Limerick teenage greyhound trainer wins the €30,000 Irish St Leger title

IN one of the most thrilling Irish St. Leger finals in recent memory, 20/1 outsider Drombeg Banner stormed to victory in the Callaway Pro Am @ Stud Irish St Leger, sponsored by Denis Murphy, at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night.

The win delivered an unforgettable first Classic success for 18-year-old Limerick trainer Evan McAuliffe, marking a remarkable milestone in the young handler’s burgeoning career.
All eyes had been on Limerick owned Clonbrien Treaty, who was chasing an unprecedented third St Leger crown.

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But the script was torn up as McAuliffe’s charge, the rank outsider of the field, produced a career-defining performance to become the biggest-priced winner on record in the history of the event.
Pre-race favourite Hello Diego was well-fancied at 11/10, followed by Clonbrien Treaty at 13/8 and Blastoff Heffo at 5/1.

But when the traps opened, the complexion of the race changed instantly. Drombeg Banner, alongside Flight Club and Cagey Billy, broke smartly,  with Banner surging to the front with a lightning 2.79 sectional.
While Clonbrien Treaty displayed his trademark early pace to close the gap, he remained a length adrift, with Flight Club in close pursuit.

By the halfway point, Drombeg Banner still held the advantage, showing no signs of faltering under the intense pressure.

As the field approached the final bend, Flight Club and Blastoff Heffo loomed large. Clonbrien Treaty’s challenge faded, leaving Drombeg Banner to dig deep in the closing strides. In a heart-stopping finale, both Banner and Flight Club flashed past the winning line together, prompting a judge’s call. The verdict went to Drombeg Banner – by the narrowest of margins, stopping the clock at an impressive 29.57. Flight Club ran a gallant second, with Blastoff Heffo taking third.
The victory caps a meteoric rise for Athlacca's McAuliffe, who last year celebrated his first major win when Drombeg Pearl claimed the €10,000 Fonez Galway Oaks. Now, just months later, he has secured a €30,000 Classic title in one of the sport’s most prestigious events.
“This is a dream come true,” McAuliffe said after the race.

“To win the Irish St Leger at 18 is something I’ll never forget. I’m incredibly proud of Drombeg Banner, he gave absolutely everything.”