CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM PAT FLANAGAN, CHAIRMAN GRI

GRI

Dear Friends,

On behalf of Rásaíocht Con Éireann, I wish to extend my heartfelt Christmas greetings to the wider greyhound racing community and to thank our owners, trainers, staff, supporters, sponsors and racegoers for their collective support throughout the year.

While the festive season is a time for reflection and gratitude, it also offers our racing family the opportunity to reflect on the previous 12 months and to take stock of our collective achievements and shared memories.

2024 has been a positive year on and off the track for Irish greyhound racing with race meeting attendance figures performing strongly and significant further investment in care and welfare initiatives.

It has been a year to remember for 17-year-old owner/trainer Daniel O'Rahilly who claimed a famous Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Final win with Knockeen Dazzler.

Following his Easter Cup win in Shelbourne Park, Clonbrien Treaty continued to make racing history in Limerick in August as he secured back-to-back Leger successes, the first since Time Up Please in 1971 and 1972. 

Bockos Diamond won his 15th race in a row to capture the Irish Greyhound Derby at Shelbourne Park last month. The win saw Graham Holland become only the third trainer in the almost 100-year history of the Derby to win the accolade an incredible four times.

The significant ongoing recovery in attendances at RCÉ racetracks during 2024 is a well-earned acknowledgement of the hard work of staff private track operators and is reflective of the energy and initiative being shown by everyone across the organisation, as well as the popularity of greyhound racing amongst the public. This commitment is complemented by RCÉ’s ever expanding programme of welfare and care initiatives from RCÉTS to our ongoing support for the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT).

Once again, I want to acknowledge our racing community for its passion and commitment to keeping our sport alive and thriving, and I wish everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas.

Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Daoibh.

Le meas,

Pat Flanagan

Chair of the Board

Rásaíocht Con Éireann