Ballagh Star

Because at Sligo, Ballagh Star is a different animal entirely. Two wins from just 4 races at that track — that means it has won half of everything it has ever run there, a remarkable conversion rate for a horse that wins only 7% of its races overall. Something about that course clearly suits it, whether that is the sharp, undulating nature of the track or simply the familiar surroundings. Whatever the reason, when Ballagh Star turns up at Sligo, it is worth paying attention.

The most recent of those wins came on 1 October 2025, and the horse has raced just yesterday, so it is very much in active training under Mrs Y Dunleavy. It has been a lean season for the yard — just 1 winner sent out so far — which makes Ballagh Star the standout performer in that operation at the moment. Its regular rider Shane Fitzgerald has yet to get the horse into the winner's enclosure across their 5 races together, which is a curious footnote given that both of Ballagh Star's wins have come at the same venue. Someone else has been on board for at least one of those Sligo victories.

Recent form shows a couple of unplaced runs either side of that October win, and a second-place finish as the most recent recorded result. That suggests the horse is competitive without always delivering — which, over 27 races and 8 years, is probably a fair summary of its career. Ballagh Star is not a horse that wins often, but it is one that clearly has a favourite stage. If you ever find yourself at Sligo on a race day and spot this horse's name on the card, that is not a fact to ignore.