Derry Greyhounds: Veteran Starcash Barry caps 100th race with dramatic victory

The feature events on Monday’s Brandywell programme were the 4 races sponsored by the Kerry Greyhound Owners and Breeder Association (GOBA) and the Starcash Barry Centenary 500 which was sponsored by the Brandywell Greyhound Supporters Group.

Colm Sweeney’s kennels are in a rich vein of form and he produced the winner of Race 1 over 300 yards. His homebred, strapping 77 pound lad, Mexicano (Ballymac Cashout x Skirk Illusion, Oct ’23) racing from the 5 box, out trapped his rivals and led throughout to win by 4.5 lengths in 17.04. From his 10 career starts, he has now notched up two consecutive wins but most importantly his times are improving with each race.

It was seventh time lucky for Harry McClelland’s Tullymurry Ziana (Ballymac Cashout x Work Your Head, Oct ’23) in Race 2 over the 300 yards when she landed her first career success. She was slowly away from trap 3 but had plenty of early pace to turn the first bend in front. From there she ran on very well to win by 4.5 lengths in 16.81. A very pleasing effort and it looks like a step up to 4 bends should suit her.

The Brandywell patrons were delighted to receive sponsorship for Races 3, 4, 6 & 7 from the Kerry GOBA and we had some memorable winners of these events. The scouts’ notebooks came out after the third race when James Campbell’s Velvet George (Ballinabola Ed x Velvet Sonia, Nov ’24) cruised to an 8.75 length victory in a blistering time of 16.61 for the 300 yards after missing the kick from trap 1.

As far as racing debuts go, this must have been one of the most eye catching performances we have seen at Brandywell in recent times. At only 16 months of age, this is the sort of dog that inspires dreams about what the future may hold and whatever happens, Brandywell is where his journey started and it was in a race sponsored by our good friends in Kerry.

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In Race 4, Starcash Barry (Droopys Noah x Lightfoot Marie, Aug ’21) was having his 100th start for Dean Toland. With 24 wins already to his credit, he was going to have to be paw perfect to win the Kerry GOBA 500. Drawn in trap 1, Barry got away from boxes well and was offered plenty of room on the inside rail on the run to the first turn.

He paced around in front with Bogger Ollie ranging up on his shoulder as they turned into the back straight. Ollie took up the lead at the third bend and looked like he had the race at his mercy. However Starcash Barry never gives up without a battle and once again, he raised his game, coming up the home straight with the same determination that has seen him earn the adoration of all those who have watched his career over the last 3 years.

The cheers rose from the patrons as if he had won the Derby and Barry marked his 100th start with a thrilling victory by 1.75 lengths in 28.15. A fitting and emotional result for a dog, his family, and all the fans he has attracted with his athletic ability and competitive attitude over the years.

The Starcash Barry Centenary 500 was won by Sean Maxwell’s Roanna Chance (Pestana x Sunline, Feb ’24). Chance made the most of her trap 6 draw and went around the first turn alongside the early leaders. She made her winning move at the third bend and despite keeping a wide course throughout she had plenty in the tank to run on strongly to win by 3.5 lengths in a fast time of 27.91.

This is undoubtedly a very fast lady given the extra ground she covered. She has won 3 of her 4 races and there should be plenty more to come from her as she gains racing experience.

Brandywell Race 6, The Kerry GOBA 500 was won by GLASH0REAG LAD in 28.57. Pictured with Paul Beattie &

Paul Beattie made a winning return to Brandywell in Race 6 The Kerry GOBA 500 with his new recruit Glashoreag Lad (Grangeview Ten x Slipaway Rose, Jan ’24). Having only his second career start, he left himself a tough task after a slow start from trap 4.

He turned the first bend at the tail of the field but showed good pace on the back straight, cleverly moving between runners to take second place at third bend. With early leader Roseville Taz within his sights, he ran on strongly up the home straight to win by 1.5 lengths in 28.57.

The finale was another thriller with Peter Farrell’s Bogger Bale (Glengar Bale x Bogger Ophelia, Jul ’23) getting the better of a real tussle with Yahoo Puff. Bale trapped fastest from the 6 box but Puff soon led until near the line when the classy Bale pounced again to get the verdict by 1 length in a fast 16.72 for a third career success. It was another notable performance in a Kerry GOBA sponsored race.

The first round heats of the Northwest Greyhound Supplies A4/A5 525 got underway on Saturday at Lifford Greyhound Stadium where the fastest joint clocks of 29.06 were recorded by Patrick McIntyre’s Hillslot Salah (Dorotas Wildcat x Unwanted Advise, Sep ’23) in Heat 1 and Anthony Taggart’s Meenagh Manila (Broadstrand Bono x Meenagh Miracle, Jun ’23) in Heat 6. It is a wide open competition going into the next round, with a generous prizemoney pot available.

The Brendan Matthews owned pair of Gone To Draft (Signet Ace x Press Unlock, Aug ’24) and My Eyes Only finished first and second respectively in the Lifford Stadium ON2/ON3 325 Final just a neck apart in 17.62. The Patrick & Gerard Toman owned Loughside Oisin (Dromana Bucko x Loughside Best, Sep ’24) won the March ON2/ON3 525 Final on 29.33 with a determined trap to line effort in 29.33.

Sunday at Lifford; Five winners for David Park who is holding Matts Mission, Coonough Dreamer & Lotus Reggie. His wife Charlotte is holding Harrys Pepper & Cashout Lucy.

Sunday’s racing at Lifford saw David Park win an incredible 5 races on the 12 race programme. His winners and their times included Matts Mission (Droopys Sydney x Matts Marine, Sept 21) in 29.39, Lotus Regie (Magical Bale x Wee Tee, Apr ’24) in 29.29, Cashout Lucy (Ballymac Cashout x Nothing Gained, Mar ’24) in 29.21, Harrys Pepper (Lotus Striker x Kirstens Girl, Aug ’23) in 29.30 and Coonough Dreamer (The Other Kobe x Innfield Jasper, May ’24) in 29.42.

Zach aka Aengus retires to Florida - Track craft is important for greyhounds to compete safely and without being blessed with a great deal of it, his owner decided that 1.5 year old unraced greyhound Zach (ex Townsend Beauty, Aug ’24) from Dungiven, would be better suited to retirement than racing. He flew to Florida in February 2026 which was made possible through the excellent collaborative work of the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust and Gold Coast Greyhound Adoptions in the US. This handsome lad has already found his forever family who appreciate his thoroughbred pedigree and unique upbringing.

Adopted by Whitney and Andrew Chinlund in Valrico, he is now called Aengus and they have sent us an update on his progress over his first few weeks as part of their family.

“Aengus has transitioned to life in America like a champ. He’s mastered our schedules to maximize his naps, negotiating with human siblings for fallen snacks, and knows where every treat or toy is in the house. He joins his big sister greyhound who has graciously shown him the ropes of getting the most pets at school drop off in the mornings.

"Aengus is his momma’s shadow and can’t let her out of his sight even if she’s gone to the restroom. He’s a laidback, go with the flow kind of guy which is perfect for his new retirement life in Florida. He’s truly a wonderful dog and has been the perfect addition to our family. We are absolutely smitten with him! Thank you for allowing us to have him become a member of our clan.”

Zach aka Aengus, an unraced greyhound who was born in Dungiven and has retired last month in Florida with his adopters, the Chinlund family.

We wish Aengus a ‘happy ever after’ and if you wish find to out more about how to adopt a retired greyhound, please contact the Brandywell Greyhound Supporters Group on Face Book.