Uncle Willie take the Sean Flynn Memorial

On Friday we had the final of the Sean Flynn Memorial A3 525. This final boasted a cool €1,500 to the winner and no doubt the Richard Dempsey owned Uncle Willie was a worthy winner.   After two impressive displays winning the opening round in 29.05 and the semi final in 29.07, Uncle Willie was opened at the very short price of 4/6, but that didn't deter the punters, and they went after the price and returned the dog a 1/2 shot.   As the lids opened Willie shot to the bend and for many it was all over, but Soldier Laddie, went off in pursuit and pushed 'Willie all the way to line, but the winner did it in style none the less.  

Burgess, A Derby Star

The rain swept accross James' park last Friday evening and most people of sound mind would take one look out the window and seek solace in a hot cuppa tae and turf fire.   However, doggy people are often questioned for their relative levels of sanity, and they all came out in force to witness a superb nights action at Kilkenny Track.

The showpiece being the Langton Derby, and this year it has again given us a very good winner, in Co. Cork dog Burgess Star.    The stake has had its share of thrills and spills throughout and the final followed true to form, with near carnage at the first bend which all but ended the chances of every dog bar 'Burgess', whose superb foot to be bend saw him sneak ahead of the trouble of open up down the back straight and go on to score by 5L from Cool Disguised, in an impressive 29.19.

Burgess Star - 2011 Langton Derby Winner

Pearl Scorches into Paddy Butler Final

Stakes action continues apace at Kilkenny with over the coming weeks.    Our showpiece event, The Langton Derby, gets underway on Friday week, August 19th, a week later than adertised, and entries are still open.   As always it promises to be a great event.   This Friday's card will feature the final of the Paddy Butler 525, with €4800 in prize money to be distributed.

Last Friday’s benefit night for St. Martins, Muckalee GAA club was a great success, generating a big crowd, and proved once again what a wonderful fundraising facility the Kilkenny track is for local clubs and charities.   This coming Friday sees Timahoe GAA host their annual benefit night.

On the racing front last Friday nights focus was on the semi-finals of the Paddy Butler 525, and it was Ger Kiely’s bitch, Airmount Pearl (1/1f) who stole the show, breaking smartly and taking it up from the first bend, she ran on strong to record a scintillating 29.14, the fastest run from a bitch so far in 2011 at the track. 

Summer Party A Roaring Success

A superb crowd in excess of 1000 patrons turned up in Kilkenny for the Summer Party night.   It made for a great nights entertainment for all, many of whom were first time visitors to the track, who will hopefully return.   The atmosphere showed all that is good about a night at the dogs.