BRILLIANT DOLLY HAS RUN HER FINAL RACE
Ian Fortune
Just weeks after etching her name into the history books at Mullingar by becoming a dual winner of the Irish Cesarewitch, Singalong Dolly has been retired to the breeding paddocks following a muscle injury sustained in her final appearance at Shelbourne Park.
A true standout for connections Gilbert Anderson and Pat Buckley, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Mydras Dawn leaves behind a legacy as one of the most consistent and courageous greyhounds to compete at the elite level of Irish greyhound racing in modern times.
A BRIGHT START TO HER CAREER
Her talent was obvious from the outset. She debuted in the opening round of the prestigious RCETS Open Unraced Stake at Shelbourne Park in July 2023.
Racing under the name Dorothys Shoes and trained by her owner-breeder Nuala Lynch, she immediately caught the eye with a promising second-place finish, followed by a smart 28.50 win in her second-round heat.
That performance was enough to catch the eye of Pat Buckley and Gilbert Anderson, who quickly secured the rising star. She was withdrawn from the stake to allow time to settle into her new surroundings.
Just five weeks later, she stepped into even tougher company in the Juvenile Derby. Now renamed Singalong Dolly, she again displayed great potential through the prelims. Though she bowed out in the semi-finals, the experience gained through the competition proved invaluable.
PUPPY OAKS GLORY
A month later, she returned for the Puppy Oaks, where she truly came into her own.
Superb through the early rounds, she emerged a wonderful winner, see off a top-class field in the final.
Singalong Dolly was now dining at the top table in her chosen profession and she would race in nothing but the best company for the remainder of her career.
She would have just four more starts in her debut year, reaching the final of the Galway Oaks and running a fine race in third in a red-hot Winter Racing Festival Championship Bitch 525.
A WONDERFUL START TO 2024
She would soon prove that her early success was no fluke, returning in 2024 and making an incredible start to the year by see off some top-class rivals in the Champion Bitch Stake at Thurles. She went straight from Thurles to Mullingar for a crack at the Irish Cesarewitch.
Posting a fastest of the round 33.06 in a wide-margin semi-final success, she would follow up in the final, producing a flawless display to win by over a dozen lengths in a track record breaking 32.74. It was perhaps the easiest victory in a classic final this century.
Over the subsequent months, she was certainly kept busy and maintained her high-level of performance. Should first reach the final of the Shelbourne Open 600 and was favourite to land a second classic success only to find traffic.
She would then take her chance in the English Derby, running well in the early rounds before making her exit in the third round. There was no time for resting on her laurels. She would go straight into the Tipperary Cup at Thurles and would again coast through the prelims before finishing fast to take second in the decider.
She earned a place in the Dundalk International but carried no luck, taking a tumble at the third turn. She was given a couple of months off after coming in season but was brought back for a crack at the Boylesports Derby.
IMPRESSIVE DERBY CAMPAIGN
It was a rush to get her ready but her sheer desire to race saw her compete through the early rounds.
Indeed, she was electric in the opening round, flashing from traps to make all in 29.39. It would be her only win in the blue riband but she continued to perform at a high level, deservingly earning a place in the decider.
She would again run a huge race in the final. Finishing fourth behind one of the hottest Derby winners of all time, Singalong Dolly would be beaten less than three lengths, further cementing her position as one of the very best in training.
HISTORIC CESAREWITCH DOUBLE
Sadly, she would have just a handful more races.
After carrying no luck in the Winter Racing Festival Championship 575, she was given a rest over the winter months before returning in an attempt to defend her Cesarewitch crown.
Without the benefit of a comeback run, she had her first start in three months in the opening round/ semi-finals and duly made all to earn her place in the decider for the second time. While clearly not in the same form as a year earlier, she found a way to earn her place in history.
Racing prominently from the start, Singalong Dolly dug deep in the decider to lead on the run in for a head victory. She became just the fourth greyhound to win multiple Cesarewitch titles. It would be the final win of her career as, three weeks later, in an Open 575 at Shelbourne Park, she suffered a gracilis injury when looking destined to score.
SET FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE AS A BROOD
It would bring her illustrious racing career to an end. But as one door closes, another opens and Singalong Dolly is now set for the breeding paddocks.
Pat Buckley confirmed that she is to be serviced to Glengar Bale when she breaks and will be joining her owner Gilbert Anderson to be whelped down.
The pups will then be reared at Buckley’s Cappa-White base. Given her incredible ability, attitude and superb pedigree, her pups could be anything. She was a very special lady on the track and connections will be hoping she can be every bit as special as a brood.
If that is the case, expect her progeny to make headlines in the future. In the meantime, we can look back at her time on the track with real fondness. Happy retirement Dolly. It’s been a pleasure.