PLENTY OF NEWS FROM THE BALLYMAC

Ian Fortune

Liam Dowling yesterday confirmed that Ballymac Kingdom is set for a spell on the sidelines after picking up a muscle injury in the semi-finals of the RCETS Gold Cup.

Said Liam of April ’18 whelp, “He’s going to be off the track or three months. We’ll see how he is at that stage but he retains all his ability. In the meantime, he’ll serve a few bitches.

“He already has a couple of litters on the ground and they look a picture. They are about twelve months and hopefully they will turn out as good as they look. They look like lovely pups. We’ve always thought so much of Kingdom. I’m a big fan of the Definate Opinions. They’re iron dogs.”

Hopefully Ballymac Kingdom will get back to the track. A dual classic winner after successes in the Shelbourne Open 600 and the 2020 Corn Cuchulainn, he has the rare ability to mix it with the very fastest over four bends and the very strongest in the staying ranks. There will no doubt be plenty of interest in his first crop of pups when they hit the track.

ARIEL ON THE WAY BACK

There was better news as regards another of Dowling’s superstars, Ballymac Ariel.

She was last seen finishing at the tail of the field in the second round of the Christmas Oaks. The reason for that disappointing display was a recurrence of a wrist injury.

Thankfully Liam reports that, “she is ready for her first gallop back. We won’t rush her and plan to give her all the time she needs. She’ll be given five or six straight gallops and we’ll take it one step at a time. She won’t be back for the Easter Cup, that’s for sure. For the moment we’ll concentrate on getting her back to full fitness. I suppose the Oaks is a possibility.”

A STRONG EASTER CUP TEAM

While Ballymac Ariel and Ballymac Kingdom won’t be amongst the opening entry for the Bresbet Easter Cup, there will be a ‘Ballymac’ presence with Leger champion Ballymac Merlin, his brother Ballymac Belvult, the iron-dog Ballymac Wild and last year’s English Derby finalist Ballymac Fairone all being aimed at the classic.

Liam suggested all were in good form and he’s hopeful one of the quartet could provide him with a first victory in the oldest classic on the calendar.

MORE BALLYMACS ON THE WAY

Liam also hopes to introduce a few news stars in the coming weeks also.

Stating that he has two or three to send to Tralee for the Juvenile Classic, while he may also have a couple for the open Unraced Bitch 525 at Newbridge. Given their record over the past few years, I’m sure any runners from the ‘Ballymac’ outfit will be hugely respected.