The BAR 1 Betting Irish Greyhound Laurels 2026 Quarter-Finals delivered a dramatic night of shocks at Curraheen Park on Saturday, with competition favourite Ballymac Setanta beaten into third and last year’s runner-up Solo And Go eliminated from the competition.
Just one week after smashing the track record in the opening round, Ballymac Setanta was sent off at prohibitive odds of 1/5 but could only finish third in the second quarter-final.
The Liam Dowling-trained star was beaten by greyhounds priced at 8/1 and 18/1, underlining just how competitive the 2026 Irish Greyhound Laurels has become.
The disappointment continued for Setanta’s supporters when the semi-final draw was made, with the inside seed handed trap six for Saturday’s semi-finals at Curraheen Park.
With the top two from each of the three semi-finals qualifying for the BAR 1 Betting Irish Greyhound Laurels final on Saturday, October 17, Setanta now faces a major battle to reach the decider and keep his €30,000 prize-money dream alive.
Despite the unfavourable draw, Ballymac Setanta remains the 3/1 favourite for Irish Greyhound Laurels glory.
Magical Jet strikes first
Magical Jet (1) (Droopys Jet-Magical Poppy) set the tone for a dramatic night by landing the opening quarter-final for Donal and Patrick Guilfoyle.
Microchip blasted from trap five and grabbed the early advantage, but Magical Jet settled into second before beginning to make his move around the opening bends.
The pair raced tightly together on the run towards home, with a slight coming together adding to the drama.
Once they straightened up, however, Magical Jet found another gear.
The 11/8 favourite powered clear in the closing stages to score by a length in 28.39, with Microchip holding second. Ballycowen Moon finished a further three lengths back in third.
Lone Calling lands 8/1 shock as Setanta is beaten
The biggest talking point of the night came in the second quarter-final as Lone Calling sprang an 8/1 upset, with Ballymac Setanta forced to settle for third.
Lone Calling (2) showed plenty of early pace before Ropewalk Ranger took control around the opening turns, while Setanta was immediately on the back foot after a poor start.
The favourite never recovered his position and was left with too much ground to make up.
Lone Calling, trained by Michael O’Donovan for William Keane, kept chipping away at Ropewalk Ranger’s lead before producing a powerful finish.
The 8/1 shot reeled in the leader in the closing stages and got up to win by a neck in 28.68.
Ropewalk Ranger held second, while Ballymac Setanta recovered from his early trouble to finish third, a length further back.
For a greyhound who had smashed the track record just seven days earlier, it was a remarkable reversal of fortunes.
Droopys Unreal makes all
Droopys Unreal produced one of the most impressive performances of the quarter-finals, leading from the opening bend to land the fourth heat in style.
The King Sheeran-Droopys Meteor son, trained by Ian Reilly for the Actingdamaggot Syndicate, showed sharp early speed from the rails pitch and quickly took control.
Sent off at 10/3, Droopys Unreal kept finding in front and never looked like surrendering his advantage.
He crossed the line in an excellent 28.15, a length clear of Jaykay Fly, who had to settle for second.
It was a dominant performance that booked Droopys Unreal’s place in the semi-finals.
Lissatouk Sydney causes 33/1 sensation
There was another major upset in the fifth quarter-final as Lissatouk Sydney produced the shock of the night at odds of 33/1.
The Deerjet Sydney-Lissatouk Peggy son showed good early pace along the outside before making his move down the back straight.
Once hitting the front, Lissatouk Sydney never looked back.
The outsider kicked clear and maintained his advantage all the way to the line, producing a superb 28.45 to secure a famous victory for Brid McMahon.
Ballymac Linx finished second, two lengths behind, with Sure Exile a further half a length back in third.
With an 8/1 winner, a 33/1 winner and the competition favourite beaten, the 2026 Irish Greyhound Laurels quarter-finals certainly lived up to their billing.
BAR 1 Betting Irish Greyhound Laurels 2026 Semi-Final Draw
The semi-final draw has now been made ahead of Saturday’s action at Curraheen Park on October 10, with the top two from each heat progressing to the €30,000 final.
Semi-Final 1
- Magical Jet (I)
- Microchip (I)
- Coloursaregreen (I)
- Ropewalk Ranger (I)
- Droopys Unreal (I)
- Ballycowen Moon (W)
Semi-Final 2
- Lone Calling (I)
- Droopys Porter (I)
- Droopys Monk (I)
- Jaykay Fly (I)
- Sure Exile (I)
- Ballymac Setanta (I)
Semi-Final 3
- Ballymac Kamala (I)
- Sober Barry (I)
- Ballymac Lix (I)
- Slick Sanctuary (I)
- Romeo Alliance (I)
- Lissatouk Sydney (M)
With Ballymac Setanta drawn in trap six and two places in the final up for grabs from each heat, the stage is set for another fascinating night at Curraheen Park.
The BAR 1 Betting Irish Greyhound Laurels 2026 final takes place on Saturday, October 17, with a €30,000 winner’s prize awaiting the champion.
BAR 1 Betting Irish Laurels Outright Betting
A look at the updated outright prices for the 2026 BAR 1 Betting Irish Laurels ahead of the semi-final heats. Visit your nearest BAR 1 Betting shop to get involved or to find up-to-the-minute prices throughout the competition. Find your nearest shop here.
