Farloe
won his three qualifying trials in 18.85 (325 Lifford), 28.31 (500 Derry) and 18.10 (325
Lifford) but was beaten in his first four races.
His first win was in 30.25 at Lifford and again in 29.80.He was then beaten a neck in
Dundalk´s Spring Cup. After another couple of wins the 73 pound brindle was entered in
the Easter Cup. He won in 29.09, again in 29.35. He was sold before the semis and joined
Matt O´Donnell. Ironically Farloe was then beaten, but bounced back to beat Meet Me
Halfway in the final in 29.53.
Melody clocked 16.40 in a Clonmel sprint and 29.07 twice at Cork. The second time was in a
heat of the Irish Laurels. He was beaten next time out but won his semi in 28.84. He
finished fifth in the final from T3.
In the Champion Stakes at Shelbourne, Farloe won his heat in 30.54 but was beaten a neck
in the final by Ardfert Mick in 30.43.
After a 29.22 trial at Dundalk Farloe
won his first International in 29.74. In the qualifiers of the 1991 Irish Derby he beat
Ask Clare in 30.55. In the second round the O´Donnell brindle beat Lyons Monks by in
30.38 with Ardfert Mick third. Farloe was again quickest in the semis with a 30.25,
victory over Ar5dfert Mick. A 6-4 fav in the final Farloe broke badly and was badly
hampered at the first turn. He finished fifth of five.
O´Donnell´s dog won in 30.52 at Limerick and in the first round of the Irish St Leger
and clocked an amazing 30.12, six spots outside the track record. He won his second round
in 30.26 but finished second to Castleland Dream in the semis and final where the wide
runner again drew the white jacket.
Farloe´s English Derby campaign began
with a 272 Wimbledon solo in 16.41 and a 480 in 28.78. The ante post favourite won his
qualifying heat at 1-12 (5.02 split) in 28.55.
Next time out he drew the dreaded white with the fastest dogs to the bend in Britain,
Luxury Light and Ballyard Curtis, drawn in two and four. When others would have failed,
Farloe ran a gutsy race to qualify.
In the second round Farloe was drawn outside the exceptionally able Gentle Warning. They
raced together (5.06 split) with Warning on the inside holding on by a game neck in 28.77.
O´Donnell´s dog missed his box in the quarters but ran on for third behind Murlens
Abbey.
He was buzzing by the semis though with the fastest 28.57.
Farloe started reasonably from six in the final and tracked Siostaloir before leading at
the third to win by 3/4 from Winsor Abbey in 28.88.
Six weeks later he clocked 29.22 at Dundalk (TR 29.28) and then won his second
International in 29.36. No dog had ever previously won two Dundalk Internationals.
Farloe began his second Irish Derby run
after an amazing 28.65 trial for 525 yards.
He then won in 30.47 and 30.46 (.15 slow) before a third place in the semis. Not for the
first time the champion overcame heavy odds to qualify from a hopeless position.
In his third national Derby final Farloe broke second and was forced to take the long
route around the outside of Manx Treasure. At the third bend Radical Prince squeezed
through and Farloe eventually finished third.
He was retired after 51 races, 30 wins, 11 seconds, 6 thirds and 4 unplaced.
Farloe served his first bitch within a
week of his last race so there will be nothing on the track until 1994. He is tough,
beautifully built, well bred, and highly thought of by Ireland´s doggie men.
Now standing at stud in Australia. |
