JOE HANDS BUCKLEY A RECORD SEVENTH CESAREWITCH WIN

Ian Fortune

Ballinabola Joe justified favouritism in the TIME Irish Cesarewitch at Mullingar on Sunday afternoon to hand Pat Buckley a record-extending seventh win in the midlands classic.

Thus was the perfect example of a greyhound stamping their class on a contest.

Breaking on terms, the 6-5 favourite quickly asserted at the head of affairs, showing tremendous early speed. Actindamaggot was a clear second into the bend with Droopys Roar on his outer. Just behind were Flight Club and Durrow Star.

In truth, this contest was never in the balance. Ballinabola Joe turned into the back straight with just over three lengths in hand. Actindamaggot turned second but could never get any closer. By halfway, Ballinabola Joe had gone even further clear.

Actindamaggot remained second but Durrow Star, after taking a bump on the corner, was now starting to motor and closing on the second. At the third turn, Durrow Star shot past Actindamaggot to go second and began to close on the leader.

Ballinabola Joe was a little more fluent at the third turn than seven days earlier and he needed to be. Durrow Star was now in full flight and doing all he could to close on the leader but it was meant to be for Ballinabola Joe.

Owned by the Murphy Ballinabola Syndicate, the son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Ballinabola Ruby turned for home with over three lengths in hand and, despite coming back to the chasers, held on to beat Durrow Star by a length in 33.34. Flight Club also ran on strongly to finish three lengths further back in third.

It was a decisive display from the winner and a famous one for Pat Buckley. After capturing his first Cesarewitch back in 2007 with Micks Savings, he has now won the classic seven times with Paradise Maverik (2015), Droopys Acrobat (2016), Bobsleigh Dream (2023) and Singalong Dolly (2024, 2025) all emerging on top in the classic or the Cappawhite based handler.