BRILLIANT PATRIOT SET FOR STUD DUTIES
Ian Fortune
Droopys Patriot was one of the shining lights of the Irish track scene in 2025 but sadly his racing career is over all too soon. Robert Gleeson confirmed that after recovering from an injury picked up in the Laurels consolation final, the brilliant son of Dorotas Wildcat is ready to take up stud duties where it all began at the Droopys Stud.
A greyhound blessed with the rare ability to star over two and four bends, he had just seventeen career outings but was a classic winner and went desperately close to becoming a dual classic winner.
A CLASSIC WINNING START
It was in February of last year when Droopys Patriot first appeared on the track, lining out in the opening round of the Juvenile Classic at Tralee. He finished fourth on debut but returned a week later in the second round to serve warning that he was going to be force going forward.
Showing fine early dash from the inside box, he took up the running on the corner to emerge a good winner in 28.47. A week later in the semis he posted 28.28, only this time in second.
And so, after just three career starts he took his place in the final of the Juvenile Classic and took full advantage of a perfect draw on the fence. Again, early speed was the key to his success, scorching to the bend to lead home a talented field in 28.21. It was a brilliant start to his all too short career.
ON THE HUNT FOR MORE GLORY AT DUNDALK
He was given time to mature and grow before returning to racing action some four months later. After a series of impressive sprint trials including an 18.38 at Shelbourne and a rapid 20.86 at Dundalk, he was entered for the Irish Sprint Cup.
Much like Broadstrand Syd the previous year, his impact was immediate. He won his opening roun assignment in comfortable fashion, crossing the line clear in 20.88. Over the next three weekends, he was flawless, winning in 21.01, 20.88 and 21.16.
He was now in his second classic final and set to make a bold bid, although it was clear to most observers that a trap two draw was less than ideal with the aforementioned defending champion and Sprinter of the Year Broadstrand Syd drawn on his right shoulder.
Southwind Wild broke fastest and disputed the lead into the turn alongside Droopys Patriot and Broadstrand Syd but the complexion of the race changed on the bend. With Droopys Patriot and Broadstrand Syd coming together on the turn, Southwind Wild was left clear.
Much to Droopys Patriot’s credit, he charged home top be beaten just a short head in 21.08. But for the opening bend traffic, he would have claimed another classic success in just the second competition of his career.
A BRIEF BUT IMPRESSIVE DERBY CAMEO
There was no resting on his laurels and just a week after his narrow defeat in the Irish Sprint Cup, Droopys Patriot was back in racing action in the opening round of the BOYLE Sports Irish Derby. It was a giant leap for the razor-sharp black.
Some five months into his racing career, he had yet to race beyond 525yds and had only sprint form on his card since capturing the Juvenile Classic in March. Would he see out the 550yd trip?
He faced a tough test in the opening round of the Derby with Produce Stakes winner Lemon Joey and proven top-class performers Westway Rossa and Faypoint Harvey amongst his rivals.
Those that took 10-11 about Patriot needn’t have worried. He was electric, showing all his brilliant early speed and massive back straight pace before coasting home a clear winner in 29.30. Not only did he win, but his display was amongst the best of the early rounds of the classic.
Bad traffic ended his Derby challenge a week later but he had already established himself as one of the best in training.
STARRING AT CURRAHEEN
He was back on the classic trail soon after, heading to Cork for the Laurels. The speed test of Curraheen Park really did play to his strengths and his displays in the early rounds of the Derby of the south were nothing short of spectacular.
In the opening round he flew around to see off a top-class field that included subsequent champion Magical On Fire in 27.99. He followed that up with a 28.29 on a slow track in the second round before winning his third-round assignment in 28.28.
THE END OF THE ROAD
Sadly, it would be the final win of his brief career. He stumbled from traps in the semi-final when 4-5 favourite and made his exit in fifth before picking up an injury a week later in the consolation final when in front at the turn.
It came as a real blow to his owners the Newmarket Racing Syndicate and his handler Robert Gleeson. He was a greyhound that had the ability to take on and beat the very best in training. An August ’23 whelp, he was still young and could have been a superstar throughout 2026 but it wasn’t meant to be.
Blessed with rare early speed, massive back straight pace and the strength to see out 550yds, he would have been a serious contender for even more classic honours in the coming year. Instead, he is a serious option for breeders.
A son of English Derby champion and Irish Derby winning sire Dorotas Wildcat out of the exiting young brood, Droopys Alyssa, he has the pedigree to match his incredible ability. We wish Patriot the very best in his new career and have no doubt we will be hearing more of him in the future.