Irish Greyhound Derby

Irish Greyhound Derby
2020 winner Newinn Taylor
LocationShelbourne Park
Inaugurated1928 (unofficial)
1932 (official)
SponsorBoyleSports
Race information
Distance550 yards
SurfaceSand
Purse€300,000 (winner €125,000)

The Irish Greyhound Derby held at Shelbourne Park, is the premier greyhound racing competition in Ireland.

First held at Harold's Cross in 1928, the event was unofficial until 1932 and called the National Derby. The first winner in 1928 was Tipperary Hills who won in a time of 30.56 sec at a starting price of 1-1f.[1]

It controversially switched to Shelbourne Park in 1932 and then it was held in alternate years between the two tracks.[2]

The defunct Markets Field Greyhound Stadium in Limerick and the defunct Cork Greyhound Stadium in Western Road both hosted the event once in 1939 and 1942 respectively. The 1969 Irish Greyhound Derby was the last renewal held at Harold's Cross[3] and the competition remained at Shelbourne Park from 1970.[4] The most successful greyhound has been Spanish Battleship who won the event three times.[5]

Today it is considered to be one of the two biggest races in the calendar by the UK & Ireland greyhound racing industries, alongside the English Greyhound Derby.

Venues and distances

  • Harolds Cross (1928–1931, then alternate years until 1967)
  • Limerick (1939)
  • Cork (1942)
  • Shelbourne Park (1932, then alternate years until 1967)
  • Shelbourne Park (1968–1985, 525 yards)
  • Shelbourne Park (1986–present, 550 yards)

Past winners

Year Winning Greyhound Breeding Trainer Owner Breeder
1928 Tipperary Hills Melksham Tom – Na Boc E Billy Quinn Billy Quinn
1929 Jack Bob Orkit – Tottie Longsocks H Yeats Miss P Harris Mick Lynch
1930 Prince Fern Green Fern – Run Around James Harper James Harper
1931 Little Chummie Bottle – Coolalong Girl Billy Quinn Michael Grace Michael Grace (Callan)
1932 Guideless Joe Guiding Hand – Flaming Fire Mick Horan Jack Moylan Cornelius Forde
1933 Monologue Mutton Cutlet – High Force Luke Maher Luke Maher John Hughes
1934 Frisco Hobo Hidden Badger – Pykes Peak Tom Harty Tim Fennin
1935 Roving Yank Roving Bunty – Yankey Land Tom Harty Billy Dunne Michael Ryan (Tipperary)
1936 Minstrel Rover Dick The Rover – Hogans Choice Michael Sheehan Michael Sheehan Charlie Grumbridge (Fermoy)
1937 Muinessa Slanebeg – Won But Los Nuala O'Byrne Nuala O'Byrne Simon Garrahan (Rathconrath)
1938 Abbeylara Prudent Turn – Thats The Why Tom Black Tom Black Larry Kiernan (Granard)
1939 Marchin' Thro' Georgia Church Parade – Stone Park J.J.Doran A. Morton
1940 Tanist Inler – Tranquila Billy Quinn Arthur Probert Father Browne
1941 Brave Damsel Maidens Boy – Queen of the Suir Paddy Kelly John Byrne John Byrne (Tipperary)
1942 Uacterlainn Riac Creamery Border – Roisin Riac John Crowley Jerry Crowley S Riordan (Cork)
1943 Famous Knight Highland Rum – Flyers Fortune Bertie Tierney Miss R Monaghan Flynn
1944 Clonbonny Bridge Melksham Nobody – Bridge of Avon A O'Neill A O'Neill
1945 Lilacs Luck Printer – Wilton Sandills Paddy Byrne M Coolican
1946 Steve Printer – Verge of Palm Harry O'Neill Mrs R.H. Dent Pat Redmond (The Harrow)
1947 Daring Flash Tanist – Daring Lady Mary d'Arcy Mary d'Arcy Mary d'Arcy (Kilternan)
1948 Western Post Lucky Post – Lonesome Sister Paddy Moclair Frank Davis Brother Brouther (Newcastle West)
1949 Spanish Lad Shaggy Lad – Cordal Moonlight Tim (Chubb) O'Connor Tim (Chubb) O'Connor Tim (Chubb) O'Connor (Killorglin)
1950 Crossmolina Rambler Tanner Trail – Reney's Delight Anthony Meenaghan Frank Fox Tadgh Drummond (Kerry)
1951 Carmodys Tanist Mad Tanist – Castletown Skinner Dicky Myles Frances Chandler
1952 Rough Waters D X Rice – Just Push Henry Lalor Patricia Lalor John Byrne (Duncormick)
1953 Spanish Battleship Spanish Chestnut – Ballyseedy Memory Tom Lynch Tim (Chubb) O'Connor Tadgh Drummond (Kerry)
1954 Spanish Battleship Spanish Chestnut – Ballyseedy Memory Tom Lynch Tim (Chubb) O'Connor Tadgh Drummond (Kerry)
1955 Spanish Battleship Spanish Chestnut – Ballyseedy Memory Tom Lynch Tim (Chubb) O'Connor Tadgh Drummond (Kerry)
1956 Keep Moving Imperial Dancer – California Malachy McKenna Mrs Kathleen McBride Crean
1957 Hopeful Cutlet Imperial Dancer – Katie The Duck Jack Mullan Chris Farrelly
1958 Colonel Perry Olly's Quare Rebel – Ashgrove Breeze Jack Nallen Mrs Olive Tasker Larry Cribbin (Edenderry)
1959 Sir Frederick Champion Prince – Charming Biddy Tom Harty Mrs Hannah Cronin Jimmy Walsh (Waterford)
1960 Perrys Apple Only Perry – Ryans Demon Paddy Behan Paddy Behan Charlie Weld (Robertstown)
1961 Chieftains Guest Knock Hill Chieftain – Star Guest Leslie McNair McNair & Eric MCullough Leslie McNair
1962 Shanes Legacy Knock Hill Chieftain – Betsy Bob McCann Bob McCann Bob McCann (Randalstown)
1963 Drumahiskey Venture Odd Venture – Drumahiskey Girl Mrs Eithne Hammond Mrs Eithne Hammond Mrs Eithne Hammond (Ballymena)
1964 Wonder Valley Pigalle Wonder – Racing Millie Jack Mullan Jack Mullan
1965 Ballyowen Chief Oregon Prince – Earnest Lady Gay McKenna Mrs Lillie McKenna
1966 Always Proud Clonalvy Pride – Always A Rebel Gay McKenna Albert Lucas Albert Lucas (Bray)
1967 Russian Gun Pigalle Wonder – Shandaroba Tom Lynch Hugh Marley Frank Muldoon (Dungannon)
1968 Yellow Printer Printer's Prince – Yellow Streak John Bassett (England) Miss Pauline Wallis & Sir Robert Adeane
1969 Own Pride[6] Always Proud – Kitty True Ger McKenna Tom O'Doherty Ignatius Kelly[3] (Cooraclare)
1970 Monalee Pride[7] Prairie Flash – Sheila at Last Gay McKenna Dave Cahill Bertie Hatton (Enniscorthy)
1971 Sole Aim Monalee Champion – Yurituni David Geggus (England) Mrs Frances Chandler
1972 Catsrock Daisy Fantastic Prince – Truly Silver Gay McKenna Matt Bruton & Cyril Scotland Mrs Ann Rellis (Waterford)
1973 Bashful Man Myross Again – Ballyflake Ger McKenna Deirdre Hynes Mrs Nancy Dirrane (Kilmallock)
1974 Lively Band Silver Hope – Kell's Queen Jack Murphy Cyril Scotland Denis Clancy
1975 Shifting Shadow Clonsherry – Queens Parachute Podger Molloy Brian Donovan & Michael Cummiskey Paddy O'Connor
1976 Tain Mor Monalee Champion – An Tain Paddy & Jack Nolan Miss Aifric Campbell Paddy & Jack Nolan (County Wexford)
1977 Linda's Champion Monalee Champion – Merry Linda Michael Barrett Michael Barrett Michael Barrett (Ballingarry)
1978 Pampered Rover Time Up Please – Pampered Peggy Paddy Keane Joe Phelan Joe Phelan (Conahy, County Kilkenny)
1979 Penny County Dark Mercury – Columbcille Aim Matt Travers Paddy Hurney & Sean Dunne Con Moore (Thomastown)
1980 Suir Miller Minnesota Miller – More Cream Michael Barrett Elizabeth Flood Elizabeth Flood (Tipperary)
1981 Bold Work Itsachampion – Silver Moll Frank O'Regan Breda O'Regan Michael Foley
1982 Cooladine Super Tranquility Sea – Cooladine Ruby Colm McGrath Siobhan Kenny
1983 Belvedere Bran Brave Bran – Knock Out Dermot O'Sullivan Con O'Sullivan Thomas McSherry (Nenagh)
1984 Dipmac Sand Man – Kind of Luxury Seamus Graham Paschal Taggart & Noel Ryan Seamus Graham (County Laois)
1985 Tubbercurry Lad Liberty Lad – Tubbercurry Nancy Charlie Faul Michael Costelloe Charlie Faul (Sligo)
1986 Kyle Jack Oran Jack – Lady Barbara John Field Michael Field Batt O'Keeffe (Kerry)
1987 Rathgallen Tady Overdraught Pet – Mea West Ger McKenna Eddie Costello Colm McCarthy (Golden)
1988 Make History Game Ball – Raymonds Pride Johnny Quigley Paul McKinney & John Kelly Ramie Dowling (Kilkenny)
1989 Manorville Magic Manorville Sand – Black Vision Paddy Doran Catherine Doran Catherine Doran (Tipperary)
1990 The Other Toss The Other Risk – Knocknaboha Snap Matt O'Donnell John Houilhan Michael Lonergan (Cahir)
1991 Ardfert Mick Ardfert Sean – Boher Rita Matt O'Donnell Noel Clifford Maurice Harty (Kerry)
1992 Manx Treasure Greenpark Fox – Minorcas Fuchsia Michael O'Sullivan John Guilford John Guilford (Isle of Man)
1993 Daleys Denis Daleys Gold – Lisnakill Flyer Brendan Mullan George Davenport & Patrick Keating John O'Brien (Surrey)
1994 Joyful Tidings[8] Whisper Wishes – Newmans Mall Donie O'Regan Michael Carmody Donal O'Connor (Tipperary)
1995 Batties Rocket Batties Whisper – Lady Arrancourt Matt O'Donnell Alicia Swaffield Alicia Swaffield (Wheldrake, York)[9]
1996 Tina Marina Phantom Flash – Minnies Nikita Seamus Graham Greenvale+ Elizabeth Maher (Tipperary)
1997 Toms The Best Frightful Flash – Ladys Guest Nick Savva (England) Eddie Shotton Ian Greaves (Kildare)
1998 Eyeman Double Bid – Minglers Magic Eddie Wade Gerard Kervick Jim Moore (Carrigeen)
1999 Spring Time Vintage Prince – Meantime Gerald Watson Gerald Watson Charles Magill (Larne)
2000 Judicial Pride Thorgil Tex – Dons Pride Michael O'Donovan Pat Daly Michael Walsh (Knocknagoshel)
2001 Cool Performance Mustang Jack – Pony Nikita Sean Bourke Patsy Byrne & Mick Gleeson P.J. Keane (Abbeydorney)
2002 Bypass Byway Spiral Nikita – Sandy Penny Ollie Bray Michael Kearney Pat D'Arcy (Clare)
2003 Climate Control[10] Larkhill Jo – Ballinclare Star Seamus Graham Kevin Smith & Aidan O'Regan Ailish & Ailsing McCann (Wexford)
2004 Like A Shot Larkhill Jo – Blackstone Lace Owen McKenna Michael Kelly Patrick Sinnott (Kells)
2005 He Said So Top Honcho – You Said So Tim O'Donovan Jim Hennessy & Tim O'Donovan Mick O'Donovan (Cork)
2006 Razldazl Billy Brett Lee – Inky Black Dolores Ruth Liam Marks Tommy Holden/Michael Power (Youghal)
2007 Tyrur Rhino Tyrur Ted – Tyrur Marita Paul Hennessy P.J. Fahy P.J. Fahy (Galway)
2008 Shelbourne Aston Just The Best – Queen Survivor Pat Curtin Curtin-Hehir-Montgomery+ John Marks (Tipperary)
2009 College Causeway Go Wild Teddy – College Tina Pat Buckley Mike & Vincent McKenna Frank Culloty (Kerry)
2010 Tyrur McGuigan Brett Lee – Tyrur Temptress Conor Fahy P.J. Fahy P.J. Fahy (Galway)
2011 Razldazl George Kinloch Brae – Razldazl Pearl Dolores Ruth Dazzling+ Dolores Ruth (Kildare)
2012 Skywalker Puma Royal Impact – Dianas Ranger Frances O'Donnell Ray Patterson Paddy Purtill (Lisselton)
2013 Slippery Robert Hondo Black – Steamy Windows Robert Gleeson Larry Dunne Larry Dunne (Louth)
2014 Laughil Blake [11] Brett Lee – Laughil Lass Michael O'Donovan Mary & Paul Jennings Mary Jennings (Offaly)
2015 Ballymac Matt [12] Tyrur Big Mike – Ballymac Scarlet Liam Dowling Ballymac-kelly-and-the-lads+ Liam Dowling (Kerry)
2016 Rural Hawaii [13] Head Bound – Duck Fat Graham Holland Helen & Michael O'Dwyer Michael O'Dwyer (Clonmel)
2017 Good News [14] Definate – Pippy Patrick Guilfoyle Sandra Guilfoyle & Mary Kennedy John Kennedy (Thurles)
2018 Ballyanne Sim [15] Confident Rankin – Freedom Shadow James Robinson Eamon Cleary Kathleen Pomfret
2019 Lenson Bocko[16] Droopys Jet – Melodys Diamond Graham Holland Lochead-Ponder-Whelan+ Patrick Collins (Ballylongford)
2020 Newinn Taylor[17] Droopys Buick – Newinn Expert Graham Holland Simon Taylor Jim O'Donnell
2021 Susie Sapphire[18] Droopys Jet – Jetstream Lynx Owen McKenna Peter Comerford Peter Comerford
2022 Born Warrior[19] Ballymac Best – Mountaylor Queen Jennifer O'Donnell Whatever-you-like Syndicate Jennifer O'Donnell
2023 The Other Kobe[20] Ballymac Best – Mountaylor Queen Jennifer O'Donnell Brian Clare & David L'Estrange Jennifer O'Donnell
2024 Bockos Diamond[21] Dorotas Wildcat – Seaglass Shadow Graham Holland Remember Them+ Joseph O'Connor

Statistics

Stat Comment
Most wins 3; Spanish Battleship 1953, 1954, 1955
Winning trainer Gay McKenna, Tom Lynch, Graham Holland (all 4)
Ger McKenna, Matt O'Donnell, Seamus Graham (all 3)
Winning Bitches 9; 1933, 1937, 1941, 1972, 1979, 1990, 1996, 1999, 2021
Starting Prices Shortest winners: 2024 (3/10f), 1954 (4/11f) Longest winners: 1996 (14–1)

References

  1. ^ Fortune, Michael. Irish Greyhound Derby 1932–1981 pages 1–2. Victory Irish Promotions Ltd.
  2. ^ Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing, page 309. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 07207-1106-1.
  3. ^ a b Downes, J.J. (1995), "THE GREYHOUND NEWS", in Hurley, Joe (ed.), Doonbeg: A Story to Tell, Doonbeg: Doonbeg Book Committee, pp. 288–292
  4. ^ Genders, Roy (1990). NGRC book of Greyhound Racing, page 261. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 0-7207-1804-X.
  5. ^ The Daily Mirror Fact File Vol.Two:1991, pages 271-273. Ringpress. 1991. ISBN 0-948955-61-9.
  6. ^ "Remember When – August 1969". Greyhound Star. 2018.
  7. ^ "Remember When – August 1970". Greyhound Star. 2018.
  8. ^ Fry, Paul (1995). The Official NGRC Greyhound Racing Yearbook. Ringpress Books. p. 59. ISBN 186054-010-4.
  9. ^ "Remember When – September 2002". Greyhound Star. 30 September 2018.
  10. ^ "Remember When – September 2003". Greyhound Star. 9 September 2018.
  11. ^ "Irish Greyhound Final Result – Laughil Blake is crowned Champion for 2014". Sports News Ireland.[permanent dead link‍]
  12. ^ "2015 Irish Derby final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  13. ^ "2016 Irish Derby final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  14. ^ "2017 Irish Derby final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  15. ^ "2018 Irish Derby final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  16. ^ "2019 Irish Derby final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  17. ^ "Bizarre night as Newinn Taylor lands Irish Derby". Greyhound Star. 20 September 2020.
  18. ^ "2021 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. 19 September 2021.
  19. ^ "Born Warrior lives up to his name in Irish Greyhound Derby". Irish Examiner. 27 September 2022.
  20. ^ "Irish Derby won by The Other Kobey". Radio Kerry. 4 September 2023.
  21. ^ "Bockos Diamond triumphs in Irish Greyhound Derby". RTE. 24 November 2024. Retrieved 24 November 2024.