It might not have unfolded in the way most expected, but Cheap Sandwiches finally captured the first major trophy of his career at Dundalk on Saturday night, producing a sensational performance to win the 2025 TIME Dundalk International. The victory further cemented his reputation as one of the world’s very best.

Few editions of this famous race have delivered such drama and intensity, with multiple contenders holding strong claims throughout. The UK challenger Wicky Ned set the early pace, leading around the first corner, but Cheap Sandwiches was simply electric between the second and third turns! After missing the start slightly, Sandwiches found himself back in fifth early on, with only Callaway Knegare behind. To make matters worse, he was forced wide and took a bump on the opening turn, but it didn’t stop his charge.

On the outside, Cheap Sandwiches and Ballinabola Joe were still searching for clear running room, but that changed as they straightened into the back straight. With remarkable speed, determination, and track sense, Cheap Sandwiches closed rapidly, cutting the deficit to just a length before powering into the third turn to hit the front.

Ballinabola Joe also produced a huge back straight run to become a real threat in second, but Cheap Sandwiches showed his class and refused to surrender his lead. Wicky Ned rallied on the run-in, but it wasn’t enough. Cheap Sandwiches, runner-up in the Irish Derby and a finalist in the English Derby, finally secured his long-overdue big-race breakthrough for his owners, the Bark Wahlberg Syndicate. The son of Burgess Bucks and Hearthill Josie crossed the line half a length clear in 30.06.

It was a brilliant race, and Cheap Sandwiches will deservedly be remembered as a truly exceptional winner of this prestigious event!