Gone to the dogs: Eight Offaly winners

A fantastic week of racing with the final of the Irish Oaks in Shelbourne while in Towcester ten of the twenty four dogs in the quarter-finals of the English Derby were from this side of the Irish Sea. Adding in the semifinals of the Produce Stakes in Clonmel and quarterfinals of the Denis Linehan Open unraced in Cork it proved to be one of the best weeks of racing in a while. Another decent return of Offaly winners too.

Early Week Racing

Thursday, Enniscorthy, quarter-finals of a valuable A2 sweepstake with Da Little Rocket setting the standard for the B-Y-K-Syndicate in 29.82 (20 slow) by one length at 4/1.

In Shelbourne Park, in the final of the Talking Dogs A4 stake, Mister Sandbag (Skywalker Rafa - Rylane Dubh) won the €2.25k first prize in 28.92 by one length also at 4/1 with Vincent McKenna training. First Offaly winner of the week was also at this meeting as Moneygall Aaron won an A3 race for Geashill trainer Margaret Bolton in 29.09 by two lengths at 5/2.

Friday Racing

Kilkenny held the final of the Coolavanny Hoffa @ Stud A1 stake, the €1k first prize went to Kapuka Warrior (Good News - Cruel Intentions) for Karol Ramsbottom in 29.01 (30 slow) by two lengths at 4/1.

In Tralee, in the final of one of their big skates of the year, The Callaway Rambler @ Stud Race Of Champions AAO 550, the €15k purse went to one of the most consistent and fastest dogs in the country Ballinabola Ed (Confifent Rankin - Dolls Lady)  who won his twentieth race for Pat Buckley, in 29.23 (10 fast) by three lengths, at 1/1 fav and has now amassed over €54k in winning prize money. Last years Oaks winner Rafa Mofo was second for Murt Leahy and got a cheque for €4K and she has now earned over €45k in her racing life.

Another final in Tralee was the K.G.S.S.C Novice ON2 stake, Saleen Jet (Airmount Nando - Hunters Sophia) won the €1.25k for Pat O’Connor in 28.31 (10 fast) by two lengths at a short 1/3 fav.

Three finals of note in Shelbourne, with the favorites not to the fore in any, firstly the Talking Dogs A2 550/575 dual distance stake, Russmur Shane (Ballymac Best - Cabra Ash) won at 4/1 for Stephen Dunne in 31.87 by two lengths with a pot of €1.75k going his way.

In the final of the This Runs Deep A2 525 stake, Lough Mistoki (Droopys Buick - Pipette) was first back in kennels for Jack Molloy in 28.63 by two lengths at 5/2 with a cheque of €2.5k on the way to him. The Sporting Press A1 525 stake concluded the finals with the €1.75k prize going to Lotto Other News (Good News - Shes Made It) and Shaun Conway in 28.45 by three lengths at 5/2.

Saturday Racing

The two best races in Curraheen Park in Cork were the semi-finals of the Denis Linehan Solicitors Open unraced stake, Droopys Flyline won the first for Rathangan trainer Robert Gleeson in 28.20 by eight lengths at 4/6 fav. A warm favourite also won the second as Jetara stopped the clock in 28.26 for Owen Mckenna by four lengths at 4/5 fav. If both of these manage to avoid trouble it should be a cracking buckle between them in Saturday's final.

Dundalk held the quarter-finals of the Paddy and Eamonn Carroll Memorial A3 stake, Sunning Dale was first back in 28.60 by ten lengths for Francie Murray Jnr, it was a magnificent night for Murray at the county Louth track as he had six winners in total from his Crookedwood Kennels.

In Galway, in the final of the GRI Spring A4 stake, it was a super win for an Offaly dog as Cappaneale Lulu (Good News- Lilly Lula) proved too strong for her rivals in 29.17 (10 slow) by five lengths at 4/6 fav with €2.5k going to Birr owners Micheal Pardy and Jack Carroll. This young dog has now won four of his five races and looks a real prospect for bigger things.

Three Offaly winners in Mullingar, in an A6 contest, Coolree Best won for Daingean owner Eugene Glennon in 30.26 (50 slow) by six lengths at 2/1. In an A5 grade Dew Claw was first home for Edenderry trainer David Hanlon in 29.88 (50 slow) by seven lengths at 4/6 fav. In the best race of the night, in an A1 grade, Lingrawn Aoife won for Moneygall owner Liam Jones in 29.86 (50 slow) by a neck at 6/4.

Undoubtedly the best racing so far in 2023 in Shelbourne Park took place in front of a huge crowd with over €70k given out in prize money.

The final of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks was the highlight with a brilliant line up. Six of the fastest bitches in Ireland went to traps with the €25k first prize going to Galway as Crafty Shivoo (Droopys Sydney - Ballymac Sanjose) won for Peter and Brian Divilly in a career best run of 28.14 by four lengths at 3/1. Although it was only her fifth career win she will now go into the record books as a Classic winner. Scooby Duchess was second for Jennifer O’Donnell and received a runner up prize of €7.2k.  The Offaly bitch in the final Droopys Timing for Paul Cronin didn’t have any luck on the night and hit a lot of trouble to tail in at the rear of the field but better days ahead for her.

In the final of the GRI Summer AO 525 stake, the €10k first prize pot went to the classicly bred Churchtown Syd (Droopys Sydney - Skywalker Pearl) for Cork trainer Denis Fitzgerald in 28.53 by six lengths at 3/1. Feelsawumble was second for Murt Leahy and got a €4K purse.

English Derby

Twenty four became twelve on Saturday night in Towcester after the quarter-finals of the Star Sports/TRC English Derby. Of the dozen remaining we have a brilliant six heading into Saturday night. On Saturday we won two of the four heats with the ever consistent Swords Rex in 28.93 (15 slow) and Gaytime Nemo in 28.94 (15 slow) both for Graham Holland. Of the six remaining, champion Irish trainer Holland has four, as well as the two winners he also has Clona Duke and Jacktavern Bella. Liam Dowling has Ballymac Finn with Burj Khalifa also in the draw for Brendan Mathews.

Leading Irish bookmakers has Swords Rex as short as 6/4 fav to lift the English blue ribbon event with Romeo Command second favourite at 7/2 while Clona Duke is 6/1. 7/1 bar. Semifinals Saturday should be a cracker.Hopefully all Irish dogs will get trouble free runs and putting best foot forward. Fingers crossed.

Sunday Racing

Two Offaly winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar, in an A6 race, Lingrawn Niamh had her ninth career win for Liam Jones again in 30.17 (50 slow) by one length, at a generous 8/1. In an A5 contest, Lahinch Jake won in 29.84 (50 slow) by six lengths at 5/1 for Clara owner P.J. Cleary.

At the evening meeting in Clonmel, in the semi-finals of National Produce Stakes, three heats with two qualifying from each for Sundays final. The first semi went to the April winner of the Con and Annie Kirby  Memorial Clonbrien Treaty in the fastest time of the night in 28.09 (10 slow) by three lengths at 2/1 with Holland training. The number one trainer also provided the next winner as Clona Shadow stopped the clock in 28.60 (10 slow) by four lengths at 3/1. Pat Buckley paraded the final heat winner as Ower Mystery won in 28.46 (10 slow) by four lengths at 4/1. As well as Hollands two and Buckleys one in the final the other three come from the kennels of Adam Dunford, Thomas O’Donovan and Shiela Spillane / J.J. Fennelly. Clonbrien Treaty looks to have a bit in hand and seems to be the dog to beat.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, semi-finals of an A2 stake in Enniscorthy. Saturday, semifinals of the Star Sports/TRC English Derby, final of the Denis Linehan Solicitors Open unraced in Cork and semifinals of the Paddy and Eamonn Carroll Memorial in Dundalk. Sunday, final of the National Produce Skakes in Clonmel.

Tribune Offaly dog of the week

Cappaneale Lulu gets the nod this week for winning the final of the GRI Spring A4 sweepstake in Galway in a top class 29.17 (10 slow) for Birr owners Micheal Pardy and Jack Carroll. Well deserved.

Offaly Winners

Eight Offaly winners this week. Congrats to everyone who was involved with these in any small way.