Clonmel is coin toss between Produce Stakes winner Gaston Pecas and Swords Rex. Although the 6-1 chance took the final in 28.36, it was the 2-5fav Rex who had pulses racing with 27.93, 27.94 and 28.01 clockings at the track. He also won the Kiby Memorial and ran third in the Laurels at Cork. His prize money total of €96,235 was only bettered by the Derby winner.
Curraheen Park had two new track records set for the Laurels course by Droopys Edison (27.81) and Illnotbeback (27.83). Although Good Cody’s 28.20 winning run in the big final wasn’t his best of the event, it was the race that mattered and his overall year was excellent. Total prize money €41,313.
Derry remains the least active track in Ireland with the majority of races over the 300 and 500 yard courses. Manuone clocked the two quickest times over four bends, but the obvious selection is the new sprint record holder Sniper Ria.
Drumbo Park primarily race over the 335 and 525 yard courses. Quickest over the standard was Orange Eimear with a 16 length 28.22 run. It is quite a story as she only went to traps three times in the year. Instead we’ve selected Iso Fantastic. Now with Barry O’Sullivan, his Drumbo record was five wins from six outings including the final of the Hutchinson Memorial in 28.32 and the Meegan Memorial in 28.52.
Dundalk will always be known for the International and the Sprint Cup. Hawkfield Ozark won the latter in a great contest with Serene Ace. But it has to be Ireland’s senior invitation event, won this year by Explosive Boy, when leading home Singalong Sally, Good Cody, Raha Mofo, Gaston Pecas and Ballymac Fairone.
Enniscorthy staged their famous Future Champion Stakes (Michael Fortune Memorial) Final back in April which was won by Ballymac Darcia, though she was put a little in the shadows by 19 month old Cushie Concorde who set a new 525 yard track record on the same night.
Galway is a straightforward slam-dunk for the brilliant Raha Mofo after twice breaking the track’s 525 track record and also landing the Galway Oaks.
Kilkenny’s McAlmont Cup has always been a feature event though it has lost a little of its prestige in recent years. It was won by Zoom this year, though he has since failed to kick on. The fastest 525 was split between Deadly Showtime and Droopys Artisan on 28.62. But since the former also has a 28.66 win, he gets picked.
Limerick – easiest pick of the lot. Leger winner Bobsleigh Dream. Has the fastest two runs over course and distance (29.43/29.44) among 13 victories. What a bitch this is! Prize money €44,505.
Mullingar was always going to be a call between the Cesarewitch winner Magical Mary and the Fair Warrior Sprint winner Gizmo Cash. The latter has a great claim having clocked the three fastest runs over the 400 yard course. But Mary was also hugely impressive winning the final by eight lengths at 4-7f.
Newbridge don’t have many major events but the Unraced Bitch Stake has a huge reputation. This year’s went to Slick Sakina – you may have heard of her!
Shelbourne Park gets three nominations and two go to track record breakers, Gizmo Cash for the 350 yards (18.28) and Sentimental Lad for the 575 (30.59). Cash also clocked the FOY for 330 at Cork and the 350 at Limerick. Ireland’s premier sprinter. The third choice has to be the Boylesports Irish Derby winner, Born Warrior. Yes, there have been several faster hounds over course and distance this year. But the best named dog of them all deserves the recognition for winning an event way beyond his ideal distance.
Thurles has proven the most difficult of any selection. Common sense says that it has to be the amazing Bobsleigh Dream for her Tipperary Cup win. But that would mean passing over the winner of the Champion Bitch – and that simply isn’t going to happen. Singalong Sally!
Tralee is really no simpler in all honesty. There are track records for the Buckley trio Flashing Willow (325) and the joint effort by Tullig Raven and Ballinabola Ed for the 525. But the aptly name the €15K Race Of Champions is a perfect cop out and that went to Bockos Budsit who was followed home by Good Cody, Explosive Boy, Loher Ron, Skywalker Barry and Susie Sapphire.
Waterford’s fastest 525 of the year was recorded by Clogheen Lass when landing the Waterford Oaks in 28.15. Although marginally slower, 28.20, Explosive Boy’s Select Stakes win in a field that included Skywalker Barry and Skywalker Sally must just edge it. Total prize money for the year, €36,215.
Youghal only raced over 525 yards this year. An established SIS venue with no stakes, their selection is the fastest dog over that trip in 2022, Rapid Jack.
