Nala rewrites history books in Mystical Shelbourne debut

TRAPRISE

There is little, if anything, beyond the racing capabilities of the Guilfoyle Family kennels in Moneygall but even these perennial standard setters must have taken a moment, at least, to fully process the victory of Mystical Nala (Dromana Bucko-Mystical Luna) at Shelbourne Park on Friday as she became the fastest ever debut winner in the history of Irish greyhound racing!

Owned by Eoin Troy having bred the October 2024 pup from his wonderful brood Mystical Luna, Nala set the racing world alight when breaking the magical 28.00 barrier at her first racing attempt over 525-yards in the Book Your Christmas Party ON1 Stake.

Having more than hinted at elite talent in a brace of sizzling qualifying trials at Shelbourne, Mystical Nala would face just three rivals in Friday’s contest, but an army would not have contained the Moneygall missile once reaching full stride from trap 5.

Clearly drawn wider than optimum as she took an immediate move to her left from trap 5, Nala did actually take a bump to her hind quarters before clearing all runners on her inside. To the credit on an early paced rival, the first bend advantage was limited to a length, but what followed was a display of stunning raw racing ability. Extending to four lengths upon straightening in the backstraight, Mystical Nala maintained a visually stunning gallop thereafter and as smooth as you could wish for around the closing turns, completed victory with seven lengths to spare.

Stopping the clock in a near incredulous 27.98, she achieved a mark that many of the current established superstars in racing have not, and she will attract the eyes of an entire industry for this week’s final as a hot favourite to repeat.

Billy back in business at Kilkenny

The Roscrea kennels of Christopher Delaney suffered disappointment in the final of the Lennies Derby A1 525 Stake at Kilkenny on Friday when Rallying Billy failed to secure a crucial first bend lead before settling for fourth place in the event.

However, the undercard provided a hugely pleasing highlight by way of compensation as Delaney stalwart Cagey Billy (Pestana-Lilly Lula) made an overdue return to the winner’s circle when landing the Friends of Thomastown GAA Club A3 525, a first victory since his return from a near one-year injury sabbatical!

Now a veteran, Billy is contesting a few notches below his heady days of Irish Derby Plate semi-final contention but clearly very well in himself while creeping back to some form, registered the seventeenth win of his wonderfully competitive career on Friday.

Breaking well from trap 3, the Roscrea favourite ceded a length to an early paced rival but fully established in second place while tackling the opening bends, remained within three and a half lengths to halfway. Always strong at the standard distance, Cagey Billy stealthily reduced those arrears until on the tail of the pacesetter at the crown of the closing bends and striking the front on the outside in the home stretch, forged a three-quarter length winning margin close home.

Registering 29.40 (-30), he will remain in the same grade for his next outing with obvious claims for a repeat victory.

Staying with that Kilkenny Friday fixture, the Split The Pot @ Kilkenny Track A5 525 delivered a victory at the opposite end of his career for the O-L Syndicate’s Whats Up Lads (Ballymac Bolger-Muckinish Flyer) when claiming his maiden score at the third time of asking.

A runner-up last time, the Padraig O’Lone trained February 2025 whelp took another step forward when producing his best break to date from trap 4 and immediately contesting the lead, displayed smart early pace while forging a two-length lead at the opening bend. Doubling that advantage to the backstraight, the Roscrea pup maintained a strong gallop on the bunny and never seriously threatened, struck the line with two lengths to spare while registering 29.74 (-30).

That winning time will bring just a small upgrade to A4 for his next outing, but Whats Up Lads looks a runner to follow closely while expected to continue his upward curve with this first win in the bag.

A busy week with a host of smart performances leaves plenty to catch up on but another Friday highlight arrived at Limerick when the Monday Night Five Club Syndicate’s Kevinsfort Hardy (Malachi-Kevinsfort Tiger) got back to winning ways in thrilling manner.

A hugely likeable racer, the John Byrne trained April 2023 whelp had endured some luckless outings since last successful in the same grade back in June, however, a cleaner passage this time saw him take his win tally to double figures in the Limerick & Clare GOBA A2 525.

Breaking in mid-division from trap 3, Kevinsfort Hardy performed well to secure second position on the run to the opening bend and had just two lengths to recover on a pacesetting rival at halfway. Reducing that deficit, the Byrne winner drew ever closer to the home straight and timing his effort to perfection, struck the front close home for a half-length victory in 28.99.