SPECIAL NIGHT IN DUBLIN AS CHAMPIONS SET TO BE CROWNED
Ian Fortune
Shelbourne Park is a special place that provides special nights and tonight is certainly one of them with three major finals up for decision, while the entire ten-race card is packed with incredible quality.
The feature is, of course, the Boylesports Champion Stakes but there is also huge interest in the final of the Boylesports Champion Plate and the Celtic Cooling Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Open Unraced 525.
Throw in a few races featuring some very exciting pups on the undercard and it really has all the makings of one of the great nights of 2025.
The Boylesports Champion Stake was first run in 1986 and in the almost 40-year history of the competition, many of the greatest names to grace the sport have emerged triumphant. Tonight, another exceptional line-up will challenge for the €20,000 prize, although it will be a five-dog affair following the sad news that Ballyhooly Bruno has been withdrawn after picking up a toe injury.
BEACH SEEKING MORE BIG RACE GLORY
In his absence, a select group will look to take advantage of the extra racing room. Favourite to land the prize is the all-conquering Seven Beach. Since the turn of the year, the Jennifer O’Donnell trained superstar has won the Gold Cup, Select Stakes and most recently the Race of Champions in track record breaking fashion.
He may have suffered a rare reversal in the semis but is a worthy favourite. Should he produce one of his famed flying starts, the son of Pestana would soon emerge as the one to beat at the head of affairs. Likewise, any mistakes at boxes would leave him vulnerable.
Were he to come home in front, he would hand his dual Derby winning handler a first Champion Stakes to follow in the footsteps of her legendary father, the late great Matt O’Donnell, who won the famous competition all the way back in 1991 with the wonderful Ardfert Mick.
DASHING DANICA A BIG PLAYER
Standing in his way are a talented bunch, led by the resurgent Ballymac Danica. A star in her youth, she has returned to form in recent weeks, going deep in the Oaks before producing a massive run in the semi-finals when lowering the colours of Seven Beach.
Paw-perfect at boxes, the daughter of Ballymac Cooper was dominant in a 29.56 success. There is perhaps further room for improvement but that will require another flying start. Liam Dowling has been patient with his star, who missed much of 2024 and early 2025, and could be about to reap the rewards.
Win or lose, she certainly seems ready to be a star through the second half of the year and will no doubt be aimed at the Derby for which she is certainly capable of emerging a leading contender. She also has something of a Champion Stakes pedigree about her with her brilliant dam Ballymac Arminta landing the famous prize back in 2019, one of two victories for Liam Dowling who also won the event in 2014 with Ballymac Vic.
HARVEY HOPING TO HAND GRAHAM A HAT TRICK
Garham Holland is also chasing a third Champion Stakes after the victories of Sidarian Vega and the sensational Clares Rocket in 2015 and 2016. He is represented by the remarkably consistent Faypoint Harvey.
Drawn to perfection in one, he is a very natural starter and has the all-round pace to challenge the best in the business. There is no doubt he will need to dictate the pace if he is to come home in front but the son of Droopys Sydney is capable of doing so.
He was only picked up on the line in the semi-finals by the powerful Lennies Desire and his many followers will be hoping he can go one better this evening. Certainly, at odds of 4-1 with the sponsors, he will attract support.
LENNIES WITH THE DESIRE
The aforementioned Lennies Desire lines out in the stripes of six. Representing Paul Hennessy, who is seeking an incredible seventh Champion Stakes title, the inexperienced son of Signet Ace has shown that he has an engine to match any greyhound in training.
His finest hour came when smashing the track record at Towcester but he proved in the semi-finals of this stake that the 550yd trip around Shelbourne Park is his future. Showing incredible pace and strength, he came from off the pace to collar Faypoint Harvey in the final stride and there seems every chance he can go up faster.
Have little doubt, Lennies Desire has the pace and power to be a potent force for the remainder of his career and he is seen as a serious threat to all.
CASH NEEDS TO GET LOOSE
That leaves us with Cheque For Cash. He has long been a top-class performer for his lucky owners, the Cash Back Syndicate, and handler Karol Ramsbottom. Much like many of his rivals, he has superb early speed and will be looking to get off the front.
He recently set new figures for the 550yd trip at Tralee, only to lose his record to Seven Beach soon after, but it went to highlight his well-being. Despite failing to get daylight on his rivals in the semi-finals, he dug deep to take second spot and it would be no surprise to see him again making his presence felt despite being the outsider of the field. That fact that he is not double-figure odds highlights the fact that the layers respect his chances and rightly so.
A WONDERFUL DECIDER
It's a wonderful Champions Stakes decider. Yes, it would be better if Ballyhooly Bruno was taking his spot but it remains a hugely competitive contest.
Seven Beach is a worthy favourite and after showing great bravery and determination to qualify in the semis, he is chosen to reverse the form with Ballymac Danica. The latter is clearly a massive threat and won’t be shy of support, while it’s hard to see how Lennies Desire finishes out of the frame. He too is greatly respected. Best of luck to all.
Celtic Cooling Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Open Unraced
BRILLIANT YOUNGSTERS ON SHOW IN CELTIC UNRACED
There are a few potential 2026 Champion Stakes challengers on show in the final of the Celtic Cooling Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Open Unraced. The big two in the market ahead of the €15,000 decider are Magical Major and Ballymac Stud and both have shown enough to suggest they could be very special.
Certainly, it would be no surprise if either were to develop into superstars, while fastest semi-final winner, and litter brother to the favourite Magical Major, Coloursaregreen also falls into that bracket.
Throw in the very promising trio of Highview Paul, Getup The Boy and Pennys Nugget and it is a race we will be looking back on in the future and reflecting on the incredible quality that emerged from it.
Ballymac Stud and Highview Paul will defend an unbeaten record this evening but Magical Major is chosen to emerge triumphant. He won on debut in 28.23, looking quite raw in the process, before finishing a close second last week despite finding plenty of traffic throughout.
It was a massive run in defeat and one that suggested a rails draw will really play to his strengths. Ballymac Stud and Coloursaregreen are drawn in three and four and will have plenty of support but neither can afford to allow Magical Major up their inside.
Highview Paul is also likely to go up strongly but he may struggle to dictate from a trap five draw, while Getup The Boy and Pennys Nugget will need to improve considerably on previous form to claim this valuable prize.
Magical Major has been introduced a short-priced favourite for a reason. He has the perfect draw on the fence, seems to be improving with each run and is ready to go exceptionally fast. If starting on terms, he could quickly take a grip of the contest and is selected to lead home Ballymac Major and Coloursaregreen.
DIEGO SET TO STRIKE IN PLATE
There is also a quality line-up in the Boylesports Champion Plate decider. Born Braver was withdrawn during the week but he is to b replaced by Lotto Other News. Favourite to land the €4,000 prize is the powerful Hello Diego.
An impressive semi-final winner in 29.56, the Paul Hennessy trained powerhouse will wear his beloved stripes and seems likely to steer a wide path, potentially avoiding any traffic. With a clear passage, he will be difficult to contain given his immense power and strength.
Of his rivals, the aforementioned Lotto Other News is a possible pace-setter on the inside of the track, although he will be vulnerable if one of his strong running rivals gets loose behind him.
Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Jester and Ballymac Tibet are both greatly respected. The former threw himself to the line to score last week, posting 29.78, while Ballymac Tibet went a spot faster when running on well behind Hello Diego.
Of the pair, it’s easier to make a case for Ballymac Jester as he seems to have more early dash than his kennelmate.
Lennies Madge is also respected after an eye-catching run in defeat last week. She flew from the second turn, making up plenty of ground on Ballymac Jester, and it would be no surprise to see her make the frame.
Clona Comet is one of the outsiders of the field but is also more than capable of racing prominently. His presence is a concern for those on his flanks but he would need to turn in front to land a telling blow.
It’s a terrific contest but Hello Diego seems to be in the form of his career and a repeat of his latest display could be just enough to get the better oft Ballymac Jester and Lennies Madge.