Derry Greyhounds: Sizzling performance by Ballygloss Angus to win Liam Melly Memorial Final

We were treated to an all sponsored race meeting at Brandywell on Monday evening where the feature event was the final of the Liam Melly Memorial 525 Final.

Backhomeinderry (Deerjet Sydney x Bogger Swift, Jun ’24) made his career debut a winning one in Race 1, the Taylorstown Schooling & Rearing Sprint. Racing from trap 6, the field reached the first bend together with Backhomeinderry powering around his opposition to build up a 3.5 length advantage as he crossed the line in 17.11. It was a great start for his owner Stephen Radcliffe who notched up a double on the night.

The Georges Bar Sprint was won by Pat Barrett’s Quigleyspoint (Bogger Hunter x Ladyswell, May ’24). Only moderately away from trap 2, Quigleyspoint took advantage of some first bend crowding to slip through on the inside rail to take up the lead entering the home straight. He ran on well to win by 1 length in 17.42.

Dellser Bolger (Ballymac Bolger x Fair Act, Jul ’23) was back to something like his best form when winning Race 3 the On The Run Syndicate Sprint for Richard Graham and Patrick Edgar. Racing from trap 2, he turned into the home straight with the race under control and stopped the clock in 16.95 with 2.25 lengths to spare over Do It Bluff in second.

The final of the Liam Melly Memorial 525 was a crowd puller and the race was decided at trap rise. With both Meenagh Manila and Justys Flyer fluffing their starts, it gave Stephen Radcliffe’s Ballygloss Angus (Glengar Bale x Bogger Ophelia, Jul ’23) the chance to get an early lead and a clear passage around the first turn.

Brandywell; The Ballyquin Trophy was presented to John McGorrey (right) by sponsor Shea Cassidy after Meenagh Milan was voted our favourite performer at the 6th October 2025 race meeting.

Having finished strongly in his previous races, it was just a matter of how far he would stretch the field. Bogger Ollie ran very well in defeat and looked a potential threat at the third bend after showing some lovely back straight pace. But it was Angus’s night and he clocked a very fast 28.88 with 3.5 lengths to spare over Ollie in second.

Ardagh Madrid (Broadstrand Bono x Venice, Sep ’22) ran a gusty race to win Race 6, the Pyper & Parke Electrical 500 for Conor Crossan. Only moderately away from trap 4, she paced up to the first bend, with 3 runners on her inside. She kept a wide berth and turned into the back straight on the outside of the early leader Honey Cash. As Cash rounded the third bend, Madrid looked a real threat as she took the outside route to lead turning for home. Madrid ran on well to win by 2 lengths in 28.06.

Race 6, the Daniel White & James McGhee 500 went to Hugh Mallon’s Longrange Comet (Ballymac Cashout x Droopys Ophelia, Jun ’24). He was fast away from trap 3, moved to a rails position and knuckled down to business to claim glory on only his second career start with a 28.90 clock. It was an encouraging effort from this young pup.

The finale, the Paul Ellis Sprint was won by Kevin O’Kane’s homebred Sniper Orla Wray (Broadstrand Bono x Sniper Ria, Aug ’22) in a fast 16.67. Her early pace from trap 2 saw her build up an early lead and once turning the bend in front, it was a matter of how far. Veteran performer Graigues Madam ran a terrific race to claim second place just 3.25 lengths behind the winner.

Special thanks must go to Sean Melly who organised this event and to all the race sponsors. It was great to have some of Liam Melly’s family and friends back together again on track and Ballygloss Angus was a worthy winner of this prestigious competition.

Brandywell; Race 4, Liam Melly Memorial 525 Final was won by BALLYGLOSS ANGUS in 28.88. Pictured with (front left) Liam's granddaughter Sophie Melly & his great grandson Luca Melly.

The standout performance on Saturday night came in the concluding race on the card as Saoirses Girl, not for the first time, blew holes in her rivals. Trained by Eddie Hurson for Teresa Hurson, this lady has electric gears and she was to put some strong rivals to the sword effortlessly from her trap three berth. Sent off at odds of 5/2, the daughter of King Sheeran boxed brilliantly to lead with ease early on.

Posting a smart 4.31 sectional, she was to power clear of her rivals thereafter, getting stronger as the race progressed. Indeed, as she powered up the Lifford hill to cross with two and a quarter lengths to spare, she stopped the clock in an exceptional 17.43, a blistering effort from this January puppy.

Prior to that, there was a superb effort in race five from Brendan McLaughlin’s Reneas Boy. The strapping performer had some decent form in the book prior to lining out from trap two, however, he was to step-up significantly to ensure he will be keeping much sharper company next time out.

A 5/4 market leader, the son of Deerjet Sydney – Culdaff Lady pinged out to lead and once doing so, was to draw clear of his rivals to run to a virtual solo for connections. Winning by a lengthy four and a quarter lengths, the time for the January pup was a rapid 17.59 and that win sealed an impressive fifth career success from just nine starts.

Over the standard trip, the fastest of the night was Swift Touchy, who continues to improve for Fermanagh handler, Brian Maguire. A winner of two of her last three starts, the 4/1 chance took charge at the second bend from MineolaTazmanian and in doing so, never looked back.

Messan Rocks & Messan Mercury with members of the Greyhound Constituents NI whose visit to Stormont was hosted by Ciara Ferguson MLA (centre, back row).

A daughter of Broadstrand Bono – Swift Acoustic, she normally finds plenty in the closing stages of the contest and she did just that in seeing off Shelbys Boy by three parts of a length in second. The time was a career best, 29.15.

On Sunday night, there was a terrific four-timer on the SIS card for Jimmy Anderson with his trackers, Scary Moon, Strike It Dolly, Shes A Showgirl and Kalinga. Fastest of those was Strike It Dolly, who continued her purple patch to pick her way through the field and win by one and a quarter lengths in 29.48. This weekend will see the start of the 10,000 to the winner BOYLE sports Lifford Oaks and expect some of the Country’s leading ladies to descend to Co. Donegal for what’s expected to be a feast of top-class racing.

The fastest time on Sunday was recorded by Slicer (Malachi x Ravenswood Mango, Dec ’22) who notched up his third consecutive win at Lifford for owner Orla McGhee and trainer Cathal McGhee. His time was 29.26.

Members from the community of Greyhound Constituents Northern Ireland visited Stormont during the week to discuss the thoroughbred greyhound.

In a historic moment Finn & Dave (Messan Rocks & Messan Mercury) were the first greyhounds to ever visit Stormont. Once clocking speeds of 40 mph at the peak of their careers, they have since been enjoying their retirement with their owners. Now, aged 9 years old, Finn revelled in the cuddles he received on his visit, while Dave's sharp sighthound instincts were piqued by Stormont’s robotic lawnmower.

Welfare is a top priority for those who dedicate their lives to the thoroughbred greyhound and they emphasised their commitment to preserving & safeguarding this remarkable breed whilst facilitating their natural sighthound behaviour in the safest possible environment.

Ciara Ferguson MLA graciously hosted the visit and John Blair MLA also made time to meet with those visiting. There was also an opportunity for a quick chat with First and Deputy First Ministers and other MLA’s during the visit.