BE NIFTY LEADS GUILFOYLE ONE-TWO IN ON FAYA GALWAY OAKS

Peter Farrell

The final of the 2026 On Faya Galway Oaks, kindly sponsored by Peter Mulrooney of the On Faya Kennels, took centre stage at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Thursday night and it was Magical Be Nifty that emerged triumphant to complete a one-two for the Guilfoyle kennel.

Having dominated the competition throughout, Patrick Guilfoyle arrived at the decider with a formidable hand, represented by Magical Mag and Magical Be Nifty, both of whom had produced exceptional semi-final performances to book their places in the final. It was Magical Mag that headed the market at 5/6, with kennel companion Magical Be Nifty next best at 9/2. Avenue Queen was also chalked up at similar odds, while Deerjet Matilda was available at 13/2, Kishlawn Kudos at 12/1 and Ballyhoe Natalee at 14/1.

CRUCIAL EARLY YARDS

With Magical Mag drawn wider than ideal in trap five, the break looked certain to prove crucial and, although the favourite had shown devastating early speed in her semi-final success, she failed to reproduce that same lightning exit, posting a 3.34 sectional, a length slower than the brilliant 3.27 she recorded a week earlier. In contrast, kennel companion Magical Be Nifty went the opposite direction altogether, improving markedly at traprise as she bolted from trap three to seize command within a matter of strides. Elsewhere, the race was effectively over for the likes of Deerjet Matilda, Avenue Queen and Kishlawn Kudos, all of whom encountered early crowding, ending their hopes of landing the valuable prize before the race had properly developed.

DETERMINED NIFTY

Once Magical Be Nifty turned in front, it quickly became apparent that it would take something exceptional to reel her in. Entering the back straight, the contest had developed into a fascinating duel between the two Guilfoyle stars, with Magical Be Nifty holding a two-length advantage over Magical Mag. That margin remained intact approaching the three-quarter mark before the favourite began to edge closer around the bottom two bends, raising hopes of a dramatic finish.

BE NIFTY MAKES-ALL

However, once straightening for home, Magical Mag had little left to offer after making her move. Magical Be Nifty, a daughter of Droopys Jet and Magical Poppy, owned by Pat and Donal Guilfoyle, found plenty for pressure and stayed on with tremendous determination to fend off her illustrious kennel companion by two lengths and secure the biggest success of her career. Ballyhoe Natalee stayed on to claim the final podium position, while the winning time was a superb 28.73 .20s.

MAGICAL POPPY PROVING AN EXCEPTIONAL DAM

It proved a fitting conclusion to a wonderful renewal of the On Faya Galway Oaks and, while Magical Be Nifty undoubtedly came of age with a career-defining display, Magical Mag lost absolutely nothing in defeat. Together, the pair served up a memorable final and underlined the remarkable strength in depth of the Guilfoyle kennel.

Furthermore, Magical Be Nifty hails from one of the most exciting litters in training, with dam Magical Poppy having produced a sensational mating to Droopys Jet. Brother Thomas, Waitingforastar and Magical Jet are all littermates of the Galway Oaks heroine, while Magical Hope is from Magical Poppy's first litter to Dorotas Wildcat. Few brood bitches can boast a record to rival Magical Poppy at present, whose influence looks set to grow over the coming years.