RECORD BREAKER FRANK AN INTERNATIONAL STAR
Ian Fortune
It was somewhat fitting that Dundalk welcomed stunning weather on Sunday for their biggest day of the year.
By all accounts, it really was the place to be with a big turnout for both the horses and the greyhounds and a sensational record-breaking winner of the TIME Dundalk International.
FRANK ON A HEATER
To use an American sporting idiom, Ballycowen Frank has been ‘on a heater’ in recent months and there is no sign of it abating after his latest incredible performance.
Ahead of the International, the Race of Champions winner was just 3-1 with the on-course layers despite a tricky draw in fivebehind English Derby champion Lennies Desire, the 6-4 favourite, and Epic Ace at 5-2.
Those that took the prices about Ballycowen Frank were happy from the opening strides, however. In contrast, favourite backers saw their chances disappear at traps with Lennies Eddie seeming to fall from traps and give his rivals a large head start.
Ballymac Ralf broke fast from three but Ballycowen Frank was every bit as sharp from boxes and challenged from the start. Showing the best early speed, Ballycowen Frank quickly moved clear into the bend. Epic Ace and Toolmaker King attempted to close into the bend with Singalong Dolly on the inside in fifth.
Epic Ace carried no luck on the corner as he was clipped from behind by Singalong Dolly, bumping into Toolmaker King and then falling to the sand. He was quickly up and racing but his chance had gone also.
Meanwhile, Ballycowen Frank was setting sail for home. Hitting the back straight with almost three lengths in hand on Ballymac Ralf with Singalong Dolly the same distance away in third, there was a very clear shape to the contest.
Those in the stands knew there was going to be no catching the pace-setter. Ballycowen Frank was on a mission. After breaking the 550yd track record in the Race of Champions decider at Tralee and dipping under the record for the 525yds at the same venue just a fortnight earlier, the Michael O’Donovan trained powerhouse was about to smash another track record.
Maintaining a typically unrelenting gallop, the brilliant son of Ballymac Cashout and Peckies Flyer was simply imperious, crossing the line five lengths clear in a sensational 29.26. Ballymac Ralf ran well in second with Singalong Dolly some three and a quarter lengths further back in third.
But the headlines belonged to Ballycowen Frank. After running up the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial and winning the Race of Champions for Dean Harpur and Debbie Doyle, he was now the TIME Dundalk International winner, again confirming his standing as one of Ireland’s very fastest.
In victory he took almost two lengths (13 spots) off the previous track record of Droopys Verve, which has stood since 2016.
William Rigney presents the trophy to Dean Harpur after Ballycowen Frank won the 2026 Time Dundalk International open 550. Also included are Austin & Skye Harpur, Jim Martin Dundalk Stadium, Liam Kennedy, trainer Michael O'Donovan, Michael Lynam, Jordan Moynihan and Richard O'Regan GRI. Pic: Imelda Grauer
RAZOR-SHARP ELLIE MAKES ALL
There were many fine displays on the card with a number of finals and some superb open racing. Eugene O’Neill sent out Ellie Knows to win the final of the TIME Greyhound 28 A4 Bitch 525. Razor-sharp at boxes, the daughter of Dromana Bucko made every inch to beat Rozys Wild by a length and a quarter in 29.00.
BONO ON TUNE
Away Bono won the final of the Track Supporters Club S3/S4 400 for Michael Farrell.
After leading early and running very wide to surrender his advantage, the son of Broadstrand Bono flew home to regain his advantage on the run in. Away Bono would go on to beat More Porter by a length and three parts in 21.47.
CONSOLIDATION TOO HOT TO HANDLE
Consolidation was a brilliant winner of the TIME Record Breaker S2 400 for Marcus Faulkner and Brendan Matthews.
A warm favourite after a fine semi-final display, he was in complete control from the start. The son of Drumantine would power clear on the run to win by four lengths from Esmonde Salah in 21.23.
FOG AN EASY WINNER OVER 620YDS
Frenchfort Fog followed up an impressive semi-final victory to run out one of the easier winners on the card in the final of the TIME Greyhound 18 A3 Novice 620.
Owned by Kevin Marmion and Brian Johnson, the daughter of Grangeview Ten and Twentylittletoesquickly seized control and built a sizeable advantage to halfway. Thereafter, she simply coasted home for a very comfortable four length victory over the staying on Pavilion Puckout in 34.04.
GOLDEN DISPLAY FROM WIFFENS
Racing ended with the final of the TIME Club A2 525 and Wiffens Gold was always in charge for Frank Harkin and Martin Lanney.
An experienced son of Doolin Duke, Wiffens Gold broke smartly and displayed immediate acceleration to quickly go to the front. Tullymurry Harp stayed on well to grab second but Wiffens Gold emerged a comfortable scorer by two lengths in a quick 28.82.
RUBY LOOKS FRISKY
Elsewhere on the card, Frisky Ruby was too strong in the BOYLE Sports Derby Trial Stake for Brendan and Eithne Mullan.
Third into the back straight, the consistent veteran motored into the third turn, taking over along the fence before holding off the rallying Hallies Cashout by three parts of a length in 30.22.
BUCKS ADDS ANOTHER TO HIS TALLY
Tim and Olive Cliff saw their thoroughly likeable Timmys Bucks add another fine victory to his tally in the open 600.
In front early, the son of Burgess Bucks and Trusted Exile was dominant thereafter, holding the best efforts of Brayview Sophie by a length and a half in 32.55.
NATALEE FLIES OUT TO MAKE ALL
Mark Connolly’s Ballyhoe Natalee handled a step up in grade to win the open 525 on the card with a fine display of front running.
Making the most of an inside draw, the daughter of Jaytee Taylor led from the drop of the hat. Flashing from the inside box, Ballyhoe Natalee repelled all rivals to emerge a relatively straightforward winner in 28.41 with Ravenswood Dalas some two lengths adrift in second.
BROWNE FINDS A WAY
Stonepark Browne also found a way to win the open sprint, slipping along the fence to take over off the second turn.
The Other Aari was having his first look at Dundalk and he drifted off the bend, holding up the challenging and eye-catching Looking Splendid.
At this point Stonepark Browne was on the fence and he took his opportunity to go to the front for Michael O’Donovan and Micheal O’Dwyer. He then went on to beat The Other Aari by a length and a quarter in 21.21.