November 2023

IT’S FESTIVAL TIME

Ian Fortune

For those who love greyhound racing, the next two evenings really can be equated to Christmas for a five-year-old child.

WINTER RACING FESTIVAL VIRTUAL RACE PROGRAMME

GRI

The 2023 RCÉ / GRI Winter Racing Festival takes place in Shelbourne Park on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December.

GREYHOUND RACING IRELAND HOST VOLUNTEER TREE PLANTING DAY AT LIMERICK GREYHOUND STADIUM

GRI

Rásaíocht Con Éireann / Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) demonstrated its commitment to environmental sustainability through a recently held company Tree Planting Day at its headquarters in Limerick. All staff at GRI Headquarters in Limerick were invited to volunteer and pro-actively engage in enriching the stadiums local ecosystem and help to provide a haven for a variety of species that reside on the site.

NO LUCK FOR IRISH DUO BEHIND RAMPANT SYD IN ECLIPSE

Ian Fortune

It just wasn’t meant to be for Bockos Crystal and Clona Duke at Nottingham on Monday evening with the Graham Holland duo finishing third and fourth behind the impressive winner Newinn Syd in the PGR Eclipse Stakes.

TALKING LEGER 2023 EPISODE 5 MONDAY 27TH NOVEMBER

GRI

For the final time in 2023, it's time for the Talking Dogs team to chat about the WillWeGo.com Irish St. Leger action in Limerick Greyhound Stadium

VIDEO:FONEZ.IE GALWAY OAKS FINAL

GRI

Droopys Mandolin completed her unbeaten run through the competition to land the 2023 Fonez.ie Galway Oaks Final on Friday 24th November in Galway Greyhound Stadium.

VIDEO: 2023 WILLWEGO.COM IRISH ST. LEGER FINAL

GRI

Clonbrien Treaty added his name to the illustrious list of Irish St. Leger champions in front of a packed Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday 24th November.

A STUNNING PERFORMANCE FROM LINCOLN LEGACY AT CURRAHEEN PARK

Barry Drake

LINCOLN LEGACY was the star of the show in Curraheen Park on Saturday night as the exciting April youngster delivered a high-class winning performance in race number 10, an AA0 event.

BANBA BRIGHTSIDE ON TOP IN CLOSING STAGES OF KILCOHAN PARK FEATURE

Barry Drake

BANBA BRIGHTSIDE came out on top in the final of the €2,550 to the winner of the Gertie Power & Joyce O'Regan Memorial A2 Stake at Kilcohan Park on Saturday night.

TREATY SIGNS OFF ON HISTORY IN WILLWEGO.COM IRISH ST. LEGER

Peter Farrell

All eyes were on Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as the final of the WillWeGo.com Irish St. Leger concluded it lived up to all expectations in producing an epic finale.

DRAMA IN NATIONAL PUPPY AS BONNYLAD AND COUNTESS SCORE

Ian Fortune

There was certainly drama at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night as the field was halved for the final time in the IGOBF National Puppy Stake.

2023 WILLWEGO.COM IRISH ST. LEGER FINAL RACE PROGRAMME & INFORMATION

GRI

The 2023 WillWeGo.com Irish St.Leger Final takes place on Saturday 25th November in Limerick Greyhound Stadium.

WILLWEGO.COM IRISH ST. LEGER SET FOR THRILLING CONCLUSION

Peter Farrell

After four weeks of the most thrilling canine action, the final of the €30,000 Willwego.com Irish St. Leger concludes at Limerick Greyhound Stadium tonight and it promises to be a night to remember.

YOUNGSTERS TOP THE BILL AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

There’s a wonderful card on offer at Shelbourne Park this evening with plenty of Winter Racing Festival clues on offer as well as the semi-finals of the IGOBF National Puppy Stake.

CHEQUE TOO SHARP IN DEADLY STAKE

Ian Fortune

Cheque For Sir and Bogger Cooper did what was needed in the semi-finals of the valuable Deadly Kennels A2 at Kilkenny on Friday night.

LIMA ROSE BLOOMS IN JIM MCCANN MEMORIAL

Ian Fortune

Others may have gone faster on the night but Lima Rose was clearly the most impressive winner at Shelbourne Park on Friday as she overcame bad traffic to emerge a determined winner of the Jim McCann Memorial or Ollie Bray and June Maguire.

CLEAN SWEEP FOR MANDOLIN IN FONEZ GALWAY OAKS

Peter Farrell

The final of the Fonez Galway Oaks took centre stage on Friday night and Droopys Mandolin completed her unbeaten run through the event with another flawless display.

WATCH: WILLWEGO.COM IRISH ST LEGER FINAL PREVIEW

GRI

Join Ian Fortune for the latest expert greyhound race tips! Ian looks ahead to the €30,000 WeWillGo.com at Limerick on Saturday 25th November - live on Racing Post Greyhound TV!

JIM McCANN REMEMBERED AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

One of the great friends of Shelbourne Park and Harold’s Cross will be remembered at the former venue this evening with the final of the Jim McCann Memorial the standout contest, while many of the races on the undercard will also carry his name.

NEW RACING OFFICE NUMBER AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

As of January 1st, Shelbourne Park will be changing their contact number for the Racing Office.

DARREN’S GROWING A MO FOR MEN’S HEALTH

GRI

Things are getting a little hairy down in Curraheen Park but don’t worry it’s for a good cause.

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 149: JACK KENNELLY LEGER

GRI

This week’s episode takes us to Kerry to young greyhound trainer Jack Kennelly. In just a few short years, Jack has really made his mark in the Irish racing and is looking forward to his first Classic Final on Saturday as Beepers Lariat takes his place in the 2023 WillWeGo.com Irish St. Leger Final. Barry chats to Jack about the Final in Limerick and much more – have a listen now!

FLYTLINE OFF TO STUD FOR WINTER

Ian Fortune

After his sensational Juvenile Derby success, the plan had always been to run Droopys Flytline at the Winter Racing Festival but, after straining his TFL muscle in a recent trial at HQ, plans have changed.

JACK MOONEY

It’s with sadness we must report the passing one of the great characters of greyhound racing, Jack Mooney.

2023 ERIC BROWNE MEMORIAL KINGDOM DERBY STARTS FRIDAY DECEMBER 8TH

Barry Drake

The Kingdom Greyhound Stadium is proud to announce the details of the upcoming 2023 Eric Browne Memorial Kingdom Derby.

BUSY TIMES AT CURRAHEEN PARK

Barry Drake

It's a very busy time at Curraheen Park with plenty of benefit nights in recent times and plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks.

VIDEO: 2023 WILLWEGO.COM IRISH ST.LEGER SEMI-FINALS

GRI

Join us now in Limerick Greyhound Stadium for another chance to look back on Saturday nights Semi-Finals in the WillWeGo.com Irish St. Leger.

CRYSTAL AND DUKE SHINE IN ECLIPSE

Ian Fortune

It was a case of the same again for Bocko Crystal and Clona Duke on Monday night as the Graham Holland trained pair came home in front in their respective semi-finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse Stakes.

TALKING LEGER 2023 EPISODE 4 MONDAY 20TH NOVEMBER

GRI

Time to join Ian Fortune, Tommy Lyons and this week's guest Joe Sheahan joining us from Dubai, for your weekly fix of Talking Dogs.

€30,000 UP FOR GRABS IN WILLWEGO.COM IRISH ST.LEGER FINAL

GRI

The finalists for the WillWeGo.com Irish St Leger have been decided with six of the country’s finest competing for the €30,000 purse this Saturday night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium.

TREATY DOWNS REX AS SOBER GLORY SHOWS HIS HAND IN LEGER SEMIS

Peter Farrell

The eagerly anticipated semi finals of the Willwego.com Irish St. Leger concluded at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and Clonbrien Treaty maintained his bid for an historic Kirby/Leger double with arguably a career best effort to overcome some serious rivals.

CLUE AND ANGEL FIRST UK ENTRIES FOR FESTIVAL

Ian Fortune

The exciting news came through on Monday morning that the first UK entries for the Winter Racing Festival have come in.

CORK SALES REVIEW

Barry Drake

STANDING CHARGE (Droopys Sydney-Another Blonde) was the sales topper in Curraheen Park on Saturday morning as the bright prospect, a July puppy, reached €4,100 after clocking 29.35 on a wet and slow-running Cork circuit. It was a really nice performance in tough conditions.

HARVEY LEADS HOME A FAYPOINT ONE-TWO IN MUNSTER JUVENILE PUPPY CUP

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored by Graham Holland of the Riverside Stud, the final of the €7,000 to the winner Munster Juvenile Cup concluded at Clonmel on Sunday night and the sponsor claimed the first three places in the decider as litter brothers Faypoint Harvey and Faypoint Sean served up a thrilling contest.

LADIES SET STANDARD IN NATIONAL PUPPY

Ian Fortune

Given the success of the fairer sex over the past five years, it should be no surprise that two bitches set the standard in the opening round of the IGOBF National Puppy Stake at Shelbourne Park on Saturday evening with both Scooby Countess and Mustang Fever posting a rapid 28.31.

MOTHER JONES DOES IT AGAIN IN CURRAHEEN PARK FEATURE

Barry Drake

In superb form in recent weeks, Mother Jones took another nice pot in Curraheen Park on Saturday night as the Ger Crowley owned runner ran out a brilliant winner of the €1,800 to the winner Davy O'Brien Memorial A2 Stake.

TWO SMART DISPLAYS IN THE KILCOHAN PARK FEATURE

Barry Drake

The semi-finals of the €2,550 to the winner Gertie Power & Joyce O'Regan Memorial A2 produced two fantastic performances in Kilcohan Park on Saturday night.

PUPS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

So many superstars have emerged from the National Puppy Stake in years gone by and it should be no different in 2023 with a tremendous crop of youngsters lining out in the opening round, which dominates a tremendous card at Shelbourne Park this evening.

FERNANDES COMPLETES COLLAR HAT TRICK TO CLAIM GOLD

Ian Fortune

Fernandes completed an unbeaten passage through the Gold Collar at Shelbourne Park on Friday night, claiming his third victory on the bounce in a thrilling finish to deny a gallant Catunda Ciaran.

SONNY SETS PACE IN DEADLY STAKE AT KILKENNY

Ian Fortune

Sassy Sonny again set the pace in the second round of the Deadly Kennels A2 525 at Kilkenny on Friday evening, coming home clear in the final heat in 29.21.

REX CAN PUT THEM TO THE SWORD IN LEGER SEMIS AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

All eyes will be on Limerick Greyhound Stadium later tonight as the final twelve do battle for a place in the 2023 final of the Willwego.com Irish St. Leger.

MANDOLIN CONTINUES ASSAULT ON GALWAY OAKS

Peter Farrell

Droopys Mandolin set a high bar last weekend in the opening round of the Fonez Galway Oaks and she continued her stranglehold of the event with another polished performance in last night’s semi finals.

HUGE SUCCESS AS STUDENTS DESCEND ON SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

It goes without saying that thousands of students provided an incredible atmosphere at Shelbourne Park on Thursday evening.

KIT MAN MAKES BRIGHT START AT ENNISCORTHY

Ian Fortune

Kit Man set the standard in the opening round of the IRGT Open Novice 525 at Enniscorthy on Thursday.

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 148: UPCOMING EVENTS IN CORK & DUBLIN

GRI

A bumper episode this week with Cork and Dublin in focus. Barry chats to All Star and All Ireland winning Cork Camogie Captain Amy O’Connor as they prepare for a massive fundraiser in Curraheen Park in December, followed by Jimmy Barry Murphy, and Justin Young talking about the Jim McCann memorial at Shelbourne Park.

PRO AM AT STUD WHILE ON SIDELINE

Ian Fortune

One of the undoubted stars of 2022, Callaway Pro Am has been beset by small problems all year and the decision has been made to give him some time off to hopefully see him return to his best in early 2024.

MAVERICK ON IRISH SOIL

Ian Fortune

After an incredible year, Links Maverick is one of the leading fancies to win Greyhound of the Year in the UK.

DUKE AND CRYSTAL AT HEAD OF ECLIPSE MARKET

Ian Fortune

Clona Duke and his kennel companion Bockos Crystal are the top two in the betting for the PGR Eclipse Stakes at Nottingham after Monday’s successes.

IRISH GREYHOUND REVIEW ANNUAL OUT NOW

GRI

The Irish Greyhound Review Annual is one of Ireland’s longest surviving annual sporting publications. The 46th Volume is now on sale and it follows the traditional path with its coverage of the entire Irish greyhound season.

GRAHAM WITH AN ECLIPSE BRACE

Ian Fortune

Graham Holland is eyeing more big race success in the UK following a wonderful brace in the opening round of the Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse Stakes at Nottingham on Monday evening.

TALKING LEGER 2023 EPISODE 3 MONDAY 13TH NOVEMBER

GRI

Pull up a chair and join Ian Fortune, Tommy Lyons and Mike Flaherty for the latest installment of Talking Leger.

COCO AND HARVEY LAND MUNSTER JUVENILE CUP SEMIS

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the Riverside Stud Munster Juvenile Cup took place at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium last night and they both went pretty much to script with Annual Coco and Faypoint Harvey landing their respective semis.

HOLLAND TIGHTENS GRIP ON IRISH ST. LEGER

Peter Farrell

The quarter finals of the Willwego.com Irish St. Leger concluded at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and it’s safe to say that Graham Holland holds an extremely strong hand heading into next week’s semi finals as both Swords Rex and Clonbrien Treaty once again produced exemplary performances.

SO MANY FINE DISPLAYS AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

It was one of the rare nights at Shelbourne Park where there was no feature racing but that certainly didn’t affect the quality on show.

CARRIGOON MIA DELIVERS STUNNING FRONT RUNNING WINNING DISPLAY

Barry Drake

Carrigoon Mia went quickest in the quarter finals of the Gertie Power & Joyce O'Regan Memorial A2 at Waterford on Saturday night.

REBEL OCEAN STANDOUT PERFORMER IN CURRAHEEN PARK

Barry Drake

Rebel Ocean, trained by Kieran Lynch for owner Vincent O'Keeffe, was the star performer in Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

REMEMBERING

GRI

Remembering our friends for Ag Rásaíocht Le Chéile

FINAL TWENTY-FOUR DO BATTLE IN WILLWEGO.COM IRISH ST. LEGER

Peter Farrell

Swords Rex raised the bar in the 2023 Willwego.com Irish St. Leger at Limerick last weekend as he went just under one length off the track record and he will bid to strengthen his grip on the Classic in tonight’s quarter finals.

FERNANDES WITH A STUNNING STRIKE IN GOLD COLLAR

Ian Fortune

Fernandes continued his superb run of form to set the standard in the semi-finals of the €4,000 to the winner Gold Collar at Shelbourne Park on Friday night.

SLICK SONNY A DEADLY PACE-SETTER

Ian Fortune

Brian Kirwin’s Sassy Sonny produced a career best effort to set the standard in the opening round of the valuable Deadly Kennels A2 525 at Kilkenny on Friday night.

MELBA TOASTS RIVALS AT DUNDALK

Ian Fortune

Beretta Melba only recently returned from a layoff but has been in tremendous form for Graham Kelly.

MANDOLIN HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES IN OAKS OPENER AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

The opening round heats of the Fonez Galway Oaks got underway at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and patrons were treated to four brilliant heats, the pick of those a stunning performances from the Robert Gleeson-trained Droopys Mandolin

WATCH: THE 2023 RPGTV FAIR WARRIOR FINAL

GRI

Join Rob Catterson now in Mullingar Greyhound Stadium to look back on the Final of the 2023 RPTGV Fair Warrior. We take a look at Pavilion Fire's win and get the reaction from delighted connections.

WATCH: THE 2023 RPGTV PUPPY OAKS & PADDY MERRIMAN MEMORIAL FINALS

GRI

Join Ian Fortune in Shelbourne Park to look back on two fantastic finals, the RPGTV Puppy Oaks won by Singalong Dolly, and the Paddy Merriman Memorial won by Whyaye Bonnylad.

LAURELS CHARITY DRIVE PHOTOS

GRI

Laurels charity drive photos.

RAZ AND INCLUSION IMPRESS AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

There was plenty of variety at Shelbourne Park on Thursday evening.

JAMES KELLY RIP

GRI

James Kelly RIP

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 147: RICHARD IRWIN

GRI

This Thursday Barry chats to Richard Irwin, a man who enjoyed some great success at Mullingar Greyhound Stadium over the weekend with his dog Pavilion Fire claiming the title of the 2023 RPGTV Fair Warrior.

FLYTLINE AND LAHDEDAH TOP 2024 BOYLESPORTS DERBY BETTING

Ian Fortune

Sponsors Boylesports have been quick off the mark to price up next year’s Irish greyhound Derby.

BORN WARRIOR HAS RUN HIS FINAL RACE

Ian Fortune

It was with a somewhat heavy heart that John Mitchell yesterday confirmed that Born Warrior, the brilliant 2022 Boylesports Derby champion, had run his final race due to a persistent problem that kept him from producing his in his few races through this calendar year.

CORK CAMOGIE STARS LAUNCH FUNDRAISING NIGHT AT THE DOGS

GRI

Camogie stars Orlaith Cahalane, Meabh Cahalane and Laura Hayes, joined by GAA Hall of Fame recipient Jimmy Barry Murphy, were in Curraheen Park to launch a major fundraising event for the Cork Senior Camogie team which takes place on Saturday 9th December.

TALKING LEGER 2023 EPISODE 2 MONDAY 6TH NOVEMBER

GRI

The WillWeGo.com Irish St. Leger 2nd Round plus a busy weekend of racing action across the country mean there's a lot to talk about this Monday evening - join us!

RPGTV LIFFORD COVERAGE PROVES A HUGE SUCCESS

Peter Farrell

A massive crowd flocked to Lifford Stadium last night to witness a masterclass of greyhound racing, all of which was available to view live on RPGTV.

COCO GOES POP IN MUNSTER JUVENILE CUP SECOND ROUND

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the Riverside Stud Munster Juvenile Cup took place at Clonmel on Sunday night and there was an incredible performance from Annual Coco to set the standard.

PAVILION ON FIRE IN WARRIOR

Ian Fortune

Aidan McVeigh and Richard Irwin would have travelled to Mullingar on Sunday evening with hopes that Pavilion Fire would continue his exceptional run of form in the final of the €4,000 RPGTV Fair Warrior Open 400.

FREEDOM SONIA THE STAR PERFORMER IN KILCORAN PARK FEATURE

Barry Drake

The opening round of the Gertie Power & Joyce O'Regan Memorial A2 stake produced some really good racing in Waterford on Saturday night.

BONNYLAD AND DOLLY STAR AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

Those that flocked through the stiles at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night were treated to some exceptional racing with two major finals up for decision.

REX TAKES OFF IN SECOND ROUND OF IRISH ST. LEGER

Peter Farrell

Eight superb second round heats of the Willwego.com Irish St. Leger took place last night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and Graham Holland laid down a serious marker as the joint outright favourites, Swords Rex and Clonbrien Treaty, produced special performances.

BOGGER SERVES UP AN ACE IN BOURKE MEMORIAL DECIDER

Peter Farrell

There was a big pot on offer at Thurles Greyhound Stadium last night as the Mick & Mary Bourke Memorial A4 525 concluded and the €3,600 decider went the way of Bogger Ace.

WONDERFUL ACTION AT SHLEBOURNE AS KAI DELIVERS

Ian Fortune

Unanimous Kai may have been a 5-1 chance but he really delivered in some style in the final of the valuable Talking Dogs Open Unraced at Shelbourne Park on Friday night, striking the front on the corner before racing to a facile success in the €3,000 to the winner decider.