Irish Performance of the Week - 1 July 2025

Irish Performance of the Week

Another week, another track record at Tralee for Magical Luka. Patrick Guilfoyle's charge is now 7/7 in his career, setting a new clocking for the 500y distance in three straight weeks. Stronger opposition will await him now but he is yet to show any sign that he will not be able to cope with that. Two of his litter brothers (Magical Major and Coloursaregreen) will contest an ON1 final at Shelbourne this coming Saturday night.

Speaking of Shelbourne, it was the final of the Corn Cuchulainn last weekend where Braveheart Bambi completed an unbeaten run through the competition for Pat Buckley. She has only had 11 races in her career, so better should still be forthcoming from her as a stayer. Runner-up was her litter brother Clona Ice.

A second winner for Deerjet Sydney on the list is Sallagh Curly at Enniscorthy. Despite it only being the second start of his career for Buckley, he produced the quickest 525y time of the year, tied for the fourth quickest all time at the track. That was the quarter-final of an ON1 competition and spoiler alert, the three-quarter brother to dual Cesarewitch winner Singalong Dolly won his semi last night in a time one spot slower than litter brother Sallagh Larry!

The youngest on the list is Portrush Ben who won for the fourth time in just five starts at Lifford. He has three straight S1 wins for Adrian McGarry, shaping into a rock-solid sprinter at the track. It will be interesting to see if he can bring that form to another track later on in the summer.

Rolo Tokyo produced the quickest 525y time of the year so far at Dundalk. Only Swanley Chick with her track record breaking run in 2020 and Burnt Beans in 2017 have gone faster so far. It was only the sixth start of his career for Damian Maginn, laying down a serious marker.