Bockos Diamond Equals His Own Track Record to Reach Irish Derby Final
Sarah Kinsella
Press Release
November 18th 2024
Bockos Diamond Equals His Own Track Record to Reach Irish Derby Final
Cheap Sandwiches Main Danger to Kennelmate in €125,000 Final
Bockos Diamond became the first greyhound to book his spot into the 2024 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Final on Saturday night at Shelbourne Park.
In front of a packed stadium, this Graham Holland trained star equalled his own track record by winning the opening semi-final in a time of 28.94 for his owners the Remember-Them syndicate.
This son of Dorotas Wildcat – Seaglass Shadow was paw-perfect from trap three as he cruised to a five and a half-length victory with a flashy 16.58 sectional to the third bend, sensational. Callaway Knegare was second for Owen McKenna and The Field-Sports syndicate from County Kerry and A Lucky Julie grabbed third place for trainer/owner Jerry Melia from County Kildare. Callaway is 10/1. Julie is the 25/1 outsider.
It was a quick fire double for the Riverside Kennels as Cheap Sandwiches won the second semi-final in 29.13, a career best. He has progressed during the competition with the sponsors making him the main danger to his kennelmate at odds of 11/2. He is owned by the Bark-Wahlberg syndicate from County Kerry.
Known as Sambo at home, this son of Burgess Bucks – Hearthill Josie flew from trap three and won by four lengths with the Pat Buckley trained Singalong Dolly qualifying in second place for her owner Gilbert Anderson.
BoyleSports Bob ran on strong to finish third for trainer Paul Hennessy and owners John Boyle & Ned Murphy. Dolly is 20/1 and Bob is 14/1.
*** Droopys Kathleen won The Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks 525 Final worth €10,000 for trainer Robert Gleeson and owner Dylan Browne-McMonagle.
Betting for the final is now available here. Live coverage of the final will be broadcasted on Virgin Media 3.
A full report from all our stadia can be found on Talking Dogs.
Pictures of winners available upon request.
Sarah Kinsella, spokesperson for Greyhound Racing Ireland, said: “Trainer Graham Holland is chasing his fourth Irish Derby title and Bockos Diamond is just 3/10 to do it! It’s an extremely short price but he is a worthy favourite as he has been infallible during this competition. Jerry Melia is chasing his first derby win with A Lucky Julie who was backed at odds of 100/1 before the start. Owen McKenna is looking for a third derby win while Pat Buckley and Paul Hennessy are chasing win number two. Best of luck to all finalists!”
Book your night out at the dogs here.