Gone to the dogs: Six Offaly winners and Derby reaches semi-finals

Twenty four became twelve in four brilliant quarterfinal heats of the Boylesports Irish Derby in Shelbourne Park last Saturday. The cream is really coming to the top now as we approach the business end of our blue ribbon event.

 Elsewhere the quarterfinals of the JAG Building Services A1 Kilkenny Derby, final of the Cushie Kennels Open Unraced Stake in Enniscorthy, quarterfinals of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate in Shelbourne and semi-finals of the Galway Oaks dominated the proceedings around the country's seventeen tracks.

Some interesting Offaly winners in the mix in another superb week of racing.

Early Week Racing

First final of note last week was in Enniscorthy, on Monday, with the conclusion of the Cushie Kennels Open Unraced Stake. The €1.5k winners pot was won by the sponsors John Codd and Diana Brodie as Cushie Flytline (Droopys Flytline-Fatboyz Storm) won in 29.41 by three lengths at 3/1.

First Offaly winner of the week was the same first one as last week as Rubys Trinity won for Edenderry owner Timmy Slevin and co owned by Wexford man Conor Hyland in Enniscorthy on Thursday. Ruby's stopped the clock in an A3 contest in a smart 28.77 by four lengths at 2/1 second fav.

Two finals were decided also on Thursday in Shelbourne Park and both over the 350 yard sprint distance. In the final of the Shelbourne Open Novice Dash Knockeen Aliya (Ballymac Bolger-Ballymac Cams) won the €2.5k purse in 18.86 by one length at 6/4 fav for Daniel O’Rahilly.

In the final of an A1 sprint stake Saltees Royal (Grangeview Ten-Cosy Trend) brought home the €1.5k first prize for trainer Joe Anglim in 19.05 by one length at 6/1.

Friday Racing

First two Offaly winners of the weekend were at matinee SIS meeting in Mullingar both in the A4 grade. Killeshill Devine had his ninth win for Croghan owner Vincent Lynch in 30.02 (60 slow) by a neck at 3/1. Lahinch Toby had his seventh career win for Clara owner P. J. Cleary in 29.96 (60 slow) by five lengths at 11/4.

Galway hosted the semi-finals of the On Faya Open Galway Oaks. The first heat was the fastest of the two as Droopys Faithful stopped the clock in 28.66 (10 slow) by five lengths at 2/1 for Daniel O’Rahilly again. The second semi was won in 28.91 (10 slow) by five lengths at 3/1 for Kilkenny trainer Murt Leahy. The first two races in Galway were the semifinals of the Crafty Kennels ON2 Unraced Stake. Crafty Elegatto won the first for Peter and Brian Divilly, in 28.13 (10 slow) by three lengths, at 5/4 fav. The remaining semi went to Toreen Rose for Andrew O’Toole in a slower 29.48 (10 slow) by one length at 6/4 fav.

The best race in Tralee was the final of the Hanifin A2 cup. The €3k first prize was won by the Michael Lyons trained Back On Track (Grangeview Ten-Dromabbey Flyer) in 28.47 by five lengths at 6/1. The four best races in Kilkenny were the quarter-finals of the JAG Building Services A1 Kilkenny Derby where Droopys Nap went fastest of the four for Leahy again in 29.02 (30 slow) by six lengths at 11/8.

Two finals in Shelbourne on Friday both worth €2k to the winners. In the Barking Buzz A2 stake Ballybough Olwyn (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Sweet) again for Murt Leahy in 28.81 by three lengths at 2/5 fav. Aussie Asset was second here for Kinnitty trainer Jeanette MacKenzie winning a runners up prize of €800. In the final of an A1 Stake Gudhand Ben (Deerjet Sydney-Ballinabola Rum) was first across the line for John Hand in 28.49 by one length at 5/1.

Saturday Racing

Three Offaly winners in Mullingar in the first round Of the September ON2 Unraced Stake. We won two of the five heats with both going to Moneygall owner Liam Jones. Lemon Arnold won heat one in the fastest of the five heats in 30.01 (50 slow) by ten lengths at 4/6 fav. Heat three winner was also for Jones as Star Michael crossed the line eight lengths in front of his opponents in 30.53 (50 slow) at 5/4 joint fav. 

Killeshill Ranger  was back in the winners enclosure for the fourteenth time for Vincent Lynch in an A1 race in 29.16 (50 slow) by seven lengths at 6/4 easily being the fastest run on the night. 

In the quarter-finals of the Michael fortune Memorial Derby Plate Magical Major set the bar highest when winning in 29.42 by three lengths at 1/2 fav for Pat Guilfoyle. 

The best four races in Limerick were the quarterfinals of the O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel A2 Tri-Distance over the 550 yard trip. Tree Top Bear is the standard bearer here when winning in 29.77 by seven lengths at 4/1 for David Lonergan. 

Boylesports Irish Derby

Four blistering heats with the top hounds all coming through with the exception of De Lahdedah who had no luck in running for Liam Dowling and sadly was eliminated. The former English Derby winner was really running well in the competition but alas it wasn’t to be. Fastest of the four heats was last years runner up in the derby Cheap Sandwiches for Graham Holland who stopped the clock in a super 29.27 winning by seven lengths at 4/7 fav.

Magical Mag won heat two for  Guilfoyle in 29.69 by four lengths at 6/4 fav with Proper Heiress heat three for Mark Wallis in 29.78 by one length also at 4/7 fav. The surprise package in the Derby was the winner of heat four as Ballyhooly Bruno was again to the fore for Tom O’Neill in 29.69 by two lengths at 8/1. All to play for heading into Saturdays semis.

Derby Statistics

Pat Buckley is the only trainer with more than one dog remaining in this year’s competition as he has three of the twelve. Nine others have one each. Leading stud dog Droopys Sydney has three of his progeny remaining with Ballymac Cashout with two, seven other dogs each have one. Two of the twelve are bitches Magical Mag for Guilfoyle and Barefoot On Song for Paul Hennessy. Barefoot is also the oldest dog left in being a February 2022 bitch with the youngest being Glengar Silent who was whelped in Nov ‘23. 

Derby Betting

On Saturday afternoon before all twenty four dogs went to traps sponsors Boylesports had Cheap Sandwiches at 5/2 fav with English raider Proper Heiress at 7/2. Liam Dowling supplied the next two in the betting at 8/1 Ballymac Stud and De Lahdedah. 14/1 bar. On Sunday morning Sandwiches had hardened into 6/4 with Heiress remaining at 7/2. Ballymac Stud 6/1 with Magical Mag and Glengar Silent at 8/1. 25/1 bar. 

Sunday Racing

No Offaly winner at the matinee meeting in Mullingar which is a rarity.

One final at the evening meeting in Clonmel. In the conclusion of the Eamonn Gleeson Memorial A4 stake Goldcash Warrior (Grangeview Ten-Wise Eruption) took the spoils and the first prize of €2.5k in 28.76 by three lengths at 9/4 for Michael Doyle and Jack Meade. 

Upcoming Events

Friday, final of the On Faya Open Oaks and Crafty Kennels ON2 Unraced Stake both in Galway. Semifinals of the Jag building services A1 Kilkenny Derby. Saturday, semifinals of the September ON2 Stake in Mullingar, semifinals of the O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel Tri-Distance A2 in Limerick, semifinals of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate and the big one Semi-finals of the Boylesports Irish Derby both in Shelbourne. 


Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week

Carrick Scholsey again gets the nod this week, although not winning, but reaching the semifinal of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby plate last Saturday against a quality field was certainly impressive. Expect the Thomas Glynn owned blue to cut a dash this Saturday and make the final on Derby night. Super hound. 


One For The Notebook

Lemon Arnold look a prospect when winning on debut in the first round of the September ON2 unraced stake in Mullingar on Saturday in the fastest of the five heats in 30.01 (50 slow) by ten lengths. With the obvious improvement with age and experience the Liam Jones trained youngster is well worth keeping an eye on. Fine performance. 

SEE NEXT: Knockout draws made on messy, unsatisfactory weekend for Offaly football


Offaly Winners

Six Offaly winners last week. Well done to all involved.