Dunum delivers again as curtain comes down on Galway
PULLING CLEAR: Dunum and Billy Lee win the Ahonoora Handicap for trainer Natalia Lupini. Picture: Healy Racing
Remarkable eight-year-old Dunum proved his liking for Ballybrit when landing a second Ahonoora Handicap, the feature race on the final day of the 2026 Galway festival.
Natalia Lupini’s charge, who made his seasonal debut when 13th in the ‘Mile’ on Tuesday, was recording his fourth success in Galway, having won this race in 2023 before finishing third in the last two renewals, in addition to winning the ‘Mile’ last year.
Billy Lee adopted his customary front-running tactics on 11-1 shot Dunum, skipped clear turning for home, and stayed on powerfully to beat Unique Journey by a length and three-quarters, with British raider Vafortino third and favourite Pierre Royal fourth.
“He’s an absolute legend,” declared a delighted Lupini. “It was a worry running again so soon, but he was in great form during the week. He got a great run through the race and there was no catching him. It was amazing to see him running like that again and it’s great for everybody.
“His next run will be in the Sovereign Path at Leopardstown on Champions Weekend. We’ll keep looking after him and hope to be back here again next year.”
Winning rider Lee, the meeting’s top rider for the third time with seven winners, added: “He ran well on Tuesday — he was just too fresh and keen, but felt great today. He was able to skip along in front and loved it. I was able to have a good sit coming down the hill and only kicked on at the two. He’s a great horse around here.”
For the 11th time, Willie Mullins emerged as the festival’s leading trainer, rounding off a spectacular week with a Sunday double, highlighted by Blood Destiny’s victory, under top-weight in the Lord Hemphill Memorial Handicap Chase, to bring his tally for the week to a perfect 10.
A beaten odds-on favourite on his only previous visit to Ballybrit, the seven-year-old stalked Coming Up Easy all the way, cruised alongside early on the long run-in and forged clear inside the final furlong to score by three and three-quarter lengths.
“He did it nicely — it was a good performance,” said Mullins. “He has disappointed us now and again, he’s rated 150, so he’s at the top of handicaps and at the bottom of graded races.
“Paul gave him a lovely ride. He just sat on him and let him do things in his own time, which suits him. He’ll probably go for a conditions chase in Listowel next.”
The Mullins double was initiated when Caher Roes Den stayed on up the hill to outpoint Mr Master Mac in the three-mile, Kenny Galway Peugeot Handicap Hurdle, prompting his rider Danny Mullins to comment: “It was a decent staying performance. He was caught a bit flat-footed off the bend but stayed on strongly when he saw daylight. He’s probably a staying chaser for the future.”
But the Mullins hotpot of the week, 2-11 shot Linford, was turned over in the bumper, the Fr Sean Breen Memorial Pro-Am Flat Race, as the Andy Slattery-trained Caislean Gear (13-2), confidently handled by Adam Ryan, readily reversed Roscommon form with the favourite.
Caislean Gear was a second winner of the week for the Taceec Syndicate, including the Connolly family, of hurling fame, from nearby Castlegar.
Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe shared a second winner of the week when Jukebox Johnny, having only his second start over fences, outstayed Drop A Threat to take the Kinlay Hostel Handicap Chase.
O’Keeffe explained: “He had a good run at Limerick and Henry said there was this new race in Galway – and it has been the plan since. He’s a real stayer and toughed it out well.”
The final day opened with a second win of the week for the Aidan Melia-trained Timurshah, an easy winner on Monday, who defied a 13lb higher mark with another authoritative success under Conor Smithers in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
“He’s a hardy type and put the race to bed quickly,” explained Smithers. “He was a bit keen early, but once I got cover, he relaxed and won well.”
