A MEMORABLE FINISH TO THE SHELBOURNE PARK YEAR
Ian Fortune
Silverhill Freya brough the curtain down on the Shelbourne Park year, running out an exceptional winner of the Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks on Saturday night, crowing another exceptional twelve months for Graham Holland and his Riverside Kennels operation.
The final of the Shelbourne Marathon was also on the card and Highjay Muzzy replicated the achievements of Dana Point by defending her crown as he posted an identical time to twelve months earlier.
There were also three fine displays in the semi finals of the Gold Collar with Razldazl Edward setting the standard, while Droopys Bro came out on top in the A0 525 decider.
FREYA A CHRISTMAS CRACKER
This really was a tremendous night of racing action but Silverhill Freya was the standout as she recorded a brilliant and thoroughly deserving success in the Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks.
Fittingly, or a final sponsored by a track bookmaker, there was plenty happening in the ring ahead of the race.
Silverhill Freya has been available at bigger prices earlier in the week but a weight if support saw her go to traps the 5-2 joint favourite alongside Drive On Beauty. The money was clearly inspired as Eugene Buckley’s daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Silverhill Joyce flashed from traps to lad her rivals into the corner.
Short Grip was initially her nearest challenger but Grangeclare Lady flew into the turn to almost join Silverhill Freya. By the time they straightened up into the back straight, they were inseparable. Grangeeclare Lady was pushing hard to take control but Silverhill Freya was holding her inside pitch with some ferocity.
She had no intention of allowing her rival get first run on her into the third turn. Despite moving into a narrow advantage as they approached the penultimate corner, Grangeclare Lady couldn’t get around her rival and the decisive moment came on the third turn.
Silverhill Freya quickened on at this point, putting the result beyond doubt. Running right to the line, she would emerge a three-length scorer in 28.29. Grangeclare Lady was second with Short Grp another length back in third.
Peter Burke Minister For Enterprise Trade & Employment presents the trophy to Jodie Scally after Silverhill Freya won The 2024 Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks at Shelbourne Park. Also included are sponsor Bernard Barry, Eugene & Jason Buckley, trainer Graham Holland, handler Nickey Holland, Dylan Brennan Racing Manager Shelbourne Park and Richard O'Regan GRI. Pic: Imelda Grauer
MUZZY DEFENDS HER MARATHON TITLE
Jimmy O’Hanlon and the Highjay Gang Syndicate experienced a wonderful end to 2023 with their star Highjay Muzzy capturing both the Winter Racing Festival Open 850 and Shelbourne Marathon.
Fast forward twelve months and she became a two-time winner of the Shelbourne Marathon when again dominating over the two-lap event.
Ballyhooly Tejay was an unbackable favourite at 1-5 but sadly it wasn’t meant to be for Tom O’Neill’s star as he picked up an injury on the third turn. By this point, Highjay Muzzy was in front and laying it on thick.
Terrific Tonic gave chase early but Early Talent would emerge the nearest and greatest threat but there was no catching the pace-setter. Highjay Muzzy, a daughter of Good News and Knockmitten Mag, was relentless out front and she would go on to beat Early news and Terrific Tonic by eight and six lengths in 58.89, an identical time to the one she posted in victory a year earlier.
Richie O'Regan GRI presents the trophy to Orla Kelly after Highjay Muzzy won The 2024 Shelbourne Marathon Final. Also included are Conor Matthews Racing Manager, Jimmy O'Hanlon, Jason Buckley, Jack Traynor and Stephen Maher. Pic: Imelda Grauer
RAMPANT EDWARD SETS THE COLLAR PACE
Razldazl Edward was simply too sharp for his rival in the second semi-final.
Dolores Ruth’s promising youngster broke fastest from three and proceeded to make every inch. His conqueror of eight days earlier, De Foxy Devil emerged as a threat in second but could never get close enough to put any real pressure on.
Instead, Snowy April improved to go second at the third turn but was ultimately too far back to get to Razldazl Edward. The son of Ballymac Best and Boylesportstwink would hold on to beat Snowy April by a half length in 29.68. Da Real Madjack finished well to take third a further four lengths back.
WIZARD WITH A MAGIC DRAW
It got very tight into the turn in the opening heat with Aayamza Wizard making the most of his inside pitch emerge in front before going on to claim an eight-career victory for his owner Nalin Monerawela.
Forcing his way through on the fence, the son of Pestana and Aayamza Breeze emerged with a comfortable lead and maintained a strong gallop throughout to see off the staying on Invergarry by three and a half lengths in 30.04. Torpedo Turtle was best of the remainder in third, some five lengths further adrift.
KINGDOM FINDS A WAY
The third semi-final went right to the wire with just two shortheads separating the first three home, while there was only three lengths between first and last.
Ultimately, Gerry and Mirium Meaney’s Seek the Kingdom was in the right place to launch a decisive challenge on the run in.
Jetara set a strong gallop in six but steered a middle to wide path to leave room for his rivals to challenge around the last two bends. It seemed as though Old Chicago would be the most likely to capitalise when going to the front but he couldn’t hold Seek the Kingdom.
Never far off the pace, the Paul Hennessy trained son of Ballymac Vic and Jaytee Pearl drew closer around the last two bends before getting up ion the line to stop the clock in 30.28. Old Chicago was second and Jetara third.
BRO BOSSES FROM THE FRONT
Droopys Bro brought his career record to ten wins when emerging triumphant in the final of the Thanks To The Shelbourne Regulars Open 525.
The Murt Leahy trained son of Malachi and Droopys Cake broke smartly from trap two and would find himself clear of his rivals after avoiding opening bend scrimmaging.
Entering the back straight with plenty in hand, the Sweeney Todd Syndicate owned tracker would run out a ready thirteen length scorer over the staying on Arent We All in 28.38. Airdown Syd was best of the remainder, just a half length further adrift.
CUSHIE BRINGS TH CURTAIN DOWN
Cushie The Best was the final winner of 2024 when showing exceptional early speed to dominate in the concluding 525yd contest.
Owned by John Codd and Diana Brodie, the son of Allforthebest and Fatboyz Storm hadn’t been seen in racing action since July but it was scarcely evident.
Showing superb early speed, he would leave his rivals floundering to the third turn. He may have come back to the field but would comfortably hold Beretta Brandi by three and a half lengths in 28.37.
PRINCE RULES AGAIN
Prince Naseem continues to run at a high level for Kim Bergin and Shaun Conway and he raced to another superb victory in the seventh race, an open 550.
From an ideal draw on the fence, the son of Droopys Sydney and Razldazl Annie would contest in the lead into the turn before forcing his way to the front.
Both Phoenix Memphis and Hawkfield Blue went up fast on the outside of the track but neither could get across to their desired pitch on the fence. As they tangled, Prince Naseem made his move, shooting to the front with Unreal Unreal moving through into second.
Despite the best efforts of the latter, Prince Naseem was always in charge, maintaining a powerful gallop to beat Unreal Unreal by a length in 29.80.
SUPPLY SHINES BRIGHT
Droopys Supply hadn’t won a race since capturing the Consolation Laurels at Curraheen Park but he put that right in some style in the penultimate race on the card.
Only third in the early yards behind the fast-starting Brockagh Justine, he flew down the back straight to take the lead between the last two bends.
Trained by Johnny Linehan for the Patrick Janssens Racing Syndicate, the son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Fia maintained his momentum into the home straight to win by a length and a half from the early pace-setter in 28.43.
BLUE KEEPS FINDING
Liam Kirley and Thomas Garry’s Glenlara Blue added a twelfth victory to his tally in the opener over 575yds, leading from trap rise to repel long-time rival Black Eyed Turbo.
The latter did all she could to get back on terms but Glenlara Blue is very strong and the son of Droopys Sydney and Glenlara Rosa stayed on well to hold his rival by a half-length in 31.39.