ANOTHER VERY SPECIAL NIGHT AS WINTER RACING FESTIVAL CONCLUDES
Ian Fortune
Since its debut as the Night of Stars in 2012, the RCÉ Winter Racing Festival has delivered countless memorable evenings at Shelbourne Park.
Saturday was no different, as the 2025 edition wrapped up in style, offering plenty of reasons for optimism as celebrations stretched long into the night.
The racing was exceptional from start to finish, producing standout performances and compelling storylines. Some will say a few of the results were written in the stars with De Lahdedah and Glengar Martha ending their career in real style, while Shotgun Dez completed his march through the National Puppy Stake ahead of Derby champion Cheap Sandwiches seeing off a young pretender to his crown. There also happened to be a UK winner in the form of Droopys Flare. It really was a special night with each of the twelve winners deserving their moment in the spotlight.
SHOTGUN FIRES TO LAND NATIONAL PUPPY STAKE
The most valuable race on the card was of course the final of the IGOBF national Puppy Stake and those that stuck with Shotgun Dez to complete his unbeaten march through the famous competition would have been most happy with themselves as he did just that.
(Pic right) Pat Flanagan Chairman GRI presents the trophy to Molly Muldoon after Shotgun Dez won the 2025 I.G.O.B.F National Puppy Final. Also included are Pat Muldoon and winning connections. Pic: Imelda Grauer
This was a contest decided on the run to the turn. Both Ballycowen Frank and Beanos Yank came away racing but so too did Shotgun Dez between them. Showing fine early speed to lead by a length, he again ran the most fluent opening bend to enter the back straight with a couple of lengths in hand.
By halfway he had increased his advantage over his kennel companion Beanos Yank, although the latter did close again into the third turn. It mattered little. Once taking the third turn in front, Shotgun Dez was never going to relinquish his lead. Ballycowen Frank did finish with real purpose to take second, but Shotgun Dez was never threatened. The son of King Sheeran and Danish Robyn emerged a deserving winner for Pat and Molly Muldoon, crossing the line three lengths clear in 28.17. Ballycowen Frank took second but was suspended for fighting after swerving across the track to make contact with Beanos Yank, who would eventually finish just a short head away in third.
SANDWICHES TOOK HIS CHANCE WHEN IT ARRIVED
Cheap Sandwiches and Ballymac Setanta went toe to toe in the WRF Championship 550 and while the former backed up his incredible Derby success, his rival gave warning that he is going to be a sensational performer in 2026.
(Pic right) Dylan Brennan Racing Manager presents the trophy to Dan Brassil and the Bark Wahlberg Syndicate after Cheap Sandwiches won the Winter Racing Festival Championship 550. Also included are handlers Rachel Holland and Garry Walsh. Pic: Imelda Grauer
This was another exceptional contest with the best in training locking horns. The Graham Holland trained Cheap Sandwiches broke smartly from six and we waited for him to serge clear, but Ballymac Setanta had other ideas. Forcing his way into second, he challenged Cheap Sandwiches on the turn despite taking a little bump from Epic Ace. It was a case of ‘race on’.
Hackney Corner turned right behind them in third but could never get to the leaders despite showing superb pace. There was nothing between the front two as they entered the back straight, but Ballymac Setanta ran an incredible second corner to carry more momentum and he edged on.
Ballymac Setanta continued to dictate into the third turn, but Cheap Sandwiches remained a strong challenger. And then the complexion of the race changed. Ballymac Setanta seemed to take a false step at the third turn, perhaps brushing the rail, and it handed the initiative to Cheap Sandwiches.
The brilliant Derby champion didn’t need to be asked a second time. Driving to the front, the Bark Wahlberg Syndicate owned son of Burgess Bucks and Hearthill Josie went on to beat Ballymac Setanta by three lengths in 29.50. Hackney Corner also ran a huge race to finish just a length adrift in third.
RANGER AT HIS RAZOR-SHARP BEST
Graham Holland would complete a quick double in the very next race, the WRF Championship 525 with Kirby Memorial champion Faypoint Ranger producing a scintillating display of front running to contain the gallant efforts of both Solo And Go and Lemon Joey.
Patricia Flanagan’s Faypoint Ranger has recently returned to his best form and it was clear from the opening stride that he was on a mission. The brilliant son of Coolavanny Hoff and Carefree Tipp was razor sharp, comfortably leading a stacked field into the turn.
Solo And Go didn’t get off to his best start but forced his way into second with Lemon Joey turning third. While the order never changed, it did get exciting. Faypoint Ranger would continue to make every inch but Solo And Go closed on him to the third turn before making one last challenge on the run in.
It wasn’t meant to be for the Laurels runner-up, however. Faypoint Ranger dug in to win by three parts of a length in 28.28. Solo And Go ran his heart out in second with Lemon Joey running another massive race in third, another three parts of a length back.
DE LAHDEDAH SIGHS OFF WITH A THRILLING VICTORY
It was written in the stars that De Lahdedah would win the finale, the WRF Championship 600 in what many suspected would be his final ever race.
(Pic right) Dylan Brennan Racing Manager presents the trophy to Kevin and Ronan O'Connor and the Garsuns Syndicate after De Lahdedah won the Winter Racing Festival Championship 600. Pic: Imelda Grauer
Coosane Pickles did all she could to change the narrative, finishing at speed to force the judge into action, but De Lahdedah held on for yet another famous victory.
As expected Lookandlep led the field into the turn but he was in trouble when De Lahdedah went up a close second. Running a wonderful line off the second turn, De Lahdedah soon headed his rival and it seemed as though he would have a victory lap to end his career.
That thought quickly disappeared, however, as Coosane Pickles began to move forward with real menace into the third turn. Going second as they neared the final turn, Coosane Pickles was perfectly positioned to make her challenge.
She didn’t even run as wide as she has done in recent starts, which may have spelled trouble for De Lahdedah but for his brilliance and determination. In a thrilling finish, Coosane Pickles came at De Lahdedah and the pair crossed the line locked in battle. Soon after the judge announced that the Garsuns Syndicate owned De Lahdedah had held on by a short head in 32.22.
Coosane Pickles played her part in making this the perfect end to what was a stunning weekend of greyhound racing action but, ultimately, De Lahdedah was the right winner. Liam Dowling confirmed after the race that it was the swansong for the brilliant son of Lenson Bocko Ballymac Sarahjo. For over two and a half years he was amongst the very best in training and retires an English Derby winner with a CV to die for.
AGE IS BUT A NUMBER FOR BRILLIANT MARTHA
We have said it many times on this very page that Glengar Martha must be the greatest joy to be involved in.
Almost two months after her fourth birthday, she continues to run with great zest and her victory in the WRF Championship Bitch 525 was her fourth win on the spin.
As you would expect, she was prominent from the outset but it was Silverhill Freya that actually held a narrow lead into the bend. Glengar Martha was on her shoulder on the outside of the field while both Westway Rossa and Magical On Fire were close on the inside of the track.
Something had to give. As Silverhill Freya attempted to cut the turn, there was bumping amongst the quartet. Magical On Fire pushed Westway Rossa into Silverhill Freya, who in turn bumped Glengar Martha.
The Pat Buckley trained star rode the bump better than her rivals, showing fine balance, and found herself at the head of affairs into the back straight. Magical On Fire recovered to turn second and set her sights on the leader but it was futile.
In what was potentially her final career start, Glengar Martha was on her way to another famous success. The brilliant daughter of Droopys Sydney and Glengarbadminton maintained a superb gallop to the finish to see off Magical On Fire by a length and a half in 28.50. Owner Bill Wood was on hand to collect the trophy and looked absolutely delighted with his star and why wouldn’t he. It was the thirtieth success of her remarkable career.
FLARE FIRES FOR THE UK
As has been the case many times in the past, there was a winner for the UK in the form of Droopys Flare as she displayed real strength and track craft to capture the WRF Championship 750.
Owners Sean Parker and John Stubbings deserved a bit of luck having made the choice to come across the Irish Sea as the sole UK challenger over the weekend and their charge certainly didn’t let them down.
This was a messy affair but Droopys Flare avoided much of the traffic sitting at the tail of the field after losing her position in the early yards. Up front, the reserve Ballymac Chantry was attempting to get loose but Killacolla Hill was proving a tough nut to crack.
The pair bumped a couple of times before becoming entangled at the third turn after the stands. It was at this point that whole complexion of the race changed. Dashing Toro was left in front as the front runners lost their position and momentum. Born To Perform chased him into second, while Droopys Flare would also improve her position, disputing third as they entered the back straight.
As they hit the fifth turn, it was clear that Droopys Flare was starting to move like a potential winner although he had to find the gaps. Staying tight to the fence, that’s exactly what she did. Squeezing through a narrow gap on the rail, Droopys Flare hit the front as they entered the home straight.
The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Dancer may have sat off the pace in the early stages but she knew where the line was and would eventually win by four lengths from Ballymac Chantry in 42.51.
THOSE FAITHFUL TO DROOPYS ARE REWARDED
Droopys Faithful is without question one of Ireland’s fastest performers and her run in the WRF Championship 575 is clear evidence of the fact.
Taking on the likes of last year’s winner Bombay Pat and Derby finalist Glengar Silent, she was entitled to be a decent price but those that stayed ‘faithful’ to the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Curio were greatly rewarded.
This was a most professional display from Daniel O’Rahilly’s brilliant bitch. Flashing from trap three, she comfortably led into the turn. Bombay Pat recovered from a tardy start to turn second and he did all he could to close but Droopys Faithful was on a charge to the third turn.
Posting a rapid 18.20 sectional to the third turn, she put herself in the perfect position to score. Bombay Pat would run out of steam on the run in and Glengar Silent would then emerge as the nearest danger but he found himself with too much to do.
Droopys Faithful may have tied up but she held the fast-finishing Glengar Silent by two lengths in a brilliant 30.67. But for tiring on the run in, the track record could have been in danger.
MORE MAGIC FROM MAG
Magical Mag was simply majestic as she landed the WRF Open Bitch 525 to follow up her recent Lifford Oaks success.
Pat Guilfoyle’s daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Mystical Luna, who was a Derby finalist back in September, was simply too sharp for her rivals.
Flashing from five, she quickly mastered Imokilly Roxanne into the bend to build a sizeable advantage as her rivals bumped on the turn. It was little more than a procession for Magical Mag thereafter as she raced to a facile six length victory o0ver Ballydoyle Tina in a sizzling 28.13.
BRILLIANT START AS BOY WINS JUVENILE
There was a sensational start to the action with Getup The Boy and Hackney Mati driving to the line locked in battle in the WRF Juvenile 525.
This was a proper race between the pair. It was soon evident this was a two-dog affair with Hackney Mati flying to the turn but pursued by Getup The Boy.
As they entered the back straight, the Mark Robinson trained Juvenile Derby champion Getup The Boy made his move, joining Hackney Mati to halfway before forging on. Once hitting the third turn with a clear advantage, it seemed a lost cause for those in behind but Hackney Mati had other ideas.
Staying on really strongly, Hackney Mati closed on the leader to force the judge into action. Getup The Boy had done enough, however. Daniel Ornstein’s brilliant son of Ballymac Cashout and Peckies Flyer held off Hackney Mati to win by a head in a sizzling 28.18.
WHAT A DOLL
Over the years the WRF Open 850 has had a habit of throwing up big-price winners and Oll The Doll kept that tradition going with a superb front running display at odds of 11-1.
Andrew Lynch’s daughter of Droopys Sydney and Glowing Exile was pretty much friendless in the market, but she clearly didn’t mind.
Flashing from trap four, she soon had a clear advantage and no matter how many tried to come at her, she kept finding. Daleroad Poppy gave chase for much of the way but could never get close enough to worry the leader, while Priceless On Ice came through in the latter stages.
Oll The Doll was up to the challenge, however, and she strode out to hit the line three lengths to the good in 47.88. Priceless On Ice was second.
ANCORA SHARPEST IN SPRINT
Sogna Ancora had been off the track for a spell prior to his appearance in the WRF Sprint but it was scarcely evident as he displayed fine early speed and determination on the corner to emerge a deserving winner for Jack Kennelly and the Swedish House Party Syndicate.
Both he and Ballymac Brandan flashed from traps and contested the lead into the bend only to be joined by Stefans Galaxy on their inner. Importantly, Stefans Galaxy checked his stride at this point, leaving the Sogna Ancora and Ballymac Brandan to turn first and second.
With the inside line in his favour, Sogna Ancora edged on before containing the renewed challenge of his rival on the long run to the line. The brindle son of Grangeview Ten and Terezas Mendoza dug in to see off Ballymac Brandan by a half-length in 18.75.
A STRONG OPINION
Moira Costiagn’s Mydras Opinion was simply too strong for his rivals in the WRF Open 550, turning a good second before overpowering long-time pace-setter Oreo Ollie.
The latter set a searching gallop from trap four but the writing was on the wall when Mydras Opinion turned in his slipstream.
Known more for his power than early speed, Mydras Opinion was always going to finish with a flourish so he was always going to win once joining Oreo Ollie on the third turn. The Owen McKenna trained son of Deerjet Sydney and Mydras Dawn gradually eased away to eventually cross the line two and a half lengths clear of Oreo Ollie in 29.86.