QUALITY APLENTY AS LADIES LIGHT UP SHELBOURNE
Ian Fortune
There was certainly a festive atmosphere at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night with a huge crowd witnessing some outstanding racing from the ladies including a big run from Priceless On Ice to capture the Shelbourne Marathon, while each of the three heats of the Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks were won in superb style.
Priceless On Ice was off the pace for much of the way over the 850yd trip but had the pace and power to make a decisive move from halfway down the back straight. In fact, Priceless On Ice was last into the opening turn but displayed real patience and track craft to forced her way into fourth by the third turn.
(Pic right:) Conor Matthews Racing Manager presents the trophy to Robbie Shortall after Priceless On Ice won the 2025 Shelbourne Marathon 850. Also included is Keaden O'Connor. Pic: Imelda Grauer
Meanwhile, Tooreen Rose had gone to the front into the opening bend and had a great tussle with Magical Poppet with Ashmar Una sitting just behind them. It was clear entering the back straight that this contest was far from over.
Predictably, the pack began to tighten as they approached the fifth turn. Priceless On Ice was now on a charge for Paul Hennessy and his long-time friends and owners Bryan and Kathleen Murphy. Moving third, past Ashmar Una, she quickly headed Magical Poppet to join Tooreen Rose at the head of affairs.
With all the momentum, Priceless On Ice cruised past the long-time leader before making her run for home. Ashmar Una was now in second and staying on strongly but Priceless On Ice was not going to be denied. The daughter of Pat C Sabbath and Highview Jayne emerged a ready two and a half length winner in 48.71. Ashmar Una was second with Droopys Comrade running on strongly another length and a half back in third.
TINA STUNS IN CHRISTMAS OAKS
Graham Holland may not have repeated his opening round clean sweep in the Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks but his stunningly fast Ballydoyle Tina still set a brilliant standard when galloping clear of a top- class field in to the final heat.
The Puppy Oaks champion was at her electric best, showing real alacrity in the opening yards to lead from the start. Over two lengths to the good at the opening turn, she quickly eased on to build an unassailable lead by halfway.
Meanwhile, Laurels champion Magical On Fire was struggling to find racing room but when she did, she flew. Fourth at the second turn, Magical On Fire went into overdrive down the back straight to go second before the third turn.
Ballydoyle Tina was never going to be denied, however. Paul Ellis and Seamus Hagan’s daughter of Ballymac Kingdom and Ballydoyle Rossa maintained a merciless gallop to the line to stop the clock in a rapid 28.26 (Rated .20 slow). Magical On Fire ran a huge race in defeat in second with Rural Ana another seven lengths adrift in third. Magical Hope also progressed in fourth.
JULIE BACK TO WINNING WAYS
It was wonderful to see last year’s Oaks champion A Lucky Julie emerging a tremendous winner of the opening heat for Jerry Melia. Bushpark Mel was favourite but was involved in crowding on the inside of the track as Brockagh Justine set a searing gallop after a flying start.
Importantly, A Lucky Julie found herself with room to race on the outside of the track and she just got the better of Aghadown Flight to turn second. Once doing so, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Julies Paradise was always going to overpower the leader. Right on queue, A Lucky Julie began to advance as they hit the third turn before finishing at speed to take over on the run in. She would proceed to win by two and a half lengths in 28.58 (Rated .20 slow). Brockagh Justine was second with Aghadown Flight a length further back. Singalong Polly was the fourth qualifier.
HAZEL CAUSES A SHOCK
JJ Fennelly was on the mark in Heat 2 with Burgess Hazel causing something of a shock as she came home fast to score at odds of 8-1.
Templeville Meg was a surprise leader after a fast start from the inside box with Burgess Hazel turning second.
The odds-on favourite Silverhill Freya was soon in a challenging position, however. Going second between the opening two bends, she got first crack at Templeville Meg, although Burgess Hazel did show fine pace into the third turn to challenge.
The door was closed on her face at this point to leave Templeville Meg in front but she was then joined on the outside by Silverhill Freya. The front two continued to battle for the lead off the final turn, leaving room up their inside and this was all that Burgess Hazel needed.
Seizing her opportunity with four paws, the daughter of Deerjet Sydney and Droopys Dargle flew up the straight to assert in the closing yards. Burgess Hazel would hit the line a length and a half to the good in 28.91 (Rated .20 slow)with Templeville Meg second and Silverhill Freya just a short head behind. Lone Calling also progressed.
PIMPLE POPS OUT
Kereight Pimple returned to his best to set the fastest time in the opening round of the Thanks To Our Sponsors Mini Open 550.
Aidan Denton’s son of Broadstrand Bono and Right So Belle was wearing his beloved stripes and made the most of the extra room into the bend, showing superb early speed to go to the front.
Made To Measure turned second and closed inch by inch but the line came in time for Kereight Pimple, who held on to win by a short head in 30.04 (Rated .20 slow).
PADDY TOO STRONG FOR ACE
Next fastest was Breffni Paddy in Heat 3 as he overpowered long-time leader Lamrock Ace.
The pair were left clear of the pack after largely avoiding an opening bend scrimmage. Lamrock Ace had a few lengths in hand but Breffni Paddy is very strong and Seamus Reilly’s son of Ballymac Bolger and Drumalee Premier closed fast around the last two bends before pouncing on the run in.
The February ’23 whelp emerged a length and a half scorer over Lamrock Ace in 30.12 (Rated .20 slow) with Highview Plan running on stoutly to finish four and a half lengths further adrift.
GERRY POUNCES LATE
Belfast Gerry won the opening heat for Jerry Melia. Although never the most prolific, the son of Droopys Sydney and Julies Paradise rarely runs a bad race and he found himself in the perfect position to strike when turning second to Highview Buddy.
Holding his position on the corner, he avoided traffic on his outside to enter the back straight behind the leader. Magical Sapphire was the favourite and began to close after halfway but Belfast Gerry got first run on the leader.
Hitting the front on the final bend, Belfast Gerry stayed on to contain Magical Sapphire by a half lengths in 30.36 (Rated .20 slow). Highview Buddy was two lengths away in third.
BARRY DOMINATES TO HIGHLIGHT HIS QUALITY
Sawdust Barry displayed his huge promise in the recent National Puppy Stake and was sent of the 6-4 favourite to land the penultimate race on the card.
It became pretty clear in the early yards that the odds available about the Murt Leahy trained son of Skywalker Barry and Sober Pearl were too big.
Showing real acceleration in the opening strides, the Chissel Syndicate owned star quickly put the race out of the reach of his rivals. Despite tying up on the run in, Sawdust Barry contained the always second Burgess Edward by three and a half lengths in 28.50 (Rated .20 slow).
MORE CASH FOR CHEQUE
Racing ended with Cheque For Cash adding to his superb record with a typically professional display for Karol Ramsbottom and the Cash Back Syndicate.
Breaking on terms, the son of Dromana Bucko and Paradise Asia flew up the fence to assert and it was all plain sailing thereafter.
Exclusion Order stayed on strongly to come through for second but Cheque For Cash was enjoying himself out front before eventually hitting the line two lengths to the good in 28.69.
LIBBY AN IMPRESSIVE WINNER IN OPENER
The kennels of Scott Phelan are currently full of Christmas cheer with his string really moving with purpose of late.
He added another to his tally for the year in the opener with Harlequin Libby producing a big run from halfway to emerge an impressive winner for the Harlequin Syndicate.
Ballymac Chara displayed superb early dash to assert into the bend but her fate was sealed when Harlequin Libby turned second. The daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Huighview Moment flew into the third turn to challenge but was forced to check as Ballymac Chara closed the door on her.
It was only a temporary setback, however. Switching to the outside of Ballymac Chara, Harlequin Libby shot past her rival on the turn for home before powering on to score by five lengths in 28.74(Rated .20 slow). Ballymac Chara held on for second.