Derry Greyhounds: Old Fort Lakota fastest over Brandywell’s 500

There was a 7 race programme at the Brandywell on Monday where the action got underway with 3 sprint events.

First up to the winner’s podium for the PD Greyhound Supplies Sprint was Thomas Brennan’s coursing bred Ivy Girl (Watchman x Colossal Melody, May ’23). She was slowly away from trap 5 but showed good pace, determination and track craft to surge into the lead on the outside of the field at the first bend. From there she ran on well to win by 4.25 lengths in 17.24. There was a lot to like about the style in which Ivy won on her career debut.

Halo Julie (Kinloch Brae x Halo Dimebar, Apr ’22) was the first of two littermates to win on the night when landing Race 2, The Greyhound Data Sprint. Owned by Tristan Kelly, Julie was impressive on what was her career debut. After a decent exit from trap 3 she showed good early pace to lead comfortably by the first turn and was never in danger of being caught thereafter. Her time was 16.92 and she won by 6.25 lengths.

Race 3 went the way of Michael Taggart’s Dragon Lord (Ballyhimikin Jet x Beaming Rosie, Jun ’23). After a moderate start, he made the most of his trap 1 pitch, pacing down to the first turn on the inside of Beepers Bowie. Lord never relinquished the rails position which paid off on the crown of the first and second bends as he started to pull clear to an impressive 6 length victory in 17.17.

Old Fort Lakota (Coolavanny Hoffa x Atealive, May ’23) was back to her brilliant best in Race 4 over the 500 yards for owner Tony Teague. Lakota was a finalist in the December 2024 Bart Teague Memorial Oaks at Brandywell which was won in a time of 27.83.

She had a few months off after the Oaks but showed signs of a return to form with an encouraging sprint effort last week when finishing strongly to claim the runner up spot behind Drumcrow Gal. On Monday Lakota drew trap 1 and absolutely blasted the lids to claim an instant lead. She was under pressure throughout from Meenagh Moscow but Lakota dug deep all the way to the line to win by 2.75 lengths in a fast 27.66.

We switched to the 525 yard trip for Race 5 and it was the Brendan McLaughlin owned Scally Annie (Broadstrand Bono x Town Mouse, Jan ’22) that finally got rewarded for some decent efforts in defeat over the last few months. She was runner up to Notshort Ofpace in the Geoff Thompson Memorial Final in Oct 2024 at Brandywell over the 500 yards and the step up to 525 yards on Monday played to her strengths. She popped out in front of her rivals from trap 2 and ran out an easy 6.75 length winner in 29.31.

Lifford on Saturday; Race 7 - The LIFFORD STADIUM A5/A6 525 Final was won by A SWEET DAMSEL in 29.44. Pictured with (from left) Rebecca Gilliland, Trevor Lindsay & Kyle McCarron.

Race 6 was won by the Paul James owned Halo Stephen (Kinloch Brae x Halo Dimebar, Apr ’22) who is the litter brother or Race 2 winner Halo Julie. Trained by Alan Byrne, Stephen was slow away from trap 5 and despite getting squeezed for room at the first turn found himself in a share of third place entering the back straight.

He paced down to the third bend gaining ground on the leaders and overtook them on the crown of the last two bends. However, he relinquished the lead after swinging wide off the fourth bend, but plugged on gamely to get up on the line by a short head in 28.72 for the 500 yards.

A ping break from the Daniel O’Hagan owned Lifes Nippy (Broadstrand Bono x Alien Dawning, Dec ’21) put the last race of the night beyond the reach of his rivals. Trained by Daniel’s father Cyril, Nippy made all from trap 2 to win by half a length in 17.12. This brings his career tally of wins to 4.

Action from Lifford Greyhound Stadium

There may have been some novice sweepstake action on offer at Lifford Stadium on Saturday, however, it was another youngster in a standard S6 that stole the show as Blackstone Drama produced a flawless performance for Derry owner Paul Ryan. A choicely bred son of Coolavanny Hoffa and Blackstone Flyer, the June 2023 whelp came into the contest with some modest form, however, he was the subject to good support as proven from his starting price of 4/6.

Johnny Scott (left) was presented with a trophy by Barry Holland after Ferndale Power was voted our favourite performer at a recent race meeting. Trophy sponsored by Michael Taggart.

That said, he never looked like being beaten as he broke well from trap one, before showcasing a lovely turn of early speed to immediately draw clear of his rivals. Indeed, the classy blue-brindle never broke his stride around the bottom two bends and he powered up the Lifford hill to emerge just shy of eight lengths clear of Crokers Brian in second. The time, on a sticky surface, was a brilliant 17.66. 

The highlight on Saturday was the final of the 700 euro to the winner Trackside Restaurant A3/A4 525 and this was landed in thrilling fashion by Mairead Miller’s Liberty Katy (Ballymac Bolger - Liberty Marie).

This lady packs a superb finishing kick and given track conditions, she looked a generous price at 3/1 prior to the off. Running from four, Miller’s charge looked in a spot of bother as she sat several lengths adrift early on with Raha Maverick setting a strong gallop at the head of affairs. However, the complex of the race changed around the bottom two bends and although Rustys Councel was in full throttle, Liberty Katy was building up ahead of steam in third.

A thrilling finish in store, it was ‘Katy’ that came home with a wet sail to cross the line with three parts of a length to spare over Rustys Councel in second. The time was 29.23.  

Elsewhere on the card, the final of the ‘Lifford Stadium A5/A6 525’ served as the supporting act and this saw Martin Gallagher’s A Sweet Damsel (King Sheeran - Misty Handwell) make it back-to-back wins.

This lady had plenty in hand in terms of the clock coming into the decider, however, benefited from some luck on the night as Gamble Frank handed the favourite victory. Running from four, it was ‘Damsel’ that set the pace for the majority of the contest, however, Gamble Frank took control between the bottom two bends and looked certain to grab victory. ‘Frank’ had other ideas in the closing yards however, and this allowed A Sweet Damsel (4/5) to step back up to the plate and take home the €400 prize. Crossing with a half-length to spare, the time was 29.44.

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On Sunday evening, the SIS meeting saw Austin Maxwell record a hat-trick of winners and the first to score was Crokers Millie in race three. A big 11/2 chance, this lady was led by Bellatrix Doll early doors, however, showed the superior stamina abilities to race past her rival late on and secure a neck victory in 29.89. 

Lifford on Saturday; Race 7 - The LIFFORD STADIUM A5/A6 525 Final was won by A SWEET DAMSEL in 29.44. Pictured with (from left) Rebecca Gilliland, Trevor Lindsay & Kyle McCarron.

Crokers Mick got in on the act in race eight as he too came from off-the-pace to record back-to-back wins. Occupying the rear early on, the son of Ballymac Bolger showed fine track craft to nip through runners and finish best of all to reel in Glenfinn Eske by a half-length.

The treble was completed in the penultimate race of the night as Doirc (5/1) also secured a second win in as many weeks. Implementing similar tactics as both her kennel companions, the daughter of Kinloch Brae looked out of it early on, however, produced her now customary strong finish to peg back the gallant Tinks Lad by three parts of a length in second.