MAGICAL MAG THE TOAST OF THE NORTH WEST WITH BRILLIANT OAKS VICTORY

Peter Farrell

The final of the €10,000-to-the-winner BOYLE Sports Lifford Oaks drew a bumper crowd to Lifford Stadium on Saturday night, and the evening belonged to Magical Mag, who further cemented her status as a leading contender for the 2025 Bitch of the Year title.

A red-hot final saw Patrick Guilfoyle rewarded for clocking up the miles in recent weeks, with no fewer than three of his runners lining up in the decider. Despite his strong hand, Magical Mag was always the trump card, with the Irish Derby finalist bidding to right a couple of wrongs after being collared in the closing yards in both her earlier rounds. Facing top-class opposition that included Dundalk track record holder Hackney Tango and the powerful Westway Rossa, Mag produced another electric display to add a second major title to her 2025 haul, having already captured the Kilcolgan Castle Connacht Derby at Galway earlier in the year.

MAG LIKE CLOCKWORK

Sent to traps as the 7/4 favourite, Magical Mag was expected to set a blistering gallop early, and she didn’t disappoint. Exploding from trap two, she clocked a sizzling 2.58 sectional to seize a narrow advantage into the opening bend, closely pursued by kennel companion Daleroad Mya in second. Further back, Westway Rossa occupied a threatening position from trap five, and given the pair’s finishing power, the leader looked vulnerable even at this early stage.

TANGO SETS OFF IN CHASE

The complexion of the race changed dramatically passing the sprint boxes as Daleroad Mya drifted wide, in turn costing the luckless Westway Rossa vital ground. That manoeuvre ended the hopes of both bitches, but it handed an opening to the Michael Taggart-trained Hackney Tango, who advanced stylishly into second and began to reduce the four-length gap to the leader. Out in splendid isolation, however, Magical Mag continued to dictate proceedings and, despite a thrilling finish in store, she wasn’t to be denied.

THRILLING FINISH

With Hackney Tango closing rapidly approaching the penultimate bend, the stamina question once again loomed large for Magical Mag. Having been caught late by Singalong Polly and Westway Rossa in recent outings, there would be no repeat this time. Finding an extra gear up the demanding Lifford hill, Mag dug deep to repel the late charge of ‘Tango’ and score by half a length, with Daleroad Mya a length and a half further back in third. The winning time was a sharp 28.69, capping a superb few weeks of top-class racing at Lifford and underlining the track’s resurgence as one of Ireland’s finest venues.

Congratulations are extended to Patrick Guilfoyle and his team, and sincere thanks go to BOYLE Sports for their continued and invaluable support of Irish greyhound racing.

AVENUE QUEEN RULES SUPREME

The NWGOBA A5/A6 525, the opening final on the card, set the tone for the evening as Brian Robinson’s exciting young prospect, Avenue Queen, ran out a comprehensive and deserving winner of the €2,000 prize.

Just a June whelp, Avenue Queen had been flawless in the opening round, winning impressively in 28.85. Although she secured her semi-final in 29.30, she entered the decider with plenty to prove against the fancied duo Tumble Bumble and Centenarys Leo. However, the promising youngster showcased her class and determination from the outset, producing a powerful display to score an emphatic success for her Co. Tyrone connections. Early on, Kimcat and Allegra Zaur set the tempo, but Avenue Queen showed exceptional pace from trap four, driving a superb first bend to assert between runners. From there, the daughter of King Elvis and Avenue Ana quickly opened up a four-length advantage down the back, extending her lead relentlessly to five and a quarter lengths at the line. Kimcat and Tumble Bumble filled the minor places, with the clock stopping at a smart 29.08. The stock of this lady continues to rise and the Robinson’s can now look forward to a fruitful 2026 with their sixteen-month-old charge.

BALLYMAC JEDGAR POWERS TO VICTORY AS KENNEL SECURES DOUBLE PODIUM FINISH

The final of the Northwest Greyhound Supplies A3/A4 525 also carried a €2,000 first prize, and it produced another hugely promising winner as Ballymac Jedgar prevailed in style.

Before the off, Alan Byrne and Rebecca Porter held a strong hand in the decider, represented by the two market leaders, Ballybun Ranger and Ballymac Jedgar. Things went perfectly to script early on as Ballybun Ranger quickly shrugged off his rivals to display his trademark early dash from trap three. He was followed into the back straight by Meenagh Manila and Ballymac Jedgar, and with the leader’s stamina limitations in mind, patrons were set for a thrilling finish approaching halfway. As Ballybun Ranger continued to repel the advancing Meenagh Manila at the penultimate bend, ‘Jedgar’ was going about his business with the composure of a veteran. Making rapid progress, he swept past Meenagh Manila before drawing level with his kennel companion approaching the hill. From there, the result looked inevitable, with Ballymac Jedgar powering up the straight to cross the line two lengths to the good. Owned by the Ballycrana Syndicate, the May ’24 whelp looks another excellent prospect, and the kennel can be well pleased with the outcome as Ballybun Ranger also secured a podium finish, just a half-length behind Meenagh Manila in third. The winning time was a smart 28.90.