REASONS TO CELEBRATE AS WINTER RACING FESTIVAL CONCLUDES
Ian Fortune
Since it was first introduced to the calendar as the Night of Stars in 2012, the RCÉ Winter Racing Festival has provided so many great nights at Shelbourne Park.
That was again the case at the famous venue on Saturday as the 2024 festival came to a wonderful conclusion and provided more reasons to be optimistic as the celebrations went long into the evening.
There were incredible performances throughout and so many wonderful storylines. Graham Holland’s all-conquering Riverside Kennels outfit had another night to remember, sending out four winners, while owners John and Callum Purdy experienced one of their best nights in the sport.
RUFIYAA A BRILLIANT NATIONAL PUPPY STAKE CHAMP
John and Callum Purdy have had some memorable nights in greyhound racing but this was surely one of their very best.
Not only did Untold Dollar capture the Winter Racing Festival Championship 600 but the most valuable race on the card, the final of the IGOBF National Puppy Stake, also went their way with Untold Rufiyaa displaying real alacrity at boxes to make every inch.
Untold Rufiyaa had been favourite all week for the €12,500 but was knocked off the top of the betting by Lemon Joey. However, it was a very different story in the race itself. Many were expecting the inside pair of Ballymac Eli and Untold Rufiyaa to clash in the opening strides but a flying start from the latter ensured that didn’t happen.
Indeed, within five strides the race was over as a contest. Hopes Kitty also broke fast from four but couldn’t match Untold Rufiyaa into the bend and found herself chasing shadows. Almost three lengths to the good into the back straight, Untold Rufiyaa was on his way to a famous success.
Hopes Kitty continued to chase in second with a gap to Ballymac Eli in third. By halfway, Untold Rufiyaa was four lengths clear and he continued to pile on the pressure to the line. The exciting son of Droopys Sydney and Queen Lilly would run out a ready four length winner in 28.29. Ballymac Eli, after a slow start, actually finished at speed to grab second, a length ahead of Hopes Kitty.
Of course, Untold Rufiyaa is the first greyhound to be trained by David Byrne since he received his training license. It has been quite a start to his training career.
Damien Matthews presents the trophy to Callum Purdy after Untold Ruffiyaa won The I.G.O.B.F National Puppy Final. Also included are trainer David Byrne, Noel and Alice Byrne Jack, Larry O'Shea, Gavin and Katie Byrne, Wayne McCarthy, David Sutton, Alan Quinn and Eamon Reynolds. Pic: Imelda Grauer
THE DOLLAR IS STRONG
Untold Dollar is a greyhound with huge ability.
It has been evident for some time but it has taken a step up in trip, or rather a longer run to the turn, to see him fulfil his potential.
After a superb victory on Derby final night over 575yds, the hugely fast son of Newinn Taylor and Glenegat Mildred made it two on the spin when taking the Winter Racing Festival Championship 600.
Once again, the long run to the turn allowed Untold Dollar show his early speed, while being drawn a fraction wider in five also aided his cause. Singalong Dolly and Da Bold Falcon came away racing on the inside of the track and certainly headed the field in the opening exchanges but Untold Dollar soon got racing.
Showing superb pace, he would clear his rivals before driving the turn to move on by almost four lengths as they entered the back straight. Singalong Dolly and Da Bold Falcon bumped, allowing Ballymac Gizmo to move second early in the back straight but he was facing an uphill task.
The Graham Holland trained Untold Dollar was moving with real fluency up front and maintained his commanding advantage to the third turn. By the home turn he was still over three lengths to the good and he coasted home to emerge a deserving length and a half scorer in 32.22. Ballymac Gizmo just held on for second, holding the big finish of Boylesports Bob by a short head.
KOBE WITH ANOTHER FLAWLESS DISPLAY
Untold Dollar was the second of the four winners on the card for Graham Holland.
Faypoint Harvey had initiated the four-timer but, for most, the standout was 2023 Derby champion The Other Kobe as he captured the Winter Racing Festival Championship 525 in the style of a true champion.
In what was his first start since the consolation Laurels in September, the brilliant son of Ballymac Best and Mountaylor Queen was absolutely flawless. Sent to traps the even money favourite, The Other Kobe was at his professional best. Rocketing from the inside box, the veteran never saw a rival.
Two lengths clear of Tarnsa Maasai into the bend, he was over three lengths to the good by the time they entered the back straight and only starting to turn the screw. In one of the best performances of his illustrious career, The Other Kobe hit the third turn four lengths to the good and he would cruise home the easiest of winners.
Hawkfield Blue came home well to take second but The Other Kobe was nothing short of majestic, hitting the line four lengths to the good in a brilliant 28.12. Tarsna Maasai was another neck away in third.
Whether we see The Other Kobe on the track again is unknown but he certainly doesn’t owe his owners Brian Clare and Davbid L’Estrange anything. He has been an exceptional performer and it’s been a joy to watch him in action. If this is his last race, it would be a very fitting way to sign off.
BOMBAY COMPLETES GRAHAM’S FOUR-TIMER
The last leg of the Graham Holland four-timer came in the finale with Bombay Pat absolutely relishing the long run to the turn.
A well-backed favourite, the son of Pestana and Clear Mountain went to traps the 4-6 market leader and it was soon evident he was the right price.
Breaking on terms, he soon mastered those on his inner, going three lengths clear into the bend. Elite Josh and Carmac King were his nearest rivals but they bumped on more than one occasion through the contest, allowing Bombay Pat plenty of freedom up front.
Owned by Pat Muldoon and Bayliss Gee, Bombay Pat was never had a moment’s worry and he would eventually coast home two lengths clear of the fast-finishing Carmac King in 31.07. Elite Josh was third, just a half lengths further back.
HARVEY GETS THE BALL ROLLING FOR RAMPANT HOLLAND
Faypoint Harvey had a kind draw in the Winter Racing Festival Open 550 but needed to do things right to make the most of it.
That wasn’t a problem for the son of Droopys Sydney and Roaming Shari as he got the ball rolling for champion trainer Graham Holland.
At his sharpest in the opening yards, he quickly moved to the front and never looked under any real pressure thereafter. Kapuka Warrior and Phoenix Memphis gave chase down the back straight but neither are seen as stout stayers and, predictably, Faypoint Harvey kicked again off the final turn.
Patricia Flanagan’s Faypoint Harvey raced on to win by four lengths from Kapuka Warrior in 29.83. There was another half length back to Phoenix Memphis in third
LAHDEDAH CLAIMS MORE SILVERWARE
De Lahdedah provided his owners the Young Garsuns with more reason to cheer when running out a determined winner of the Winter Racing Festival Championship 550.
There was a sad note to this contest with Kirby Memorial champion Knockeen Dazzler losing his action between the opening two bends when holding a narrow advantage.
Thankfully, he did gallop on behind the pack suggesting his injury is just muscular. It was his misfortune that allowed the Derby runner-up Cheap Sandwiches to hit the front, although he was immediately under severe pressure with De Lahdedah in his slipstream.
The English Derby champion powered into the third turn to make his move. Slipping up the inside of Cheap Sandwiches, the Liam Dowling trained star looked certain to come home in front. Great credit must go to Cheap Sandwiches as he rallied in second, while Superfast Gorden also arrived with a rush but De Lahdedah wasn’t going to be denied.
The brilliant son of Lenson Bocko and Ballymac Sarahjo stayed on to hit the line a length clear of Cheap Sandwiches in 29.58. Superfast Gorden was just a half-length adrift in third.
CRAZE PROVIDES PAUL AND LEE WITH MORE SUCCESS
Jaytee Craze made it a perfect three from three over six bends when running out an impressive winner of the Winter Racing Festival Championship 750.
It was a third winner over the two night festival for Paul Hennessy, while joint owner Lee Craze was also experiencing success for the second time after the wonderful performance of Lennies Desire twenty four hours earlier.
Much like Lennies Desire, it was the superior pace of Jaytee Craze that saw him take control. Headed in the early yards by the fast-starting Hukum, Jaytee Craze slipped around in second before flying up the home straight to assert into the third turn.
It was a decisive maneouvre. The son of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Minton would race into a commanding clear by the fifth turn and while the likes of Pennys Lynx and Coolavanny Otto would attempt to get closer, neither could land a blow. Crescent Emily displayed her strength to come through for second but Jaytee Craze was out of reach and he would come home two and a half lengths to the good in 41.92. Pennys Lynx ran a fine race in third, some three and a half lengths further back in third.
TEJAY WINS BY A STREET
The easiest winner of the night came in the Winter Racing Festival open 850 with Ballyhooly Tejay winning with amount in hand.
Predictably, Magical Sapphire set a strong gallop but the many backers of Ballyhooly Tejay were never too concerned.
In horse racing parlance this would be referred to as a ‘steering job’. Once avoiding traffic, Ballyhooly Tejay was always going to be very difficult to contain after turning third to Magical Sapphire and Lilac Tree.
He swung wide off the second turn but sat between five or six lengths off Maqgical Sapphire as they passed the stands for the first time. In fact, the order of the front three remained the same until close to the fifth turn but Ballyhooly Tejay seemed to move through the race incredibly comfortably.
The gap between the front three narrowed into the back straight with Ballyhooly Tejay moving through the gears. Staying wide of his rivals, he cruised up to the leaders into the fifth turn to take charge. A length to the good on the penultimate corner, he would race right away to put real daylight between himself and his rivals.
Incredibly, Ballyhooly Tejay would cross the line sixteen and a half lengths clear of Lilac Tree in 47.40. It was a wonderful display of speed and strength. After running so well in a number of top six bend competitions through the year it was fitting that Ballyhooly Tejay would have his moment in the spotlight. For owners, the Ashgrove Trio Syndicate, and handler Tom O’Neill, it was perhaps a sign of things to come. Ballyhooly Tejay could be a major force in 2025 over six and perhaps eight bends.
IS SHE THERE DIGS DEEP
Is She There continued her superb run of form to capture the Winter Racing Festival Championship Bitch 525 in typically determined fashion.
In doing so, she completed a double over the two nights of the festival for Eugene and Rosemary price, while she is also jointly owned by Colin Rosbottom.
The race to the turn was always going to be of real significance in this contest and the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Dairyhill Josie was at her sharpest, containing her fellow fast starter Short Grip into the turn.
The latter pushed Is She There throughout but could never get back on terms. Turning for home, the leader seemed to under immense pressure but she kept on finding to eventually hit the line with a half length in hand on Short Grip in 28.50.
EXILE WITH THE FLYING EXIT
Road Exile was at his brilliant best in the Winter Racing Festival Sprint, flashing from trap four to quickly put the result beyond doubt.
Remarkably, he was claiming a remarkable thirtieth victory in his sixtieth career outing.
Ballymac Explo did run hard into the bend to sit on the heels of the fast-starting Road Exile but the latter is proven over two and four bends and was always in complete control. Trained by Pat Buckley for Richard Colwell, the brilliant son of Droopys Sydney and Trusted Exile powered up the straight to eventually see off the staying on Elite Kursk by three and a half lengths in a rapid 18.49. Ballymac Explo was just a short head further back in third.
LADY SO LIKE MUM
Outstanding early speed and superb back straight pace were the hallmark of Susie Sapphire’s incredible Derby success in 2021 and her daughter Grangeclare Lady boasts many of the same qualities.
They were seen to great effect in the Winter Racing Festival Open Bitch 550 as the Owen Mckenna trained speedster flew into the turn to assume control before powering clear of the pursuing Ardera Freya into the third turn.
It was all so purposeful from the talented daughter of Droopys Sydney and Susie Sapphire. Hawkfield Abbie did finish fast to close on Grangeclare Lady on the run in but there was no stopping Peter Comerford’s star. Grangeclare Lady went on to cross the line a length and a half clear of Hawkfield Abbie in 29.77 with Ardera Freya the same distance away in third.
MORE CASH FOR THE CHEQUE BOYS
As so often happens in a race with six inside seeds, the outside of the track was the place to be in the opener, the Winter Racing Festival Juvenile 525.
Cheque For Cash and Ballymac Briar occupied the two outside boxes and the pair dominated in the race itself.
Cheque For Cash, owned by the Cash Back Syndicate, was sharpest at traps and dictated the pace into the turn but was shadowed by Ballymac Briar. The pair had a wonderful buckle into the third turn with Ballymac Briar forcing his way up the inside to join the pace-setter.
Ballymac Briar seemed likely to go on to score but Cheque For Cash wasn’t having it. Showing real bravery and determination, the Karol Ramsbottom trained speedster dug deep to go to the front again as they entered the home straight before easing on to win by two and a half lengths in 28.46. Ballymac briar was second with Unanimous Roxy third. In victory, Cheque For Cash was completing a double for his connections who had won the Old Stagers race the previous evening with Cheque For Sir.