Time Dundalk International

It was somewhat fitting that Dundalk welcomed stunning weather on Sunday for their biggest day of the year.

By all accounts, it really was the place to be with a big turnout for both the horses and the greyhounds and a sensational record-breaking winner of the TIME Dundalk International.

To use an American sporting idiom, Ballycowen Frank has been ‘on a heater’ in recent months and there is no sign of it abating after his latest incredible performance.

Ahead of the International, the Race of Champions winner was just 3-1 with the on-course layers despite a tricky draw in five behind English Derby champion Lennies Eddie, the 6-4 favourite, and Epic Ace at 5-2.

Those that took the prices about Ballycowen Frank were happy from the opening strides, however. In contrast, favourite backers saw their chances disappear at traps with Lennies Eddie seeming to fall from traps and give his rivals a large head start.

Ballymac Ralf broke fast from three but Ballycowen Frank was every bit as sharp from boxes and challenged from the start. Showing the best early speed, Ballycowen Frank quickly moved clear into the bend. Epic Ace and Toolmaker King attempted to close into the bend with Singalong Dolly on the inside in fifth.

Epic Ace carried no luck on the corner as he was clipped from behind by Singalong Dolly, bumping into Toolmaker King and then falling to the sand. He was quickly up and racing but his chance had gone also.

Meanwhile, Ballycowen Frank was setting sail for home. Hitting the back straight with almost three lengths in hand on Ballymac Ralf with Singalong Dolly the same distance away in third, there was a very clear shape to the contest.

Those in the stands knew there was going to be no catching the pace-setter. Ballycowen Frank was on a mission. After breaking the 550yd track record in the Race of Champions decider at Tralee and dipping under the record for the 525yds at the same venue just a fortnight earlier, the Michael O’Donovan trained powerhouse was about to smash another track record.

Maintaining a typically unrelenting gallop, the brilliant son of Ballymac Cashout and Peckies Flyer was simply imperious, crossing the line five lengths clear in a sensational 29.26. Ballymac Ralf ran well in second with Singalong Dolly some three and a quarter lengths further back in third.

But the headlines belonged to Ballycowen Frank. After running up the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial and winning the Race of Champions for Dean Harpur and Debbie Doyle, he was now the TIME Dundalk International winner, again confirming his standing as one of Ireland’s very fastest.

In victory he took almost two lengths (13 spots) off the previous track record of Droopys Verve, which has stood since 2016.

Reference Ian Fortune