Quality rises to the top as Derby field distilled down over a month
LOOK back at the round-by-round, night-by-night highlights in the 2025 Star Sports/TRC English Derby at Towcester from the opening salvos in early May through to the semi-finals a month later.
IRELAND has five of the six finalists in the 2025 Star Sports/TRC English Derby at Towcester after sending out the winners of both semi-finals.
Liam Dowling's reigning champion De Lahdedah put down a strong marker that he will not lightly relinquish his title when winning the opening semi in 28.62sec, while Graham Holland’s Irish Derby champion Bockos Diamond got it right when it mattered to take the second in a brilliant 28.51sec.
DYNAMIC FORCE starred as Ireland again dominated in the Derby quarter-finals over 500m at Towcester.
Paul Hennessy’s charge was a well-supported 3/1 chance for the third quarter-final and quickly asserted, getting first run on market leader Bombay Pat and going on to beat that rival by two and a half lengths in 28.66sec (normal).
The runner-up’s trainer, Graham Holland, had taken the opener with Cheap Sandwiches in a time just one spot slower, although his Irish Derby champion Bockos Diamond had to settle for third behind Slick Sentinel (28.87sec) and Droopys Plunge in the finale, tiring late having battled to the front.
That 1-2 for Patrick Janssens prevented an Irish clean sweep on the night after Liam Dowling’s reigning champion De Lahdedah (28.81sec) had short-headed fellow 2024 finalist Churchfield Syd in the second quarter-final.
SOLE MIO saved the best, on the clock at least, until last on a night of Irish success in round three of the English Derby.
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.
GRAHAM HOLLAND took star billing on night of Irish domination as the raiding party took six of the final batch of eight second round heats in the English Derby, the 2022 and 2023 winning trainer responsible for half of them.
Bockos Diamond was quickest in a brilliant 28.51sec with kennelmates Bombay Pat just two spots slower and Cheap Sandwiches rounding off proceedings with a 28.65sec victory. The going was rated normal.
BALLINABOLA JOE confirmed the brilliant promise of his first round win with another stunning display of early pace on the opening night of the second stage of the Derby.
He was soon well clear of reigning champ De Lahdedah and, although the gap was eroded significantly in the closing stages, the result was never in doubt.
He scored by a length and a half from the 2024 winner in a best-of-night 28.80sec with Teddie a gallant third. The going was rated -20.
IT was a case of doubles all round as the initial stage of the English Derby drew to a close with the final 11 heats.
Fastest time of the session came from Lennies Desire (28.58sec), trained by Paul Hennessy who subsequently also sent out 2024 runner-up Boylesports Bob to a strong-running victory, while there were also doubles for Patrick Janssens and Maxine Locke, although she did see leading fancy Headford Asher eliminated.
Also noteworthy was the 28.62sec victory of Pat Buckley's unexposed Ballinabola Joe which came on the back of a best-of-round 15.64sec back straight sectional.
DE LAHDEDAH was the undoubted star of the second night action with Liam Dowling's reigning champion producing the best Towcester 500m run of the year in heat 14.
One of five Irish winners on the night - Graham Holland landed a double to go with Thursday's treble while there were also victories for Peter Cronin and Paul Hennessy - De Lahdedah blitzed his rivals to win in 28.50sec, just six spots outside the record, in what seemed a surprise to his trainer.
GRAHAM HOLLAND took training honours with a treble as the £175,000 Star Sports/TRC English Derby got under way over 500m at Towcester with a bit of something for everyone.
Holland was responsible for the two fastest heat winners in Val Tashadelek (28.81sec) and Cheap Sandwiches (28.91sec) while his outright favorite Bockos Diamond (29.23sec) also landed his opening test.
Former British Lion Mike Burton secured a Derby heat victory for the second year running with Droopys Aladdin emulating kennelate Droopys Priority in 2024 but the performance was notable for much more than that with the 28.96sec winner claiming the scalp of leading fancy Proper Heiress on merit.
