Talking Dogs Stories February 2022
TIME GREYHOUND NUTRITION CORK CUP HOTTING UP
Barry Drake
27 February 2023
Only one spot separated both semi-final winners in the Time Greyhound Nutrition Cork Cup at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
SUSIE SENDS OUT A WARNING
Ian Fortune
28 February 2022
It was only on Sunday when we got the chance to really digest the display of Susie Sapphire in the quarter finals of the Bresbet Easter Cup that it really hit home how significant the run was.
TV TROPHY BID RULED OUT AS DANA COMES IN SEASON
Ian Fortune
28 February 2022
For the second year running, Dana Point will miss out on a potential crack at the TV Trophy across the water after coming in season.
BRILLIANT SUSIE SETS EASTER CUP STANDARD
Ian Fortune
27 February 2022
Shelbourne Park provided some incredible racing on Saturday night with the second round of the Bresbet Easter Cup the undoubted feature but the headlines had to go to the first lady of Irish greyhound racing with Susie Sapphire returning to winning ways in wonderful fashion.
ANOTHER PERFECTO DISPLAY IN MIDLANDS DERBY
Ian Fortune
27 February 2022
Planet Perfecto was again the star of proceedings at Mullingar as he followed up his brilliant fastest of the opening round display with another foot-perfect performance to set the standard in Saturday’s second round.
SINGALONG SALLY EARNS CHAMPION BITCH STATUS FOR 2022
Peter Farrell
27 February 2022
While one super bitch in Susie Sapphire returned to her best at Shelbourne Park last night in the second round of the Bresbet Easter Cup, a familiar foe in Singalong Sally wasn’t to be outdone as she produced another flawless performance in the final of the Sean Byrne Painting & Decorating Champion Bitch Stake at Thurles Park.
FLASH PERFORMANCE FROM WILLOW IN DEERJET SYDNEY DECIDER
Peter Farrell
27 February 2022
The final of the €1,500 to the winner Deerjet Sydney @ Stud A3 525 was the feature event at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night and it was the hugely promising Flashing Willow who came out on top with another display of awesome early pace.
TOOLMAKER ZIPPER ON TOP FORM IN THE CORK CUP
Barry Drake
27 February 2022
TOOLMAKER ZIPPER recorded back-to-back wins in the second semi-final of the Cork Cup at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, SATURDAY 26/02/2022
GRI
26 February 2022
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Saturday 26/02/2022:
PROMISING BELLA SIMPLY TOO STRONG
Ian Fortune
26 February 2022
Jacktavern Bella took Friday’s feature at Shelbourne Park, storming home to emerge a superb winner of the Retired Greyhound Trust A2 Bitch 525.
KNOCK OUT BLOW FROM THE MULLINGARSHUFFLE IN THE KINGDOM
Barry Drake
26 February 2022
MULLINGARSHUFFLE was quickest on the clock in round two of the Greyhound & Petworld Juvenile Classic at Tralee on Friday night.
MEMORABLE NIGHT FOR CAMPION AT CLONMEL
Peter Farrell
26 February 2022
Paraic Campion has started 2022 in fine form and the Tipperary handler sent out another trio of winner’s last night at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium to maintain his purple patch.
SPECIAL HANNOVER ADDS TO GLOWING REPUTATION
Peter Farrell
26 February 2022
Hannover Phantom stole the headlines on his debut earlier in the month with a brilliant 28.80 performance at Galway and the August puppy added to his glowing reputation with another eye-catching display last night.
SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, FRIDAY 25/02/2022
GRI
25 February 2022
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Friday 25/02/2022:
VALUABLE GALWAY A3 SEEKING ENTRIES
Peter Farrell
24 February 2022
Owners and trainers please note that entries are still required for the Galway Greyhound Stadium A3 525, which carries a very handsome prize of €4,000.
RCÉ FULLY COMMITTED TO GREYHOUND RACING AT SHELBOURNE PARK
GRI
23 February 2022
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) / Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) is fully committed to the long-term future and development of greyhound racing activity at Shelbourne Park. This flagship stadium in the RCÉ portfolio is to greyhound racing what Croke Park is to gaelic games, and it remains a significant social and cultural asset to the people of Dublin and Ireland alike.
SUCCESS FOR SHEA!
GRI
23 February 2022
In the latest podcast episode last week, Barry Drake spoke to Shea Campbell who was preparing for a final in Drumbo Park over the weekend. Here's an update on how it went.
1,000TH WINNER FOR TRAINER JOHN KIELY
Barry Drake
23 February 2022
Monday night at Youghal track was a grand occasion for John and Margaret Kiely as they sent out their 1000th winner when Ardath Benny took the seventh race in dramatic fashion.
BRESBET QUICK ON THE DRAW WITH PRICES
Ian Fortune
22 February 2022
Easter Cup sponsors Bresbet were quick of the draw with prices a week ago ahead if the opening round and that trend continues with the Sheffield based firm offering both ante-post and heat betting ahead of Saturday’s second round.
SHADO SOLD AND UK BOUND
Ian Fortune
22 February 2022
Noel Hehir confirmed this morning that Coolavanny Shado, who was so impressive in the opening round of the Greyhound & Petworld Juvenile Classic at Tralee has had his final start on Irish soil for the foreseeable future.
SALLY A WONDERFUL JACKET WINNER FOR BELLMORE KENNELS
Ian Fortune
22 February 2022
One of the great races on the UK year is the Golden Jacket at Crayford.
ADAM A GREAT GUIDE IN LATEST BEHIND THE TRACK
Ian Fortune
21 February 2022
Adam Matthews leads us through the aptly titled, “a day in the life of a greyhound” in the latest episode of the Behind The Track docu-series which is due to be released at 6pm this evening.
HUGE BOOST FOR IRISH GREYHOUND RACING AS MATCHBOOK BETTING EXCHANGE ANNOUNCE RENEWAL OF IRISH ST. LEGER AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
21 February 2022
Irish Greyhound Racing received another welcome boost today with the announcement that Matchbook Betting Exchange have renewed their sponsorship of the Irish St. Leger at Limerick Greyhound Stadium for 2022
LARS AND ANITA CAN DREAM AFTER PURCHASING FLYER
Ian Fortune
21 February 2022
There were a number of brilliant performances in the opening round of the Greyhound & Petworld Juvenile Classic at Tralee on Friday evening but the fastest on the clock was Magical Flyer.
CODY FEELING BETTER AFTER EASTER CUP WITHDRAWAL
Ian Fortune
21 February 2022
Good Cody was withdrawn from the Bresbet Easter Cup just minutes before he was due to go to traps for the penultimate heat.
CON THANKFUL FOR HELP WITH JACOB
Ian Fortune
21 February 2022
Con Guiney was obviously very disappointed and upset on Saturday evening after his star tracker Jacob Tashadelek suffered a bad injury in his heat of the Brestbet Easter Cup. But he was also very grateful to the staff for all their help.
MATCHBOOK BETTING EXCHANGE ANNOUNCE A SECOND YEAR AT LIMERICK GREYHOUND STADIUM
GRI
21 February 2022
Greyhound Racing Ireland today announced that Matchbook Betting Exchange have renewed their sponsorship of the Irish St. Leger at Limerick Greyhound Stadium for 2022, continuing their support for the Greyhound Racing Industry in Ireland.
THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE START TO THE BRESBET EASTER CUP
Ian Fortune
20 February 2022
The best greyhounds in this part of the world were on show at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night as the Bresbet Easter Cup got underway.
PLANET’S PERFECT DISPLAY IN MIDLANDS DERBY
Ian Fortune
20 February 2022
Planet Perfecto set a strong standard in the opening round of the Kilbride Kennels Midlands Derby at Mullingar on Saturday evening, posting a quick 30.92 (rated .80 slow in the heavy conditions) on his way to a facile victory in Heat 5.
TOOLMAKER ZIPPER STANDOUT PERFORMER IN CORK CUP
Barry Drake
20 February 2022
The second round of the Cork Cup produced some fantastic racing at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
SIA GOES QUICKEST IN DEERJET SYDNEY @ STUD SEMIS
Peter Farrell
20 February 2022
The semi finals of the Deerjet Sydney @ Stud A3 525 were the highlight on last night’s Limerick card and it was Blastoff Sia who went one better than her second-place finish last week to set the standard ahead of next week’s decider.
SALLY & SHEBA IMPRESS IN CHAMPION BITCH SEMIS AT THURLES
Peter Farrell
20 February 2022
After a sensational performance from Singalong Sally in the opening round of the Sean Byrne Painting & Decorating Champion Bitch Stake last weekend, all eyes were back on the Pat Buckley-trained charge at Thurles Park last night and she didn’t disappoint as she continued her assault of this prestigious event.
MAREE DOUBLES UP IN BUMBLEBEE KYNE UNRACED
Peter Farrell
20 February 2022
Kindly sponsored by Paddy Burke, the opening round heats of the Bumblebee Kyne ON3 525 featured on last night’s Galway card and it was Ronan Hanniffy who stole the show as his litter brothers, Maree Chaser and Maree Magical, both landed their respective heats in good style.
SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, SATURDAY 19/02/2022
GRI
19 February 2022
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Saturday 19/02/2022:
SOCKOS LEAVES IT LATE AT SHELBOURNE PARK
Ian Fortune
19 February 2022
Luminous Socks came late and fast to claim the feature at Shelbourne Park on Friday night, the €2,500 final of the RCÉ A3 525.
A SENSATIONAL START TO THE GREYHOUND & PETWORLD JUVENILE CLASSIC AT TRALEE
Barry Drake
19 February 2022
MAGICAL FLYER (Cabra Firmino-Cabra Angel) set the standard in the opening round of the Greyhound & Petworld Juvenile Classic at Tralee last night.
SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, FRIDAY 18/02/2022
GRI
18 February 2022
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Friday 18/02/2022:
EXCITING ANONYMOUS BECOMES A SAVANA
Ian Fortune
17 February 2022
Damien Matthews yesterday confirmed that the hugely talented and very exciting Anonymous will be known as Savana Hero in the future after a half share was sold to Towcester supremo Kevin Boothby.
RAZOR-SHARP JON JO REJOINS DENIS
Ian Fortune
17 February 2022
Those that follow the UK scene will be more than aware of the brilliance of Bockos Jon Jo.
RPGTV AGREE SPONSORSHIP OF THREE MAJOR IRISH GREYHOUND RACING COMPETITIONS IN 2022
GRI
16 February 2022
Racing Post Greyhound TV has underlined its commitment to Irish greyhound racing by agreeing three major sponsorship deals for 2022 with Mullingar's Cesarewitch plus the Juvenile Derby and Puppy Oaks at Shelbourne Park all coming under the channel's banner.
DAFM CORRESPONDENCE TO GREYHOUND OWNERS RE. BALAI CERTS AND EXPORT HEALTH CERTS
GRI
16 February 2022
RCÉ / GRI has been in contact with the Animal Health Division of the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) in relation to the recent correspondence issued by the Animal Health Division (DAFM) to Greyhound Owners re. Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (Animal Health Law) i.e. Balai Certs and Export Health Certs.
BRESBET EASTER CUP – OPENING ROUND DRAW
Ian Fortune
15 February 2022
There will be incredible quality on show in the opening round of the Bresbet Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.
INJURY AT TRACKS SCHEME - UPDATED FEBRUARY 2022
GRI
15 February 2022
Rásaíocht Con Éireann / Greyhound Racing Ireland is delighted to announce that it is adapting requirements for availing of the Injury at Tracks Scheme.
GREYHOUND RACING IRELAND REVIEW OF THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, FIROCOXIB
15 February 2022
Greyhound Racing Ireland wishes to inform the public that from April 1st 2022, a revised screening limit will take effect in relation to the medicine Firocoxib (Previcox).
GET VOTING FOR AISHLING!
Peter Farrell
15 February 2022
Country & Western followers will have been tuned into Glór Tíre in recent weeks on TG4 and there is a familiar face involved in this year’s talent show in the shape of greyhound enthusiast, Aisling Rafferty.
TED - A GREAT FRIEND TO THE SPORT
Ian Fortune
14 February 2022
Copper Alley, or Ted as he was known to his friends, was not a superstar on the track.
ROMEO IS SIMPLY MAGICO
Ian Fortune
13 February 2022
Derby champion Susie Sapphire returned to racing action after a near five-month absence at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night but it wasn’t the winning return that so many expected.
SALLY SPARKLES IN CHAMPION BITCH OPENER AT THURLES
Peter Farrell
13 February 2022
There was huge interest in proceedings at Thurles last night as the opening round of the Sean Byrne Painting & Decorating Champion Bitch Stake got underway and Singalong Sally got the stake off to the best possible start as she produced the fastest time seen at the track since 2005.
PALM SETS THE STANDARD IN DEERJET SYDNEY OPENER AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
13 February 2022
The opening round of the Deerjet Sydney @ Stud A3 525 was the main attraction to Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night and of the three heats on offer, it was Coolavanny Palm who set a very high bar heading into next week’s semi finals.
TRAINER PAUL HENNESSY ON THE DOUBLE IN OPENING ROUND OF CORK CUP
Barry Drake
13 February 2022
Trainer Paul Hennessy was on double form in the opening round of the Cork Cup at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, SATURDAY 12/02/2022
GRI
13 February 2022
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Saturday 12/02/2022:
BIG DEBUT FROM HANNOVER PHANTOM
Peter Farrell
12 February 2022
It was an all-graded affair at Galway greyhound stadium last night with eleven races down for decision and it was Hannover Phantom who stole the headlines after a brilliant debut from the August 20’ puppy.
HOLLAND TREBLE THE HIGHLIGHT AT CLONMEL
Peter Farrell
12 February 2022
The final of the Philomena Dunne Memorial ON2 525 was the feature event on last night’s Clonmel card and it went the way of Jacktavern Bella as she contributed to treble on the night for Graham Holland.
SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, FRIDAY 11/02/2022
GRI
11 February 2022
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Friday 11/02/2022:
TOM PA GETTING CLOSE TO HIS GOAL
Ian Fortune
11 February 2022
It was back in mid-December when we told you of Tom Pa Fitzgerald’s fundraising efforts to raise vital funds for vital research, treatment and hospice care in Tralee University Hospital, Cork University Hospital and Milford Hospice.
A SNUG LITTER TREBLE FOR MYLES & BREDA
Peter Farrell
11 February 2022
Limerick Greyhound Stadium hosted their regular SIS meeting last night and it proved a memorable night for Myles Cummins and Breda Casey as their three litter comrades all recorded victories.
PLENTY OF NEWS FROM THE BALLYMAC
Ian Fortune
9 February 2022
Liam Dowling yesterday confirmed that Ballymac Kingdom is set for a spell on the sidelines after picking up a muscle injury in the semi-finals of the RCETS Gold Cup.
THUNDER BLACK ONE FOR THE FUTURE AS KEHOE HITS FABLOUS FIVE TIMER
Barry Drake
8 February 2022
Thunder Black (Ballymac Best-Eleanors Moment) made a most impressive winning debut in Youghal's opener last night, clocking 29.18 on debut.
SUSIE STILL ON TRACK FOR EASTER CHALLENGE
Ian Fortune
8 February 2022
Owen McKenna confirmed this morning that Susie Sapphire is still on track to challenge for the Bresbet Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park.
TALKING DOGS LOOKBACK TO 2012 RACING HIGHLIGHTS
7 February 2022
Ian Fortune looks back on the racing year that was 2012.
BIG NAMES WARMING UP FOR BRESBET EASTER CUP
Ian Fortune
7 February 2022
After a massive weekend on the track, which saw Skywalker Barry crowned the RCETS Gold Cup champion, attention now switches to the upcoming Bresbet Easter Cup.
THRILLING FINISH TO RURAL DECIDER AS REX HOLDS OFF NICE ONE
Peter Farrell
7 February 2022
It may be early days in 2022 but last weekend delivered two exceptional big race deciders and the lastest of those came at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium last night as Swords Rex just held on to deny Droopys Nice One in the final of the €6,200 to the winner Rural Kennels ON2/ON3 525.
Video – ENJOY THE GOLD CUP FINAL AT SHELBOURNE PARK ON SATURDAY NIGHT
GRI
6 February 2022
The prolific Skywalker Barry was once again the toast of Shelbourne Park as he produced an incredible display to win the 2022 RCÉTS Gold Cup. The Talking Dogs team were there to capture the excitement.
A GOLD STAR DISPLAY FROM SKYWALKER
Ian Fortune
6 February 2022
Not for the first time in his career, the incredibly prolific Skywalker Barry was the toast of a blustery Shelbourne Park on Saturday night as he produced an incredible display to deny his kennel companion Serene Ace in the final stride, in turn handing legendary handler Michael O’Donovan a famous one-two.
BIG PERFORMANCE FROM MYSTICAL JOSIE ON DEBUT
Peter Farrell
6 February 2022
It was a relatively quiet affair at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night as they played host to an all-graded twelve race program and it was Mystical Josie who caught the eye with a brilliant performance on debut.
HONOURS EVEN IN INTER-TRACK CHALLENGE AT CLONMEL
Peter Farrell
6 February 2022
Ahead of a bumper card tonight at Clonmel, the track hosted a ten race card last night and there were four finals and an inter-track challenge all down for decision.
SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, SATURDAY 05/02/2022
GRI
5 February 2022
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Saturday 05/02/2022:
SEAN TOO SHARP FOR RIVALS IN ON2 DECIDER
Ian Fortune
5 February 2022
Murt Leahy and Pat Carroll have been a potent combination for some time and they took Friday’s feature at Shelbourne Park with Ballybough Sean emerging a deserving winner of the Barking Buzz App 0N2 525.
GOOD FARE AT GALWAY AS MAGICAL POPPY EXCELS
Peter Farrell
5 February 2022
There were some fine performances on last night’s Galway card and Magical Poppy once again showed her liking for the circuit as she made it three wins from her last four starts at the Connacht venue.
SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, FRIDAY 04/02/2022
GRI
4 February 2022
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Friday 04/02/2022:
TRALEE FEATURES IN NEWEST BEHIND THE TRACK
Ian Fortune
4 February 2022
The opening episode of the Behind The Track, #OurGreyhoundsOurLives featuring the Mahoney family, or ‘Ireland’s Fittest Family’ as they have become known, proved hugely popular and was always going to be hard to follow but the IGOBF had an ace up their sleeve for the second episode.
MIDLANDS DERBY STARTING SOON AT MULLINGAR
Ian Fortune
4 February 2022
Mullingar can expect some quality fare in the coming weeks with the Kilbride Kennels Midlands Derby getting underway just over a fortnight from now on Saturday, February 19th.
NEW INITIATIVES PROMOTE DENTAL HEALTH FOR GREYHOUNDS
GRI
4 February 2022
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) / Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) has announced it is bringing a roadshow to all 14 greyhound stadia across Ireland during February as part of the inaugural Dental Awareness Month. The initiative, which highlights the importance of dental health at all stages of a greyhound’s life, coincides with the rollout of the Dental Assistance Scheme.
PUCKANE TOP LOT AT FIRST THURLES SALES OF 2022
Peter Farrell
4 February 2022
Thurles Greyhound Stadium opened their doors on Thursday, February 3rd to their first greyhound sales of 2022 and there were a large number of buyers in attendance.
THURLES SALES TRIALS RESULTS THURSDAY 3/02/22
GRI
4 February 2022
Thurles Sales Trials Results Thursday 3/02/22:
FUTURE CHAMPION APPROACHING FAST
Ian Fortune
3 February 2022
There will be extra eyes on the action in the Future Champion & Michael Fortune Memorial Unraced Stake at Enniscorthy this year with last year’s renewal producing the subsequent English Derby champion Thorn Falcon.
INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE FROM BURGESS RAPID AROUND YOUGHAL
Barry Drake
3 February 2022
Anyone lucky enough to get to Youghal early on Wednesday evening would have witnessed something special as exciting August puppy Burgess Rapid (Burgess Bucks-Burgess Helena) clocked a stunning 17.38 around the 325-yard trip in a qualifying trial.
RCÉ WELFARE OFFICERS DOUBLE NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS DURING 2021
GRI
2 February 2022
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) / Greyhound Racing Ireland carried out a record 1,221 welfare inspections and inspections of greyhound establishments during 2021.
TIME TO PUSH THE SPORT FORWARD
Ian Fortune
2 February 2022
It’s already been a wonderful week for those involved in Irish greyhound racing with Bresbet confirmed as the new sponsors of the Easter Cup and the release of season two of the #BehindTheTrack docuseries.
RCÉ NATIONAL GREYHOUND AWARD NOMINEES
Ian Fortune
1 February 2022
2021 was certainly a memorable year on the track and a glance through the nominees for the Rásaíocht Con Éireann National Greyhound Awards will highlight the fact.
2021 NATIONAL GREYHOUND RACING AWARDS ANNOUNCED
GRI
1 February 2022
The greyhound nominees for the RCÉ/GRI National Greyhound Racing Awards have been announced. The Awards ceremony will honour the stars of greyhound racing in 2021 and the nominees were voted on by the selection committee.
KILKENNY NEWS
Ian Fortune
1 February 2022
Entries now being accepted for the Ballymac Anton @ Stud McCalmont Cup A1 / A2 525 at Kilkenny.
BRESBET TO SPONSOR EASTER CUP AT SHELBOURNE PARK
GRI
1 February 2022
NEW UK-based bookmaker BresBet is to sponsor one of greyhound racing’s most historic competitions The Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park, Dublin.