KATHLEEN LIGHTS UP EASTER CUP

Ian Fortune

The 2026 Shelbourne Park Bookmakers Easter Cup got underway in Dublin on Saturday night and there were many fine performances but one stood out above the others.

Droopys Kathleen used the stage to remind the world of the incredible talent she possesses, claiming a first win on Irish soil since November ’24 when posting a brilliant standard-setting 29.31.

Heat 1 – MATI MAGIC

Hackney Mati, owned by the Hackney Boys Syndicate, made a winning 2026 return in the opening heat, showing his class to better the early leader Harry Houdini into the third turn.

The latter broke smartly to dictate the pace and while Hackney Mati eased slightly on the turn, he found a way to turn second.

It was then a case of when the Michael O’Donovan trained son of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Pete would go to front. Taking over into the third turn, Hackney Mati was always in control thereafter and stayed on to secure a three-length victory over the staying on Moorstown Knight in 29.85. Miami Hyland also stayed on well to finish a length further back in third.

Heat 2 – KATHLEEN STEALS THE HEADLINES

No matter the results elsewhere, there was no bigger story in Irish greyhound racing over the weekend than the return of the sensational Droopys Kathleen to winning ways.

She was a warm favourite to claim a first victory at Shelbourne Park since November ’24 in Heat 2 and duly obliged in facile fashion for owners Alan Dobbs and leading jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Out-trapped by Boylesports Blue on her inner, she quickly moved through the gears to lead before the corner. Quickly seizing a near four length lead to the second turn, she went further to clear to halfway to lead by five.

Lemon Hidalgo displayed fine pace down the back to go second but Droopys Kathleen was not for catching. The Robert Gleeson trained superstar galloped right to the line and was never in danger. Droopys Kathleen won by three and a half lengths in 29.31. Lemon Hidalgo ran a big race in defeat, holding a rallying Boylesports Blue by a half-length.

Heat 3 –FAITHFUL SUPPORTERS REWARDED

Droopys Faithful hadn’t been seen since winning the Winter Racing Festival Championship 575 last November but she made a winning return to action in Heat 3.

Racing prominently to the turn before moving on at the second turn.

Lennies Tank also went up fast and seemed certain to turn in front only to bump Droopys Faithful on the corner before briefly losing his balance. As a result, Droopys Faithful quickened into a decisive lead.

Ballyhooly Bruno charged down the back straight and stayed on well to secure second but Daniel O’Rahilly’s brilliant Droopys Faithful was not for catching. The hugely talented daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Curio may have tired a little on the run in but emerged a good winner by a half-length in 29.59. Ballyhooly Bruno was second with Lennies Tank a length away in third.

Heat 4 –FIVE STAR DISPLAY FROM CALLAWAY

Denis Murphy’s Callaway Five has long been a talented tracker but his performance in Heat 4 was a career best display as he left some talented rivals chasing shadows.

Breaking on terms, the Owen McKenna trained son of Ballymac Cashout and Clondoty Amy quickly put the foot down, quickening into the lead by the bend.

It was all one-way traffic thereafter. Cheque For Cash and Hunters Pilot initially took up the chase but neither could get close enough to worry the leader. Instead, Coosane Pickles ran on well to take second. Callaway Five was imperious, however, hitting the line four lengths clear in 29.47. Hunters Pilot outran his odds to finish just a half length back in third.

Heat 5 – ORLA POWERS HOME TO COLLAR HANS

The final heat was certainly a race of two halves.

Miami Hans seemed certain to race to an impressive success when flashing from traps to go clear but a combination of the leader tiring and Lemon Orla finishing at speed saw the latter collar her rival on the line.

Lemon Orla has long been a very strong performer but even by her standards, this was remarkable. Still lengths back at halfway, she began to close in second. Miami Hans started to thread water off the final turn but still had a clear advantage.

With each stride, the Tom O’Neill trained Lemon Orla got closer before getting up in the final strides. Owned by TJ Lyons and Noel Crowley, the daughter of Jacob Tashadelek and Foyle Lucy struck the front on the line to win by a head in 29.63. Miami Hans was second with Lennies Madge a further three and a half lengths adrift in third.

HOFFA MAKES IT THREE

After waiting a long time to double her career tally in the semi-finals, Town Hoffa claimed a third victory in the final of the Sporting Press A3 final.

Charging up the straight to pick up the long-time pace-setters Darbys Chance and Rolo Genie.

Neither of the front two are stout stayers and were always going to be vulnerable to a big finisher and that is exactly what Town Hoffa is. Sean Dooley’s daughter of Coolavanny Hoffa and Town Curly actually won with a bit in hand, leading late and easing on to win by two lengths from Darbys Chance in 28.81.

EXILE SURE IS IMPRESSIVE

Andrew Lynch’s Sure Exile produced the type of run in the finale over 550yds to suggest he wouldn’t have been out of place in the Easter Cup.

The son of Broadstrand Bono and Glowing Exile flashed from boxes to dominate. Foulkscourt Cody pushed hard to the third turn but Sure Exile powered home to win by four lengths in 29.66.

PASTTHEPOST FINISHES FIRST

Firstpastthepost was an aptly named winner of the opener, holding off the late charge of Uncle Keith to stop the clock in 28.62.

The half-length margin doesn’t tell the full story, however, with the winner showing terrific early speed to put her rivals to the sword.

Clear at halfway, Josie Burns’ son of Good Cody and Portumna Marina never really looked under any pressure and he was fully deserving of his victory.

AMIGO POUNCES LATE

Amigo Star pounced late in the mini-open second race for Maria Kennedy.

Jerrivee De Meg and Exclusion Order had a terrific buckle for much of the way, bumping on a number of times, allowing Amigos Star to draw closer in third.

Turning for home, Amigos Star stayed to the inside of the track to make her move. The daughter of Good Cody and Deelish Oreo slipped on the inside of the front two to score by a half-length from Exclusion Order in 28.98.