QUEEN ‘ON FAYA’ IN GALWAY OAKS OPENER

Peter Farrell

The opening round heats of the 2026 On Faya Galway Oaks got underway at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and Brian Robinson’s Avenue Queen made a successful return to the Connacht venue as she set the standard in brilliant fashion.

On a night that also featured the opening round heats of the Jimmy Flaherty Memorial 525, the quality was high throughout the nine-race card. Pat Guilfoyle claimed two of the three Oaks heats, but it was Avenue Queen who produced the performance of the night, blitzing her rivals in the opening heat to once again underline her affection for the Galway circuit.

A winner of the valuable Merlin Bar Bitch Stake back in March, Avenue Queen (5/2) had gone unbeaten through that competition and returned to Galway looking to preserve her flawless record and make it four wins from four starts at the track. It didn't appear likely at traprise, however, as only a moderate start left her in midfield on the run-up with recent Dundalk winner Ballyhoe Natalee firmly in command. After railing expertly to slip into second, Brian Robinson’s daughter of King Elvis - Avenue Ana immediately joined issue with Ballyhoe Natalee before powering past approaching the three-quarter mark. Once in front, the ‘Queen’ quickly turned the screw, hugging the rails as she surged clear to score by an extending five and a half lengths. Ballyhoe Natalee had no answer to the winner but ran a fine race on her Galway debut to finish second, with Magical Be Nifty a further half-length away in third. The time was an electric 28.84 on a track rated 20 slow.

MAGICAL DOUBLE SEALS REMAINING HEATS

In the remaining two heats, Pat Guilfoyle completed a double courtesy of Magical Mag and Magical Hope, with the former producing the quicker of the pair. A Connacht Derby winner, Irish Derby finalist and Lifford Oaks champion, Magical Mag once again advertised her class.

One of the best bitches in training, Magical Mag has been lightly campaigned in 2026 but looks primed for another bold bid in this year's renewal. Sent to traps as the even-money favourite, 'Mag' returned after a slick 18.68 trial but was only moderately into stride, by her own lofty standards, from trap one. Instead, Singalong Cherry was first to show, but early crowding ended her chance and allowed the well-drawn Magical Mag to shoot through on the inside. From there, the race was effectively over as the daughter of Ballymac Cashout - Mystical Luna quickly asserted to come home five lengths clear of Kishlawn Kudos, with Peteles Honey further back in third. The winning time was 29.08 on a track rated .20 slow and, make no mistake, there is plenty more to come from this classy lady in the weeks ahead.

Earlier on the card, Magical Hope also made a winning return to Galway for Pat and Donal Guilfoyle.

Magical Hope had landed a sweepstake at the venue in recent weeks and, like Avenue Queen, appears to reserve some of her very best form for the Galway circuit. This developed into just a four-runner contest, but that should take nothing away from the winner, who made every yard. Drawn in trap five, 'Hope' went to traps as a 5/2 chance with Pat Buckley's Deerjet Matilda the 4/6 favourite. However, the market leader had plenty on her plate from the outset as Magical Hope showed sparkling early speed to immediately assert on the outside. Sweeping around the opening bend to establish a two-length lead down the back, the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat - Magical Poppy looked home and hosed. Deerjet Matilda launched a renewed challenge approaching the three-quarter mark and looked poised to strike entering the home straight, but Guilfoyle's charge found plenty for pressure to hold on by half a length. Elsies Melody filled third spot, with the clock stopping at 29.10 on a track rated .20 slow.

Aside from the Oaks action, the opening round heats of the Jimmy Flaherty Memorial A2/A3 525 also featured across the card, with Breaghmore Joeys setting the standard in heat four.

Owned by M.J. Corrigan, Breaghmore Joeys had finished behind Hanover Gorm last time out but turned the tables on his rival on this occasion, with the latter filling third spot. A 5/2 chance, ‘Joeys’ donned the black jacket and took a flyer from trap four, showing fine early speed to shoot across to the rails and take control. Holding a two-length advantage over the improving Glamorous Jet in second, Breaghmore Joeys was kept honest throughout, but the son of Ballymac Cashout - Vida Loca stuck to his task well to score by one and a half lengths. The time was a smart 29.07 .20 slow.

HEAT WATCH

Heat 1 - Bumblebee Milan got the ball rolling in the curtain-raiser for local owner Paul Burke. A 4/1 chance, the daughter of Elite Black - Minnies Kursk pinged the lids from trap four and narrowly edged Hanover Luna at the opening bend to take the lead. Setting a strong gallop down the back, Bumblebee Milan was put under pressure as Hanover Luna upped the ante around the final two bends. However, Burke’s charge held firm to cross the line two lengths clear in a decent 29.34 .20 slow.

Heat 2 - Summerfield Tier produced a masterclass in heat two as Liam Carr’s lady returned to winning ways in hugely convincing fashion. Drawn in four, the 7/2 chance set her stall out early with a slick exit from traps and was already five lengths clear of Rosshill Diamond entering the back straight. Showing brilliant speed down the far side, the daughter of Grangeview Ten - Grangeview Nifty only extended her advantage late on as she powered nine lengths clear of Glengar Sofia in second. The time was 29.08 .20s, just one spot slower than Breaghmore Joeys.

Heat 3 - Michael Hogan was represented by Grangeview Ike in heat three and he made it back-to-back wins, once again making every yard to score comfortably. Boasting a plum draw in trap one, ‘Ike’ went off as the 4/5 favourite and made his intentions clear at traprise, bolting from the boxes to edge Up The Jimmys at the opener. With daylight in hand, the son of Grangeview Ten - Grangeview Nifty was firmly in control down the back and, although Lissatouk Robbie made good late progress, the damage had been done early. The classy fawn crossed the line three lengths clear in 29.21 .20s

Heat 5 - Heavyweight runner Salsa Fire (5/2) represented Johnny Burke in the penultimate heat and the imposing tracker produced a fine display to seal victory for connections. Drawn in five, the 86-pounder led through the opening yards but surrendered his advantage to Heathlawn Ruby at the first bend. However, the son of Grangeview Ten - Sporting Charity outpaced his rival down the back to wrestle back control and, from there, stayed on with real purpose to cross the line four lengths clear of Jasmine Coco in second. The time was 29.32 .20 slow.

Heat 6 - The concluding heat saw Island Bobby oblige at odds of 3/1. Owned by Patrick McDonagh, ‘Bobby’ was bidding to record an eighth career victory and he set off in perfect fashion, leading from the outset from trap one. In doing so, he established a strong gallop which his rivals were unable to match. Staying on well in the closing stages, Island Bobby emerged a two-and-a-half-length winner over Breaghmore Tilly in second. The time was 29.44 .20 slow.