Gone to the dogs: Nine Offaly winners

Two big money finals were up for grabs over the last seven days in a week where over €50k was won in prize money. The finals of the Dublin cup and Tote Gold Cup in Shelbourne obviously were the main attractions but add in the quarter-finals of the Juvenile Classic unraced in Tralee, semifinals of the Cork Cup in  Curraheen Park, quarterfinals of the Midlands Derby in Mullingar and semi-finals of the Limerick Oaks it turned out to be another super week of racing.

Early Week Racing

Sadly once again nothing of note for the first four days of the week. However, with Shelbourne resuming their Thursday schedule in early March expect Offaly dogs to be on the winners rostrum once again.

Friday Racing

First three Offaly winners of the were at the matinee meeting in Mullingar with all three for Clara owner P.J. Cleary. In an A5 contest Lahinch Blaze had his twelveth career win in 30.73 (80 slow) by five lengths at 13/8 fav. In an A7 grade Lahinch Dolly stopped the clock in 31.01 (80 slow) by one length at 7/2 and in an A4 race Lahinch Murphy won in 30.37 (80 slow) by one length at 2/1 fav. Great day's work for Cleary.

Galway, first round of the Kilcolgan Castle Connacht AO 550 Derby. Five heats with Ballymac Sorrel setting the bar highest for Pat Buckley in 30.01 (10 slow) by three lengths at 2/1.

Kilkenny, final of the Blackstone Kennels A2 525 with Kilara Moosh (Ballymac Cashout-Kilara Diamond) winning the €1.5k pot for trainer Michael Donnelly in 29.19 (30 slow) by three lengths at 2/1.

Two valuable finals were decided in Shelbourne. The first was the conclusion of the A2 Dublin Cup with the €7.5k first prize going to Skidrow Joe (Ballymac Bolger-Coolavanny Chick) in 28.78 (30 slow) by one length at 2/1 with Owen McKenna at the helm. Gallant Hunter was second for Navan trainer Oliver Bray and received a cheque for €3k.

In the final of the Gizmo Cash @  Stud ON2 Unraced Stake Lombardy (Coolavanny Hoffa-Palermo) proved too hot for his rivals when winning in 29.11 (30 slow) by two lengths at 5/4 with the €3k prize going to Balbriggan trainers Marie and Skip Gilbert.

The four best races in Tralee were the quarterfinals of the T Nolan C.V.R.T. Centre Juvenile Open Unraced Classic. Droopys Trade set the standard when winning in 28.23 for Johnny Linehan by seven lengths at 4/6 fav. Local Kerry trainer Liam Dowling won two of the four heats with Ballymac Rapid in 28.25 and Ballymac Nash in 28.51. The remaining heat was won by Droopys Patriot for Rathangan trainer Robert Gleeson in 28.47.

Saturday Racing

The two feature races in Curraheen Park were the semi-finals of the Time Greyhound Nutrition A1 Cork Cup with Senahel Beauty winning the first for Jason Lehane in 28.61 by three lengths at 8/1. The second semi was won by Riverside Popsie for champion trainer Graham Holland in 28.81 by four lengths at 1/2 fav.

Limerick staged the quarterfinals of the Clonbrien Treaty A1 Limerick Oaks and for the second week in a row Rinnwood Gem went fastest in the competition when stopping the timer in 28.22 (10 fast) for Des Flaherty winning by six lengths at 1/1 joint fav.

One Offaly winner on the supporting card as Wicky McGregor won in the semifinal of an ON3 Unraced stake for Birr owner Kevin Kelly in 29.02 (10 fast) by two lengths at 2/1.

In Mullingar, the quarter-finals of the Kilbride Kennels Midlands Derby A2 550 were the four best races of a decent card. Two equal fastest times with Finfin for Edenderry trainer David Hanlon winning in 30.03 (50 slow) by one length at 6/4 fav equaling Phoenix Charlie for Ian Reilly who also won by one length at 3/1. Of the twelve remaining dogs in the stake four are from the Faithful County so certainly a positive chance of outright success here. Another Offaly winner on the supporting card here as Foyle Con won an A2 525 for Moneygall owner Liam Jones in 29.61 (50 slow) by five lengths at 3/1.

The most valuable final of the week was in Shelbourne with the running of the conclusion of the 2025 Tote Gold Collar Open Cup, the €16k first prize went to Seven Beach (Pestana-Whitings Gift) for Killenaule trainer Jennifer O’Donnell in 28.52 by one length at 4/1. Offaly champion dog Carrick Aldo for Thomas Glynn was out in front of this class field and surely going to win when sustaining a small injury down the back straight which put paid to his chances. Very unlucky. Hawkfield Blue was second in the final for Ginger McGee and was the recipient of a cheque for €6.5k with Kerogue Lady in third for Patrick O’Connor with €3.5k heading his way.

Sunday Racing

An additional three Offaly winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar with two more for Liam Jones. In an A4 race Knockroe Bob won by one length at 6/4 fav in 30.01 (50 slow) and Lingrawn Aoife won an A3 grade in 29.75 (50 slow) by six lengths at 11/4. Our final winner of the week was in an A5 contest as Killeshill Callie won for Croghan owner Vincent Lynch in 29.60 (50 slow) by four lengths at 5/2.

Upcoming EventsFriday, quarter-finals of the Kilcolgan Castle Connacht Derby in Galway and semi-finals of the T Nolan C.V.R.T. Centre Juvenile Unraced Classic in Tralee.

Saturday, final of the Time Greyhound Nutrition A1 Cork Cup and semi-finals of the Kilbride Kennels Midlands Derby in Mullingar. Loads of top class action against this week to look forward to.

Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week

Finfin gets the nod this week for winning in the joint fastest time in the quarter-finals of the Kilbride Kennels Midlands Derby, for David Hanlon, on Saturday night in Mullingar. Fine performance.

Offaly Winners

Nine Offaly winners this week, well done to all concerned.