MAGICAL A CHRISTMAS CRACKER

Ian Fortune

Magical On Fire ended a most memorable year in some style at a packed Shelbourne Park on Saturday night, emerging a wide margin winner of the Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks for Pat Guilfoyle.

Already the Laurels champion, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Burgess Sarah was sent to traps the even money favourite and she proceeded to produce one of the most incredible displays to land the €15,000 prize.

That’s not to say she had everything her own way. Aghadown Flight actually went up fastest to lead the field into the bend, closely pursued by her kennel companion Rural Ana. Between the pair, Magical On Fire was third alongside her kennel companion Magical Hope.

Magical On Fire took an early bump from Aghadown Flight, who was showing a tendency to move off the fence. This would again be the case as they entered the back straight. The whole complexion of the race changed as they entered the back straight.

Rural Ana was now challenging Aghadown Flight, but the latter moved off, leaving a huge gap for Magical On Fire to shoot through. The brilliant Laurels champion displayed huge pace to quickly put the result beyond any doubt.

Clear by the third turn, it was little more than a procession for Magical On Fire thereafter. The brilliantly fast bitch would coast home a six-length winner over Aghadown Flight in a sensational 27.99. There was another length to Singalong Polly in third with A Lucky Julie another half length back in fourth.

Peter Burke Minister for Enterprise Tourism and Employment presents the trophy to Patrick Guilfoyle after Magical On Fire won The Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks. Also included are Tom O'Keeffe, Sandra, Donal, Caroline, Ella, Conor and Emily Guilfoyle, Jayden Loughnane, Pat Flanagan Chairman GRI and sponsor Bernard Barry.          Pic: Imelda Grauer

CASH BRINGS DOWN THE CURTAIN ON SHELBOURNE PARK YEAR

The hugely valuable final of the Bernard Barry Open 525 was the last race of 2025 at Shelbourne Park and Karol Ramsbottom and the Cash Back Syndicate had reason to smile with Cheque For Cash coming in as a reserve to run out a tremendous winner of the €5,000 prize.

Drawn in four, the talented son of Dromana Bucko and Paradise Asia was at his sharpest in the early yards, leading by almost two lengths on the bend. Promising youngster Bockos Gold took a bump from Bushpark Mel in the early yards but turned second and chased hard into the third turn.

Cheque For Cash was never going to surrender his advantage, however. Maintaining a strong gallop to the line, Cheque For Cash emerged a comfortable two length winner over Bockos Gold in 28.43. It was a fine performance to end the Shelbourne Park year.

PIMPLE CLAIMS SPONSORS 550

Kereight Pimple was one of the easiest and most straightforward winners on the card when emerging a deserving winner of the €3,000 final of the Thanks To Our Sponsors A0 550.

Perfectly housed in the stripes, Aidan Denton’s son of Broadstrand Bono and Right So Belle displayed fine early dash on the outside of the track to assert into the bend.

It was all very comfortable for the talented tracker thereafter. Breffni Paddy emerged as his nearest rival but Kereight Pimple couldn’t be stopped. The October ’22 whelp raced for a three and a half length victory in 29.89.

BABY DIDN’T DALLY

Ian Reilly recorded a fine double on the card, completed by Baby Dont Dally in the final of the Happy Xmas & Happy New Year A1 525.

Mind Your Mind set a strong pace, showing fine early speed to go clear but he was always under pressure once Baby Dont Dally turned second.

Mind Your Mind continued to dictate to the third turn but Baby Dont Dally was starting to close. Moving with purpose, the Pink Pony Club Syndicate owned Baby Dont Dally stayed wide off the final turn before launching his challenge. The son of Malachi and Baby Browne struck the front in the closing yards to win by a length from Highview Air in 28.87.   

ACTINDAMAGGOT WINS OPENER

Actindamaggot got proceedings of to a flier for Ian Reilly.

He initiated a double for his handler in the A0 opener, making every inch after a fast start from the inside box. Coolavanny Shona ran on well to take second but Actindamaggot was not for catching.

David Murtagh’s son of Ballymac Cashout and Slippery Diva went on to hit the line three lengths clear of his rival in 28.68. 

SAM POWERS TO VICTORY

Donishall Sam was too strong for his rivals in the final of the Christmas Cracker A1 525.

These included his kennel companion Metallic Missile who set a strong gallop from the outset. Donishall Sam was third into the back straight but quickly moved into second to start closing on the leader.

Trained by Graham Holland for Michael Young, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Doolin Girls charged up the home straight to collar Metallic Missile in the closing yards. He would take the verdict by a half length in 28.57.

TONY SHOWS HIS EARLY SPEED AGAIN

Early speed was the key to success for Sean Kelly’s Tonyfromdaparish in the final of the Happy Christmas To All A3 NB 525.

The son of Jaytee Taylor and Highview Lemon had impressed in the semis and was sent off an even money chance to complete the job in the €2,000 to the winner decider.

Ballymac Carlina was fastest into stride but her chances disappeared when Tonyfromdaparish moved through the gears to go to the front into the bend. It would prove a decisive maneouvre from the Stephen Murray trained favourite. Tonyfromdaparish proceeded to win by two lengths from Ballymac Carlina in 28.68.  

DUKE TAKES HIS OPPORTUNITY

Martin Lanney and Michael Scanlan were on the mark in the final of the Blink & You'll Miss It SSO 350 with Woodside Duke leaping on her opportunity when it arose.

The race to the corner was very competitive with Tiermana Dream, Stefans Galaxy and Sogna Ancora going up fastest to dispute the early lead.

It was clear that something had to give at the opening turn. As things got tight, Sogna Ancora checked wide, causing traffic. It left a gap along the fence for Woodcliff Duke to slip through. Seizing his opportunity, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Sweet Pear shot to the front before containing the late challenge of Stefans Galaxy by a length in 18.95.

SUAIMHNEAS CONTENT WITH LIFE

Suaimhneas was a fine winner of the final of the Bet With the Tote A6 525 for Barry Clancy and owner Peter O’Reilly.

In charge from the start after a slick exit, the daughter of The Other Kobe and Innfield Jasper was never under any pressure as she shot clear to halfway before coasting home a comfortable seven length winner over Sandyhill Tommy in 28.96.

PABLO TOO HOT TO HANDLE

Thurlesbeg Pablo (Jaytee Taylor/ Illnotbeback) completed an unbeaten passage through the Bernard Barry SPK Regulars A3/A4 525 when again displaying superb early speed to leave his rivals chasing shadows.

Badminton Treaty was second from the outset and did all he could go stay in touch with the leader, but it was futile.Darragh Dwan’s Thurlesbeg Pablo was moving with purpose from the opening stride and proceeded to make all to win by three lengths from Badminton Treaty in 28.72.