BRUNO EMULATES HENRY TO GIVE O’NEILL 600 SUCCESS

Ian Fortune

Almost nine years to the day since Ballyhooly Henry captured the 2016 renewal, Ballyhooly Bruno handed Tom O’Neill a second victory in the Shelbourne Open 600 at a busy Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

For the first time in the competition, the hugely talented son of Jacob Tashadelek and Foyle Lucy actually got the start right and it led to him being in the perfect position to strike from the very outset.

The hot favourite was Callaway Knegare and he too came away racing but simply couldn’t match Ballyhooly Bruno into the bend. In fact, both Singalong Molly and Ballinabola Jim moved past Callaway Knegare into the bend but it was Ballyhooly Bruno that turned in pole position.

Singalong Molly moved second and was to make a real race of it. Showing huge pace down the back straight and into the third turn, she almost joined the leader. Indeed, between the last two bends there was only inches between the pair but Ballyhooly Bruno meant business.

The thoroughly likeable tracker pinned his ears back and ran right to the line. In a tremendous finish, he dug in to hold off Singalong Molly by three parts of a length in 32.28, just four spots slower than Ballyhooly Henry some nine years earlier.

Callaway Knegare did stay on well to take third but was never really a threat after losing his position into the opening bend. He would finish three lengths further back.    Louise McKenna GRI presents the trophy to Rose Dowling after Ballyhooly Bruno won the 2025 Shelbourne Open 600. Also included are trainer Tom O'Neill, Jim, Joe and Oahran Dowling, Pa Leahy and Dylan Brennan Shelbourne Park Racing Manager.      Pic: Imelda Grauer

ANOTHER CHEQUE FOR SIR

The wonderfully consistent and aptly named Cheque For Sir claimed another pay day in the sixth race, landing the final of the This Runs Deep A0 550 from the front, bringing his career earnings to a tremendous €28,000 and change.

Early pace has always been his greatest asset and he again led the field around the turn, giving him the best opportunity to take the €2,000 prize. Droopys Bro managed to turn a close second but there was little room on the fence with Cheque For Sir holding his racing line.

This meant those in behind were left tight of room, allowing Cheque For Sir to dictate into the third turn. Droopys Bro and Torpedo Turtle clashed down the back straight, ending both their hopes, while Ballymac Aslan was held up slightly as he attempted to come out of the pack. Cheque For Sir was more than happy, however. The son of Droopys Syney and Yahoo Ava, who is owned by the Cash Back Syndicate, galloped on with freedom to eventually win by two lengths from Ballymac Aslan in 30.14.  

FOXY AT HIS DEVILISH BEST

Da Foxy Devil was at his very best in the seventh race, leaving his rivals in his dust as he scorched to the turn to dominate for Marie Gilbert and owners Pat Flanagan and Stuart Kenny.

The son of Broadstrand Bono and Kilgowan Honey has been lightly raced in recent times but it was scarcely evident as he coasted to a facile four length verdict over Belfast Gerry in a fast 28.44. 

AN ARTISTIC DISPLAY TO COMPLETE CONWAY DOUBLE

Shaun Conway had a fine double on the card, completed by Aoife Artist in the fourth race.

As a daughter of Ballymac Best and prolific brood Shes Made It, Aoife Artist was always destined to have early speed and she made full use of her greatest strength.

Breaking smartly, she quickly moved to the head of affairs and always seemed likely to contain Malibu Chic. The latter did close to the line but Aoife Artist held on by a half length in 28.78.

FLAME FLASHES IN

Blackheath Flame had earlier initiated the double for Shaun Conway in the second race, showing far greater early speed to her rivals to assert around the opening two bends.

Once doing so, Pat Grimes’ daughter of Explosive Boy and Gentle Trend shot clear to eventually cruise home nine lengths clear of Whitewood Flash in 29.30.

JOE CONTINUES SUPERB RUN OF FORM

Racing ended with Dublin Cup champion Skidrow Joe claiming a fourth win on the bounce and a seventh from his last eight outings.

The massive son of Ballymac Bolger and Coolavanny Chick only came in as a reserve but took full advantage of his opportunity.

In what was his first start over the 550yd trip, he did seem to appreciate the extra yards into the bend, challenging with Cheque For Cash before asserting down the back straight. Trained by Owen McKenna for the De Buitlear Syndicate, Skidrow Joe eased on to win by two lengths from Cheque For Cash in 29.66.    

CLAN TOO SHARP IN OPENER

Gavin Nolan and Thomas Maher’s Cloverfield Clan appreciated the longer run to the turn in the opener over 575yds.

The Murt Leahy trained son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Saga did everything right, striking the front early to make all for a length and a half verdict over the staying on Da Tapper Flynn in 31.08.

LUCY TOO GOOD

Sadies Lucy was a good winner of the fifth race for Paul Duffy and Gerry Daly.

Although failing to dictate early, the talented daughter of Droopys Sydney and Nothing Gained was always close enough to strike and she took her opportunity into the third turn, slipping up the fence to move on from Droopys Flirty.

It was a decisive move as she would go on to see off Droopys Wriggle by a length in 28.92.

LADY FOLLOWS UP

The A1 third race turned into a thriller with many of the field challenging at various points.

Importantly, the strong running Cayan Lady (Broadstrand Bono/ Cayan Tower), who had flashed from the inside box, was always prominent and when the opportunity arose off the final turn she made her move to claim a second victory in a row.

With the inside line in her favour, Tony Grassick’s bitch got the better of those challenging for the lead, Fast Paws and Lolos Scottie, before staying on well to emerge a two-length winner in 29.03.

SHONA AND LESSON INSEPARABLE

The tightest finish of the night came in Race 9 over 550yds with Philip Enright’s Coolavanny Shona arriving late and fast to dead-heat with Barry Clancy’s Costly Lesson.

Friends Of Hanks set a strong pace for much of the way but couldn’t wontain Costly Lesson into the third turn.

The pair clashed a couple of times, allowing Coolavanny Shona to prepare a late charge. Coming wide and fast, the Neilus O’Connell trained Coolavanny Shona joined Costly Less on the line with the pair stopping the clock in 30.22.