MAGIC MOFO RETIRES AS ONE OF THE GREATS

Ian Fortune

In a racing career that spanned almost exactly a year and a half, Raha Mofo made both a meteoric rise up the ranks before establishing herself as one of the truly great bitches of modern times.

Sadly, Marissa Molloy confirmed in recent days that the brilliant daughter of Droopys Sydney has run her final race after exiting the Derby at the semi-final stages.

The best news is that she retires in full health and will make her way to the breeding paddocks when she comes in season.

THE START OF HER JOURNEY

Her journey to stardom began at Kilkenny in February 2022 and it’s fair to say her first few steps were baby ones.

She won on debut in 29.50 before winning her second at Shelbourne in 29.19. Certainly, it was a decent start but just over three months later she would be going a full second faster.

After a run of six straight defeats, in which she clearly learnt plenty, she was entered in a two-run A5 stake at Shelbourne Park. This was where things really started to click. She broke 29 seconds for the first time in her career in the semis, as she emerged a comfortable winner in 28.99.

A week later, she produced the run that was to set her on a path to classic glory. Sent off a 4-5 favourite, she got loose early before pulling right away to win by over ten lengths in a rapid 28.26.

That run came just a fortnight before the start of the Oaks. And so, the decision was an easy one. With her jumping up to top grade anyway, they may as well enter her for the bitch classic.

As memory serves, this scribe spoke to Murt Leahy around the time and he said, “sure where else can we go now?”. Given her massive jump up in grade for the opening round, it’s no surprise she was sent to traps a 10-1 chance. She may not have won, but she produced a spectacular display in defeat. Coming from out of the clouds, she stormed home to be beaten just a short head in 28.29.

THE ROAD TO OAKS GLORY

The cat was now out of the bag. This was a bitch of incredible potential and over the next few weeks she emerged as one of the leading fancies for Oaks glory.

Winning in 28.15 in the second round and 28.16 in the semi-finals, it was no surprise she was amongst the favourites on final night.

Scooby Duchess, the warm favourite, got loose at the head of affairs but Raha Mofo turned second and the rest is history. Displaying all her brute pace and strength, she collared the long-time leader in the dying yards for a fairytale victory by a half length in 28.14. Just six weeks after winning an A5 competition, she was a classic winner.

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A GALWAY HOMECOMING

Through the remainder of her racing career, he was amongst the very fastest in training.

Soon after her Oaks success, she finished fourth in the Dundalk International, made an early exit from the Derby before reaching the semi-finals of the Juvenile Derby before journeying to Galway, the home to her owners Marissa and Stephen Molloy, for a crack at the Galway Oaks.

The return to bitch company saw her produce a series of exceptional displays. She broke the long-standing track record in the opening round before bettering her own mark in the semis with a sensational 28.20 return. 

She duly followed up in the final, seeing off a top-class field with a brilliant three and a half length victory in 28.52. Her final race of 2022 came at the Winter Racing Festival and, while he didn’t win after a slow start, she ran a remarkable race, again finishing like an express train to finish third.

BACK FOR MORE IN 2023

She was given a small break but returned in 2023 with many bigger race targets in her sights.

It took her a few races to get back to full speed but, unfortunately for her Limerick Oaks rivals, she was back to her best by late April.

In mid-May she ran out a brilliant winner of the Epic Hero Limerick Oaks, posting a sizzling 28.23. It was then time to defend her Sporting Press Irish Oaks title. Things were certainly going to plan in the early rounds. She won in 28.31 in the opening round but went considerably faster a week later.

In fact, she produced the near perfect display as she left some talented rivals in her dust before clocking a sensational 27.96. Not only had she posted the fastest time of the year at Shelbourne Park but she also entered the history books as one of the fastest bitches to ever race around the famous Ringsend circuit.   

Unfortunately, her Oaks defense came to a halt a week later as she badly missed the start before making her exit. She wasn’t idle for long, however, as she was in action in the semi-finals of the race of Champions some six days later.

Coming from a mile off the pace, she led late for an incredible short head success in 29.65. She would finish second in the final but, in doing so, would produce one of the most eye-caching runs of her career.

Ballinabola Ed got loose down the back straight and that was that, but Raha Mofo made up a startling amount of ground, displaying her well-being and giving a preview of what was to come in the Dundalk International.

AN EPIC DUNDALK VICTORY

Only fourth a year earlier when still a puppy, Raha Mofo again unleashed an incredible performance to win the valuable invitation race.

There was a stellar field but it didn’t faze Raha Mofo. Only fifth into the turn, she avoided traffic to sit a bad third into the far side.

Brookside Richie, one of the UK’s best set a searching gallop, while Ballinabola Ed looked the main threat. Raha Mofo had other ideas. Closing rapidly around the last two bends, she launched an incredible challenge as they turned for home.

Powering to the line, she got up to lead on the line for a short head victory. It was a special night for Stephen and Marissa Molly, who were lucky enough to own her through her racing career. For Murt Leahy and his family, it was also one of the great occasions.

Speaking after the race, her lucky owners and trainer suggested it could be the end of the line as she was due in season. It never came and she was given one last chance to shine on the biggest stage. Back to Shelbourne she went for a crack at the Derby.

HER DERBY SWANSONG

Ultimately, it wasn’t meant to be.

Despite making the semis, she was never at her best and, after Saturday’s elimination behind The Other Kobe, the right decision was made to call it a day.

Bred by Stevie Dunne, the daughter Droopys Sydney and Clares Queen was a true star. Few could match her for pure pace and power and she leaves us with some incredible memories. Given her incredibly ability, her superb pedigree and undoubted desire to win, she could be a really top-class brood in the future.

It was no surprise to any that he was named 2022 Bitch of the Year at the National Greyhound Awards but for those connected to her she was the bitch of a lifetime. Thanks for the memories Mofo. Have a long and healthy retirement.