NOT SO UNLUCKY 13 FOR GRAHAM
Ian Fortune
Much as we could have done over the past twelve years, we could have copied and pasted last years top trainer rankings with a few alterations to numbers with Graham Holland siting top of the list once again.
That makes it 13 years at the top for the Riverside Kennels supremo. Of course, this year was extra special thanks much in part to the exploits of the sensational Bockos Diamond as he provided Holland with his record equaling fourth Derby success at Shelbourne Park.
Joining the ranks of Tom Lynch and Gay McKenna on our wins in the blue riband, he just confirmed what we already knew; that Graham Holland is a master trainer and is certainly ranked amongst the very best to ever put a lead on a greyhound.
In terms of numbers, 2024 was another prolific year for his Riverside Kennels operation, although there was perhaps more focus on quality than numbers with his tally of 180 winners from 587 runners some 29 shy of his 2023 tally of 209. It is still a remarkable tally with most of those successes coming in the hottest company possible.
Next closest to Holland in the rankings were Ian Reilly and Murt Leahy with both finishing on 142 winners. That’s an incredible improvement of 51 winners for Reilly after sending out 92 winners in 2023. Murt Leahy also improved on his previous year tally, sending out 17 more than his 125 in 2023.
Pat Buckley came next on 125 wins while Kurtis Bain has real reason to raise a glass this new year after finishing fifth on a tremendous 106 winners. That is an improvement of 43 winners in his 2023 tally. Well done to Kurtis on an exceptional year.
It’s no surprise to see Liam Dowling high on the list also. Despite having a quiet summer, he still managed to beat his 2023 tally of 97 with a century of winners, again most of them coming in top class company.
David Murray was again in the top ten with 96 winners, while David Flanagan bettered his 2023 tally with 86 winners to finish eighth in the list. Beatrice Steiner also has reason to celebrate after finishing ninth on the list with a superb tally of 82 winners, while Paul Hennessy completed the top ten with 81 winners.
Public Trainer rankings for 2024: