KILCOLGAN CASTLE CONNACHT DERBY TO KICK-OFF IN STYLE

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored once again by Karen Geoghegan, the opening round heats of the 2026 Kilcolgan Castle Connacht Derby 550 take centre stage at Galway later tonight and it promises to be a high-class renewal, with five first-round heats on the card.

With a €9,000 winner’s prize on offer, several top-class trackers feature in the draw, all aiming to follow in the pawprints of Magical Mag, who went on to enjoy a phenomenal campaign, reaching the final of the BOYLE Sports Irish Derby before landing the BOYLE Sports Lifford Oaks at the end of 2025.

The likely outright favourite is Unanimous Leo. Trained by Pat Buckley for Ciaran O’Sullivan, the son of Glengar Bale has consistently competed at the highest level and arrives following a quarter-final exit in the Tote Gold Cup at Shelbourne Park. While he failed to produce his very best in that competition, he was notably unlucky in running on his latest start and showed clear signs of returning to form. A Laurels semi-finalist and winner of the prestigious Kilkenny Champion Unraced in 2025, he possesses immense early pace and, if adapting to Galway on debut, should hold a class edge over his heat two rivals. Of those, Galloping Jack appeals most, while Jacktavern Bull is open to significant improvement on his first run outside novice company.

Heat Watch

The curtain-raiser looks evenly matched, though Flyers Minnie may capitalise on a favourable inside draw. The Colm Fitzgerald-trained bitch boasts strong previous Galway form and progressed deep into the 2025 Irish St Leger at Limerick. Although still on the comeback trail, a recent 28.88 victory at Limerick is encouraging and the daughter of Ballyhimikin Jet can improve markedly on her recent 19.29 trial. Exclusion Order brings sharp Dundalk form and will race prominently to the bend, while Hollywell Merlin may be stepping up in grade but has valuable track knowledge and a prolific Galway strike-rate.

Graham Holland fields a strong team and Slippery Brian is expected to head the betting in heat three. Runner-up in the Munster Juvenile Christmas Cup final at Clonmel, he has a 28.43 best from just nine starts and has the potential for a big 2026 campaign for Larry Dunne. Robbies Twirl, who defeated established rivals last time out, and former AAO performer Gallant Captain, whose recent Shelbourne Park efforts have been encouraging, look the principal dangers.

The Divilly family will hope for success on home soil with Crafty Bisto in heat four. The son of Raha Mofo, a former Galway Oaks winner, arrives off a fast 18.84 Shelbourne trial, signaling his readiness for this Derby campaign. Drawn in six, he also recorded a rapid 28.29 at Cork late in 2025 and could emerge as a dark horse for outright honours. Grouchos Gregor, who posted a sizzling 18.66 Limerick trial for Pat Buckley, clearly has ability, while Donishall Sam brings solid recent form after a 28.63 performance.

In the concluding heat, Gaytime Clyde seeks back-to-back wins after a recent 28.60 success at Clonmel. Another from the Holland kennel, Brendan O’Connell’s powerful 78-pound son of Droopys Sydney impressed on that occasion and should be well suited by Galway’s demanding circuit. Breaghmore Dice, returning from a layoff, commands respect in trap two, while Derrymoyle Bono offers proven track knowledge and dipped under 29 seconds on his most recent start for Owen McDonagh.

BEBETO TO KEEP ON SCORING

Before the Derby action, the ON2/ON3 350 final provides strong support, with Noelles Bebeto chasing a fourth consecutive victory.

Jointly owned by Noelle and James Divilly, ‘Bebeto’ has impressed in each round, finishing strongly to maintain a flawless record up to this point. Although only a short-head winner in the semi-finals, the son of Dromana Bucko remains on an upward curve and looks the one to beat from trap six. Headford Evie poses a threat if breaking level from trap five, while Grangeview Tina, ideally drawn in trap one, will attempt to reverse recent form with the favourite.