The Derby

Five for Ireland as Sole Mio best, Bockos just holds on in thriller

May 24, 2025 • 3 min read

Bockos Diamond (T5) just holds kennelmate Cheap Sandwiches (T6) Pic: Steve Nash

SOLE MIO saved the best, on the clock at least, until last on a night of Irish success in round three of the Star Sports/TRC English Derby over 500m at Towcester.

Peter Cronin's star maintained his unbeaten record in the event with a tremendous front-running performance in heat eight, translating a best-of-night 3.95sec sectional into a best-of-round 28.64sec (-10) overall.

He was pushed hard by compatriot Dynamic Force but was always doing enough as he prevailed by three-parts of a length to register a fifth Irish-trained winner on the night.

Race of the round beforehand had looked to be the clash between Graham Holland's Irish Derby first and second Bockos Diamond and Cheap Sandwiches in heat four and it did not disappoint.

The Shelbourne form was ultimately confirmed after a terrific buckle, Bockos Diamond holding on by a short-head in 28.84sec.

Reigning champion De Lahdedah can be marked up for his 28.83sec heat three victory as he tangled with challenging Ballinabola Joe at the third bend before reasserting, while Brendan Matthews' Bubbly Charger (28.79sec) continued his rapid ascent in heat two and Pat Buckley landed compensation for Ballinbaola Joe's exit when sole reining bitch Singalong Molly (28.86sec) proved strongest in heat seven.

Patrick Janssens took training honours with a double courtesy of Slick Sentinel (28.92sec) in the opener and Droopys Trade (28.98sec) in heat six, while Mike Burton's Droopys Aladdin was the other 'home' winner when taking heat five in 29.08sec.

There was, though, a sting in the tail for Janssens when three of his four survivors, including both Saturday winners, were drawn in the same quarter-final next weekend.