DROOPYS FAITHFUL STARS IN ‘ON FAYA’ GALWAY OAKS SEMIS

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the 2025 ‘On Faya’ Galway Oaks took centre stage on Friday night and after catching the eye in defeat one-week prior, Droopys Faithful produced a dominating performance to lay down a marker ahead of next week’s decider.

Glengar Martha was understandably all the rage coming into the opening semi as she produced a scorching 28.62 in the opening round. As such, the Pat Buckley-trained star went to traps as the even money favourite, however, Droopys Faithful (2/1) was to take no prisoners as she raced a comfortable victory for owner Daniel O’Rahilly.

At traprise, it was Rallyingairfield that broke best of all from her middle berth in three but it was a closely knit pack on run-up with Badly Behaving, Glengar Martha and Droopys Faithful all attempting to recover from what were moderate starts out wide. As ‘Rallying’ held all the aces on the inside, some traffic was to ensue on the outer with Badly Behaving shuffled back in the pack, while Glengar Martha was luckless as she became meat in the sandwich, which ultimately proved the catalyst for an earlier than anticipated exit for William Wood’s charge. In contrast, Droopys Faithful showed some brilliant early speed from trap six and she coursed around runners to take up the mantle passing the pick-up. In doing so, the beautifully bred daughter of Droopys Curio raced into a two length advantage over Rallyingairfield and it was Badly Behaving that was showing fine pace in third to recover from earlier traffic. In terms of a contest, however; this was over. Continuing to set a blistering gallop at the head of proceedings, Droopys Faithful never relented in the closing stages as she stormed up the Galway straight to see off the fast-finishing Badly Behaving in second. Four and a half lengths between the pair, the time was a rapid 28.66 .10s and the final qualifying position was secured by Rallyingairfield, who also ran a super race to book a spot in the decider.

FLORIE POWERS HOME

Murt Leahy has had a good record in the Galway Oaks since its resurgence and he landed the second semi final with Ballymac Florie.

Ballymac Florie was another that caught the eye in round one as she recovered from what looked a hopeless position to qualify, however, this was a red-hot semi and she was seen as one of the outsiders at 3/1. Both Unanimous Roxy (1/1) and Blundel Lizzie (5/4) dominated the market but it was ‘Florie’ that proved much too strong come the business end of this contest. Early doors saw both Tassie Ta Ra and Voyage Eala dispute the lead, however, you could have thrown a blanket over all five runners with around two lengths separating the entire field. At the halfway mark, Voyage Eala narrowly led, however, Ballymac Florie went for a daring run between runners and this was to ultimately prove decisive. Meanwhile, both Tassie Ta Ra and Blundel Lizzie were battling it out in third but at this point, ‘Florie’, owned by the J-R-Racing-Syndicate has manufactured clear daylight out in front. A strong running daughter of Ballymac Cashout - Ballymac Merkle, it was all one-way traffic up the home straight as Droopys Florie romped to a four and a half length success. Blundel Lizzie finished at speed to just pip Voyage Eala by a neck in second, as the clock returned a brisk 28.91 .10s.

The draw for the final of the €10,000 to the winner ‘On Faya’ Galway Oaks was made shortly after and is as follows :

T1 - BADLY BEHAVING

T2 - RALLYINGAIRFIELD

T3 - VOYAGE EALA

T4 - DROOPYS FAITHFUL (M)

T5 - BALLYMAC FLORIE (M)

T6 - BLUNDEL LIZZIE (M)

******

BACK-TO-BACK WINS FOR ELAGATTO

The semi finals of the Crafty Kennels Unraced 525 opened the card in style and it was Crafty Elegatto that once again impressive with a dominant performance for Peter and Brian Divilly.

A winner on debut in 29.10, Crafty Elegatto was brilliant on that occasion, however, this was a red-hot contest and it was Brickhill Lewis, who also caught the eye on debut, that was installed as the 4/7 favourite. ‘Elegatto’, a 5/4 chance, failed to read the script, however. Drawn in six, the son of Ballymac Bolger - Coolavanny Bondi was on the ball from outset as he pinged from his wide berth to steam into the lead. In doing so, he held a three length advantage over Brickhill Lewis and this remained the advantage thereafter. Running to a comfortable victory, ‘Elegatto’ stopped the clock in a smart 29.13 .10s.

In the second semi, Tooreen Rose (6/4) came from last to first to break her maiden tag for owner Andrew O’Toole. The pace was set for the majority by Ballynew Major in trap three, however, ‘Rose’ started to show signs of life at the midway point where she began to eat into the deficit. Now in full throttle, ‘Rose’ upped the ante around the bottom two bends and the daughter of Dromana Bucko followed through on her challenge to pip Ballynew Major by three parts of a length. The time was 29.48 .10s.

CRAFTY STARS IN STEPHEN MOLLOY MEMORIAL

The final two races saw the semi finals of the Stephen Molloy Memorial A1/A2 525 get underway and Crafty Tallyho went quickest as the Divilly’s sealed a kennel double on the night.

Bred in the purple out of Premier Fantasy - Crafty Kokoro, Crafty Tallyho broke well from one but the 3/1 chance was forced to play second fiddle as Rinnwood Leo held a clear out down the back. On a rain-soaked track however, ‘Tallyho’ rallied around the bottom two bends and she swept up the inside of her rival to cross the line with three and a half lengths in hand. The time was 29.02 .10s.

In the opening semi, Derrymoyle Bono got back to winning ways for Owen and Michael McDonagh.

‘Bono’ was friendless in the market in this contest and he went to traps as big as 6/1 to bounce back from his recent defeat. Drawn in four, he didn’t read the script as he showed first at traprise to lead his rivals into the opening bend. Shooting clear into the back, the son of Broadstrand Bono looked like a sitting duck at the three-quarter mark, however, he showed fine courage to see off several late challenges. It was Unanimous Ayla that presented the biggest threat late on, however, Derrymoyle Bono held firm to win by one length, in 29.43 .10s.