March 2024

EASTER CUP COMING TO A BOIL

Ian Fortune

The stage is set for a tremendous conclusion to the 2024 Bresbet Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park after two wonderful semi-finals on Saturday night.

SHOCKS APLENTY IN KIRBY SECOND ROUND AS CHICK SETS THE STANDARD

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the 2024 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial took centre stage at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and it proved a night of shocks as numerous big-hitters went crashing out of the Classic.

A SPECTACULAR FINISH FROM DROOPYS ONESTOP TO WIN THE CORK OAKS DECIDER

Barry Drake

DROOPYS ONESTOP (Broadstrand Bono-Droopys Dorothy) delivered a powerful performance to win the €7,000 to the winner Apex Global Resources Ltd Cork Oaks at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

EXPECT MORE BRILLIANCE AS CON & ANNIE KIRBY CONTINUES AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

Ballymac Danica was the undoubted star of the opening round of the 2024 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial last Saturday night and the action continues later tonight with eight second round heats on offer.

QUITE A BATTLE TO MAKE FINAL SIX IN EASTER CUP

Ian Fortune

The opening two rounds of the Bresbet Easter Cup confirmed the obvious; you can take nothing for granted in greyhound racing.

TWOFOURONE SETS THE WEADICK STANDARD

Ian Fortune

Ballymac Katie may have been a hot favourite for the final heat of the T.P Weadick Open 725 at Kilkenny on Friday night but she ran into a really progressive young stayer in the form of Twofourone, who not only claimed a notable scalp, but also set a strong standard in the valuable six bend competition.

BRUCE STARS AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

Laughil Bruce took one of the feature races at Shelbourne Park on Friday night, showing a fine turn of early speed to dominate in the final of the Parade Jackets A3 525.

TOP-CLASS SPRING UNRACED ACTION AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

The opening round of the Spring ON2/ON3 Unraced took centre stage at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and it was Goldcash Basher who set the standard with a brilliant performance on debut.

ANNADOWN PANTHER IS A FUTURE STAR

Peter Farrell

There was an eleven race card on offer at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and the performance of the night came from Annadown Panther, who produced a quite brilliant debut performance.

UNMATCHED CAN PROVE A CLASS APART IN CORK OAKS DECIDER

Barry Drake

UNMATCHED gets a confident vote in the final of the €7,000 to the winner Apex Global Resources Ltd Cork Oaks at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

DE GANDER PEN STORMS TO VICTORY IN THE KINGDOM

Barry Drake

DE GANDER PEN set the standard in the opening round of the John & Mary Killeacle Dowling Memorial in the Kingdom on Friday night.

FAMILIAR FACES HELP TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT JERSEYS AT THE DOGS

GRI

Some familiar sporting faces have been kindly helping us to spread the word about the fundraising event – can you help us too?

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT - TALKING DOGS ON MONDAY 25TH MARCH

GRI

Before the Semi-Finals of the BresBet Easter Cup this Saturday and Round 2 of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial, why not enjoy our Talking Dogs on Monday podcast?

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 160: ROBERT GLEESON, IAN MAGNIER & CAROLINE COLLINS

GRI

A busy episode this week as Barry chats to 3 guests!

END OF THE ROAD FOR INCREDIBLE DREAM

Ian Fortune

When Bobsleigh Dream was pulled out of the final of the Time Irish Cesarewitch less than a fortnight ago, it ended one of the great racing careers of the past decade.

VIDEO: 1ST ROUND 2024 CON AND ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL

GRI

The 2024 Con and Annie Kirby Memorial got underway on Saturday 23rd in Limerick Greyhound Stadium. Join us now to look back on the opening night action in one of the most highly anticipated events of the greyhound racing year.

"JERSEYS AT THE DOGS" RETURNS FOR ITS SECOND YEAR TO SUPPORT THE DILLON QUIRKE FOUNDATION

GRI

Greyhound Stadia across Ireland have announced the return of the highly anticipated fundraising event, "Jerseys At The Dogs," for its second year, in continued support of the Dillon Quirke Foundation.

BIG RUNS IN VICTORY AND DEFEAT AT ENNISCORTHY

Ian Fortune

Itsallabouted went fastest in the second round of the Future Champions & Michael Fortune Memorial Open Unraced on Monday night but the real talking point on the night were the displays of Ballymac Gizmo in defeat and Ballymac Sargie in victory.

TALKING DOGS ON MONDAY 25TH MARCH

GRI

Time for the team to talk all things BresBet Easter Cup and the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial as Ian and Barry Caul are joined by BresBet's Sam Tweed.

VIDEO: 2024 TIME GREYHOUND NUTRITION IRISH CESAREWITCH FINAL

GRI

On St. Patrick's Day, Mullingar Greyhound Stadium hosted the Final of the 2024 Time Greyhound Nutrition Irish Cesarewitch.

TEDDY IS SHAKEN BUT WILL BE FINE

Ian Fortune

2023 Derby third and one of the fastest greyhounds in training, Bens Teddy was reported to be okay by Pat Buckley on Sunday morning despite taking a crashing fall at Shelbourne Park on Saturday in the second round of the Bresbet Easter Cup.

DANICA SMASHES TRACK RECORD IN CON & ANNIE KIRBY OPENER

Peter Farrell

The opening round heats of the 2024 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial took pride of place at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and it proved a memorable night for Liam Dowling as Ballymac Danica enhanced her rapidly growing reputation with a new track record for the 525-yard trip.

SPLASH OVERCOMES CONDITIONS TO SET EASTER CUP STANDARD

Ian Fortune

Conditions were again tricky at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night with cold temperatures and a stiff breeze affecting the clock but many of Ireland’s best overcame the elements to impress in the quarter finals of the Bresbet Easter Cup, including Highview Splash who set a strong standard in the opening heat with a fastest of the round 29.73 return.

UNMATCHED ONCE AGAIN SETS THE STANDARD IN THE CORK OAKS

Barry Drake

UNMATCHED (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Alice) set the standard in the semi-finals of the Apex Global Resources Ltd Cork Oaks at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

NO ROOM FOR ERROR IN EASTER CUP

Ian Fortune

After a superb and typically power-packed display in the opening round, Derby third Bens Teddy is now the sponsor’s favourite for Bresbet Easter Cup glory.

LIMERICK BRACED FOR MOUTH-WATERING CON & ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL OPENER

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored by the McManus Family, the eagerly anticipated opening round of the 2024 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial 525 gets underway later tonight at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and expect some special performances as all of the Country’s top talent flock to the Munster circuit.

WIGGLE GETS ROOM TO LAND BROWNSTOWN TANGO UNRACED

Ian Fortune

Droopys Wriggle was a tremendous winner of the Brownstown Tango & NTSC Open Unraced Bitch 525 at Newbridge on Friday night with the Robert Gleeson trained star certainly timed her challenge to perfection.

BOGGER LEAVES RIVALS IN HIS DUST IN MCCALMONT DECIDER

Ian Fortune

Liam Peacock had another memorable night at Kilkenny on Friday night as he sent out his professional tracker, Bogger Dusty to emerge a tremendous winner of the 2024 Deadly Kennels McCalmont Cup.

ALL EYES ON THE SEMI FINALS OF THE CORK OAKS

Barry Drake

The semi-finals of the €7,000 to the winner Apex Global Resources Ltd Cork Oaks take center stage in Curraheen Park tomorrow night.

HOT WOOD ARRIVES ON ‘TIME’

Peter Farrell

The final of the €5,000 to the winner TIME Greyhound Nutrition A3/A4 525 took centre stage at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and Hot Wood picked the perfect night to grab his first win in the stake as he dominated from the front in the decider.

TALKING DOGS ON TUESDAY 19TH MARCH

GRI

BresBet's Carl Perry joins Ian and Tommy to chat all things BresBet Easter Cup plus the Time Greyhound Nutrition Irish Cesarewitch Final and more.

YOUR CLUB COULD WIN A €5,000 SPONSORSHIP - LAST CHANCE TO ENTER THIS WEEK!

GRI

Could your club benefit from a €5,000 sponsorship? This week is your last chance to enter but don't worry you still have plenty of time to get your entry in.

AWARDS NOMINEES - RSVP REMINDER

GRI

Attention Awards nominees, if you have not already been in touch, we would encourage you to do so as soon as possible.

STAR-STUDDED RENEWAL OF LIMERICK’S CON & ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored by JP and Noreen McManus, the 2024 running of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial will commence this Saturday at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and the draw for the €80,000 to the winner Classic was made earlier this morning.

TREBLE FOR TAYLOR AT THURLES

Peter Farrell

It’s been a quiet few weeks at Thurles Greyhound Stadium since the final of the Droopys Stud Champion Bitch Stake, however, there was a notable treble for the kennel of Ann Taylor on Saturday night.

DOLLY MARCHES TO RECORD BREAKING CESAREWITCH SUCCESS

Ian Fortune

Singalong Dolly is a classic champion after a runaway victory in a track record breaking time in the TIME Irish Cesarewitch at Mullingar on Sunday afternoon.

GIZMO LEAVES SCORCH MARKS AT ENNISCORTHY

Ian Fortune

There were numerous fine displays in the opening round of the Future Champion and Michael Fortune Memorial at Enniscorthy on Sunday evening but the real star of proceedings was Ballymac Gizmo as he emerged a sensational winner in a breathtaking 28.61.

UNMATCHED DELIVERS A SENSATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN THE CORK OAKS

Barry Drake

UNMATCHED (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Alice), trained by Johnny Linehan for owners the Swipe-Right-Syndicate, delivered the performance of the night in Curraheen Park on Saturday night as the even-money favourite clocked a stunning 28.07 in the third and final heat in round two of the Apex Global Resources Ltd Cork Oaks.

TEDDY WAS READY TO GO IN EASTER CUP

Ian Fortune

There was plenty to talk about at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night as the Bresbet Easter Cup got underway, providing some outstanding racing, including a best of the round run from last year’s Derby third Bens Teddy.

KIRBY FEVER FOR MUSTANG AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

There were some incredible performances at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and it served as a starter course for what promises to be a mouth-watering renewal of the Con & Annie Kirby in six days’ time.

CUTIE LANDS GALWAY ST. PATRICKS FEATURE AS BENJY SETS ‘TIME’ STANDARD

Peter Farrell

It was a big night at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Saturday as they celebrated St. Patrick's weekend with a couple of sweepstake deciders and the star performance on the night came from Annadown Cutie in the WGOBA 525 decider.

FIREWORKS EXPECTED AS BRESBET EASTER CUP COMMENCES

Ian Fortune

The 2024 renewal of the Easter Cup, again sponsored by Bresbet, could yet go down as one of the strongest in the long history of the early season classic.

FAIRY AND WRIGGLE SHINE AT NEWBRIDGE

Ian Fortune

Just one spot separated brilliant semi-final winners Fairy Footsteps and Droopys Wriggle in the Brownstown Tango & NTSC Open Bitch Unraced 525 at Newbridge on Friday night.

YONKERS GOES BONKERS IN McCALMONT CUP

Ian Fortune

Six talented trackers progressed from the semi finals of the Deadly Kennels McCalmont Cup at Kilkenny on Friday night, setting the stage for a terrific decider next weekend.

BOSS AND COSS TAKE THE SPOILS AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

Ballymac Deboss and Coss Summer were the toast of Shelbourne Park on Friday night as the captured the two valuable prizes on offer.

RAMBLING BOY & CAHIR ISLAND CLAIM CLONMEL SWEEPSTAKE DECIDERS

Peter Farrell

There were a couple of sweepstake deciders on offer at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium last night and the feature of those was the €1,500 to the winner Clona Duke @ Stud ON2 525.

2024 TIME IRISH CESAREWITCH FINAL RACE PROGRAMME

GRI

On Sunday, Mullingar Greyhound Stadium will host the final of the 2024 Time Irish Cesarewitch. Why not head along and enjoy some great racing this St. Patrick's day! Your free 2024 Time Irish Cesarewitch Final Virtual Race Card is here! Perfect to get up to speed and follow along the racing action from home or in stadium.

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 159: LIAM DOWLING & IAN REILLY

GRI

A double episode this week as Barry chats to two winning trainers, Liam Dowling and Ian Reilly.

PAUL HOPING BOGGER APPEALS AT STUD

Ian Fortune

Bogger Hunter was a tremendous winner of the 2023 Gold Cup at Shelbourne Park, showing his trademark back straight pace to see off a top-class field that included Derby champion Born Warrior, Rathdown Molly and Stream Of Sydney.

SUNCROFT FESTIVAL PUPPY OAKS TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT SHELBOURNE PARK WITH INCREASED FIRST PLACE PRIZE

GRI

The Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks, renowned for showcasing the finest young talent in the sport, will see a remarkable increase in the winner's purse, with the champion walking away with an impressive €10,000.

TALKING DOGS ON MONDAY 11TH MARCH

GRI

A jam-packed weekend of action to discuss this Monday evening.

VIDEO: 2024 JUVENILE CLASSIC FINAL

GRI

Join Rob Catterson now in Tralee to look back on the Final and chat to winning trainer Liam Dowling.

WELFARE AWARD RECIPIENT CONFIRMED FOR THE NATIONAL GREYHOUND RACING AWARDS 2023

GRI

The recipient of the 2023 National Greyhound Racing Awards has been confirmed as husband and wife duo Mr John & Mrs Patricia Nash of Monard, Co. Tipperary.

FRANKIE DELIVERS IN DERBY AND CESAREWITCH STARTS WITH A BANG

Ian Fortune

Rough Frankie delivered a near perfect display to run away with the final of the Kilbride Kennels A2 Midlands Derby at Mullingar on Sunday afternoon, while the opening round of the TIME Greyhound Nutrition delivered the predicted shocks, fine displays and big-name casualties.

FRANK NELSON

It’s with great sadness we must report the passing of one of the great enthusiasts of greyhound racing, Frank Nelson.

TYSON TOPS WONDERFUL DISPLAYS AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

There were some wonderful performances, both human and canine, at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

FANTASIC RACING IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE CORK OAKS

Barry Drake

The opening round of the Apex Global Resources Ltd Cork Oaks produced some fantastic racing at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

O’DONOVAN SEALS DOUBLE KIRBY TICKET AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

There was no fewer than four Con & Annie Kirby Trial Stakes up for grabs at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and Michael O’Donovan duly claimed two of those with Serene Highway and Stonepark King.

ALL ABOUT APOLLO IN WGOBA SEMIS AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the WGOBA St. Patricks Weekend 525 served as the highlight on last night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium and it was Drombeg Apollo who bounced back from defeat to win in brilliant fashion.

MORE STUNNIG DISPLAYS AT NEWBRIDGE

Ian Fortune

Coolavanny Poppy, Crafty Bondi and Fairy Footsteps all maintained their unbeaten career record in the second round of the Brownstown Tango & NTSC Open Unraced Bitch 525 at Newbridge on Friday night.

HERO SETS THE McCALMONT PACE

Ian Fortune

Rathfalla Hero was fastest of the four heat winners in the second round of the McCalmont Cup at Kilkenny on Friday night, showing real determination to overcome early traffic.

BALLYMAC PATRIOT A BRILLIANT WINNER OF THE JUVENILE CLASSIC

Barry Drake

BALLYMAC PATRIOT (Ballymac Cashout-Ballymac Wisdom) completed three straight wins with another outstanding winning performance in the final of the €11,000 to the winner Juvenile Classic in Tralee on Friday night.

NOAH IS MAGICAL IN TIME GREYHOUND NUTRITION OPENER AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

The opening round heats of the valuable TIME Greyhound Nutrition A3/A4 525 served as the feature on last night’s card at Galway and it was Magical Noah who set the standard with a dominant performance.

DREAM BACK TO DEFEND CESAREWITCH CROWN

Ian Fortune

Sunday marks the start of the TIME Greyhound Nutrition Irish Cesarewitch with a very different format to previous years.

MORE SPECIALS DISPLAYS LIKELY AT NEWBRIDGE

Ian Fortune

There were plenty eagerly anticipating the start of the Brownstown Tango & NTSC Open Bitch Unraced at Newbridge and they certainly weren’t disappointed.

BALLYMAC PATRIOT LANDS A NARROW VOTE IN JUVENILE CLASSIC DECIDER

Barry Drake

BALLYMAC PATRIOT lands a narrow vote in the €11,000 to the winner Juvenile Classic Final at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium tonight.

VIDEO: TIME GREYHOUND NUTRITION SPONSORSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

GRI

Time Greyhound Nutrition's Willie Rigney talks to us about their exciting sponsorship announcement this week and plans for 2024

NO STOPPING INNISKENN PENNY AROUND THE SEASIDE VENUE

Barry Drake

INNISKEEN PENNY delivered the performance of the night in Youghal on Wednesday night as the Jake Faul trained runner clocked 29.40 on a slow running surface.

VIDEO: DAN QUIRKE SPEAKS ABOUT JERSEYS AT THE DOGS AND WORK OF DILLON QUIRKE FOUNDATION

GRI

We are delighted to welcome back Jerseys At The Dogs in early April and we look forward to seeing each and every one of you in your jerseys and donating what you can, big or small, on the night to such a worthy cause.

WILLIE HOPING FAIRY CAN FOLLOW IN FAMOUS FOOTSTEPS

Ian Fortune

Willie Rigney hit the headlines yesterday afternoon with the announcement of even more wonderful sponsorships under the TIME Greyhound Nutrition banner (See separate story by clicking HERE) but he is hoping to make very different headlines in the future with the hugely exciting Fairy Footsteps.

HALL OF FAME & SPECIAL MERIT RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2023 NATIONAL GREYHOUND RACING AWARDS

GRI

In advance of the National Greyhound Racing Awards on the Friday 12th April, Greyhound Racing Ireland have announced the winners of two of the Human Award categories.

TIME ANNOUNCES MAJOR SPONSORSHIP DEAL FOR TOP IRISH GREYHOUND RACES IN 2024

GRI

TIME, a leader in greyhound feed & nutrition, is thrilled to announce a significant sponsorship deal for a series of top greyhound races throughout 2024.

UNBELIEVABLE TALENT ON SHOW AT NEWBRIDGE

Ian Fortune

It was safe to expect a few big runs in the delayed opening round of the Brownstown Tango & NTSC Open Unraced Bitch 525 but few could have expected the level of excellence on show as some hugely exciting ladies lit up the Kildare circuit on Monday night.

NATIONWIDE BUCKET COLLECTION "JERSEYS AT THE DOGS" RETURNS FOR ITS SECOND YEAR TO SUPPORT THE DILLON QUIRKE FOUNDATION

GRI

TALKING DOGS ON MONDAY 4TH MARCH

GRI

Time for Talking Dogs this Monday, pull up a chair and join the chat.

VIDEO: TIME GREYHOUND NUTRITION CORK CUP FINAL

GRI

Take a trip to Cork's Curraheen Park now for another chance to see the Final of the 2024 Time Greyhound Nutrition Cork Cup.

ARC SINKS RIVALS AS CYNTHIA SEALS NOVICE CLEAN SWEEP

Peter Farrell

Two sweepstake finals drew a large crowd to Lifford Greyhound Stadium on Sunday evening and both deciders produced top-class performances from Droopys Cynthia and Ardnasool Arc.

WONDERFUL MOFO A MUM

Ian Fortune

It was back in late August when we announced that the brilliant Raha Mofo was to be retired to the breeding paddocks.

CURRAHEEN PARK SALES REPORT

Barry Drake

There were a number of smart performances in Curraheen Park on Saturday morning as the sales returned to the Cork circuit.

COMPETITIVE FARE AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

The semi-finals of the valuable Book Your Fishing at Swimbooker A2 525 were the feature of a low-key Saturday card at Shelbourne Park and Elite Josh set the standard with a very useful 28.90 on a track running on the slow side. Phoenix Tyson won the second heat, showing real alacrity at traps to dominate.

ABBIE AND FRANKIE TOO HOT IN MIDLANDS DERBY

Ian Fortune

Odds on backers were in clover at Mullingar on Saturday night as Hawkfield Abbie and Rough Frankie justified their restrictive prices in the semi-finals of the Kilbride Kennels Midlands Derby.

ALL ABOUT CHARLIE IN STUNNING LIMERICK PERFORMANCE

Peter Farrell

It looked a rather low-key card at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night, however, the tail-end of the card proved something of real quality with a number of top-class performances.

FAVOURITES LAND VALUABLE THURLES SWEEPSTAKES

Peter Farrell

Two valuable sweepstake finals dominated last night’s card at Thurles Greyhound Stadium and they went the way of the favourite on both counts as Bull Run Buggy and Carneys Goldmine duly obliged.

BAMBIS LADY A POPULAR AND CLASSY WINNER OF THE CORK CUP

Barry Drake

BAMBIS LADY (Droopys Sydney-Ballybrack Gem) ran out a fantastic winner of the €5,000 to the winner TIME Greyhound Nutrition Cork Cup at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

SAWDUST SETS STRONG STANDARD IN MCCALMONT CUP

Ian Fortune

The 2024 Deadly Kennels McCalmont Cup got underway at Kilkenny on Friday night and Murt Leahy’s pursuit of a fourth title in six years got off to a great start with his Village Kennels outfit sending out a fine double, which included fastest of the round winner Sawdust Storm as he took off in the penultimate heat.