Festive fairytale for MacGowan in Murphy Final at Limerick

TRAPRISE

There could hardly be a more appropriate time for a season defining victory in the career of Foxwood Macgowan (Bockos Jon Jo-Bockos Brandy) than within Christmas week and scripting a festive fairytale of his own, the Denis McGrath stalwart galloped to a resounding victory in the hotly contested Con Murphy Bookmakers A1 525 Yard Stake at Limerick on Saturday.

Having advanced to a personal best performance with a second career win at Galway in mid-November, the May 2023 whelp turned attentions to Limerick for his upgrade following that A4 score and opened his account in the €3300 to the winner event with a pleasing runner-up effort.

Made to settle for qualifying places in a brace of subsequent heats, a trap 2 draw for Saturday’s showdown appealed despite outside odds as Foxwood Macgowan had more than hinted that he could dictate matters in the early exchanges.

Breaking sharply, the Ballinaclough charge duly displayed smart pace on the run to opening bend and turning with a length in hand, retained that advantage on the run to the backstraight. Hard pressed approaching the third turn, Foxwood Macgowan gamely defended his lead with runners on his tail around those closing bends but confirming strong running abilities from that point, emphatically settled the verdict when bounding clear in the home stretch. Extending to a four-length winning margin in dismissive manner, the aptly nicknamed “Shane,” posted 28.83.

Christmas is more Magical with an Oaks win

A tilt at the 2025 Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks 525 Yard Stake had seen Pat Guilfoyle’s Magical On Fire (Ballymac Cashout-Burgess Sarah) without a heat win on her way to Saturday’s €15,000 showdown but within another expertly crafted event campaign, she produced her best when it mattered most!

Having turned attentions to Shelbourne Park following victory in the Irish Laurels at Cork, the supremely talented September 2023 whelp was made to settle for trio of runner-up efforts in the Oaks, which immediately followed her runner-up performance on the Winter Racing Festival. However, at every turn the likelihood for another special performance from the Moneygall classic winner increased, and all aligned for a stunning final winning performance on Saturday.

From a largely level start in trap 3, Magical On Fire contested for the lead before brushing with the early paced Aghadown Flight, who was moving towards the middle of the track from trap 1. Ushered back to a one length deficit while third into the corner, the Guilfoyle darling stalked that latter rival to the backstraight before stamping her class on the final passing halfway. Readily advancing to lead on the approach to the closing turns, Magical On Fire predictably completed in strong running style thereafter, drawing clear to a commanding six-length winning margin at the line. Rounding out a wonderful season for the kennels while confirming herself amongst the very elite racers of the sport, Fire stopped the clock in a sublime 27.99!

Hardy final performance at Limerick

Back to Saturday’s fixture at Limerick and there was further final victory to celebrate as the Monday Night Five Syndicate’s Kevinsfort Hardy (Malachi-Kevinsfort Tiger) produced a truly game winning performance to land spoils in the Happy New Year A2 525 Yard Stake.

A column regular while trained by John Byrne throughout his career to date, the April 2023 whelp was bred and owned by Peadar Kinane before purchased by the five-strong Toomevara syndicate and remaining in the Knockalton kennels, there will be none more pleased than his previous owner while quickly delivering winning performances for his new connections. Claiming his semi-final in the 12-runner event with a very smart display, Kevinsfort Hardy was best on the clock when overcoming a tricky trap 5 draw and could be very much fancied while 1/1 favourite to convert his winning opportunity from a suitable rails-draw on Saturday.

With an adept break, the Byrne charge defended his inside pitch within a highly competitive three-way tussle for the lead approaching the corner and established a one length lead while turning. Never stretching much further clear despite continuing to lead all along the backstraight, Kevinsfort Hardy proved stubborn on the bunny and ably defended a one length winning margin all the way to the line.

Posting 29.29, his semi-final winning effort of 28.83 will bring a rise to A1 for his next outing but in fine form and possessing an admirable racing attitude, the Monday Night Five can look forward to an entertaining 2026 with a most likeable racer.

A successful Saturday for local challengers at Limerick returned one further winner to cheer as the Ready To Dream Syndicate’s Ready To Shine (Explosive Boy-Express Shine) returned from a near seven-month layoff to dominate the Saturday Racing Returns 17th January A4 525.

Not seen since claiming the second win of her career at A6 level back in May, Aoife Loughnane’s September 2023 whelp presented in sharp form and breaking on level terms from trap 1, defended her rails position on the run to the opening bend before proving too hot to handle from that point. Easing clear while turning, the lightly raced Roscrea winner continued to extend her lead throughout an uncomplicated six-length victory. Posting 29.58, she avoids a rise on the grading ladder and can be fancied again next time on the evidence of Saturday’s display.