BRILLIANT NICE ONE HAS DANCED HER FINAL DANCE

Ian Fortune

In a racing career that lasted just under two years, Droopy Nice One never ran in anything other than the very best of company.

As Damien Lonergan once put it on Talking Dogs on a Monday, “She has danced every dance”.

It all started in early January 2022 when she quickly established herself as a star in the making in the Rural Kennels Open Unraced. She would certainly live up to that early promise, competing against and often beating the very best in training.

Sadly, all good careers come to an end and, after being declared a non-runner at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night, it came to light that he has come into season and is to be retired to the breeding paddocks with immediate effect.  

Of course, it’s good news. She retires fit and well and is set to take on a new role as a hugely exciting new recruit to the brood bitch ranks.

A STAR IN HER YOUTH

Getting back to her stellar racing career, it commenced in early 2022.

A winner on debut in the opening round of the Rural Kennels Open Unraced at Clonmel, she displayed big promise, coming from a mile off the pace to lead late in 29.30.

It was clear to those paying attention she would go considerably faster in the future. They didn’t have to wait long as she got up on the line in the second round to win in 28.62. Her first defeat came in the quarter finals but again she displayed her trademark power.

By the time she recorded a stunning 28.30 in the semis, she was already established as one of the most exciting in training and did little wrong in defeat in the decider. Prominent from the outset, she stayed on with real gusto to fail by only a short head to pick up a certain Swords Rex. Needless to say, that form didn’t work out too badly.

Victories in the first two rounds of the Kirby Memorial ahead of an unlucky third round exit again confirmed her standing as one of Ireland’s best, while she also ran well in the Produce Stakes at Clonmel to reach the semi-finals.

A SWITCH TO SHELBOURNE

Still three months shy of her second birthday, connections continued to keep her busy.

Just three weeks after her Clonmel exit, she turned up at Shelbourne Park for the Champion 550 and displayed awesome pace and power, winning her semi-final in 29.32 before running up the decider.  

Despite her youth and busy campaign, she was given little time to rest on her laurels and was entered in the Champion Stakes. Taking on some of the best and most established stars in the land, she ran out a superb semi-final winner to earn her place in the final.

Once again, she ran her heart out and briefly looked as though she may lead the field around the turn. Smashing from trap four, she led early but found crowding on the bend before eventually finishing fourth to One Time Only.

A DERBY DATE

After proving herself time and time again, the decision to enter her in the Derby, despite her youth, was an easy on, it was inspired move.

She won her opening round assignment seeing of that year’s English Derby runner-up Kildare in the process before progressing through the next four rounds to make the decider.

Some three weeks after her second birthday, she took her place in the greatest race on these shores. Luck wasn’t on her side after a slow start and she made little impression but will be forever known as a Derby finalist.

She had just a handful of races through the remaining months of the year but still managed to post two lightning-fast times for the 575yd trip.

For the first time in her career, she was given a good break and didn’t return until April 2023 but soon returned to normal service, going through the early rounds of the Oaks with minimum fuss. Sadly, she made her exit at the semi-final stage.

It was then back to the Champion Stakes and she again reached the final, only to finish fourth for the second year running. She then went to the quarter finals of the Derby but it was now clear she appreciated a greater test of stamina and, more particularly, a longer run to the bend.

A DESERVED BIG RACE SUCCESS

She returned ‘home’ for a one-off race towards the end of September and posted a sizzling 28.69 for the 525yd rip at Kilkenny.

That set her up perfectly for a crack at the Yvonne Barry Bookmaker Open 600 at Shelbourne Park.

This was to provide her with the biggest win of her career, highlighting the level of opposition faced through her career. From an ideal draw in the stripes in the valuable final, she was at her imperious best.

Flying from traps, she was in total command throughout before eventually seeing off a top-class field by six lengths in a brilliant 32.22. It was the perfect example of her many qualities. Sharp enough to take on the best to the corner, pacey enough to hold her own down the long back straight at Shelbourne and blessed with the stamina to see out 600yds and perhaps further, she was a near perfect galloping machine.

She would have another six races, finishing second in five of them including the Christmas Oaks decider, her final start, but mother nature felt she had done enough.

A TRUE STAR

For her handler Murt Leahy and owner John Coleman, she was the bitch of a lifetime. For those lucky enough to see her in her pomp, she was one of the most likable and genuine trackers, not to mention brilliant, over the past two years.

She is to be mated in the coming days and, as we speak, John Coleman is facing the unenviable task of picking the right sire. No matter where she goes, have no doubt, she will throw a few fast ones. The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Dance was bred to be a star and certainly didn’t disappoint. We look forward to seeing her youngsters hit the track in the future and will remember her for the star she was.