Magical conclusion to National Coursing Meeting at Clonmel

Mild Bank Holiday weather conditions in Clonmel framed the National Coursing Meeting at Powerstown Park over last weekend and concluding on Monday afternoon with a thrilling set of finals in six events, our travelling local support were in full voice as Patrick & Sandra Guilfoyle’s Magical Amelie (Blades Of Hope/Magical Misty) powered her away along the famed stretch with a thrilling final victory in the Dublin Coach Kitty Butler Stakes.

A consolation event for bitches beaten in the first round of the Oaks, Magical Amelie lost out in a tight buckle with Zauberflute on the opening morning of that classic but greatly impressed when subsequently leading Thai Smile in the first round of the Kitty Butler on day one.

A solitary outing on Sunday’s second day of action would then see Magical Amelie advance to a dispute of favouritism when fastest of all and presenting fresh for her quarterfinal on Monday, again set the standard while accounting for Self Taught, further confirming her suitability to the testing Powerstown Park hill.

A snug three-length victory over Ardera Luna at the semi-final stage set up a final clash with the highly touted Montpelier Aya but relishing her surroundings, Magical Amelie displayed slick pace to take command of the course on the run to halfway. Credit to a talented runner-up, Montpelier Aya kept the Guilfoyle winner up to her work when on her tail approaching the turn, but Magical Amelie was full value for a wonderful victory in the hugely prestigious event, sparking much local cheer in coursing’s field of dreams.

A busy meeting for the Moneygall kennels, a remarkable double appeared highly possible throughout the Monday action as the Magical Syndicate’s Magical Fionn (Kyle Mozart-Magical Sonia) was mirroring his companion’s passage to final stage in the dog equivalent.

Having made his exit from the Derby at the paws of Ballymac Kyleson, the talented Fionn returned repeated fast runs while advancing to a final showdown in the Stockproof Fencing TA Morris Stakes with Da Clinic Cure. Locked together at halfway, a momentum stalling bump between the pair saw Magical Fionn cede victory to an impressive winner, but he lost little in his defeat on a wonderful day for all connected.

The quarter final session on Monday morning saw the Pat Guilfoyle trained Music Blaring exit the Boylesports Derby having produced a very smart effort in the event despite a stunted preparation. However, the final act in coursing’s blue riband event was quite unsatisfactory despite returning a hugely deserving winner.

With Moonlight Mayhem headed in the early stages of the final, that strong runner was certain to finish with a rattle and had already begun to claw back early arrears to ante-post hot favourite Ballymac Sports (Boylesports Magic-Ballymac Amber) before a crow intervened to settle the final all too early. Spooking a hare that had been charting a true line up the field, the crow caused the hare to stall, ensuring a short final with the first turn coming too soon for Moonlight Mayhem to produce his expected late surge on the hill. Absolute scenes!

With four finalists in the main events, the Liam Dowling kennels completed a Derby & Oaks double when Ballymaccallaway (Boylesports Magic-Ballymac Amber) confirmed her superstar qualities in a dominant passage through the Horse & Jockey Oaks. A supreme talent who possesses every quality needed to be remembered among the very best to grace Powerstown Park, she contained a most gallant Up Tempo at final stage.

Plundering further prizes on the weekend, the all-conquering Ballymacelligott outfit also secured victory in the Callaway Kennels Kevin Smith Champion Stakes with Ballymac Major (Watchman ex Ballymac Town). Having reversed 2023 Derby Final form with Masonbrook Ger, the Dowling star contained Tree Top Tyson in the decider.

Amongst the most popular victories of the weekend, the Grace & Matt Bruton Champion Bitch Stakes returned a stunning winner in the form of Orna Curtin’s Barrack Alice (Newinn Wonder/Barrack Roisin). Backing up a fast opening round win, the Abbeyfeale starlet overhauled last season’s Oaks heroine Ballymac Zena on the rising round in a brilliant semi-final display before proving too hot for 2023 Oaks runner-up Ballymac Pippin!