Barry O’Sullivan is looking forward to taking on the ‘giants of greyhound racing’ at Central Park on Saturday night when the heats of the Arena Racing Company Cesarewitch begin.
The Fawkham trainer has entered kennel star Harlequin Taluka into the first Category One competition to be held in the UK this year, which climaxes at the Sittingbourne venue on January 24.
The June ’22 son of 2020 Irish Juvenile Classic champion Ballymac Wild has won six times since arriving in Kent last summer, including two Open Races – most recently on December 20.
But the £12,500 ARC Cesarewitch represents a significant step-up in class, with Golden Jacket, St Leger and Regency champion Mongys Wild and George Curtis and Ballyregan Bob Memorial hero Deadly Disco entered.
Dual winner Garfiney Blaze – who lifted the Cesarewitch crown in 2024 and 2025 – is bidding for an unprecedented hat-trick while last year’s finalist Droopys Flare for Sheffield-based Sean Parker is also entered.
Barry is hoping a quick start will pave the way for a top three finish which is required to qualify for next week’s semi-finals.
“He hasn’t been passed when he’s in front,” said Barry.
“And he always seems to pull out a bit more running to the pick-up. The competition is on our doorstep, it would be foolish not to take our chance.
“He’s definitely capable of qualifying and we have great memories of last year’s final with Head Count who reached it unbeaten from his heat and semi-final.”
Head Count finished more than 10 lengths off the pace of Garfiney Blaze in last year’s final.
But qualifying represented a monumental moment for the team as Barry grew up watching the Cesarewitch as a child, and his father even attended the competition prior to World War II when it was inaugurated at West Ham Stadium.
Now, the competition is one of four Category One events to be held at Central Park annually.
With greyhound racing celebrating its centenary in the UK in 2026, the track is opening its doors to all racegoers for free for each of its major finals this year and Barry hopes to see plenty of locals trackside.
Barry added: “It’s terrific to have this calibre of greyhounds running at Central Park, and something local people can be proud of.
“Mongys Wild is box office, and Garfiney Blaze is looking to achieve the unthinkable.
“Galloping wise, Central Park is the best track in the country and it’s great to see the Open Race scene on the up. It would be great to see that continue in 2026.
“We had a positive 2025 and hope to continue that trend too. Hardy Gringo would be one to watch from our kennel, he’s won a couple of sprint races nicely and looks like he’ll improve for a step up in trip soon.”
Tickets for each round of the Arena Racing Company Cesarewitch are on sale via www.centralpark-greyhounds.co.uk. Free admission tickets for the final on Saturday, January 25, can be reserved online or claimed on the door on the evening.
Doors open at 4pm, with the first race off at 5.30pm. Central Park’s other Category One finals in 2026 are the £12,500 Arena Racing Company Kent Plate on March 28, £12,500 Arena Racing Company Kent Silver Salver on June 27, and the £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby on October 17.
2026 Arena Racing Company Cesarewitch heats
Heat One: Capel Moon, Ballymac Madgie, Mongys Wild, Swift Jarvis, Bullseye Bill, Deadly Disco.
Heat Two: One More Tune, Harelquin Taluka, Billis Wizard, Droopys Flare, Reality Power, Princess Matilda.
Heat Three: Romeo Empires, Garfiney Blaze, Crafty Prospero, Marvellous Mabel, Havana Esesque, Rockmount Rosie.
Heat Four: Burgess Sophia, Aphantasia, Two Spot, Azzas Angel, Bregogue Rachel, Bombay Hilda.
