BOOMER LANDS MAIDEN DERBY ON CRACKING SHELBOURNE CARD

Ian Fortune

On a night of fine displays, the headlines went to Shanahee Boomer at Shelbourne Park on Saturday as he raced to a fine victory in the final of the 2025 Shelbourne Maiden Derby, completing his unbeaten march through the valuable competition in the process.

While his winning time wasn’t the fastest on the card on a night when Derby clues were coming thick and fast, it was the most notable run with the son of Good News and Droopys Dream picking up €10,000 for his owners, the Bate The Ditch Syndicate.

This was a very similar display to those that had come from the Kieren Lynch trained star earlier in the competition. Showing real alacrity at boxes, he was in front from the opening stride. His main market rival, Coloursaregreen wasn’t quite as fluent at boxes but did fly into the turn to sit a close second behind Shanahee Boomer.

The pair did bump at the second turn, costing both a little momentum but Shanahee Boomer retains his advantage. Coloursaregreen did all he could to close, as did Lennies Dream on the inside a close third but there was no catching the leader.

Lennies Dream had the door closed on her at the third turn, causing traffic to herself and the remaining runners in behind. Shanahee Boomer and Coloursaregreen were now clear of the pack and the order never changed. Showing the same pluck and determination that had seen him win his two previous starts, Shanahee Boomer went on to see off Coloursaregreen by three lengths in 29.60.

LILAC BLOOMS WITH A FLASHY DISPLAY

The other valuable final up for decision was that of the Shelbourne Museum Open 550 and there was a real turn up with Derby runner-up and recent Dundalk International winner Cheap Sandwiches turned over at very restrictive odds by the rapidly progressive, Pat Buckley trained, Flashing Lilac. 

This turned into a tremendous race with Flashing Lilac flashing from four to lead the field into the turn. Cheap Sandwiches didn’t time his start as well and was forced to play catch up. He displayed his class to join the leader early in the back straight and may have held a narrow advantage at halfway but Flashing Lilac is no shrinking violet.

In what was just her sixth career start, the well bred daughter of Grangeview Ten and Global Glengar put her head down to assert into the third turn. Cheap Sandwiches tried as he could to rally but Flashing Lilac meant business.

Staying on stoutly for her owners James Cordon and Emma Buckley, Flashing Lilac would go on to beat Cheap Sandwiches by three and a half lengths in 29.47. Remarkably this was her first career victory but, have no doubt, she will be a force going forward.

OREO WITH A SWEET DISPLAY IN CONSOLATION

Oreo Ollie, owned by the Randon Bag Syndicate, produced a fine display to win the Consolation final of the Shelbourne Maiden Derby.

The even money favourite ahead of the race, the Jack Kennelly trained son of Good News and Deelish Oreo would prove too sharp for his rivals, leading from the outset to eventually see off Brunch Pal by two lengths in 29.69. 

PAT CLOSE TO HIS BRILLIANT BEST

Bombay Pat was the fastest of the many winners over 550yds with the exceptional son of Pestana and Clear Mountain emerging a comfortable winner of the penultimate race on the card, again highlighting his obvious credentials ahead of the Derby.

Owned by Pat Muldoon and Eugene Buckley, the Graham Holland trained superstar was headed into the turn by Magical Mag but swept past that rival on the second turn to emerge a comfortable winner by two and a half lengths in 29.32. 

DEPLOY BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Droopys Deploy was back to his best in the seventh race, a mini open 550.

Remarkably this was his first win since landing the Northern Puppy Derby, a category 1 event, at Newcastle in February. Representing Robert Gleeson and Paul Allen, the son of Malachi and Droopys Charm moved to the front on the corner and proceeded to make all thereafter for a two length success over Ventry Faith in a quick 29.44.

MAJOR LEAVES IT LATE

Magical Major justified favouritism in the ninth race on the card but he had to work harder than many expected with the hugely promising son of King Sheeran and Magical Mary only getting up on the line to chin the long-time pace-setter Ballymac Kamala.

Both Ballymac Kamala and Magical Major displayed fine early speed but, off a better start from four, the former got first run into the turn. On the Other hand, Magical Major took a couple of bumps into the bend and was forced to check at the turn as Ballymac Kamala drove across him.

The pair raced first and second down the back but Magical Major had to wait his turn to challenge the leader and, after being forced to check his stride again at the third turn, he made his move on the run in. In a desperate finish, Pat Guilfoyle’s star got up to beat his rival by a short head in 29.75. It seems safe to suggest there is much better to come from the winner and runner-up.

BIG JIM TAKES HIS OPPORTUNITY

The wonderfully popular Ballinabola Jim took the third race, a veteran’s open 550 for Brendan Murphy and the Murphy Ballinabola Syndicate.

Prominent into the opening bend, he took his chance to take over as those on his inner clashed. Once going to the front, there was no way he was going to get picked up. The massive son of Good News and Ballinabola Rum would go on to beat Magical Sapphire by a length and a half in 29.99.

RAMPANT ROSSA

The evening’s entertainment began with the talented Westway Rossa leaving her rivals standing in an Open 575.

Trained by Damian Maginn for Henry Scimia, the high-class daughter of Good News and Ballydoyle Rossa would dominate. She would go on to beat the always second Timmys Bucks by two lengths in 31.22.

ORATOR ADDS TO TALLY

Racing ended with The Punch Drunk Four Syndicate owned Droopys Orator producing a big run over the standard trip.

His record recently read one win from sixteen starts but after a fine success last time, he can now boast a three in eighteen record.

Again, early speed was the key to success for the son of Droopys Scolari and Droopys Beaufort. Although he didn’t break as fast as his previous start, he did go up fast to lead on the bend. The Murt Leahy trained speedster would go on to beat De Bono Lad by two and a half lengths in 28.47. 

COSMANAUT IN ORBIT

Cosmonaut may have been a 10-1 chance ahead of the mini open fourth race over 550yds but she looked comfortable in her surroundings and would proceed to make every inch.

Seamus McCloskey’s daughter of Jacob Tashadelek and Foyle Lucy would hit the ground running to make all. The hot favourite Calloway Five gave chase down the back straight after making a recovery from a slow start but could never worry the leader. Cosmonaut would go on to win by two lengths in 29.82.

MARTY FOLLOWS UP

Hazelhill Marty followed up his latest impressive display by winning the mini open second race for Ruby and Suzanna Collins.

The son of Pestana and Hazelhill Mint has fine early dash and he used it to great effect, riding a bump on the turn to go to the front. Old Chicago pushed hard for the remainder but Hazelhill Marty would emerge a length on top in 28.87.