If Irish Derby sponsor John Boyle (Boylesports) was looking to get his money back, the opening night of the 2019 event would have given him plenty of optimism. From the moment 10-1 chance Allaghaun River landed the first heat in the fastest time of the night (29.56), Shelbourne Park punters were in for a drubbing.
They weren’t just defeats either as last year’s Derby third Clona Blaze (4-7f) exited the first round, alongside English Derby finalist Clonbrien Prince (1-1f) in a night trainer Graham Holland will want to forget.
The notable exception among the big hitters was Derby favourite Jaytee Taylor (2-5f) who prevailed with a narrow win over defending champ Ballyanne Sim in the eighth heat. There were just two other winning favourites, Deadly Dynamite (6-4) and Run Happy (4-6).
But it will be remembered as a night of shocks. In addition to the high profile Holland losers, Ballymacs Cooper (4-7f) and Araminta (1-3f) were both turned over plus the unfortunate Burgess Bucks (5-4f) who failed to complete the course.
In addition to the first three in each of Friday and Saturday night’s first round, 18 fastest fourths go through to the round of 96. So Friday’s five fastest fifths are already through: Macaroon Cruz (29.66), Lenson Austin (29.78), Sign On Aki (29.83), Ballyhimikinbolt (29.87) and Jaytee Storm (29.87). The list sweating on Saturday’s results are headed by Swanley Flight (29.99), Braveheart Bobby (30.17) and Manaslu Camolin (30.20).
Punters can follow all the action on the IGB website
2019 BOYLESPORTS IRISH DERBY
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16
Race 1 550 Yards
1. ALLAGHAUN RIVER 10/1 (1) 29.56 (Tullymurry Act-Knocksouna Lady) bk D Nov 16. Mr. Liam Lenihan
2. Jaytee Tornado (6) hd
3. Newinn Hero (3) 2.25L
4. Macaroon Cruz (2) 0.5L
5. Clona Blaze (5) 1.75L
6. Tullymurry Icon (4) 0.5L
Race 2 550 Yards
1. SOPHIES MAN 9/4 (1) 29.65 (Droopys Jet-Badminton Maid) bk D Jun 17. Mr. Albert Putnam
2. Ripley Lad (6) 3.5L
3. Catunda Logan (4) nk
4. Sign On Aki (5) nk
5. Elite Black (2) 2.25L
6. Black Jenny (3) 7.5L
Race 3 550 Yards
1. HIGHVIEW MICRO 2/1 (6) 29.89 (Storm Control-Highview Horizon) bk D Aug 16. Mr Dermot Kilmurray.
2. Harriestown Star (4) hd
3. Seldom Wrong (2) 1.75L
4. Manaslu Camolin (1) 4L
5. Bankers Wink (5) 5.25L
6. Ballybeg Moss (3) dis
Race 4 550 Yards
1. REDZER ARDFERT 6/1 (2) 29.80 (Paradise Madison-Have You One) bk D Jan 17. Mr. Pat Reddan
2. Jumeirah Buddy (1) sh
3. Murts Boher (4) 0.75L
4. Lenson Austin (5) nk
5. Droopys Davy (6) 10L
6. Boynepark Woods (3) 6L
Race 5 550 Yards
1. GREAT EASTERN 5/1 (2) 29.72 (Makeshift-Oghill Lucy) bk D May 17. Mr. Stephen Townsley
2. Ballymac Cooper (5) 2L
3. Trickys Dumbo (4) 6L
4. Mean Beauty (1) 1.25L
5. Blastoff Jet (6) 3L
6. Cuil Legend (3) 1L
Race 6 550 Yards
1. DEADLY DYNAMITE 6/4 (1) 29.69 (Ballymac Vic-Doodle Doo) bd D Sep 17. Mr. Garry Hannon
2. Knight Rocker (2) 6L
3. Music Toour Ears (4) 3.25L
4. Sweep The Yard (3) 1.5L
5. Cushie Jet (5) 14L
6. Enable (6) dis
Race 7 550 Yards
1. VIC VEGA 8/1 (6) 29.91 (Tullymurry Act-Mohane Patient) be D Jan 17. Mr. Declan Beary
2. Sliabh Liag (2) 1.5L
3. Jirano Max (4) 4L
4. Bakery Lane (5) 1L
5. Zeno (3) 1.25L
6. Pennys Ponyo (1) nk
Race 8 550 Yards
1. JAYTEE TAYLOR 2/5 (4) 29.82 (Laughil Blake-Toms Delight) bk D Sep 16. Mr. John Turner
2. Ballyanne Sim (2) hd
3. Pennylane Fionn (1) 3L
4. Swanley Flight (5) 0.75L
5. Double Busy (6) 5L
6. Ravenswood Lotti (3) 2L
Race 9 550 Yards
1. TOOLMAKER ME DAD 7/4 (2) 30.47 (Scolari Me Daddy-Noelles Chiquito) be D May 17. Mr. William Hyslop
2. Ballydoyle Valor (5) 2.5L
3. Ardfert Rooster (6) 1.5L
4. Combo Corofin (1) 6L
5. Eager Ember (3) 0.75L
6. Burgess Bucks (4) dnf
Race 10 550 Yards
1. DROOPYS HUNCH 4/1 (6) 29.61 (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Blossom) bk B Sep 17. Mr. John Coleman
2. Ballymac Arminta (3) 5L
3. Ravenswood Hugo (1) 1.5L
4. Hour Glass Kodi (2) 4.75L
5. Jacks Tornado (5) nk
6. Old Fort Pio (4) 1.75L
Race 11 550 Yards
1. RUN HAPPY 4/6 (1) 29.60 (Tullymurry Act-Marlfield Taylor) bk D Jul 17. Mr. Tom Quinn
2. Jumeirah Sprite (4) 5.25L
3. Our Surprise (2) nk
4. Jaytee Storm (3) 0.5L
5. El Commendo (6) 3L
6. Panther (5) 3.5L
Race 12 550 Yards
1. WORSEFORWEAR 6/4 (5) 29.69 (Jacksajem-Kilara Missy) bk D Apr 17. Mr. Paul James
2. Swift Shamrock (4) 5.5L
3. Doona Buck (3) 1L
4. Braveheart Bobby (2) 1.75L
5. Abington Hero (6) 0.5L
6. Press Paws (1) 2.5L
Race 13 550 Yards
1. DROOPYS PENSION 6/1 (3) 29.76 (Quietly-Droopys Maid) bk D Apr 17. Mr. Kieran Ryan
2. Slippy Cian (6) 0.75L
3. Totos Park (5) 1.5L
4. Ballyhimikinbolt (2) 0.75L
5. Clonbrien Prince (1) 2L
6. Boleys Fella (4) 1.75L