Liam Dowling and team Ballymac have been huge supporters of the English Derby for many years.  It’s competition which has so far eluded the legendary Irish breeder , rearer and trainer.  A man who has been there and done it all landing just about every major event in the sport.  To date the Star Sports Bookmakers TRC English Derby is the one major competition which has eluded the Ballymac team.  They are back for another tilt this year however and with a team strong enough to go deep into the competition.  As usual Liam and the team will be based with Towcester trainer Peter Harnden from whose Nottinghamshire set up they have gone so close to achieving their dream maybe most notably when finishing runner up with Ballymac Tas back in 2019 at Nottingham’s Colwick Park circuit.  Mark Pierrepont spoke with Shane Dowling son and assistant to Liam to gather his thoughts on their six strong team ahead of this years event –
BALLYMAC JOHNJO (DOG – FEBRUARY 2021 – BALLYMAC ANTON X ART OF ILLUSION)
A dog we always liked who reached the quarter final of the Kirby where he picked up a little niggle so has been on the easy list for the past month.  Will be going into the competition a little under prepared so will be hoping he can progress through a few rounds at which point his fitness should really come on.  A really strong dog who lacks a little in the way of early but is really strong coming home and if he does get passed those early stages then who knows.
BALLYMAC BRONZE – (DOG – FEBRUARY 2021 – VULTURI X BALLYMAC BREEZE)
Finished third in the Kingdom Derby at Tralee behind Ballymac Finn and Ballymac Whispa.  Possibly an under achiever thus far in career but a dog we’ve always thought a lot of since a pup.  Comes into the Derby nice and fresh after a couple of trials and if he can discover his trapping boots would expect him to go deep into the competition.
BALLYMAC FINN – (DOG – NOVEMBER 2020 – DROOPYS SYDNEY X BALLYMAC PETSY)
Irish Derby runner up last year who has had a little break after being knocked out of the Easter Cup.  Takes him a little time to come back as he comes back very fresh but has now had a few trials and is well on his way back now as shown in a super 2804 trial at Tralee last Saturday night.  The only concern with him would be the run to the pick up at Towcester as although the trip itself isn’t an issue we just have to hope the runs after the finish don’t take too much out of him as the 500m would be about as far as he’d want.
BALLYMAC JOEY – (DOG – SEPTEMBER 2020 – BALLYMAC BOLGER X BALLYMAC ARMINTA)
A dog that we always liked but has been a little frustrating due to a few injuries along the way.  He’s just coming to hand however and maybe slips under the radar a little at what is a big price.  He’s definitely got the ability and is currently in rude health so could well go a few rounds into the competition.  A member of a very fast litter.
BALLYMAC MARINO – (DOG – JUNE 2021 – VULTURI X JAMAICA JOY)
Juvenile Classic winner in Tralee who won his first 5 races on the bounce.  Did run a slightly disappointing race at Shelbourne over 575 but you can forgive that of a young dog.  Recent trials at Tralee show that he’s back though with a 1715 trial at Tralee being one of the fastest I’ve ever seen at the track followed by a 2824 run over four bends there last Saturday night.  If he can keep his trapping boots on he could go a long way into the competition he’s a very exciting dog owned by ten lads local to us who are very excited to see him at Towcester.
BALLYMAC WALT – (DOG – JUNE 2021 – BALLYMAC CASHOUT X BALLYMAC DIVA)
A young dog that we think the world of who won his first race in Tralee in 2812 but picked up a bit of a sickness after which knocked the stuffing out of him and took us a while to get him back.  We’re just trying to build him up slowly and bring him on so if he could get through a couple of rounds it would do him the world of good.  Not really sure where he wants to be seeded at the minute he’s still learning and we are about him but he is a real quality performer who we’re very much looking forward to.  Hopefully he can stay in the competition a while and show us what he can do.