There was a notable win for syndicate members Tommy Hegarty and Seanie McMahon at the Limerick Track on Thursday night last when their Greyhound Boyhero notched an incredible twenty-fourth career success.
It’s certainly a rarity that a greyhound who is approaching his fifth birthday still retains top-class ability but Boyhero is definitely an exception to the rule. Part owner and trainer is Tipperary handler Paraic Campion, Boyhero is a model of consistency who despite his growing years has raced and beaten some of the best greyhounds in training, right back to 2017.
In 2019 Boyhero produced some of his best performances, notching ten wins for the calendar year. Indeed, despite claiming victories at Clonmel, Kilkenny, Shelbourne Park and Limerick, it was at Thurles where this versatile performer was to show some of his best stuff. Aged at almost four and a half years, Boyhero again produced magnificent performances throughout the 2020 Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup to eventually finish a fine runner-up to the much younger Riverside Leo.
Clarecastle native Tommy Hegarty and Newmarket-on-Fergus’ Seanie McMahon both well known in GAA circles have had a number of dogs with Campion in recent years. Boyhero went to traps on Thursday night last for the 83rd time, breaking quickly from trap two to make all of the running and cross the line over two lengths clear in a time of 28.98.
According to Hegarty who now resides in Kilmaley, Boyhero is “a once in a lifetime dog” but one that will not be on the retirement trail anytime soon as they carefully select his outings.
Friday’s twelve race card in Galway Greyhound Stadium saw the February Unraced 525 Yards Stake as the feature event.
Having twice met with interference on her debut the Thomas Keane of Kilmihil owned Glynnscrossbunty made no mistake at the second attempt in the A7 graded contest as she eased away in the straight to score by three and a half lengths from Sports Glory in 29.58. The daughter of Droopys Jet & Glynnscrosstyler bided her time in third pace as Sports Glory and Bumblebee Dylan disputed the lead to halfway. At the third bend Springwell Stevo also began to close but racing wide the winner took command on the crown of the home bend before drawing clear to win going away.
Racing towards the opening bend in race six for this A4 graded contest Nivealass and Killerk Cool Sky raced stride for stride with the latter just getting the better of the argument as they rounded the opening bend. Racing down the back Kikkerk Cool Sky opened up a three length advantage over Nivealass as Three Counties began to close on the leading pair. Despite taking a wide route between the final top bends the Bridget and Shauna Nugent of Ballyea owned Killerk Cool Sky stayed on well to record her maiden success by two and three quarter lengths in 29.89.
Without a win in eight previous attempts the Noel Gavin of Ballyea owned Ballyea Sally (Vulturi-Burnpark Dolly) finally got off the mark in race 9 with a trouble free run as she proved four length too good for Holiday Dame at the line in 29.60. Holiday Dame and Peteles Lady disputed the early lead before Holiday Dame went clear racing down the back towards the third bend but between the final two bends though Ballyea Sally closed rapidly on the leader and striking the front off the home bend drew right away on the run home.
