Mag sparks Magical derby double for Guilfoyle

TRAPRISE

IT was inevitable that we would lose classic hopefuls from within our local challenge for outright honours in the 2025 Boyle Sports Irish Greyhound Derby ahead of second round heats last weekend. However, from his prolific kennels in Moneygall, Pat Guilfoyle registered a brilliant double of heat victories with his own Magical Mag (Ballymac Cashout-Mystical Luna) sparking the feat on Friday.

Settling for a qualifying third on the previous weekend having endured a bumpy passage through the opening round, the December 2022 whelp further confirmed her recent progression when finding a fast start from trap 2 in Friday’s third heat. Immediately taking command of the race, the Guilfoyle darling was a length to the good upon tackling the opening bends but had a task on her paws as last season’s English Derby winner De Lahdedah raced on her tail to the backstraight.

That leading duo served up a cracking buckle thereafter with the latter racing star a persistent threat to Magical Mag but displaying steely resolve throughout, the Guilfoyle winner repelled the threat for a thrilling neck verdict in a classy 29.42.

The second leg of the kennel double would arrive on Saturday’s second session of heats as Magical Keith (Ballymac Cashout-Burgess Sarah) concluded the round with another slick display of early pace in Heat 16.

Having chased home his kennel companion Magical Sapphire on opening night, the September 2023 whelp went one better this time following a level start from trap 4 and displaying the best early pace on the run to the corner, turned with over two lengths to spare.

Moving further clear to halfway, his stamina limitations would be tested by the strong staying Droopys Deploy from that point but displaying ample resolve in the home stretch, Magical Keith was full value for his half-length victory in 29.69. As with Magical Mag, the ability to lead Derby heats amidst tight competition with fine margins can be a potent threat within a classic challenge and both remain viable contenders ahead of this week’s third round.

Returning to first round winner Magical Sapphire, she too safely advanced on Saturday with another thoroughly professional passage from Heat 15. Third throughout the early stages from trap 6, she chased halfway leader Hopes Teddy and Westway Rossa into the closing bends before settling for a two and a half-length second behind that latter rival in 29.61.

A further qualifier for trainer Guilfoyle, Prince Naseem (Droopys Sydney-Razldazl Annie) was one of the most impressive runners of the round in defeat, chasing home fastest winner Bombay Pat in the opening heat on Saturday. Up to his very best form, the strong runner firmly signalled his Derby credentials when only going down by two lengths in a sizzling 29.17 while highly impressive from halfway.

RIVALS GOT PICKLED ON FRIDAY

Amongst the most talented ladies in racing Clement Ryan’s Coosane Pickles (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Pickles) had only here outings in 2025 before commencing her Derby tilt with a third-place finish. However, the Birdhill bitch resumed her winning ways on Friday in a wonderfully game performance.

Staying stoutly for qualification on the previous weekend, the Michael O’Donovan trained October 2022 whelp was again well led in the early exchanges when poorly to stride from trap 6 as Seven Beach dominated to the corner with his vicious early speed. All of six lengths adrift while third into the backstraight, it was from this point that the Ryan darling displayed her old sparkle.

Reducing arrears while a menacing presence on the outside at the closing bends, Coosane Pickles powered beyond the leading brace approaching the line for a thrilling head verdict in 29.73. So lightly raced of late, she may now be primed to progress as the classic is reduced to a single session of eight third-round heats this coming Saturday.

Joining her this week having found another game qualifying second in the previous heat, Geoff Parnaby’s Tarsna Maasai (Droopys Sydney-Tarsna Rose) kept his Derby dream alive in gutsy style. Headed at trap rise, he looked in a precarious position from trap 5 when arriving to the corner just marginally adrift of rivals to his left. Bravely sweeping the bend to avoid any traffic woes, he chased Shanahee Boomer home from that point, ceding a four-length victory to that rival in 29.63.

LIMERICK DOUBLE

Friday racing delivered further winners when trainer John Byrne helped himself to a double at Limerick, sparking the feat with victory for Peadar Kinane’s Kevinsfort Hardy (Malachi-Kevinsfort Tiger) who claimed the third win of his career in the Upcoming Events A4 525.

Leaving his recent bumpy outings well behind, the April 2023 whelp ensured clear passage this time with a return to his best breaking form and showing superior pace on the run to the opening bend, established a strong one length lead before turning. Readily extending that lead to the backstraight, Kevinsfort Hardy had the race settled as a contest by the closing bends and seeing out the trip stoutly, posted a new personal best of 28.77 (+20) in a dominant eight length verdict. That time will bring a rise to A2 grade next time but it really will be as simple as repeating his good start for a repeat victory.

The quickfire Byrne brace was delivered in the very next race as John Ryan’s Private Return (Malachi-Sidarian Fern) doubled his win tally in the Race Entries by Text A5 525.

Three times a runner-up since maiden success, the September 2023 whelp was not winning out of turn and in truth, looked a winner from the very initial strides. Swift to exit trap 1, the Knockalton charge was already four lengths clear upon reaching the first bend and the rest was as predictable as it was impressive. Never sighting a rival, Private Return completed victory with a comfortable six lengths to spare and posting 29.16 (+20), takes just a one grade rise for his next outing with a repeat win highly likely!