Record breaker Luka is Magical in Tralee Final

TRAPRISE

A wonderfully exciting young talent from the Moneygall kennels of Pat Guilfoyle, Magical Luka (King Sheeran-Magical Mary) has been a revelation at Tralee over recent weeks and completing his four-bend graduation in the Kingdom on Friday, set new track record figures over 500-yards for the third week in succession!

Now with a perfect seven straight victories to commence his racing career, the October 2023 pup reached elite level over sprint distances in novice stake victory at Dundalk before stepping up in trip for the Moorstown Kennels A3 500 Yard Stake.

Firstly, giving the track record a scare in the opening round, the Guilfoyle prospect duly improved while setting a new standard of 26.64 next time, lowered it again with 26.61 at semi stage and scarcely sighting a rival in four outings within the event, further improved with an imperious gallop throughout final victory.

Producing his best start of the competition, he could be called the winner from the initial strides and just like his previous heats, was racing only against the stopwatch by the time he reached the backstraight. Confirming on the clock what the eye had suspected with his stunning gallop, Magical Luka registered a facile twelve length verdict over Ballymac Ninjago, this time stopping the clock in a sizzling 26.55.

In every form student’s book for future classics, Luka’s next outing will be amongst the most anticipated in racing.

Litter brothers of Magical Luka made a big impression in the opening round of the Celtic Cooling Refrigeration & Air Conditioning ON1 525 Yard Stake at Shelbourne Park on the previous weekend and following his brilliant 28.23 debut, Magical Major (King Sheeran-Magical Mary) will contest this week’s final having advanced with a game runner-up performance on Friday.

Just moderately to stride from trap 3, he suffered repeated bumping around the opening bends and recovering along the backstraight, was again markedly checked at the third turn. Forced to gather stride and rally on more than one occasion, there was huge merit within his one length second to Highview Paul in 28.68 and he remains a big player ahead of the final.

The fastest qualifier for the final from three semi-finals, his litter comrade Coloursareblue had very much caught the eye on opening night, so much so that he was in new ownership when scoring in 28.36. Now in the hands of Paul Hennessy as Coloursaregreen, he along with 28.39 semi-final winner Ballymac Stud are obvious favourites for final victory but with a clear run, Magical Major can lower their colours!

Maasai and Billy score in Tipp Cup

The feature event of every season at Thurles, the 2025 Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup continued with quarter-final heats and our local challenge in the event is well represented to semi stage having claimed two of Saturday’s three qualifiers.

First into action following his smart opening round score in 28.93 over the 525-yard trip was Geoff Parnaby’s Tarsna Maasai (Droopys Sydney-Tarsna Rose). Clearly well prepared for this racing return since last seen in Easter Cup Final action back in April, the Borrisoleigh star progressed for his comeback effort when readily going back-to-back on his local circuit.

Sharp to stride from trap 6, Tarsna Maasai took a near two-length lead to the opening bend and never seriously threatened thereafter, posted a fastest of the round 28.72 with five lengths to spare over Jim By Two.

The second quarter-final also stayed local to the Premier circuit with Borna Thyme posting 28.80 before Christopher Delaney’s Cagey Billy (Pestana-Lilly Lula) resumed winning ways in the concluding heat.

Following smart early season form over further in the capital, the Roscrea favourite settled for a qualifying third on the previous weekend but breaking well from trap 5 on Saturday, immediately contested for the lead throughout the early exchanges. Edging to the front on the run to halfway, Cagey Billy predictably saw out the trip stoutly for a four-length defeat of Cabra Keiser in 28.90.

Swift semi-final victory

Further competition action at Thurles on Saturday saw semi-finals in the Split The Pot A3 570 Yard Stake and leading the gallop into this week’s decider was Mike Duff’s Rathfalla Swift (Ballymac Cashout-Devilsbit Storm) Racing one level above her current grading following recent A6 victory in the Premier, the May 2023 whelp found the necessary improvement to handle the upgrade while relishing her first venture into extended four-bend distances.

Breaking on terms from trap 5, the May 2023 whelp battled admirably on the long run to the opening bend, forging a tight one length lead before forcefully sweeping the turn across rivals to her inside. Bounding clear while settling the race on the run to halfway, the Duff winner had her lead reduced in the closing stages but nonetheless saw out the trip ably well for a two-length score.

The fourth win of her career, Rathfalla Swift posted a career best time of 31.49 which will bring a further climb up the grading table following completion of this week’s final. However, with the opposing semi-final won in 31.81, she will hold every chance to compensate for the upgrade with victory if again securing clear passage throughout the early stages.