SPECIAL BOCKOS DIAMOND CLAIMS A FAMOUS DERBY SUCCESS
Ian Fortune
For those involved in greyhound racing, there are few occasions in the long history of the sport that will forever live in the memory.
That will be the case for those present at the famous Ringsend venue on Saturday night for the conclusion of the 2024 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby as Bockos Diamond secured his place in history as one of the greatest greyhounds ever to grace the track.
In a year when the iconic stadium had a major facelift, bringing it into the 21st century, it is fitting that the blue riband event was won by an equally iconic greyhound. Bockos Diamond was sent to traps the hottest favourite in the long history of the classic and the pressure certainly didn’t get to him.
Showing his trademark early speed, he would make every inch to hand Graham Holland another Derby success, seeing him join two of the greats, Tom Lynch and Gay McKenna, on four wins.
A HUGE CROWD
There was a huge crowd and, for much of the evening, Storm Bert was a thing of the past.
It was only in the minutes leading up to the Derby final that the rain began to fall but it made little difference in the race itself.
Bockos Diamond was sent to traps the 3-10 favourite, followed by Cheap Sandwiches at 7-1 and Callaway Knegare on 9-1. Behind the big three were A Lucky Julie at 20-1, Boylesports Bob at 22-1 and Singalong Dolly at 25-1.
As you would expect, the crowd were getting excited and cheers of approval accompanied the loading process and then came the Derby roar. Would it affect the favourite. The answer was no.
Breaking smartly from six, but taking a step to his right, he soon corrected himself. Cheap Sandwiches also came away racing but Callaway Knegare was perhaps the fastest into stride. After a few strides, the race moved down a predictable path.
Showing exceptional early speed, Bockos Diamond accelerated his way to the front. Cheap Sandwiches was right on his heels into the bend but Bockos Diamond was on his way to an historic victory.
Cutting the bend, just over a length in front, Bockos Diamond set about putting the result beyond doubt. Showing electric pace and running an incredible second corner, he would increase his advantage to three lengths as they entered the back straight.
And still he piled on the pressure. Cheap Sandwiches had just enough of an advantage to cut off Callaway Knegare at the second turn but neither were close enough to worry the favourite. By halfway, Bockos Diamond had three and a half lengths to spare and still displayed no signs of relenting.
Cheap Sandwiches wasn’t done with yet, however. Four lengths down at the third turn, he began to stay on strongly in second. Callaway Knegare also began to close but destiny was on the side of Bockos Diamond.
THE GREATEST EVER?
Despite the wet and windy conditions, the huge crowd roared with approval as he galloped on to cross the line a length clear of Cheap Sandwiches in 29.25.
Callaway Knegare was the same distance away third, while Singalong Dolly and Boylesports Bob weren’t too far behind them.
In fact, less than three lengths separated the first five home, but it mattered little with Bockos Diamond always in control as he earned his place in history as perhaps the greatest ever Derby champion.
At just over two years of age, the September ’22 whelp now boasts a career record of sixteen wins from seventeen career starts. He holds the most coveted track record in Irish greyhound racing and has the sort of early speed that anyone involved in greyhound racing can only dream of.
He is most certainly a very special greyhound and his success sparked special celebrations. A large crowd descended on the presentation area and front and centre were his lucky owners, Graham Box, Bev Lochead, Austin Whelan and Thomas McNamara, who make up the Remember Them Syndicate.
For the first three named it was a second Derby victory as they also part-owned 2019 winner Lenson Bocko. How lucky can you be?
JOSH TOO STRONG IN PLATE DECIDER
The Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate provided the Roban family with a poignant success as Elite Josh gunned down the favourite Knockeen Dazzler in the closing yards.
Myles Roban, who owns the powerful son of Elite Black and Ellies Runaway, lost his father in the summer and the victory would have meant the world to the Wexford handler.
Knockeen Dazzler displayed the best early speed to just clear the turn, avoiding a scrimmage that saw Carmac King hit the deck. Ventry Faith would turn second but the eye was immediately drawn to Elite Josh in third.
A big finisher, he always seemed destined to get involved at the finish. Charging into second at the third turn, he would gun down the favourite, Knockeen Dazzler, on the run in to emerge a length and a half scorer in 29.61.
CONSOLATION FOR ENGLISH DERBY CHAMP
De Lahdedah may have been unlucky to be eliminated at the quarter final stages of the Derby but there was some consolation for the brilliant English Derby winner in the Consolation final as he threw himself up on the line to deny Short Grip and Carrick Aldo.
Short Grip went up fast from trap three to dictate the pace into the turn but Carrick Saldo shook off early challengers to slip around second before making his move down the back straight. Behind the front two, De Lahdedah forced his way into third spot and this was to prove decisive.
Carrick Aldo went to the front down the back straight but Short Grip was back for more around the third and fourth bends. The Liam Dowling trained De Lahdedah continued to draw closer, however. In a terrific finish, Carrick Aldo did all he could to contain his rivals but Short Grip and De Lahdedah, owned by the Young Garsuns Syndicate, were too strong.
The three flashed past the post together but De Lahdedah (Lenson Bocko/ Ballymac Sarahjo) had done enough to get up to score by short head from Short Grip in 29.46 with Carrick Aldo another neck back in third.
Undercard
DOLLAR LEAVES LAYERS REELING
The layers were left licking their wounds after the final over 575 with the heavily backed Untold Dollar running out a tremendous winner at 4-7.
The long run to the turn was always going to suit the Graham Holland trained son of Newinn Taylor and Glenegat Mildred and he soon asserted at the head of affairs. Owned by Callum and John Purdy, Untold Dollar galloped on to hold Superfast Gorden by two lengths in 30.99.
CRAZY RUN FROM CRAZE
Would Jaytee Craze see out 750yds in top company? You bet he would.
The powerful son of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Minton was a well-backed favourite for the tenth race over six bends and his many supporters never had a moment’s concern.
Breaking fast, the high-class tracker rocketed clear to lead by upwards of a dozen lengths passing the standard. It was remarkable how much ground the Paul Hennessy trained star put between himself and his rivals.
Ballyhooly Tejay did close in the latter stages but was still four and a half lengths down at the finish. Jaytee Craze, owned jointly by John Turner and Lee Craze, would stop the clock in 41.63.
BRUNO WITH THE KNOCK OUT
Ballyhooly Bruno produced a massive run in the penultimate race, an open 525, showing fine early speed to dominate from the opening strides.
Trained by Tom O’Neill for the Ashgrove Trio Syndicate, the son of Jacob Tashadelek and Foyle Lucy would race further and further clear to eventually score by six lengths from Julies Gem in 28.29. On this level of form, the winner could be worth following in the coming weeks.
MAASAI REMAINS IN TERRIFIC FORM
Tarsna Maasai has been in terrific form for Geoff Parnaby for some time and he added another impressive victory to his tally in the open 525 ninth race.
A very fluent starter, he again hit the front in the early yards to lead his two market rivals Dynamic Force and Hawkfield Blue around the turn. That was enough to see the son of Droopys Sydney and Tarsna Rose emerge a comfortable two length winner over Hawkfield Blue in 28.47.
MARTHA MAKES ALL
Pat Buckley had his string purring on the undercard, sending out a quick double in races four and five, while also sending out a couple of second place finishers.
William Wood’s Glengar Martha got the ball rolling in the open bitch 525, showing fine early speed to get to the front.
Grangeclare Lady and Epic Chick took up the pursuit but Glengar Martha is proven at the very highest level and she was always goinmg to be a tough nut to crack. Grangeclare Lady had no more to give on the run for home but Epic Chick did make things interesting. Finishing fast to challenge on the run in, Glengar Martha pulled out extra to hold on for a narrow success.
The hugely popular daughter of Droopys Sydney and Glengarbadminton held off Epic Chick by a neck in 28.53.
MOLLY COMPLETES BUCKLEY’S BRACE
Just fifteen minutes later it was the turn of Glengar Martha’s kennel companion Singalong Molly to impress, completing Pat Buckley’s brace.
Kapuka Warrior displayed fine early speed from trap four to move to the front before the bend, leaving room for the outside duo in the process.
And Gilbert Anderson’s Singalong Molly certainly made the most of the extra space, quickening into the bend to move second. She was soon on terms with the leader before taking over into the third turn. Once doing so, the progressive daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Blundel Bridie eased on to beat the staying on Maireads Prince by three lengths in 29.51.
FALCON FLIES
Da Bold Falcon made punters happy in the second race, making the most of his inside draw to turn in front.
Once going to the front, few expected the hugely talented son of Droopys Sydney and Hail Cleopatra to surrender his advantage.
Ower Cracker rode a bump on the turn to slip around in second but was never going to pick up the 600yd track record holder. Trained by Ginger McGee for Pat McDonagh, Da Bold Falcon raced on to a comfortable two and a half length victory in 32.31.
A REAL TREASURE
Second Treasure has transformed himself into one of the best sprinters in the land and he was an ultra-professional and impressive winner of the open sprint.
Representing Thomas McKevitt and Graham Kelly, the son of Ballymac Best and Cloncunny Peecee shot from trap four and quickly put the result beyond doubt.
Born Racer initially took up the chase but was headed late by Road Exile. It mattered little to Second Treasure, however. The May ’22 whelp hit the line two lengths clear of Road Exile in 18.54.
WELL-BACKED CRAFTY OBLIGES
Crafty Alejandro was one of the best backed greyhounds during the day and on track ahead of the opener and he duly obliged, pinging from the inside box to dominate.
Prince Naseem quickly gave chase and pressed him hard throughout but Crafty Alejandro was not for catching.
Shane Divilly’s talented son of Pestana and Cockyorconfident kept repelling the challenge of his rival and eventually stayed on strongly to cross the line two lengths to the good in 28.21.