Top quality racing in Shelbourne Park as Bockos Diamond crowned BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby champion
It was a packed night in Dublin Four with Bockos Diamond stealing the show.
Bockos Diamond was crowned the 2024 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby champion at Shelbourne Park last Saturday night in front of a packed stadium. Trained by Graham Holland for the Remember Them syndicate, this wonderful son of Dorotas Wildcat – Seaglass Shadow was sublime when winning the €125,000 prize. He won by a length to his kennelmate Cheap Sandwiches in a time of 29.25.
It was an exceptionally successful derby overall with thousands of greyhound supporters coming along to see not only the best greyhounds in the country but also to see the newly refurbished stadium. As one event ends, another is just around the corner with the Winter Racing Festival taking place next Friday and Saturday 6th & 7th.
Normally these two events would be further apart, but the derby was moved to November this year to facilitate the refurbishment. Regardless we will still see a top-quality entry across the two nights with most of the races next Saturday worth a massive €10,000 for just one run. The Winter Racing Festival is not to be missed so make sure you clear your calendar and pop into the Dublin venue for a top-class night of entertainment and racing.
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It's always encouraging to see people taking out a trainer’s license and that’s exactly what David Byrne has done. His family have been involved in greyhound racing for years and are part of the well-known ownership of The Pillar syndicate.
They have enjoyed huge success over the years but now David is taking on the training himself and is already off to a flying start as he trains Untold Rufiyaa, the favourite to win the IGOBF National Puppy 525 competition worth €12,500. The semi-finals take place this evening with Untold Rufiyaa running from trap one in the opening heat for London based owners Callum & John Purdy of Untold Racing. This talented son of Droopys Sydney – Queen Lilly started off his career in the UK and made his Dublin debut last week finishing second to Hopes Kitty with just a neck separating them in 28.39 in the opening round.
He showed huge potential and is only a January 2023 whelped puppy, so the future is looking bright. Heat winners Shebetheone in trap four and Lemon Joey in five look like big dangers with the latter a fast 28.15 scorer.
Hopes Kitty can land the second heat for trainer Pat Buckley and owner Amanda Jeal. That was her fifth career win last week as she made all from trap to line. Trap one will suit with Romeo Empire a danger in trap five for trainer Graham Holland. These are all lightly raced pups, so they are all open to improvement.
Epic Chick looks the one in race 6, ‘The Upcoming Bernard Barry Xmas Oaks AAO Bitch 525’. She almost won on Derby final night with just a neck between her and the brilliant Glengar Martha. She has a huge engine but just lacks that early pace. Grangeclare Lady in trap two could set the pace for trainer Owen McKenna while Silverhill Freya is worth keeping an eye on in trap one on her return from a layoff.
Ballymac Finn might be a veteran, but he still retains plenty of ability for trainer/owner Liam Dowling. This former Irish Derby runner-up races from trap four in race 9 and has a big chance. Lightly raced Swords Don was a winner last time out over 550 yards in a time of 29.79 so he looks a danger but the draw in trap five is a bit tricky. Saraghs Sadie will be coming from behind wearing the stripes for trainer Paul Duffy while top tracker Ballyhimikin Jet could be the dark dog as he makes his return to the track having been off since August.
Shelbourne Park
Race 1 – Trap 4 Blackeyed Turbo
Race 2 – Trap 4 Banter Boost
Race 6 – Trap 6 Epic Chick
Race 7 – Trap 1 Untold Rufiyaa
Race 8 – Trap 1 Hopes Kitty
Race 9 Trap 4 Ballymac Finn
Race 10 – Trap 1 Annie On Faya
Race 11 – Trap 3 Ballymac Jade
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