picked up well and got to the line nicely. She is thriving with each run and does everything too easy at home, so needs racing. She's not slow, by any means, but she'll probably start at a mile next year.”Lyons added, “Colin was adamant that affected her last time and that's the filly we thought we had. She has a great temperament and will probably have a run or two more this year.”Birthday boy @ctkjockey gets his day off to a flyer! Grey Frankel filly Maire Rua comes home best to land the Ingabelle Stakes for the Ger Lyons team. @BallylinchStud | @IrishEBF_ | @JuddmonteFarms pic.twitter.com/NtSW3Qtu5D— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 12, 2026 The post Maire Rua Wins Battle Of The Rising Stars In The Ingabelle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.