Fiery Irish Laurels concludes in Magical style

TRAPRISE

Attentions of the racing world were firmly fixed on Curraheen Park last Saturday night for the final of the 2025 Bar One Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels and claiming his second victory in the 525-yard classic, Pat Guilfoyle guided the magnificent Magical On Fire (Ballymac Cashout-Burgess Sarah) to a truly remarkable victory.

Before commencing the Laurels on the back of A0 victory at the venue, the September 2023 whelp had very much signalled her superstar potential with a stunning debut at Shelbourne Park before Derby heat victory in the capital. However, the Cork circuit proved an immediate fit for the Moneygall darling and despite defeat in both of her opening round heats in the Laurels, she appeared a menacing threat while catching the eye behind the fastest winners in the event.

Quarter final victory in a blistering time of 27.89 confirmed just that before she overcame a treacherous draw in an unsuitable trap 6 at semi-final stage. Having admirably chased Ballymac Setanta home in second place while earning her final berth, classic winning ambitions appeared quashed soon after when the draw drum selected Magical On Fire for trap 4 in the decider.

It looked a truly nightmare scenario with a trio of hugely talented Liam Dowling runners to her inside along with a trap 5 rival who was sure to move inwards in the form of Trionas Tribe. The pressure was on to break sharply or risk bumping but if we have gleaned anything from Pat Guilfoyle campaigns of the past, it is that his classic contenders are trained for peak final performance.

In the line of Fire

The unbeaten Ballymac Setanta disputed favouritism ahead of the final with Liam Dowling companion Solo And Go but with the best of the draw, it was the latter who dictated matters to the opening bend from trap 1. In behind, Magical On Fire had crucially trapped faster than rivals on either side and gamely tracking the leader, avoided bumping while securing second position behind the Dowling pacesetter upon tackling the turns. The deficit had reached two and a half lengths by halfway as Fire repelled Lemon Joey to retain second position. However, certain to see out the trip well, Solo And Go was in the Guilfoyle line of fire at the closing bends.

On the tail of the leader before entering the home stretch, a sustained and triumphant gallop to the line saw Magical On Fire strike the front in the dying strides for a thrilling head verdict. Her reward, a €30,000 winner’s purse and a precious place in the classic history books; she posted another brilliant time of 27.93.

In the wake of victory and through obvious pride, Pat Guilfoyle admitted that Magical On Fire had overcome even his own doubts. “If I’m honest, I found it hard to fancy her,” he admitted.

“I think the world of her and if she was in trap 1, I’d probably say she was a certainty. But she had a very tricky draw and no matter what way I analysed the race, I couldn’t see her getting a run. Thank God she did, and she showed her class. She’s a great Laurels winner. It’s such a prestigious stake, we’re delighted to win it again.”

Magical On Fire was paraded and handled through the final furore by trusted young kennel-hand Jayden Loughnane within a wonderfully exciting time for his extended Roscrea family as Cousin Brodie Lee is currently in Qatar as part of the Republic Ireland’s U17 Football World Cup squad.

However, it is Jayden stealing the show this week and the Moneygall team will now look forward to the Winter Racing Festival where our newest classic heroine will be a star attraction.

Gem seeks Friendly Fair Warrior finale

She had not been seen on track for over four months but having set sights on the 2025 Pat Doran Memorial Fair Warrior Open 400 Yard Stake for her late October return, the Vincent McKenna trained Gem Friendly (Droopys Sydney-Susie Sapphire) completed a classy hattrick of heat wins in Saturday’s semi-final at Mullingar.

It has been a trying period for the Borrisokane family as following the recent passing of John Mackey McKenna, they bid a final farewell to Josephine McKenna just last week, wife of the legendary greyhound trainer Ger. We again extend our condolences to the McKenna family and especially to Josephine’s sons John, Ger and Owen.

However, in true McKenna style, it has been a greyhound providing solace in Borrisokane over these trying weeks and how fitting that Gem Friendly is a daughter of Owen McKenna’s legend of the modern racing era, Susie Sapphire.

Displaying many of her dam’s qualities, the Conor McGrath owned speedster presented in sharp form following her layoff, commencing the Fair Warrior with opening round victory before a hot quarterfinal score in 21.24 (-20).

With a repeat draw in trap 6 for Saturday’s semi-final, the lightly raced September 2023 whelp was enjoying just her ninth career outing when breaking on a galloping stride. Immediately taking command, she again relished the long run to the opening bend when over a length clear before sweeping across rivals. A pleasing feature of her competition campaign has been the ability to gallop the tight Mullingar turns at pace, and she duly settled the semi as a contest when bounding clear to the backstraight. Never seriously threatened, Gem Friendly completed victory with four lengths in hand of Bogger Bale while registering a fast 21.29 (-20).

The opposing semi-final was won by Stefans Galaxy in 21.34 (+20) so clearly the final can be a keenly contest affair. That rival is also unbeaten in the Fair Warrior and while not assured, this Saturday’s showdown appears between these semi winners. Ideally housed in trap 6 once again however, confidence is high that Gem Friendly can get the job done!