Local interest as Shelbourne winner Ballymac Kamala begins Irish Derby campaign
Ballymac Kamala will begin her BoyleSports Irish Derby challenge in heat six at Shelbourne Park after a powerful victory in the Champion Stakes 550 final at the same track.
The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Pete has won seven of her last eight starts on the Dublin circuit, a sequence that has put her among the early favourites for a Classic that attracts attention across British and Irish racing communities, including followers in Derby where greyhound racing remains a popular spectator sport.
Trainer and breeder Liam Dowling has a strong team declared for the opening night of eliminators. Several leading handlers with established UK profiles have notable entries, underscoring the cross-border nature of the competition.
- Ballymac Kamala: heat six, 8.48pm (Shelbourne Park)
- Bockos Diamond: heat ten, 9.54pm — the 2024 Irish Derby winner begins his third campaign in the event
- Ballycowen Frank: heat seven, 9.06pm — high-class contender for trainer Michael O’Donovan
Among the names to note for Derby spectators are those trained by handlers who regularly run stock in Britain and Ireland. Graham Holland’s Bockos Diamond, the 2024 Irish Derby winner, returns as a headline act in heat ten; he will face kennelmate Bockos Gold and Mark Robinson’s Getup The Boy in what Racing Post described as a "hot qualifier".
Dowling’s Ballymac Kamala arrived in peak form after she claimed the €20,000 Champion Stakes 550 final. That final saw her defeat some highly regarded rivals, and her current sequence of wins has made her an obvious one to follow as the competition opens.
“Ballymac Kamala can kick off her BoyleSports Irish Derby campaign with another win,”
The quote highlights expectations around her reappearance and is reflective of the optimism surrounding her immediate prospects.
Other trainers with strong prospects include Paul Hennessy, who fields a deep team headed by English Derby winner Lennies Eddie. Hennessy’s kennel also includes Lennies Dynamic, who is fancied in heat five against Dowling’s Solo And Go. Meanwhile, Michael O’Donovan — enjoying what has been described as a stellar 2026 season — brings Ballycowen Frank, a recent Dundalk International and Tralee Race of Champions victor, who lines up in heat seven.
The opening night of action at Shelbourne begins at 7.34pm, with a sequence of eliminators running through the evening. The racing programme and times supplied for key heats are set out below.
| Heat | Time (approx) | Notable runner(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Heat 4 | — | Towcester finalist Ballymac Ralf vs Silent Noelle |
| Heat 5 | 8.32pm | Solo And Go vs Lennies Dynamic |
| Heat 6 | 8.48pm | Ballymac Kamala |
| Heat 7 | 9.06pm | Ballycowen Frank |
| Heat 9 | 9.40pm | Im Here (trap six) |
| Heat 10 | 9.54pm | Bockos Diamond |
The presence of multiple high-profile trainers and previous Classic winners guarantees a competitive series of eliminators. For Derby supporters used to the rhythms of local meetings, the Irish Derby once again presents a blend of emerging talent and experienced performers stepping up in grade.
Those following form lines should note the emphasis on trap draws and recent runs; several entries are returning from success at other major meetings, including Dundalk, Tralee and English derbies. Paul Hennessy’s kennel, in particular, has strength in depth with both established and in-form performers.
With racing broadcast live on SIS for parts of the card, supporters across the East Midlands can watch developments and track how British-trained runners fare against their Irish counterparts as the competition progresses through eliminators, quarter-finals and beyond.
The opening night provides an early opportunity to assess prospects and identify potential dark horses capable of progressing deep into the Classic — a contest that continues to draw keen interest in Derbyshire’s racing community.
