Derry Greyhounds: Freyas Robyn fastest on Keeperlit Gala Night

Kevin Perisi and his friends honoured their annual commitment to supporting the Brandywell greyhound racing community on Monday with 6 generously sponsored races, presentation jackets and trophies for the winners. In addition, the semi-finals of the Dan McCann Ulster 500 completed the programme for the night.

Racing got underway with the Santas Jet Sprint, sponsored by Michael Young, who is one of our Brandywell Gold Cup sponsors. It was 8th time lucky for the Leanne Hawthorne and Katelyn McKenzie owned Thats Deadly Sir (Our Surprise x Strideaway Kitty, Nov ’23) who notched up his first career success with a slick performance from trap 6. He led from trap rise to win by 3 lengths in 17.32 for his delighted owners.

Race 2, the Footfield Kennels Sprint was sponsored by Martin Hagan who is another of our Brandywell Gold Cup sponsors. It was the early pace of the Patrick Gibson and Paul O’Neill owned Ballyskeagh Nova (Ballymac Vic x Avongate Nova, Jun ’23) who notched up her 5th career success over this course and distance.

Fast away from trap 5, she led into the first bend but moved off wide entering the home straight which allowed Macash Derry to take the lead by saving ground on his inside. However, Nova wasn’t to be denied and her stamina got her back in front just in time to win by a neck in 17.27.

Michael Corr won Race 3, We Love Our Mum’s Sprint, with Meenagh Malaga (Mustang Jet x Meenagh Melody, Jun ’24). This race was sponsored by Kevin Perisi and Lynda Bonner. Sadly, Kevin’s mother, Patricia Perisi, recently passed away and it was a thoughtful gesture to co-sponsor this race in recognition of his love for her.

Malaga was slowly away from trap 1 but showed a lovely burst of pace to be in contention at the first turn where she made the most of her inside pitch to take over from the early leader Explosive Lad who swung off wide entering the home straight. Malaga ran on well to win by a neck in 17.34 and record her first career success on only her second attempt.

The 1st semi-final of the Dan McCann Ulster 500 A4/A5 went to Eager Marty (Our Surprise x Eager Ember, Jan ’24) with a fine performance from a difficult trap 5 draw. Evenly away from boxes, Marty took up the lead at the first turn to run out a 2.75 length victory in 26.26 for owner Damien McConville. Scally Annie ran on well for second with Creevy Pet taking third a further 4 lengths away.

The 2nd semi-final was the faster of the two, with Meet More Often (Magical Bale x Maid Me Country, Aug ’22) throwing her hat in the ring as a serious contender for outright glory in this prestigious competition. She showed her usual blistering early pace from trap 1 and stayed on well to win in 28.17 by 1.75 lengths from Caislean Champ in second with Up From Eskragh 3.5 lengths back in third.

Race 8 , Leo Gallagher 300 Sprint was won by FREYAS ROBYN  in 17.15. Many of the late Leo’s relatives gathered to present winning owner Dominic McGarrigle with his trophy. A few friends including John Porter, Gary & Daisy Rouse are also in photo with Eamon Curran.

Trap draw for the Dan McCann Ulster 500 Final: T1; Eager Marty, T2; Scally Annie, T3; Caislean Champ, T4; Meet More Often, T5; Creevy Pet, T6; Up From Eskragh.

The feature race was Race 6; Remembering Patricia Perisi 500. It was sponsored by Kevin Perisi’s very good friend Paul Ryan in recognition of the recent loss of his mother.

It had special significance that this race was held on Keeperlit Gala Night which is an event that Kevin is so diligent in organising for his Brandywell ‘family’ each year. It was won by Damien Patterson’s early paced Rein Back (Rileys Hill x Over Easy, May ’23). Trained by Roy Ruddy, Rein Back lead from trap to line to win by 0.5 lengths in 28.29 from the fast finishing Spritinthesky.

The Sugar Rush Syndicate sponsored Race 7, My Sweet Betsy 500. It was a race of changing fortunes. Mineolatazmanian took a flyer from trap 6 and led to the third bend. Down the back straight it was Eager Rosie that was flying through the pack and looking a serious danger.

However, the eventual winner, Tammy Kay (Broadstrand Bono x Believer, Aug ’22) in trap 2, had to come from last place to claim victory for owners Kim McKinney and James Lafferty. Tammy entered the home straight with a narrow lead which she extended to 2.5 lengths as she crossed the line in 28.98 for trainer Cyril O’Hagan.

Race 6, Remembering Patricia Persi 500 was won by REIN BACK in 28.29. Pictured with Laura Hughes who made the trophy presentation to winning connections.

The night’s racing drew to a close with the Leo Gallagher Memorial Sprint which was sponsored by his good friend Eamon Curran. Many of Leo’s family attended the track to celebrate Leo’s memory. It was won by Dominic McGarrigle’s Freyas Robyn (Burgess Bucks x Blue Robyn, Jun ’22) after a moderate start from trap 3. Robyn’s early pace took her to the first bend in front and she had enough of an advantage to hold off the fast finishing Generous Who by a short head in 17.15.

The Brandywell greyhound racing community would like to send their sincere condolences to Kevin Perisi on the loss of his mother and we appreciate Kevin’s commitment in organising Keeperlit 2025 despite going through this difficult and sad time.

WESTWAY ROSSA SHINES IN LIFFORD OAKS SEMI-FINALS

A big crowd turned out for the BOYLE Sports Lifford Oaks semi-finals on Saturday night, where Westway Rossa stole the show with a classy and determined performance.

After early-round trouble, there were doubts about Henry Scimia’s charge, drawn in a tough heat alongside Magical Mag and Hackney Tango.

Lifford on Saturday; Race 8 - The BOYLE Sports Lifford Oaks 2025 2nd Semi-Final was won by WESTWAY ROSSA in 28.54. Pictured with Trainer Damian Maginn.

Those questions were quickly answered as Rossa displayed blistering pace and power to land a thrilling victory. Magical Mag, trained by Pat Guilfoyle, set the early tempo from trap one, clocking a sharp 2.55 sectional and leading by four lengths at halfway. But as the Lifford hill loomed, Rossa closed relentlessly, powering up the inside to grab victory by one and a quarter lengths in 28.54. Magical Mag held second, with Hackney Tango just a length back in third.

Guilfoyle still tasted success in the opening semi as Daleroad Mya (Explosive Boy – Razldazl Mya) made every yard of the running. Exploding from trap three, she quickly asserted control while Ashmar Una and Magical Sapphire tangled in behind. Ashmar Una closed late, setting up a thrilling finish, but Mya held on bravely by a neck in 28.94. Magical Sapphire rallied to grab third, ensuring Guilfoyle will have three finalists in next week’s BoyleSports Lifford Oaks decider.

Manila Strikes in Northwest Greyhound Supplies Semis

In the supporting Northwest Greyhound Supplies A3/A4 525 semis, Meenagh Manila set the benchmark for owner Michael Corr.

Breaking smartly from trap two, she led throughout to hold off Ballymac Jedgar by half a length in 29.15, with State Legend also qualifying in third, ensuring Corr will have two finalists in the €2,000-to-the-winner final this weekend.

The Evergreen Excellence Trophy was presented to Cadhla McConomy by Darren Toland after Inniskeen Mandy was voted our favourite performer at the 20/10/25 race meeting. Trophy sponsored by Michael Okane.

Earlier, Ballybun Ranger made it back-to-back wins for Adrian McGlinchey and Alan Byrne. Despite a tricky draw in six, he flew from traps to make all, repelling Slicer by a neck in 29.30.

Tumble Bumble the One to Beat in NWBOGA A5 525 Final

Tumble Bumble looks the standout heading into this weekend’s NWBOGA A5 525 decider after a dominant semi-final victory. Owned by Conor Colby, the well-fancied runner powered home from off the pace to score impressively by nearly seven lengths in 29.09.

The other heats went to Centenarys Leo and Avenue Queen, setting up a red-hot final. ‘Leo’, owned by Sean Melly, overcame early crowding to record back-to-back wins in 29.19, while Avenue Queen, owned by Brian Robinson, followed up her sharp 28.85 opening-round success with a solid 29.30 effort.