July 2024

RIP DERMOT COX - FRIDAY RACING CANCELLED IN NEWBRIDGE GREYHOUND STADIUM IN TRIBUTE

GRI

It was with sadness that RCÉ/GRI received news of the passing of Newbridge businessman and landlord of Newbridge Greyhound Stadium, Dermot Cox. Dermot was a member of the well-known Cox family, who have played an integral role in greyhound racing in Kildare for almost 90 years. The Cox Cup, an event named in honour of the family, became one of the top events in the stadiums annual racing schedules.

PADGE ROBAN

It’s with sadness we must report the passing of a great friend to greyhound racing, Padge Roban.

SUPERB MONDAY ACTION AT ENNISCORTHY

Ian Fortune

There was some superb action at Enniscorthy on Monday evening with Related Jet and exciting newcomer Unanimous Roxy taking the headlines.

Yorkie Ollie Fancied For Irish Greyhound Derby Glory

Sarah Kinsella

The odds on Yorkie Ollie winning the 2024 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby at Shelbourne Park have been considerably lowered in recent days from 33/1 into 14/1.

TALKING LEGER EPISODE 2 MONDAY 29TH JULY

GRI

Join Barry Caul, Tommy Lyons and Joe Sheahan for this week's greyhound racing chat.

CALLING ALL RACING FANS! DONATE YOUR TROPHIES, STORIES & MEMORABILIA TO SHELBOURNE PARK MUSEUM

GRI

Are you a passionate racing enthusiast with a collection of cherished trophies? Do you have a family trophy that has a great story and you are not sure where to display? We invite you to be part of history at the Shelbourne Park Museum! Your trophies and the stories behind them can become part of our permanent exhibit, celebrating the rich heritage of greyhound racing.

Unanimouspanther Rattles Limerick 550 Track Record In Irish St Leger

Sarah Kinsella

The Pat Buckley trained Unanimouspanther was the fastest heat winner in the second round of the Willwego.com Irish St Leger at Limerick on Saturday night.

ZAFIRO A GOOD RUNNER-UP IN TOWCESTER FEATURE

Ian Fortune

One of Susie Sapphire’s most talented sons, Syd Zafiro, recently changed hands, joining Paul Matthews after the sale of the brilliant young tracker to Tony Dean.

PANTHER SHAKES THE CLOCK IN SECOND ROUND ST. LEGER ACTION

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the Willwego.com Irish St. Leger dominated Saturday night’s card at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and for the second straight round, Unanimouspanther set the standard with an incredible performance in heat six.

KURSK FASTEST AS SYD SURVIVES SCARE IN IRISH SPRINT CUP

Ian Fortune

A week after the fireworks of Broadstrand Syd’s track record breaking display in the opening round, there was far less between the fastest and slowest heat winners in the second round of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk on Saturday night.

11 FROM 11 WITH A MASSIVE TRACK RECORD RUN FROM TUONO CHARLIE

Barry Drake

A real star in recent months, TUONO CHARLIE made it the perfect 11 wins on the trot with another unbelievable track record run in the Kingdom on Saturday night, as the Sharon Hunt-trained runner came home alone in his opening round heat of MCP Group 750-yard Stake.

ROMEO IN CONTROL OF THE A1 KASKO DERBY AT CURRAHEEN PARK

Barry Drake

ROMEO CONTROL, trained by Graham Holland for owner David Firmager, was the standout performance in round two of the A1 Kasko Derby at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

HOT WOOD CLAIMS ANOTHER BIG POT AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

The final of the inaugural Jimmy Flaherty Memorial A1/A2 550 served as the feature at Galway on Saturday night and it was Hot Wood that claimed his second major stake at the Connacht venue this year.

OLLIE IS READY FOR THE BIG TIME

Ian Fortune

As Barry Caul put it so wonderfully in commentary, “it’s the jolly, Ollie, who wins lots of lolly”.

DOMINANT FRANKFURT CLAIMS CLOUGHTANEY DECIDER AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

The final of the Cloughtaney Kennels A3/A4 550 served as the highlight on Friday night’s card at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium and it was Frankfurt that justified favouritism with a demolition job on his rivals to claim the €1,300 first prize on offer.

OLWYN TAKES OFF AT KILKENNY

Ian Fortune

Ballybough Olwyn posted a superb 28.94 to go lengths faster than the next fastest heat winner in the opening round of the Boylesports A3 Bitch 525. In fact, the nearest to her in terms of the clock was Long Senorita, who finished three lengths behind Ballybough Olwyn in Heat 2.

SHELBOURNE PARK REFURBISHMENT AND PROGRESS TO DATE

GRI

Chairman Frank Nyhan & CEO Tim Lucey were joined by The Board & Executive Members of Greyhound Racing Ireland and Project Architect Tara Lamb earlier today to inspect the ongoing refurbishment works at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium.

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 174: ROBERT GLEESON

GRI

Barry chats to Robert Gleeson this week, fresh from big race success with Droopys Mandolin winning the Time Dundalk International 550. They chat about what’s next for her in her racing career with a trip to Nottingham coming up.

BE PART OF HISTORY – AN APPEAL FOR YOUR MEMORIES

Ian Fortune

Many of you may have read that RCÉ are asking for your help when it comes to the planned museum at Shelbourne Park. As we near one hundred years of greyhound racing in Ireland, it has never been more important to remember our history and this is the perfect opportunity to do so.

BE PART OF AN EXCITING MUSEUM PROJECT IN SHELBOURNE PARK THIS FRIDAY

We want you to be part of an exciting project for the new museum, which is due to arrive soon at Shelbourne Park!

CURRAHEEN PARK GREYHOUND STADIUM ANNOUNCE TWO NEW FINALS FOR AUGUST

GRI

The Pat O'Driscoll Memorial Stake begins this weekend for 24 dogs, with the Semi-finals taking place on August 2nd and Final on Saturday, August 10th. Pat was a regular patron at Curraheen Park, and his friends and family have come together to sponsor the stake in his memory. The winner will receive €2500 and a trophy.

KILKENNY SALES RECAP

Ian Fortune

Kilkenny ran another successful sale last Saturday, July 20th. There were bids on each and every greyhound in the sale resulting in a clearance rate of 94%.

RIP RICHARD LAWLOR

Funeral arrangements for Richard Lawlor father of Kilcohan Park, Racing Manager Richie Lawlor.

TALKING LEGER 2024 EPISODE 1 22ND JULY

GRI

Join host Ian Fortune and his panellists Tommy Lyons and Joe Sheahan as they discuss all things WillWeGo.com Irish St. Leger 2024! They also find time to chat about the opening rounds of the Bar One Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk Stadium and the Kasko A1 Derby at Curraheen Park.

KNEGARE GOES BALLISTIC IN SHELBOURNE TRIAL

Ian Fortune

Callaway Knegare was clipped for Boylesports Derby glory in recent hours after posting a stunning 27.79 (rated .20 fast) in a trial at Shelbourne Park ahead of racing on Saturday night.

SENSATIONAL SYD SMASHES CLOCK IN IRISH SPRINT CUP

Ian Fortune

Broadstrand Syd produced one of the great runs at Dundalk on Saturday evening, confirming his incredible potential, with a sensational track record-breaking display in the opening round of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup.

PRODUCE STAKES CHAMP SETS THE STANDARD IN LEGER OPENER AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

The 2024 Willwego.com Irish St. Leger got underway at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and it produced some explosive action across eleven incredible first round heats.

STUNNING DISPLAYS AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

The 28 second barrier took a bit of a hammering at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night, both before and during racing, with no fewer than three greyhounds breaking the mark on their way to success.

CHURCHTOWN SYD SETS THE STANDARD IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE A1 KASKO DERBY

Barry Drake

Only 25 spots separated all eight heat winners in the opening round of the €6,000 to the winner A1 Kasko Derby at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

TED NARROWLY QUICKEST IN MARTIN FAHY MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the €3,000 to the winner Martin Fahy Memorial featured on last night’s Galway card and it was Glynnscross Ted that narrowly set the standard for owner Thomas Keane.

FIRST SHELBOURNE PARK PHOTO NIGHT TONIGHT - WE WANT YOU TO BE PART OF IT!

GRI

Shelbourne Park will host the 1st of 2 photography sessions tonight to form part of an exciting exhibit in the new museum. You are invited to be part of it.

WILLWEGO.COM IRISH ST. LEGER TO GET OFF TO A BLISTERING START

Peter Farrell

It’s all systems go at Limerick Greyhound Stadium later tonight as the opening round heats of the Willwego.com Irish St. Leger gets underway and it is once again filled with the cream of the crop as sixty-six trackers go in search of the €30,000 first prize.

DE LAHDEDAH UK’S GREYHOUND OF THE MONTH

Ian Fortune

It will come as no surprise but De Lahdedah was yesterday announced as the TIME Nutrition Greyhound of the Month for June.

ALI DOMINANT IN SHELBOURNE’S DUAL DISTANCE DECIDER

Ian Fortune

There were some superb performances at Shelbourne Park on Friday night with the track certainly running on the lively side.

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 173: BARNEY O'HARE

Barry Drake

Following the announcement of their incredible €10,000 bonus announced this week for the Irish Sprint Cup and Irish Laurels, sponsor Barney O'Hare from Bar One Racing joins Barry to talk about this exciting new incentive.

DUNDALK STADIUM LADIES DAY 2024 A ROARING SUCCESS

GRI

The annual Ladies Day at Dundalk Stadium, held on July 12th, 2024, was a resounding success, drawing enthusiastic crowds for a day of thrilling racing and exquisite fashion.

DENIS HURLEY

It’s with real sadness we must report the passing of Denis Hurley.

SALES FIXTURES JULY TO DECEMBER 2024

GRI

Dates confirmed for Sales from July to December

BAR ONE RACING SPRINT CUP HEATS GET UNDERWAY AT DUNDALK STADIUM THIS SATURDAY!

GRI

The wait is over! The Bar One Racing Sprint Cup, Ireland's premier greyhound racing competition, kicks off this coming Saturday, July 20th at Dundalk Stadium.

BAR ONE RACING ANNOUNCE BONUS FOR SPRINT CUP & LAURELS

GRI

BREAKING NEWS! Bar One Racing’s Barney O’Hare has just made an amazing announcement live in Dundalk this morning.

Willwego.com Irish St Leger Opening Round Throws Up Some Sizzling Heats

Sarah Kinsella

Launching the 2024 WillWeGo.com Irish St. Leger at Limerick Greyhound Stadium

LIAM (BILLY) MARKS

It’s with sadness we must report the passing, after an illness, of one of the well-known and influential men in greyhound racing over the past two decades, Liam Marks.

FANTASTIC FESTIVAL ACTION AT KILKENNY

Ian Fortune

There were a number of superb displays at Kilkenny on Sunday evening with the Track Bookmakers & KGOBA Festival of Racing certainly delivering.

Droopys Mandolin Crowned TIME International Champion At Dundalk

Sarah Kinsella

Droopys Mandolin won the 2024 TIME International Open 550 at Dundalk Stadium on Friday night for trainer Robert Gleeson and owners Alan & Patrick Dobbs along with €20,000!

FAST TIMES APLENTY AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

Many heading to Shelbourne Park on Saturday night would have been expecting a rather low-key affair but the track had other ideas, running extremely well and resulting in a number of lightning-fast times.

NO STOPPING BALLYMAC RUN IN SHELLEY FENNELLY MEMORIAL OPEN BITCH STAKE DECIDER

Barry Drake

BALLYMAC RUN (Bull Run Bolt-Jaytee Pearl) put on a superb performance to win the €5,000 to the winner Shelley Fennelly Memorial Open Bitch Stake at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

HOUDINI ROCKS HAS ALL THE ANSWERS IN KILCOHAN PARK FEATURE

Barry Drake

HOUDINI ROCKS just got the verdict in the feature in Waterford on Saturday night, the 4-6 favourite landed the €1,500 to the winner Kilcohan Park A2/A3 Stake Final by the shortest of margins in an outstanding contest.

GORTROE LANDS TIME DECIDER AS BAREFOOTS ON FIRE IN LEGER TRIAL STAKE

Peter Farrell

There was another quality card on offer at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as the track gear up for the upcoming renewal of the Willwego.com Irish St. Leger and the performance of the night came in the AO Trial Stake as Barefoot On Fire took off for Paul Hennessy and Bryan and Kathleen Murphy.

NOTHING TO SPLIT BENJY AND WOOD IN GALWAY’S FLAHERTY MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the Jimmy Flaherty Memorial A1/A2 550 served up some terrific action at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and there was nothing to separate both Townspark Benjy and Hot Wood as they posted identical winning times.

MAGIC MANDOLIN AN INTERNATIONAL STAR

Ian Fortune

Droopys Mandolin has long been seen as perhaps the fastest bitch in training and on Friday evening at a packed Dundalk she cemented that view with a typically stunning display of pace and power to emerge a brilliant winner of the TIME Dundalk International.

YORKIE PROVIDES FIREWORKS ON DEBUT

Ian Fortune

Many expected fireworks at Shelbourne Park on Friday night and plenty provided them but the standout star, rather predictably was Yorkie Ollie, as he posted a stunning 28.09 on debut to set the standard in the opening round of the This Runs Deep ON1 525.

VAL TASHADELEK DELIVERS A STRONG PERFORMANCE IN THE KINGDOM FEATURE

Barry Drake

VAL TASHADELEK, for trainer Neilus O'Donnell and owner Thomas Lynch, delivered a strong performance to win the €3,000 to the winner Friends Of University Hospital Kerry Final on Friday night.

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 172: TOM O'KEEFFE AND SHANE RIGNEY

GRI

Barry chats to two guests this week, Tom O'Keeffe and Shane Rigney.

VIDEO: 2024 TIME GREYHOUND NUTRITION CONFINED DERBY FINAL

GRI

Join us to look back on a fantastic night of action in Limerick Greyhound Stadium.

WATCH: 2024 BOYLESPORTS CHAMPION STAKES FINAL

GRI

Join us at Shelbourne Park for the 2024 BoyleSports Champion Stakes Final. Watch as Daleroad Duke gives an emphatic display for trainer Pat Guilfoyle and owner Thomas O'Keeffe, showing all his pace and class to win the €20,000 decider. Then see Glengar Martha take home the BoyleSports Champion Plate for trainer Pat Buckley and owner, Bill Wood. Congratulations!

TENYEARSHUTTERIN DOMINANT IN JUNE UNRACED

Ian Fortune

Monday’s feature at Enniscorthy was the final of the June Unraced and Declan Beary and Orlaigh McCarthy would have been delighted with the display of their promising youngster, Tenyearshutterin as he produced a tremendous front running effort to land the €1,250 winner’s purse.

TALKING DOGS ON MONDAY 8TH JULY

GRI

A bumper weekend of action on track across the country so a lot to chat about this evening, join Ian and Tommy now talking dogs!

Daleroad Duke Claims Champion Stakes At Shelbourne Park

Sarah Kinsella

The Patrick Guilfoyle trained Daleroad Duke was crowned the 2024 BoyleSports Champion Stakes winner at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night for owner Thomas O’Keefe.

RETIRED STAR NEMO RETURNS TO HIS NATIVE CORK

Ian Fortune

It was announced in recent hours that 2023 English Derby champion Gaytime Nemo has run his final race.

DUKE A REAL CHAMPION

Ian Fortune

Pat Guilfoyle has won just about everything in the sport of greyhound racing but, ahead of Saturday, a Boylesports Champion Stakes victory had eluded him.

ANNIE STARS AS CURTIN REMEMBERED

Ian Fortune

The passing of Pat Curtin last year was a real shock to the entire Irish greyhound racing community.

DROOPYS PLUNGE A WIDE MARGIN WINNER OF THE DENIS LINEHAN SOLICITORS OPEN UNRACED STAKE

Barry Drake

A most enjoyable night of racing at Curraheen Park with a number of sensational performances.

A COUPLE OF BIG PERFORMANCES IN THE KINGDOM

Barry Drake

There were some fantastic performances in the Kingdom over the weekend.

HUGE LOCAL SUCCESS AS CARRIGMORE DANTE CLAIMS €20,000 TIME GREYHOUND NUTRITION CONFINED DERBY

Peter Farrell

It was another extremely busy Saturday night around the Country, however, there was massive interest in proceedings at Limerick Greyhound Stadium as the final of the €20,000 to the winner TIME Greyhound Nutrition Confined A4 Derby went down for decision.

TREATY CUP SUCCESS FOR THE BRILLIANT BURGESS JACK

Peter Farrell

Aside from the TIME Derby Action on offer at Limerick on Saturday night, there was another prestigious final down for the decision on the night as the 2024 Treaty Cup Open 350 came to a close.

TRIBAL SYD IS THE 2024 TIPPERARY CUP CHAMPION

Peter Farrell

It was the biggest night of the year at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Saturday as the final of the 2024 Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup came to a conclusion and it was Tribal Syd that produced a hugely impressive performance to hand Murt Leahy another big race success.

BENJY SETS THE STANDARD IN GALWAYS JIMMY FLAHERTY MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

The big-race action returned to Galway on Saturday night as the opening round of the €3,500 to the winner Jimmy Flaherty Memorial A1/A2 550 got underway and the standard was set by Townspark Benjy as he made every post a winner to score in style

MIA LEADS HOME A MERRIMAN ONE-TWO

Ian Fortune

Gerry and Dolores Merriman landed a big prize at Shelbourne Park on Friday night with Highview Mia coming home in front in the €5,000 to the winner This Runs Deep A2 525. As an added bonus, the duo completed a one-two with Highview Scan finishing well to take second.

GEORGE MCDONAGH SPEAKS TO DYLAN BRENNAN

GRI

July has arrived & it's time to start looking forward to Race Week, a special time in Galway...

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 171: TIME FINAL PREVIEW

GRI

Barry chats to Willie Rigney, sponsor of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Confined Derby as they look forward to the Final taking place this Saturday at Limerick Greyhound Stadium.

VINCENT MORRIS RIP

While we knew for some time that he was unwell it still came as a shock when news filtered through last Monday (July 1st) that well known owner/breeder Vincent Morris from Rosslare Harbour was no longer with us.

GEORGE MCDONAGH SPEAKS TO WGOBA’S HUGHIE KELEGHAN

GRI

July has arrived and it's time to start looking forward to Race Week, a special time in Galway. George McDonagh sat down to chat Hughie Keleghan, Chairman of the WGOBA as we look ahead to some fantastic nights ahead in Galway Greyhound Stadium. Watch this space for more details on Race Week coming very soon!

BONNIE AMY A NAME TO REMEMBER

Ian Fortune

Bonnie Amy went fast at Enniscorthy on Monday evening to confirm her superb opening round display was no fluke in the June open Unraced Stake.

TALKING DOGS ON MONDAY 1ST JULY

GRI

Plenty to talk about after the weekend just gone so join Ian, Tommy and Sarah now....plus a very special guest, one very happy Kerry man.

WATCH: CORN CUCHULAINN FINAL & BOYLESPORTS CHAMPION STAKES SEMI-FINALS

GRI

Tuono Charlie landed the 2024 Corn Cuchulainn title on Saturday in Shelbourne Park, an incredible 11th win from 11 starts over six bends. Join us now to look back on his win and reaction from a delighted David Perkins who had travelled from the UK for the Final.