Broadstrand Syd Begins Title Defence with Fastest Time in Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup Opener
The 2025 Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup roared into action at Dundalk Stadium on Saturday night, and reigning champion Broadstrand Syd made an emphatic start to his title defence.
Drawn in trap two in what looked to be a testing opening-round heat, Syd faced a strong challenge from the promising Lennies Tank in trap four. However, the defending champion was in no mood to be upstaged, clocking a blistering 20.77 to pull two lengths clear of Lennies Tank at the line. Last year’s finalist Road Exile also progressed, albeit six lengths adrift in third, underlining just how dominant Syd’s performance was.
Broadstrand Syd, trained by Johnny Linehan, has been trimmed from 9/2 in to 9/4 for consecutive Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup crowns following the first round heats.
Dear Me Breaks 21 Seconds
Earlier in the evening, Dear Me (now 66/1) became the first greyhound of the 2025 competition to dip under the 21-second mark with a classy display of early pace in Heat 3.
Trained by Laurence Jones, the son of Premier Fantasy and Dear Oh Dear showed maturity beyond his years. Although edging slightly off the fence after a sharp break, he held firm at the first turn and extended his lead impressively, winning by three and a quarter lengths in 20.96. Second Treasure chased him home, with Cushie The Best another length and three-quarters back in third.
Stefans Frost Storms Home Late
The night kicked off with a thrilling late burst from Stefans Frost (now 25/1) in Heat 1. Initially only third into the turn, he swung wide and then launched a stunning run down the back straight and home stretch.
The Coolavanny Hoffa–Calzaghe Jan youngster, trained by Shea Campbell, hit top gear late and surged to the front, winning by a length and three-quarters in 21.24. Sogna Ancora was second, with Healys Legacy a close third.
Cashout Makes It Look Easy
Heat 2 belonged to Some Cashout (now 33/1), who produced a textbook front-running display. Representing Barney Mooney and Martin Whyte, the Ballymac Cashout–Highview Magnet star flashed from trap two and never looked back.
He romped home in 21.20, finishing four lengths clear of Boozed Burgess, while Move Over Harry was another length away in third.
Ballymac Brandan Makes Winning Start
There was also a dream debut for Ballymac Brandan (now 28/1) in Heat 5. Liam Dowling’s charge broke smartly from trap five and led into the bend, where he was momentarily joined by Belindas Laila. The pair bumped, but Brandan regained his stride and held on bravely.
No More Fiftys flew home late to close the gap, but Ballymac Brandan held on by half a length in 21.13. Surprise Reunion finished strongly too, only a neck behind in third.
Woodcliff Duke Impresses in Heat 8
Heat 8 produced another standout performance, this time from Woodcliff Duke (now 40/1), a bright young talent trained by Martin Lanney for Michael Scanlan.
The son of Ballymac Cashout and Sweet Pear burst from the traps and never looked back, making every yard of the running. He held off Danikas Diamond by a length and a half, stopping the clock in 21.02. Hopes Teddy, the 2025 Easter Cup champion, stayed on for third, just three parts of a length further back.
Southwind Wild Dominant in Final Heat
Southwind Wild (now 18/1) gave a polished display in the last heat of the night for Pat Buckley and Bill Wood. The Dorotas Wildcat–Mucky Harbour pup was quickly into stride and took control before the first turn.
With Epic Ace missing the break and finding trouble early, Southwind Wild extended his advantage and powered home by three and a quarter lengths in 21.13. Epic Ace did well to recover for second, with Valderrama another one and three-quarter lengths behind in third.