Magical is On Fire in sizzling Irish Laurels quarter finals

TRAPRISE

Possibly the hottest ever hour of racing at Curraheen Park in Cork for the quarter-finals of the 2025 Bar One Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels saw trainer Pat Guilfoyle guide both of his classic survivors to safe qualification, with Magical On Fire (Ballymac Cashout-Burgess Sarah) delivering on all of her immense puppy promise.

An exciting early career, which included an Irish Derby heat victory, saw the September 2023 whelp switch attention to the Rebel County classic following prep-race victory on a circuit which she has very much appreciated. Thoroughly catching the eye in a brace of qualifications from hot contests to commence her Laurels tilt, the Moneygall girl could be strongly fancied with an ideal draw in trap 1 for the concluding quarter-final.

Breaking smartly, Magical On Fire firstly contained Boozed Burgess for control of the race at the opening bend and easing clear while turning, reached the top of the backstraight with a two and a half-length advantage over Produce Stakes champion Lemon Joey. Strong at the 525-yard Laurels distance, Magical On Fire was never likely to surrender her winning opportunity from that point and completing a special performance to reinforce her classic credentials, posted a brilliant 27.89 in a three and a half-length victory.

That winning time was only a length behind the standing track record at Cork which had already been matched in Saturday’s quarter-finals when Liam Dowling’s prodigious young talent Ballymac Setanta remained unbeaten in the event with 27.81!

Also unbeaten to the semi-final stage is Robert Gleeson’s Droopys Patriot and that 27.99 opening round winner has drawn the plum draw on the rails for the first semi-final this week, with Ballymac Setanta in trap 4. A race with six inside seeds, Magical On Fire has been awarded the worst draw possible as the widest of all in trap 6.

With heat victory irrelevant, should she somehow find a clear passage to the backstraight, the Guilfoyle darling has the strength to secure qualification but within a treacherous assignment, she will indeed need to be on fire again this Saturday!

Advancing from that track record heat when third behind Ballymac Setanta, Prince Naseem (Droopys Sydney-Razldazl Annie) provided a second qualifier for Pat Guilfoyle with a hugely game effort. Bumped from traps by runner-up Solo And Go, the March 2022 whelp performed with immense credit when staying stoutly for a bumpy third. Drawn in trap 2 for a heavily early paced second semi-final, he will hold every chance to progress if trapping well.

Coosane leaves rivals Pickled

A prestigious perennial at Shelbourne Park, the 2025 Yvonne Barry Track Bookmaker Open 600 Yard Stake delivered a thrilling renewal over past weeks but prevailing in typically entertaining style, Clement Ryan’s Coosane Pickles (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Pickles) landed Saturday’s final in the capital.

Following a light early season campaign, the Michael O’Donovan trained October 2022 whelp admirably reached quarterfinal stage of the Irish Derby in her racing return before turning attentions to 600-yards, a distance which was always certain to suit the strong four-bend stayer, she stepped up from first round defeat for a narrow semi score over Lookandlep. And she would deny that rival once again on Saturday.

Breaking well, the Birdhill darling was predictably bested for early dash by Lookandlep who struck the front at the opening bends as Pickles and others contested through tight quarters in behind. Remaining within striking range however, the Ryan star impressed from halfway when firstly advancing beyond De Lahdedah before ranging up on the tail of the leader entering the final turn. A wide path into the home straight appeared to offer the leader a crucial advantage on the run to the line before a rallying Coosane Pickles again closed. Striking the front in the very final stride, she posted 32.29 in a shorthead verdict and cements her place as one of the most talented bitches in racing.

Spice goes fastest at Limerick

Featuring on the Saturday fixture at Limerick was the 12-runner Try A Trio A2 525 Yard Stake and fastest into this week’s final when claiming her qualifier in hugely impressive style was the John Byrne trainer Kevinsfort Spice (Malachi-Kevinsfort Tiger).

A winner in the same grade last time, the Peadar Kinane owned April 2023 whelp was scoring for the fifth time in ten outings when breaking well from trap 4 to lead on the run to the corner. Turning with a strong one length advantage, the Knockalton charge readily extended on the run to halfway before completing victory with the minimum of fuss.

Striking the line with four lengths to spare, she posted a new personal best of 28.61 and takes favourite claims to the final as the opposing semi was won in 28.86. With the early pace to lead once again, another adept break may be all that is needed for victory.

The late John ‘Mackey’ McKenna

All in our local greyhound fraternity and far beyond, this week mourn the passing of John Mackey McKenna of Borrisokane and Newtown.

Famed for his extensive exploits on the hurling fields of Ireland with four All Ireland Senior medals, Mackey was equally well known around the greyhound tracks nationwide for his other great sporting love. A member of arguably the most revered greyhound family in the sport, his renowned sparkling personality made friends at every turn, and he will be remembered with great fondness by generations of admirers.

We offer our sincerest condolences to all of Mackey’s extended family and many, many friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.