TASTY SANDWICHES LANDS FAMOUS INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS

Ian Fortune

It may not have been in the manner that most were expecting, but Cheap Sandwiches claimed the first major trophy of his career at Dundalk on Saturday, producing the most amazing run to capture the 2025 TIME Dundalk International, further cementing his status as one of the very best on the planet.

Scarcely in the history of the famous race has there been such an exciting and tense renewal with many dogs holding strong claims throughout. Indeed, it was the UK challenger Wicky Ned that did the pace-setting duties around the corner but Cheap Sandwiches was simply outstanding between the second and third turns.

After a slightly missed start, the Graham Holland trained superstar found himself a bad fifth in the early yards with only Callaway Knegare behind him. To further complicate his task, he was kept wide, taking a bump on the turn but it failed to halt his momentum.

In contrast, Wicky Ned, Daleroad Duke and Lemon Joey came away racing with the first named showing in front by the turn. He moved off at this point, bumping into Daleroad Duke and this left a gap up the inside for Callaway Knegare to sneak through.

Meanwhile, on the outside of the track Cheap Sandwiches and Ballinabola Joe were still struggling for room, although that would change when they straightened up into the back straight.

Importantly, on the inside of the track, Callaway Knegare was left short of room as he attempted to join Wicky Ned. With the pair rubbing off each other, those on the outside of the track began to make their move.  

Showing exceptional pace, determination and track craft, Cheap Sandwiches was suddenly within a length of the lead and advancing. Wicky Ned did all he could to contain the favourite but Cheap Sandwiches drove the third turn to move on.

Incredibly, Ballinabola Joe had also shown massive back straight pace to emerge a serious threat and was now a close second but Cheap Sandwiches is a champion and there was no way he was going to surrender his new-found advantage.

UK raider Wicky Ned rallied on the run-in for Jimmy Fenwick and his sporting owners but it wasn’t meant to be. Irish Derby runner-up and English Derby finalist, Cheap Sandwiches would hold on for a most deserving and long-overdue first big-race success for his owners the Bark Wahlberg Syndicate. The son of Burgess Bucks and Hearthill Josie would cross the line a half-length to the good in 30.06.

Wicky Ned was second, playing a huge part in making this such a memorable contest, while Ballinabola Joe further enhanced his already lofty reputation with a huge run to finish just a short-head further back in third.

Callaway Knegare must also get an honourable mention. After a slow start and traffic in the run at both the second and third turns, he also finished on the heels of the winner, while Lemon Joey and Daleroad Duke were also close in fifth and sixth.

This was a remarkable race and the winning time is irrelevant but Cheap Sandwiches will be remembered as a truly outstanding winner of an outstanding race. It seems there is only one immediate target for each of the six runners in the International, the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby and that can only be good news for the race-going public.