The 2024 Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup roared into action on Saturday night with the competition favourite Broadstrand Syd wasting little time in sending out a huge message of intent to his rivals. The Son of Droopys Sydney smashed the Dundalk course record by posting an astonishing time of 20:57 in his first-round heat.
With one of the other big Sprint Cup fancies, Ballinakill Alf, also lining up in that second contest, the race was already being viewed as the heat of the night beforehand and it duly delivered with Broadstrand Syd producing a special performance. Ballinakill Alf did live to fight another day as the Graham Holland-trained dog finished third behind Road Exile and in front of Bobsleigh Syd with the first four home progressing to round two next weekend.
Despite Broadstrand Syd stealing the show early, there were still further big stories to be told on night one of the 2024 Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup. Reigning Irish Greyhound Derby Hero The Other Kobe was in action in heat 9 while the defending Sprint Cup Champion Carrick Aldo was stored away until heat 11.
Having his first start over the trip, The Other Kobe put in a good run behind Peppered Sean in race 9 to advance, while Carrick Aldo stopped the clock on 21:04 by winning the penultimate heat on the card.
Carrick Aldo’s trainer, David Murray was as proud as he was relieved following the first round heat with the handler saying this: “I’m delighted with how he ran, you just never know with where he was drawn (6), he likes to run in a straight line, that’s exactly what he done.”
Meanwhile, in the final heat of the evening, a new kid on the block named Stonepark Hoffa extended his unbeaten record to three races with a winning time of 21.45 in heat 12 for trainer Michael J O’Donovan.
The 2024 Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup continues on Saturday evening with round two heats. The second round draw takes place in the early part of this week.
The Bar One Racing Sprint Cup culminates in the grand final on Thursday, August 15th at Dundalk Stadium. This special day, dubbed the “Bar One Racing Dual Race Day,” features an afternoon of thrilling horse racing followed by an evening of greyhound racing. To add to the festivities, a family fun day will be held, featuring attractions like Phil’s Farm, a racing simulator, a double-decker play bus, a magician, and a face painter. Mark your calendars and join the fun!
Speaking ahead of the first-round heats last weekend, Dundalk Stadium CEO Jim Martin said: “We’re thrilled to kick off another year of the Bar One Racing Sprint Cup at Dundalk Stadium.”
“For over 20 years, Bar One Racing’s sponsorship has been instrumental in elevating this competition to a national spectacle. With top-tier greyhounds like Carrick Aldo and The Other Kobe in the mix, this year promises to be one of the most exciting yet. We encourage everyone to join us this Saturday and throughout the competition for heart-pounding racing action and a fantastic family fun day at the Bar One Racing Dual Race Day finale in August.”
Adding extra spice to this year’s competition, Bar One Racing CEO Barney O’Hare has put up a €10,000 bonus for any Greyhound who can win the 2024 Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup and go on to win the Bar One Racing Irish Laurels.
Carrick Aldo came within touching distance of completing the double last season as the Thomas Glynn-owned dog won the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup before progressing through to the final of the Bar One Racing Irish Laurels in Cork.
With 72 contenders now whittled down to 48 Greyhounds following round one, here is a look at the latest outright betting for the 2024 Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup. Bet here.
