Lifford Greyhounds: Derry owned dog breaks track record

Tom Mullan with Fahan Rebel who set the fastest ever time for a 325 yard race at Lifford Stadium by clocking 17.25 in an SS0/S1 contest on Sunday. Photo: Lynda Bonner.

placeholder image — Tom Mullan with Fahan Rebel who set the fastest ever time for a 325 yard race at Lifford Stadium by clocking 17.25 in an SS0/S1 contest on Sunday. Photo: Lynda Bonner.

A new track record was set at Lifford Stadium on Sunday evening as the even-money Fahan Rebel produced a spellbinding run of 17.25 to win the Paddy McCrossan 70th Birthday SSO/S1 325 race.

Subject to the usual ratification process, this means that the previous record of 17.30 - set at the official gala reopening night when Corbrack Prince owned by Paul Allen and trained by Robert Gleeson - has been broken after just two months.

The James B. Duffy (Derry) owned and trained dog produced a memorable run out of trap four and had four and a half lengths to spare over Toolbox Talk, with Jeannie Jo in third.

Meanwhile, there were plenty of other highlights from the ten race card on Sunday.

In the first semi-finals of the Ballymac Stud A1/A2 525 Trophy, Eager Colm obliged for Tyrone’s Damien McConville to win by two and a half lengths in 29.02 with Old Fort Major and Last Regards getting the other places to qualify for the final.

The second semi-final was won by Great Dale, with Neon Lights and Clona Rocko in a dead heat for second.

The final of the competition - with €2,000 for the winner - takes place next Sunday.

In the Sunday Shoot Out 325 - a two dog contest - the Charles Coyle/Hugh Harley owned and trained Boherna Rio beat Slipalong Jet by four and a half lengths in a super time of 17.37.

Other winners on Sunday were:

Race 1, ON2, 325: Millabbey Pat, 17.94

Race 2, A4/A5 525: Tahina Jordan, 29.42

Race 3, S4/S5 325: Maxlite, 17.70

Race 4, A3/A4 525: Kooga Koda, 29.33

Race 5, S1/S2 325: Bows Hill Best, 17.77

Race 6, A3, 525: Blackstone Aldo, 28.86