MONSTER OPENS DUNDALK YEAR IN STYLE

Ian Fortune

It is hard to believe but Saturday’s opening race at Dundalk was also the first of the year at the Dowdallshill venue with the cold snap pushing out the return to action in 2025.

Fittingly, racing returned in some style with a classically bred youngster making a fine impression on debut.

The wonderfully named Da Monster is a son of Droopys Sydney and former Oaks champion Ballymac Beanie and he lived up to his name when devouring his rivals in a ten length destruction. Track conditions weren’t particularly conducive to fast times but it was clear the May ’23 youngster was really moving out front over the 400yd trip.

Coming away on terms, he soon took charge but it was the manner in which he ran away from his rivals up the home straight that really caught the eye. He would eventually win by ten lengths in 21.42. Owned and trained by young Lorcan O’Reilly, it’s clear this is one monster that won’t be going away anytime soon. Don’t be surprised if you hear plenty more of him in the future.