April 2024

BLACKNOSE GIVING KIP A WELCOME PROBLEM

Ian Fortune

Yesterday we spoke of the impressive Friday night debut of Chancellors Link at Dundalk but he wasn’t the only impressive debut winner at the Dowdallshill venue on the night.

KEITH POWELL LANDS FIRST & SECOND IN RCETS ON1 FINAL AT SHELBOURNE PARK

Sarah Kinsella

Trainer Keith Powell was celebrating Friday night after he trained a 1-2 in The RCETS ON1 525 Final at Shelbourne Park.

TALKING DOGS ON MONDAY 29TH APRIL

GRI

Join Ian, Tommy and Sarah as they discuss plenty of great racing action including the Time Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes Final in Kilcohan Park, the 600 in Shelbourne Park and much more.

Droopys Fidget Crowned TIME Select Stakes Champion

Sarah Kinsella

The Robert Gleeson trained Droopys Fidget was crowned the 2024 TIME Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes champion at Kilcohan Park on Saturday night.

MICHAEL A WINNING TRAINER AFTER CHANCELLOR IMPRESSES

Ian Fortune

There was a notable winner at Dundalk on Friday night that nearly fell through the cracks. Chancellors Link caught the eye when emerging a superb winner on debut in 21.25

KOBE BACK IN ACTION AS IRISH MOVE WELL IN TRIALS

Ian Fortune

Some of Ireland’s finest including Derby champion The Other Kobe were in action at Towcester on Sunday afternoon ahead of racing. Now under the care of Graham Holland, The Other Kobe went up fast posting a 3.97 sectional on his way to posting 29.35 for the 500m trip.

HENNESSY’S MAIDEN DERBY SUCCESS WITH ETIENNE

Ian Fortune

Paul Hennessy was long odds on to capture the KAB Maiden Derby at Towcester on Sunday afternoon with three of the six finalists, including red-hot favourite Jaytee Craze, but things didn’t exactly go to script.

NANDO AND GAR PRODUCE THE GOODS ON TOP-CLASS LIFFORD CARD

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the Northwest Greyhound Supplies Tri-Distance took centre stage at Lifford Stadium on Sunday evening and they proved top-class affairs that suggest that next week’s decider will take a bit of winning.

FAYLA TAKES HER CHANCE IN ANN CHEEVERS FEATURE AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

The final of the €1,800 to the winner Ann Cheevers Memorial A4/A5 525 took centre stage at Galway on Saturday night and it was Brickhill Fayla that justified her even money pricetag to come home in front.

QUALITY FARE AT LIMERICK AS BLASTOFF’S STEAL THE SHOW

Peter Farrell

With the dust now settled on what was another incredible Con & Annie Kirby Memorial, it was a rather quiet affair at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night, however, there was no shortage of quality performance on the night.

DOLLY AND LYNX PURR IN SHELBOURNE 600

Ian Fortune

Another big crowd poured through the Shelbourne Park stiles on Saturday ahead of a superb night of racing action. There were brilliant displays throughout the card but those of Singalong Dolly and Pennys Lynx in the semi-finals of the Shelbourne open 600 were on a different level.

ALL TO PLAY FOR IN THE SPRING DERBY AT CURRAHEEN PARK

Barry Drake

The €7,500 to the winner A2 Spring Derby produced some fantastic racing at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

DROOPYS FIDGET A FANTASTIC WINNER OF THE SELECT STAKES

Barry Drake

A recent third in the final of the Easter Cup, Droopys Fidget ran out a fantastic winner of the €10,000 to the winner TIME Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes at Kilcohan Park on Saturday night.

KING AND DUKE LEAD HOME A ONE-TWO FOR POWELL AND GILBERT

Ian Fortune

It was another busy Friday at Shelbourne Park and there were some tremendous displays on the card.

KASKO DOG FOODS STEP IN TO SPONSOR NATIONAL PRODUCE STAKES

Peter Farrell

Irish greyhound racing received another welcome boost in recent days with the news that Kasko Dog Foods have stepped in to sponsor the prestigious National Produce Stakes, held at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium.

SEEK THE KINGDOM THE CURRAHEEN PARK BANKER

Barry Drake

The second round of the €7,500 to the winner Spring Derby are the feature races in Curraheen Park tonight.

KOBE, TREATY AND CRYSTAL SET TO TRIAL AT TOWCESTER

Ian Fortune

The Irish challenge for the English Derby is beginning to take shape and there are some notable performers set to trial at Towcester on Sunday.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT - CON & ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL

GRI

Ian Fortune, Tommy Lyons and Barry Caul reflect on a wonderful win by Knockeen Dazzler in the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Final. Ian finishes by speaking to 17 year old year owner & trainer, Daniel O'Rahilly, who is just getting his head around his €80,000 win in Limerick on Saturday night.

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 163: JIM MUPRHY & SHANE RIGNEY

GRI

Barry chats to two guests this week! First to chat is Jim Murphy after enjoying recent success at the BresBet Easter Cup with Clonbrien Treaty. He also tells us about his earliest memories of greyhound racing and other upcoming competitions including the English Greyhound Derby.

BARRY DRAKE INTERVIEWS TIME SELECT STAKES CONNECTIONS

GRI

Barry Drake caught up with the TIME Select Stakes Semi-Final winners last Saturday at Kilcohan Park. Have a watch below.

IRISH FOCUS ON SISRACING.TV

Ian Fortune

The latest instalment of the Irish Focus will go live on sisracing.tv at 6pm this evening. As you would expect, it’s a busy one with so much quality racing to look back on from the past weekend.

NICE ONE A MUM

Ian Fortune

One of the fastest and most consistent bitches over the past two years, Droopys Nice One has become a mum with the Village Kennels sharing the news on social media over the weekend.

VIDEO: 2024 CON AND ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL FINAL

GRI

Knockeen Dazzler added his name to the record books as the winner of the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial, scooping the €80,000 winner's prize for 17 year old owner / trainer Daniel O'Rahilly.

TALKING DOGS ON MONDAY 22ND APRIL - CON AND ANNIE KIRBY FINAL AND MORE

GRI

Ian Fortune, Tommy Lyons and Barry Caul have a lot to chat about this week. They reflect on a wonderful win by Knockeen Dazzler in the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Final and also discuss the big action elsewhere, including the Time Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes and the Shelbourne 600.

VIDEO: I AM MAXIMUS AND MINELLA TIMES PARADE IN LIMERICK

GRI

A huge crowd descended on Limerick Greyhound Stadium for the 2024 Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Final on Saturday night and along with some superb canine athletics they were treated to a victory parade from two huge Horse Racing stars.

CRAZE SIZZLES AT TOWCESTER

Ian Fortune

Ireland will have no fewer than four finalists in the KAB Maiden Derby at Towcester on Sunday afternoon after a hugely successful return yesterday afternoon.

NO SOCK GAR SETS THE STANDARD IN NORTHWEST GREYHOUND SUPPLIES TRI-DISTANCE

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored by Northwest Greyhound Supplies & the NWGOBA, the opening round heats of the similarly named A2/A3 Tri-Distance got off to a flier at Lifford Stadium on Sunday evening and the standout performance was that of No Sock Gar in the concluding heat of the stake.

I AM MAXIMUS & MINELLA TIMES RECEIVE WARM WELCOME AT KIRBY MEMORIAL FINAL

Sarah Kinsella

Aintree Grand National winners I Am Maximus & Minella Times receive warm welcome at Kirby Memorial Final.

KNOCKEEN DAZZLES IN CON & ANNIE KIRBY DECIDER AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

72 greyhounds set off in search of landing the 2024 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick Greyhound Stadium some five weeks ago and last night saw seventeen-year-old Daniel O’Rahilly claim the prestigious Classic in mighty fashion with Knockeen Dazzler.

COMRADES DANICA AND GIZMO DELIGHT AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

Another massive crowd poured through the stiles at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night and they were treated to some exceptional racing including a typically superb display from Ballymac Danica as she took the Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks in merciless fashion.

PAT MCCARTHY

Greyhound lost a great friend in recent days with the passing of Pat McCarthy.

BONO, UNA AND FELLOW LAND THURLES FEATURES

Peter Farrell

It was a big night at Thurles greyhound stadium on Saturday as the finals of the Simons Bar, Clonoulty, A2 525 and the Maurice Ryan ON2 525 went down for decision.

TWO MAGNIFICENT PERFORMANCES IN SEMI FINALS OF THE SELECT STAKES

Barry Drake

DROOPYS FIDGET, trained by Robert Gleason for Paul Allen and John Gilson, recorded back to back victories in the second semi final of the TIME Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes at Kilcohan Park on Saturday night.

OPENING ROUND OF THE SPRING DERBY PRODUCES GREAT RACING AT CURRAHEEN PARK

Barry Drake

The opening round of the €7,500 to the winner A2 Spring Derby took centre stage at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

MERITS GETS THE NOD IN WIDE-OPEN CON & ANNIE KIRBY DECIDER

Peter Farrell

After four weeks of superb racing at Limerick Greyhound Stadium, the final of the 2024 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial 525 takes centre stage later tonight and those in attendance are sure to be treated to a thrilling conclusion of what has been another incredible Kirby.

DEADLY ON A CRUSADE IN LEAHY FINAL AT KILKENNY

Ian Fortune

Deadly Crusader could nearly drive himself to Kilkenny at this stage and he continued his love affair with the St James Park venue on Friday night, capturing the feature, the final of the valuable Georgie Leahy Memorial in tremendous fashion.

FRANCO LANDS OZARK UNRACED AT NEWBRIDGE

Ian Fortune

Doonanes Franco may have been a 10-1 chance for the final of the Hawkfield Ozark at Stud ON2 at Newbridge on Friday night but there was nothing lucky about his victory.

MILLRIDGE SUCCESS IN THE KINGDOM FEATURE

Barry Drake

MILLRIDGE BRYCE ran out a brilliant winner of the feature in the Kingdom on Friday night, the €2,775 to the winner John & Mary Killeacle Dowling Memorial A1 570.

TIERNAN DOUBLES DOWN IN SORLEY O’DORNAN MEMORIAL SECOND ROUND ACTION

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the Sorley O’Dornan Memorial A3/A4 Guys & Dolls 525 served as the highlight on Friday night’s card at Clonmel and once again it was Young Tiernan who set the standard.

PENNIE REMAINS UNBEATEN IN ANN CHEEVERS MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the Ann Cheevers Memorial A4/A5 525 took place at Galway on Friday night and although both were very close in terms of the clock, Fast Fit Pennie maintained her unbeaten record in the stake with another decisive victory.

LOVE YOUR CLUB WINNERS ANNOUNCED

GRI

Throughout February and March we invited you to tell us why you Love Your Club, with two €5,000 shirt sponsorships on offer. The judges have reviewed the entries and there was a unanimous consensus on the two very deserving winners.

ESSENTIAL WATCHING BEFORE THE KIRBY FINAL

GRI

Ahead of Saturday’s big Final in the 2024 Con and Annie Kirby Memorial, we’ve got some videos so that you can brush up on all the racing action before you turn your attention to Limerick.

VIDEO: 2023 NATIONAL GREYHOUND RACING AWARDS

GRI

Last week, we gathered in Limerick Greyhound Stadium for the National Greyhound Racing Awards. A wonderful night was had by all as we celebrated the achievements in our sport in 2023. Why not take a look back at some highlights from the night.

2024 CON AND ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL FINAL RACE PROGRAMME

GRI

Check out the race form and recap on the competition so far with your free virtual race programme for Saturday's Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Final.

EPISPODE 162: LIAM DOWLING & BRENDAN MAUNSELL

GRI

Barry Drake chats with Liam Dowling and Brendan Maunsell ahead of The Ballymac Festival of Racing which features the final of the John & Mary Killeacle Dowling Memorial A1 570.

HARVEY NOT A FIRST JUVENILE WINNER FOR CHRIS

Ian Fortune

When Faypoint Harvey raced to a brilliant victory in the TIME Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile at Towcester on Sunday afternoon, it introduced him to the British racing public as a potential English Derby champion.

WATCH: TALKING DOGS ON MONDAY 15TH APRIL CON & ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL AND MORE!

GRI

It's all eyes on Limerick as they gear up for the Final of the €80,000 to the winner, Con and Annie Kirby Memorial in Limerick Greyhound Stadium. Limerick's Joe Sheahan joins Ian Fortune and Tommy Lyons to discuss the Semi-Finals and preview the Final.

IRISH SUCCESS AS HARVEY LANDS JUVENILE AT TOWCESTER

Ian Fortune

Faypoint Harvey was the toast of Towcester on Sunday afternoon as he handed Graham Holland even more success across the pond, running out a tremendous and most comfortable winner of the TIME Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile.

VIDEO: 2024 CON AND ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL SEMI-FINALS

GRI

Just one race remains in the 2024 Con and Annie Kirby Memorial in Limerick with six of Ireland's finest young greyhounds in contention for the €80,000 winner's prize on Saturday 20th April.

BRILLIANT BREEDING SUCCESS FROM MATTHEWS

Peter Farrell

The Matthews Family are certainly no strangers to success on both track and field, however, Saturday night saw a particularly special feat achieved in the semi finals of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick Greyhound Stadium.

KNOCKEEN AND MERITS CLAIM TWO EXCEPTIONAL KIRBY SEMIS

Peter Farrell

The two semi finals of the 2024 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial 525 took centre stage at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and they produced two exceptional displays from Knockeen Dazzler and Merits Inclusion.

DANICA SETS STANDARD AGAIN IN PUPPY OAKS

Ian Fortune

The semi-finals of the Suncroft Festival were very much the feature at a busy Shelbourne Park on Saturday night and Ballymac Danica used the stage to again display her immense promise and ability, setting a strong standard with a fastest of the night 28.34 return.

POWERFUL PERFORMANCE FROM ROAD EXILE IN SUPERSPRINT FINAL

Barry Drake

ROAD EXILE recorded three straight wins when winning the €5,000 to the winner Greyhound & Petworld Supersprint at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

SELECT STAKES OFF TO A FLYING START IN KILCOHAN PARK

Barry Drake

The 2024 TIME Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes got off to a flying start in Kilcohan Park on Saturday night.

FINAL TWELVE DO BATTLE FOR PLACE IN CON & ANNIE KIRBY DECIDER

Peter Farrell

Just a dozen runners remain in the 2024 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and it’s fair to say that connections of all twelve will remain optimistic of landing the €80,000 to the winner Classic in seven days’ time.

CHARLIE FLAWLESS AGAIN IN WEADICK 725

Ian Fortune

Tuono Charlie was a brilliant winer of the TP Weadick Open 725 at Kilkenny on Friday night, justifying odds on favouritism in the process.

ZAFIRO STARS IN RCETS UNRACED AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

The impeccably well-bred Syds Zafiro set a strong standard in the opening round of the RCETS Open Unraced at Shelbourne Park on Friday night.

WALT AN EYE-CATCHING LOT IN LATEST GREYHOUND TRADER AUCTION

Ian Fortune

Recent Easter Cup semi-finalist and last year’s Champion Plate winner Ballymac Walt is set for a new home after appearing as the main attraction in the latest greyhoundstrader.com on-line auction.

BACK-TO-BACK FOR FAYLA IN CHEEVERS SECOND ROUND ACTION

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the Ann Cheevers Memorial A4/A5 525 served as the highlight at Galway on Friday night and it was Brickhill Fayla that went quickest with another make-all performance.

TIERNAN SETS O’DORNAN STANDARD AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

The opening round heats of the Sorley O’Dornan Memorial A3/A4 525 got underway at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and of the six heats on offer, it was Young Tiernan who set a pretty high bar.

ALL ABOUT DISCO PANTS IN THE KINGDOM

Barry Drake

DISCO PANTS produced a superb front-running performance in Friday night's opening semi-final of the John & Mary Killeacle Dowling Memorial A1 575 at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium.

THE OTHER KOBE REIGNS SUPREME

GRI

The Other Kobe tonight was announced as the Supreme Greyhound of The Year for 2023 at the National Greyhound Racing Awards hosted at Limerick Greyhound Stadium.

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 162: GRAHAM HOLLAND & RICHIE LAWLOR

GRI

This week Barry chats to two guests, trainer Graham Holland and Kilcohan Park’s new Racing Manager, Richie Lawlor.

WATCH: 2024 CON AND ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL QUARTER FINALS

GRI

The 2024 Con and Annie Kirby reached the half-way mark as the final 12 secured their spots in the penultimate race at last weekend's Quarter Finals. Join us now in Limerick to look back on the action and some snippets from the night.

SALES RECAP AND OTHER KILKENNY NEWS

Ian Fortune

Despite the rough weather conditions for both human and canines alike, there was another very successful sale at Kilkenny Track on Saturday morning.

MICK THE FUTURE CHAMP AS RAIN FAILS TO DAMPEN SPIRITS AT ENNISCORTHY

Ian Fortune

The rain may have been incessant at Enniscorthy on Monday evening but it failed to dampen the spirits as Fiery Mick produced a superb performance to hand his owner/ breeder Joe Devlin a second victory in the Future Champion & Michael Fortune Memorial Unraced Stake.

LEE STRAND LAUNCH €10,000 EVENT AT KINGDOM GREYHOUND STADIUM

Barry Drake

Lee Strand A3 550 Kicks Off April 24th. Rásaíocht Con Éireann has announced that Lee Strand have confirmed that they will continue as title sponsors of the Lee Strand A3 550 at Kingdom Greyhound Stadium later this month.

TIME GREYHOUND NUTRITION SELECT STAKES AT KILCOHAN PARK

Barry Drake

Pictured at the launch of the Time Nutrition Select Stakes launch at Kilcohan Park Greyhound stadium were Sarah Kinsella, PR and Brand Executive, Greyhound Racing Ireland, Conor Matthews, Racing Support Officer, GRI, Willie and Shane Rigney from sponsors, Time Nutrition and the local greyhound, Tellingthetale.

TALKING DOGS ON MONDAY 8TH APRIL - EASTER CUP & KIRBY

GRI

It's Talking Dogs time! Ian Fortune and Tommy Lyons are joined by sponsor Carl Perry and winning owner Jim Murphy to chat about the BresBet Easter Cup Final, plus Kirby and Supersprint chat too!

WATCH: 2024 BRESBET EASTER CUP FINAL

GRI

Join us now to look back on the win and reaction from proud owner, Jim Murphy.

TREATY SHOWS HIS BRILLIANCE IN EASTER CUP ROMP

Ian Fortune

Clonbrien Treaty doesn’t produce his best around Shelbourne Park.

ANOTHER NIGHT OF KIRBY UPSETS AS FIELD HALVED TO TWELVE

Peter Farrell

The quarter finals of the 2024 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial 525 took place at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and such as the pattern of this year’s Classic, there were more shock results in terms of the heat winners.

BRIGID HENNESSY

It’s with sadness we must report the passing of Brigid Hennessy, the mother of leading trainer Paul Hennessy.

ROMEO TAYLOR IMPRESSIVE IN THE GREYHOUND & PETWORLD SUPERSPRINT

Barry Drake

ROMEO TAYLOR went quickest on the clock in the semi-finals of the Greyhound & Petworld Supersprint at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

ALL SET FOR AN EASTER THRILLER AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

This year’s Bresbet Easter Cup has really delivered with exceptional racing, a number of shocks and a decider to savour.

CHARLIE RED-HOT IN WEADICK 725

Ian Fortune

It is pretty clear by his performance in Friday’s semi-finals of the TP Weadick Open 725 at Kilkenny that Tuono Charlie is now firmly established as one of the best stayers around after just three attempts at a six bend trip.

ASTER GOES FAST TO SET OZARK PACE AT NEWBRIDGE

Ian Fortune

John Wilson has put plenty of fast greyhounds through his hands over the years and he has another in the form of Annual Aster who set a strong standard in the opening round of the Hawkfield Ozark @ Stud ON2/ON3 525 at Nwbridge on Friday night.

CON & ANNIE KIRBY BEGINNING TO HEAT UP AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

Few would have predicted how the 2024 running of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial would have panned out thus far and just twenty-four remain as the Classic renewal reaches its quarter final stages later tonight at Limerick Greyhound Stadium.

DISCO PANTS BACK TO TOP FORM IN THE KINGDOM

Barry Drake

DISCO PANTS returned to top form in the second round of the John & Mary Killeacle Memorial A1 575 stake.

2024 BRESBET EASTER CUP FINAL RACE PROGRAMME

GRI

This Saturday, Shelbourne Park will host the Final of the 2024 BresBet Easter Cup. Why not head along and enjoy some great racing! Your free 2024 BresBet Easter Cup Final Virtual Race Card is here! Perfect to get up to speed before Saturday night and study the form to watch on Barking Buzz or via the Intertrack at your local stadium.

NEW HOME FOR IRISH FOCUS

Ian Fortune

While discussions are still on-going about a relaunch of GTV with the potential for a scaled back version coming back ahead of the English Derby, the Irish Focus has found a new home for the time being on sisracing.tv.

SHORT AGAIN MARCHES INTO SIMONS BAR DECIDER

Peter Farrell

There was some fine action on offer at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Thursday night as the semi finals of the Simons Bar, Clonoulty A2 525 took centre stage and it was Short Again that went quickest ahead on next week’s valuable decider.

LUCY OFF THE MARK AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

Lucy Roche became one of the youngest winning greyhound trainers in Ireland when ‘Hazelhill Fawn’ won over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend at Limerick.

WATCH: 2024 BRESBET EASTER CUP SEMI-FINALS

GRI

Take a look back on last weekend's BresBet Easter Cup Semi-Final action in Shelbourne Park now. Be there on Saturday as our 2024 champion is decided.

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 161: BRESBET EASTER CUP PREVIEW

GRI

This week Barry chats to Carl Perry from BresBet, kind sponsors of the 2024 BresBet Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park ahead of Saturday night's Final.

OMUIRCHEARTAIGH STAYS IN UK FOR JEAL AND HUTTON

Ian Fortune

After flying the flag for Ireland and his owners, the FOMO Syndicate, in the UK in recent weeks, Omuircheartaigh is set to stay across the water with Nic Jeal stepping into buy the powerful son of Broadstrand Bono and Lemon Ariana.

JERSEYS AT THE DOGS RETURNS THIS WEEKEND

GRI

Join us this weekend at your local greyhound stadium to support a very worthy cause. Greyhound Stadia across Ireland are looking forward to the return of the highly anticipated fundraising event, "Jerseys At The Dogs," for its second year, in continued support of the Dillon Quirke Foundation.