Boylesports announces major new sponsorship deal for Lifford Stadium Oaks

In the first semi final of the Geoff Thompson Memorial Sprint the short priced favourite, ‘Ardevan Mary’, an August ’24 bitch opened at evens but drifted to 6/4. However, unlike earlier rounds when she started slowly, she was quickly away from trap two and pulled right away from the field, winning by over six lengths in 16.89 for owner John Cunningham.

‘Culmac Mainse’ finished second with ‘Marinas Messi’ back in third also qualifying for the Final.

In the second semi-final ‘Tobossyforus’ from trap three was evens favourite and it looked good when he lead from traps. However, going into the first bend he seemed to check and ‘Shrewd Stories’ from trap five went took the lead, staying on well in the home straight to win by a length and a half in 17.08 for Tyrone owner Dermot Coney. ‘Mexicano’ from trap six finished second with ‘Townsend Kate’ back in third getting the last qualifying spot for the final.

There was a strong field in the Bart Teague 500 Memorial where a competitive betting market had ‘Old Fort Tonic’ evens favourite from trap one with good support also for ‘Meenagh Mecca’ (6/4) and ‘Generous Ivy’ (5/2). At trap rise ‘Generous Ivy’ flew from trap six and never looked in any danger, winning by eight lengths in 27.69 for Broughshane’s Charles Baxter.

After the race Tony Teague and Tony's sister presented the trophy to the Baxter Brothers, owners of ‘Generous Ivy’.

Please note, there will be no racing on Monday at the track due to the Derry City match but racing will resume the following Monday with the Geoff Thompson Memorial Sprint final the main race.

‘Rise Above Me’ & ‘Cooga Ted’ impress at Lifford

There was racing as normal last weekend at Lifford with great news for the track as Boylesports, one of Ireland's leading Bookmakers, signed a €45,000 Deal to sponsor the Boylesports Oaks at the Track over the next three years.

The competition will be for 24 bitches and the winner each year will receive €15,000. This year’s competition will start on Saturday, October 24th and I’m sure many of Ireland's top kennels with be sending runners to compete in the competition.

Also on Saturday night the presentation of the previous week's Fundraising Bear Run Motor Show took place and with extra money coming in over the last week, the Donegal Hospice and the Foyle Hospice each received a cheque for €8,000.

A big ‘thank you' has to go to Bear Gamble and all the volunteers who worked so hard over many weeks organising the event.

On to the racing and on Saturday we had two very impressive winners over the Sprint and 525 Distance. In the Sprint, ‘Rise Above Me’ was 10/1 outsider but he made a mockery of the odds. Quickly away from trap four, he soon shot clear and the April ’23 dog came home an easy winner in a time of 17.67 for Tyrone’s Cellach Talbot.

Over the 525 distance ‘Googa Ted’ was heavily supported into 4/6 and the July ’24 Dog never gave his supporters a moment’s worry. Quickly away from trap two he moved wide but went well clear around the opening bends, going on to win by eight lengths in a good time of 28.76 for Derry owner/trainer, Stephen Radcliffe.

As normal there will be racing on Saturday at the track with the first race at 7.45pm. Sunday’s racing starts at the earlier time of 2.30pm with Free Admission to all on Sunday.

The ‘Tracker’