END OF THE ROAD FOR FLYING FRANK
Ian Fortune
In terms of pure pace, there have been very few in recent years that could match Ballycowen Frank.
The stunningly fast son of Ballymac Cashout and Peckies Flyer had a most memorable 2026, capturing the Race of Champions in record breaking fashion before smashing another track record in the Dundalk International but sadly his racing career came to an end earlier this month after picking up an injury.
It came as a real blow to his owners Dean Harpur and Debbie Doyle as he was been readied for another classic challenge in the Leger for which he would have been amongst the favourites.
PROMISE CLEAR FROM THE START
The Ballycowen Frank story began with a bump.
He debuted in an open unraced sprint at Curraheen Park and took a tumble.
Thankfully, he was right as rain and returned a fortnight later to open his account at the second time of asking over the 330yd trip.
His next assignment came in the Kennedy Cup at Limerick and it’s fair to say he made quite an impression. Showing wonderful pace from the second turn in each of his three outings in the competition, he posted 28.48, 28.35 and 28.30 in the decider.
He was simply too good for the opposition in the A3 stake and so connections were left with no choice but to step him up in grade. Shelbourne Park and a crack at the National Puppy Stake was next on the agenda.
Again, he displayed real pace and power through the event, finishing runner-up in the decider. He dirtied his bib somewhat in the final but had never shown any signs before or in his subsequent career, indicating it was purely down to inexperience.
A MEMORABLE KIRBY CAMPAIGN
After a winter layoff, he returned to action in early March.
Now under the care of dual Derby winning handler Michael O’Donovan, he left a defeat on his return over two bends behind him to score in a rapid 28.20 around Cork in mid-March.
It was now a case of all roads lead to Limerick and the Kirby Memorial. One of the fastest opening round winners, showing a new found dash into the turn, he posted a sizzling 28.04. His progress through the classic was impressive, overcoming a number of tricky draws to earn his place in the decider.
On the night Bouncing Monarch was untouchable, but Ballycowen Frank displayed the most incredible pace, coming from well off the pace after a poor start from a terrible draw to dead-heat for second.
LIGHTING UP TRALEE
It was clear he was now amongst the very fastest in training at this point in his career and his subsequent starts only proved the point.
He was given a month to recover from his Kirby Memorial exertions and returned in the most incredible fashion.
With the Race of Champions starting a week later, he had a prep run at Tralee and left clock waters aghast. Utterly dominant after a fast start from the inside box, he posted a sensational 27.60 for the 525yd trip, a full quarter of a second below the track record. Unfortunately, as it was only a three-dog contest it couldn’t be ratified as a new record but those present will scarcely forget that run.
He carried that form into the Race of Champions, finishing just a short head behind Solo And Go in the semis, effectively knocking out his old foe Bouncing Monarch.
But a week later, he wasn’t going to play second fiddle again. In a contest packed with early speed, Ballycowen Frank was simply too hot to handle. Smashing from two, he left his rivals chasing shadows as he increased his lead with each ground devouring stride. By the line he had seven lengths in hand in 29.01, taking over a length off the previous track record.
RECORD BREAKING RUN AT DUNDALK
Little did we know at this point that he would have just four more career outings.
And his final win couldn’t have been any more impressive. He had earned his place in the Dundalk International, taking on a brilliant field but none of them could live with Ballycowen Frank.
Again, electric from boxes, he made every inch to see off English Derby finalist Ballymac Ralf by five lengths in a sensational 29.26. For the third time in four starts, he had gone faster than the track record, this time taking almost two lengths off the previous best of Droopys Verve.
Ballycowen Frank was now amongst the favourites for Derby glory. No greyhound was in better form through the summer than the flying black but his Derby dream was short lived. He made all sorts of traffic in the second round to make his exit. He had just one more start before the end of what was a memorable journey for those involved in Ballycowen Frank.
THE END OF THE ROAD
His racing career began on September 13th, 2025. Some 364 days later, his final start came on September 12th.
In the space of a year, he established himself as one of the very best, broke track records at Tralee and Dundalk, while also landing some serious silverware, the Race of Champions and the Dundalk International, while also finishing second in the Kirby Memorial.
Bred to be special, he is a member of one of the best litters in modern times. His sister Strike It Skye is amongst the very best in the UK, while their brother Getup The Boy won the Juvenile Derby in 2025 and remains a brilliant tracker.
Their dam Peckies Flyer is a sister to English Derby finalist Bramble Fairone (Ballymac Fairone), while she is also a full sister to the brilliant Ballymac Cooper.
And now Ballycowen Frank is set for a career as a stud dog. Blessed with the most awesome pace and power and a supreme pedigree, it seems inevitable he will throw some stars in the future. He will be given time to recover but he is being lined up to create a new legacy as a sire.
Dean Harpur knows how lucky he was to have Ballycowen Frank. Said Harpur, “Myself and Debbie had a fantastic year with Frank. He is the dog of a lifetime, a character of a dog.
“He picked up a bad injury in a trial at Cork and we must thank Shane Guerin and the team in veterinary specialists in cork who did a fantastic job to fix his leg. He’s at home now and on the mend. He should be available for stud duties very soon at the Frightful Flash Kennels. Here’s hoping he throws us a few stars like himself”
BEST OF LUCK, FRANK
Indeed, it’s the end of a special career but Ballycowen Frank will be remembered fondly by so many.
We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing what the future holds for one of the fastest to grace the tracks of Ireland in recent years.