Derry Greyhounds: Catunda Quinn wins Signet Ace at Stud Trophy

Due to the hot weather and in the interests of greyhound welfare, the race meetings at Lifford on Saturday and Sunday were postponed until this week. Temperatures had however settled by Monday and we enjoyed a seven race programme at Brandywell which featured the Signet Ace @ Stud Trophy Race, which was generously sponsored by Kevin Hutton.

First to visit the winners’ podium was Ballyskeagh Nova (Ballymac Vic x Avongate Nova, Jun ’23) for owners Patrick Gibson and Paul O’Neill. Having only her second career start, Nova made full use of her trap 6 draw and kept a wide course throughout. Moderately away from boxes, she showed good pace to reach the first turn upsides the leaders where she ran a great bend to pull a few lengths clear.

Nova then lost some ground running wide coming out of the second turn but had enough stamina in reserve to run on stoutly up the straight and relinquish her maiden tag. Her time was 17.25. Nova is a litter mate to Sevenofdiamonds who has already won 7 of his 20 races and who is sparkling over the sprint circuit at Central Park with a Greyhound Data rating of 132.

Drawing trap 1 was an asset to Luminous Nelly (Serene Ace x Likely Gift, Sep ’23) in Race 2, who made it back to back wins for owner Thomas Mullan over course and distance. She is proving to be a shrewd purchase from the Kilkenny Sales in May. Nelly was only moderately away from boxes with Brandywell Queen leading the charge from trap 6.

As the first turn approached, Nelly bravely held her inside pitch and benefitted from some crowding on her outside. She tracked the first turn tightly and despite swinging off middle turning for home, had built up enough momentum to hold off Enchanting Pepsi’s late swoop by a head on the line.

Her time was 17.37 and she has got her career off to the best possible start with 2 wins from 2 starts. There were a few hard luck stories in this race. Mulroy Torpedo finished third after being carried wide at the first turn and should improve once he can secure a clear run.

Veteran athlete Ontimeforthree (Laughil Blake x Scullys Flo, Aug ’20) recorded the fastest time of the night in Race 3 with an impressive performance that showed this lad is still at the peak of his game ahead of his 5th birthday next month. Well away from trap 3, Three reached the first turn behind Enchanting Reel who ran wide and left the inside path clear for his experienced rival to capitalise on. Three took the opportunity offered and ran on well to win by 4.25 lengths in 16.74 for owners Paul and Justin Hughes. This was his first win at Brandywell and adds an eighth career success to his tally.

Brandywell; Race 6, Monday Night 500 was won by EASY CHOICE in 28.05. Pictured with Dermot Coney & his daughter Ella.

There was a generous overall prize package worth £250 for Race 4, The Signet Ace @ Stud Trophy Race over 500 yards and it turned into a real thriller. This was the second of two feature races that Kevin Hutton sponsored at Brandywell this year.

In May he had sponsored the Dorotas Wildcat at Stud Trophy Race which went the way of Inniskeen Mandy and her trainer Stephen Radcliffe. Stephen went on to complete the double by landing both these feature events in 2025. This time it was Catunda Quinn (Ballymac Anton x Cabra Diva, Feb ’22) who he both owns and trains, that came with a late surge on the line to catch early leader Shrewd Stories by 1.5 lengths in 28.28.

Quinn was only moderately away from trap 1 but bravely held her pitch on the inside rail at the first turn when crowding occurred on her outside. She was able to stay in contention at this point and gradually wore down Stories early lead with every stride to add a 13th career success to her tally.

Race 5 was another 500 yard event where a gutsy performance by Corcass Coyote (Good News x Corcass Hope, Oct ’23) was rewarded with the win. Coyote was evenly away from trap 4 but rode a bump on his inside not long after leaving the boxes which cost him some momentum.

Race 7, was won by OLD FORT LAKOTA in 16.92. Pictured with owner Tony Teague (second from left) & the Cunningham family who were visiting from the US.

However, he showed a lovely burst of early pace to surge into a crucial lead at the first turn. Once in front he kept up a strong gallop but he really had to dig deep on the stamina sapping run home. Galliagh Voice came home with a wet sail, but it was too little too late and Coyote got the short head verdict in 28.42. He is a new recruit from the Cork Sales and looks perfectly suited to the 500 yards at Brandywell. This was his first career success on his second attempt and is a promising sort for owners Patrick Edgar and Richard Graham.

 The fastest 500 time of the night was recorded in Race 6 by Dermot Coney’s Easy Choice (Good News x Barfett Bullett, May ’23). Dermot’s Shrewd Stories had been just caught on run home earlier in the evening in the feature race but he made amends for that disappointment with a convincing victory with Easy Choice. Perfectly drawn in trap 6, he blasted from boxes and made every yard of the running to record his third career success.

Spiritinthesky finished strongly to take second place, 3 lengths behind the winner who had clocked 28.05. Spirit got checked at the third bend and there should be more to come from this recent ex-Mullingar lass as she gets more familiar with the circuit and steps up in distance. Albeit a good win over 500 yards is still within her grasp if she can secure a clear run.

Old Fort Lakota (Coolavanny Hoffa x Atealive, May ’23) bounced back to something like her brilliant best in the finale over the 300 yards. She produced one of her trademark flash exits from boxes and the race was over.

Brandywell; Shaun Rouse with the Teddy Trophy won by Skywalker Tina who was voted our favourite performer on 7/7/25. Trophy sponsored by Danny McGilloway.

An inside seed, she easily overcame a less than ideal draw in trap 4 and won unchallenged by 3.35 lengths in 16.92 for Tony Teague. The ever consistent Meet More Often ran on well to claim second place.

The next race meeting at Brandywell will be on Monday 28th July when the first round heats of the Johnny McLaughlin Memorial Sprint and the Daniel Canning Memorial 500 are scheduled to start.