€20,000 BAR 1 BETTING IRISH SPRINT CUP FINAL SET FOR DUNDALK STADIUM
Six greyhounds will line up for the 2026 BAR 1 Betting Irish Sprint Cup Final at Dundalk Stadium on Saturday, August 15, with €20,000 and the prestigious trophy going to the winner.
The finalists were confirmed following two semi-finals at Dundalk Stadium on Saturday, August 8, with Rallying Billy and Montana Secret emerging as the respective winners.
Rallying Billy took the opening semi-final in 21.12 seconds for trainer Christopher Delaney.
Breaking smartly from Trap 2, he led into the first corner as the remainder of the field encountered trouble and went on to win comfortably.
Tiermana Dream finished second, with Buddy Bruno taking third.
The second semi-final produced the fastest winning time of the night, with Montana Secret recording 20.97 seconds for trainer John Lenihane.
The May 2024 whelp produced a career-best performance over the distance to secure his place in Saturday's final.
There is considerable experience of the competition among the trainers represented in the final.
David Murray, trainer of Buddy Bruno, won the Irish Sprint Cup with Carrick Aldo in 2023, while John Lenihane claimed the title in 2024 with Broadstrand Syd.
Broadstrand Syd's winning time of 20.57 seconds remains the track record at Dundalk Stadium.
Martin Lanney is the third trainer in this year's final with a previous Irish Sprint Cup victory. He won the competition in 2007 with Johnny Gatillo and has also finished runner-up three times, while winning the consolation race on four occasions.
Lanney will be represented by Barefoot On Fire, who will be making a third appearance in a Classic final after previously finishing third in the St Leger and fourth in the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial.
There is also the potential for history to be made by Bomber Nina, who will represent trainer Jack Kennelly.
Since BAR 1 Betting, initially under the Bar One Racing name, began sponsoring the Irish Sprint Cup in 2004, no bitch has won the competition.
The sponsors make Montana Secret the 5/4 favourite for Sprint Cup glory.
2026 Irish Sprint Cup Final Draw
Trap 1 – Barefoot On Fire (I) – Martin Lanney & Lynsey Magill
Trap 2 – Montana Secret (I) – Barry & Martin O'Reilly
Trap 3 – Rallying Billy (I) – Mr Dan Flynn
Trap 4 – Buddy Bruno (I) – Anna Murray & Michael Malone
Trap 5 – Bomber Nina (I) – Gavin Johns
Trap 6 – Tiermana Dream (M) – Zero-Zero-Syndicate
The winner will receive €20,000 and the Irish Sprint Cup trophy, with €5,000 for the runner-up and €2,500 for third place. The total prize fund stands at €36,610.
The final will be run over 400 yards (366 metres) at Dundalk Stadium.
BAR 1 BETTING DUAL RACE DAY AND FAMILY FUN DAY
The Irish Sprint Cup Final forms part of the BAR 1 Betting Dual Race Day and Dundalk Stadium Family Fun Day on Saturday, August 15.
Horse racing will begin at 1.15pm, with the greyhound racing getting underway at 8pm.
Music from Vertigo and Paddy Byrne will provide entertainment between the horse and greyhound racing, with the resident DJ continuing after the greyhound action.
***The 2026 BAR 1 Betting Irish Sprint Cup Final takes place at Dundalk Stadium on Saturday, August 15.***