MADAM CLAIMS GOLD IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
Saturday’s card at Shelbourne Park provided some exciting action, a few strange results and a couple of superb winners but the headlines went to Frenchfort Madam as she landed the final of the Gold Collar, while A Lucky Julie and Rural Ana proved too strong for their rivals in the semi-finals of the Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks.
Vincent McKenna and the South Bronx Syndicate had reason to smile after the Gold Collar decider with their Frenchfort Madam continuing her wonderful form to emerge a superb winner of the €4,000 prize.
The daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Twentylittletoes failed to dictate in the early yards but was always close enough to mount a decisive challenge in the second half of the contest.
Razldazl Kamaria set a string pace but would run out of steam on the run in. Frenchfort Madam, after holding off Daleroad Mya to have first crack at the leader, came through to eventually land the spoils by a length and a half in 30.39 (Rated .30 slow). Razldazl Kamaria faded away to finish third, a further length adrift.
Dylan Brennan Racing Manager presents the trophy to Francis Kenny and the South-Bronx -Syndicate after Frenchfort Madam trained by Vincent McKenna won the 2025 Gold Collar A1 550 . Pic: Imelda Grauer
NOTHING LUCKY ABOUT JULIE’S SUCCESS
2024 Bitch of the Year A Lucky Julie is back to her best it seems and she claimed impressive victory to set the standard in the semi-finals of the Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks.
After impressing a week earlier, Jerry Melia’s brilliant daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Julies Paradise was sent to traps the 2-1 second favour but those odds looked very big when she turned close to the pace behind Lone Calling.
Magical On Fire, the odds-on favourite, was forced to check at the bend, leaving A Lucky Julie second. It was always a case of when she would strike the front rather than if she would and she duly powered her way into the lead on the third turn.
Magical On Fire quickly moved second but A Lucky Julie is very strong and she powered home to see of her rival by four lengths in 28.76 (.30 slow). Singalong Polly ran on well to take third, a length further back.
ANA POWERS HER WAY TO VICTORY
The second semi-final saw the big three in the market fluffing their lines before finishing out of the frame.
In contrast, Rural Ana was at her best for Graham Holland and the Scots Clan Syndicate. Turning third behind Aghadown Flight and Brockagh Justine, Rural Ana was always close enough to make a move.
It was into the third turn that the daughter of Pestana and Rural Aloha displayed her quality. Charging past the front two, she quickly put the result beyond doubt. Magical Hope also stayed on well but Rural Ana was never in danger once gong to the front. She hit the line with a length and a half and a length in hand on Magical Hope and Aghadown Flight in 28.87 (.30 slow).
JOEY CLAIMS ANOTHER VICTORY
The semi-finals of the valuable Bernard Barry Open 525 went the way of Lemon Joey and Priceless Romeo.
Lemon Joey didn’t need to be at his best but still emerged a half length winner of the opening heat for Murt Leahy and the Short Back and Sides Syndicate.
Forcing his way to the front into the bend, he rode a bump to lead the field into the back straight. The son of Ballymac Best and Lemon Ariana held off the late charge of Bushpark Mel in 29.03 (rated .40 slow). There was a further length to Droichead Nua in third.
ROMEO AT HIS VERY BEST
Priceless Romeo was a 6-1 chance for the second heat but he belied his odds with a tremendous front-running effort for Paul Hennessy and Bryan and Kathleen Murphy.
The son of Priceless Jet and Priceless Opera was sharpest at traps and slipped around the turn in front, effectively sealing the victory.
Bockos Gold did all he could to stay in touch but he was headed at the third turn before rallying to take second on the run in. Priceless Romeo stayed on strongly, however, to eventually win by five and a half lengths in 28.79 (rated .40 slow). There was two lengths between Bockos Gold and Harry Houdini.
ANCORA TOO HOT TO HANDLE IN SPRINT SEMIS
After capturing the WRF Sprint in his previous outing, it was no surprise to see Sogna Ancora setting the standard in the semi-finals of the Blink & You'll Miss It SSO 350.
In what were some of the worst weather conditions of the night, the flying brindle was ultra professional.
Flashing from three, the son of Grangeview Ten and Terezas Mendoza was absolutely dominant for Jack Kennelly and Swedish House Party Syndicate. Making every inch, Sogna Ancora drew clear to beat Tiermana Dream by four and a half lengths in 18.62.
HOFFA TAKES HIS CHANCE
Shane and Luke O’Connell’s Grouchos Hoffa came home alone in the opening semi-final.
In what was a messy affair, the Dave Bourke trained son of Coolavanny Hoffa and Senahel Trudi was left in front on the corner and he went on to win by six lengths in 19.08.
PIMPLE GOES POP
Kereight Pimple has returned to top form in recent weeks and those that stayed loyal to the son of Broadstrand Bono and Right So Belle were rewarded in the semi-finals of the Thanks To Our Sponsors Mini Open 550.
Prominent from the opening yards, he asserted as they hit the back straight and proceeded to see off Belfast Gerry by three lengths in 30.31.
PADDY RALLIES TO SCORE
Breffni Paddy made it two wins on the spin in the second semi-final, leading early before repelling the persistent challenge of Cloverfield Clan.
The latter actually struck the front at the third turn but Seamus Reilly’s Breffni Paddy (Ballymac Bolger/ Drumalee Premier) rallied on the run in to get up by a short head in 30.46.
LUCKY LANDS LATE TO WIN THE FINALE
Racing ended with Sean and AJ Dooley’s Town Lucky running on strongly to deny Lookandlep a long overdue success.
The latter seemed destined to win when leading down the far side but he was headed by Maireads Prince on the third turn before rallying on the run in.
However, it wasn’t enough. Town Lucky (Dorotas Wildcat/ Town Mouse) was stalking the pair and he made his move on the run in. Coming between the front two off the final turn he joined Lookandlep inside the final fifty yards before getting the better of his rival by a short head in 30.26 (.40 slow).
A GALLANT RUN
Gallant Hunter, owned by the Virgil Van Fitzy Syndicate, emerged an easy winner of the opener.
The Ollie Bray trained son of Broadstrand Bono and Silver Penny was dominant after a fast start, eventually coming home four lengths clear of Pennys Gala in 28.62.