THE CHASE FOR GOLD COMMENCES

Ian Fortune

First staged in 1998, the Tote Gold Cup arrived on the Irish greyhound calendar as something of a curiosity.

A January showpiece was far from the norm at a time when many tracks were still grass-covered, and it was unusual for the very best dogs in training to be asked to come to the fore so early in the year.

Any initial scepticism, however, was quickly swept aside. The greyhound fraternity embraced the new addition from the outset and, in the years that followed, the Shelbourne Park curtain-raiser has been won by some of the most celebrated names in the sport.

Real Branch was a wonderful inaugural winner, and since then a roll of honour has featuredmany legends such as Joannestown Cash, Late Late Show, Clover Hare, Tyrur Ted, Mineola Farloe, Ballymac Anton, Skywalker Barry and many more. Certainly, the Tote Gold Cup is an early-season prize every trainer wants on their CV.

In more recent years, the showpiece has moved back to a February slot but it still acts as the event that kick starts the year for the more established performers. Seven Beach was the undoubted star of the opening half of 2025 and his march began with a brilliant Gold Cup victory.

Sadly, Seven Beach isn’t back to defend his title despite recently trialling at Shelbourne Park but there is a top-class entry.

DOWLING WITH A STRONG HAND

The ante-post markets.

 Highlight that Liam Dowling has big race glory in his sights as he is responsible for the top two in the betting, Solo And Go and Ballymac Stud (see separate story)and both will be fancied to go close in their opening round assignments.

SOLO READY TO GO

Solo And Go won’t feature until the last of the six heats but it will be worth the wait as this is undoubtedly the contest of the round.

The Winter Racing Festival Championship 525 and Kingdom Derby champion has a kind draw in two and should quickly clear top stayer Born To Perform on the fence.

But he will need to be on his toes to contain Unanimous Leo, the Juvenile Derby runner-up, into the bend. The latter is draw in three with the exceptionally fast Lennies Desire drawn in four. Throw in Leger champion Drombeg Banner (drawn in five) and it is quite a contest.

Unfortunately, Oaks champion Carrigmore Freya was due to make her comeback in this contest but has been withdrawn in recent hours.

Solo And Go is drawn on the right side of his main dangers and is chosen to dictate from the early yards. Lennies Desire and Unanimous Leo can offer most resistance.

BALLYMAC A TRUE STUD

Ballymac Stud also faces a tricky test in Heat 3.

In his first outing since exiting the Derby at the semi-final stages, he has been handed the black jacket of four. He will need to be on his toes in the early yards but recent trials suggest he is ready to go and he can turn close before making his class count.

Of his rivals, the in-form Droichead Nua is entitled to plenty of respect, while others including Kereight Pimple and Gallant Hunter could get involved if putting their best foot forward. That really shouldn’t be a problem or Kereight Pimple given the fact he is on a run of four straight wins.

STYLE GETS NOD IN OPEN AFFAIR

The opening heat of the round is absolutely wide open.

Swords Style has the best of the draw on the fence but needs to come away racing to get the better of Coloursaregreen, Crossfield Roman, Ballymac Kamala Droopy Orator and Grouchos Hoffa into the turn.

In truth, it would be no surprise if any of the six came out on top but from the draw Swords Style is just chosen ahead of the very talented Coloursaregreen.

BARRY SET TO FIRE

Sawdust Barry has shown glimpses of real ability in his short career, including a stunning display in the semi-finals of the National Puppy Stake.

While he carried no luck in the decider when amongst the favourites, he remains an exciting prospect for 2026.

He lines out in trap five in Heat 2 and, if left alone in the opening yards, should have too much early toe for his rivals which include Maireads Diamond and Ballymac Siun. Sawdust Barry is selected to dominate at the expense of the well-housed Maireads Diamond.

MAGIC MATT

Crossfield Matt was hugely impressive through the Kingdom Derby at the back end of 2025, running Solo And Go close in the decider.

He returns to action in Heat 4 and is one of the leading fancies alongside Callaway Five and the promising The Other Eimear.

Slippery Brian, Boylesports Blue and Brideside Bill complete a talented field but one suspects Crossfield Matt will be hard to beat if putting his best foot forward. He is chosen ahead of Callaway Five.

CAN JACKTAVERN ENGAGE HIS TURBO?

The penultimate heat is quite a puzzle.

Crossfield Dean, Bombay Special and Ballymac Dave have all performed well in A0 and AA0 company in the past but they are taking on rapid improvers Brickhill Sky, This Approach and most notably, Jacktavern Turbo.

Realistic claims can be made for each but the draw is in the favour of the inside trio. Brickhill Sky may need to be at his very sharpest to figure. He has been racing in the A2 Dublin Cup and may find this a step too far too soon.

In contrast, Jacktavern Turbo, who has been racing in an A3 competition around Clonmel, looks ready for this test. He recorded a rapid 28.23 in Clonmel a fortnight ago and if translating that form to Dublin could make a bold bid. He is a tentative choice ahead of the very lightly raced but clearly very talented This Approach.

WHAT A ROLL OF HONOUR

To get you in the mood for the start of the Gold Cup, run your eye over the roll of honour below.

It truly is packed with star names. 

Tote Gold Cup – Roll of Honour

Year	Winner	Pedigree	Trainer	Time
2025	Seven Beach	Pestana/ Whitings Gift	Jennifer O’Donnell	28.52
2024	Boylesports Coco	Droopys Sydney/ Barn Swallow	Dolores Ruth	28.52
2023	Bogger Hunter	Skywalker Farloe/ Bottle of Banter	Ian Reilly	28.52
2022	Skywalker Barry	Droopys Jet/ Calzaghe Jan	Michael O' Donovan	28.36
2021	Inforapenny	Farloe Rumble/ Rios Girl	Kieran Lynch	28.97
2020	Ballymac Anton	Ballymac Best/ Coolavanny Angie	Liam Dowling	28.87
2019	Music Toour Ears	Droopys Jet/ Glideaway Marina	Patrick Guilfoyle	28.33
2018	Chespirito	Vulturi/ Coolavanny Angie	Liam Dowling	28.53
2017
2016	Slippery Fred	Brett Lee/ Steamy Windows	Larry Dunne	28.62
2015	Fiery Splendour	Tubbertelly Dubh/ Any Time Again	Owen McKenna	28.38
2014	Kilgraney Tomson	Aries Son/ Lady Kilgraney	Mary Buggy	28.48
2013	Priceless Sky	Royal Impact/ Priceless Pearl	Paul Hennessy	28.91
2012	Piercestown Sand	Ace Hi Rumble/ Tyford Blackie	Shanks Whelan	29.71
2011	Slippery Bob	Top Honcho/ Steamy Windows	Larry Dunne	29.86
2010	De Ex Factor	Crash/ Late Delivery	Paul Hennessy	28.38
2009	Swords Prince	Head Bound/ Katie King	Brian Madigan	28.44
2008	Tyrur Kenny	Top Honcho/ Tyrur Pearl	Paul Hennessy	28.86
2007	Ballyhoe Marble	Mustang Yank/ Ballyhoe Pivotal	Francie Murray	28.32
2006	Mineola Farloe	Top Honcho/ Farloe Dingle	Seamus Graham	28.38
2005	Tyrur Ted	Top Honcho/ Watch the Market	Paul Hennessy	28.25
2004	First Charter	Jamella Prince/ Newbridge Girl	Reggie Roberts	29.66
2003	Clover Hare	Vintage Prince/ CailinDilis	Michael O'Donovan	28.52
2002	Jet Spray	Kilmessan Jet/ Roving Mindy	Francie Murray	28.77
2001	Late Late Show	Spiral Nikita/ Ullid Citrate	Paul Hennessy	28.77
2000	Joannestown Cash	Cry Dalcash/ Ali Sheba	Paul Hennessy	29.00
1999	April Surprise	Beaming Surprise/ Serene Lady	Paul Hennessy	28.85
1998	Real Branch	Right Move UK/ New Branch	Denis Shanahan	28.98