February 2024

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 158: DOLORES RUTH, DARREN HOGAN & SHANE RIGNEY

GRI

A bumper episode this week as Barry chats to three guests; trainer Dolores Ruth, Darren Hogan, from the racing team at Curraheen Park and Shane Rigney of TIME Greyhound Nutrition.

CHICO UK BOUND AFTER SALE

Ian Fortune

Optic Chico has been sold and is set to resume his racing career in the UK.

EACH OF AWARD NOMINEES A WINNER

Ian Fortune

It’s an exciting time for those that saw their greyhounds nominated in the various categories for the upcoming National Greyhound Awards.

2023 NATIONAL GREYHOUND RACING AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

GRI

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 2023 and the nominees were voted on by the selection committee.

VIDEO: 2024 TOTE GOLD CUP FINAL

GRI

Join us in Shelbourne Park as we look back on a thrilling 2024 Tote Gold Cup Final when BoyleSports Coco emerged victorious for John Boyle and Dolores Ruth.

APEX GLOBAL RESOURCES ANNOUNCES CONTINUATION AS TITLE SPONSOR OF THE CORK OAKS AT CURRAHEEN PARK GREYHOUND STADIUM

GRI

Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium has announced that Apex Global Resources have confirmed they will continue as the title sponsors of the Cork Oaks for 2024.

PATRIOT GOES QUICKEST ON THE CLOCK FOR TEAM BALLYMAC

Barry Drake

BALLYMAC PATRIOT (Ballymac Cashout-Ballymac Wisdom) set the standard in round two of the 2024 Juvenile Classic at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Monday night.

TALKING GOLD CUP 2024 EPISODE 4 MONDAY 26TH FEBURARY

GRI

Boylesports Coco's win in the Tote Gold Cup & much more are among the hot topics of discussion this evening.

TOMMY HITS 200

Ian Fortune

Those that frequent Enniscorthy and Shelbourne Park will be more than familiar with the name of Tommy Woods.

EXPECT PLENTY OF TOP CLASS PERFORMANCES IN THE JUVENILE CLASSIC

Barry Drake

DA BOLD FALCON, trained by Jack Kennelly for Patrick McDonagh, can make it back-to-back wins in tonight's second round of the Juvenile Classic at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium.

A RACE TO REMEMBER AS COCO CLAIMS GOLD

Ian Fortune

If ever there was an advertisement for everything that is great in greyhound racing, Saturday’s Tote Gold Cup decider was it.

BIG RUNS IN KILBRIDE KENNELS MIDLANDS DERBY

Ian Fortune

Hawkfield Abbie was the undoubted star of the opening round of the Kilbride Kennels Midlands Derby but she had to play a supporting role on Saturday night as the second round saw a number of her rivals take a step forward on their form of seven days earlier.

ROLEX AND COCO GIVE DOLORES A DAY TO REMEMBER

Ian Fortune

Dolores Ruth has won a Derby on both sides of the Irish Sea, won numerous classics and trained some of the fastest greyhounds in the history of the sport but even by her vaulted standards, Saturday was a special day for the Rathangan based handler.

DOLLY ADDS THURLES CHAMPION BITCH STATUS TO HER GROWING CV

Peter Farrell

It was one of the biggest nights of the year at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Saturday as the final of the Droopys Stud Champion Bitch Stake went down for decision and it was Singalong Dolly who produced a sensational performance to land another feature for Pat Buckley at the Premier venue.

BAMBIS LADY AND FAYPOINT SUSIE STAR IN SEMI FINALS OF THE CORK CUP

Barry Drake

Bambis Lady, for Breda Doyle and Patrick Sheehy, set the standard in the semi-finals of the TIME Greyhound Nutrition Cork Cup at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

TOP-CLASS ACTION AT LIMERICK AS VELVET LANDS THE FEATURE

Peter Farrell

There were a number of top-class performances at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as the likes of Ballinakill Alf, Superfast Gorden, Velvet Duchess and Annagh Bailey all posted sensational figures on route to success.

LISTEN: BARRY AND MARK PREVIEW THURLES BIG NIGHT

Barry Drake

On Friday, Barry Drake spoke to Mark J. Fanning on his radio show about a big night ahead this Saturday in Thurles for the 2024 Droopys Stud Champion Bitch Stake Final and more.

THE HUNT FOR GOLD ENDS AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

The first major competition of the Shelbourne Park year will come to a conclusion this evening with a wonderful line-up battling it out for Tote Gold Cup honours.

SHAUN’S TEAM IS PURRING AHEAD OF GOLD CUP

Ian Fortune

Just hours ahead of his biggest night in the sport thus far, Shaun Conway produced a display of real firepower on Friday night, recording a wonderful four-timer across three different tracks.

JET AND LOGAN SHINE AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

Brayview Jet and Rathfalla Logan both did what was necessary at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night, picking up the two feature races with determined displays.

PRINCE WITH KNOCKOUT BLOW IN JOE SHOW

Ian Fortune

Prince Naseem completed an unbeaten passage through the Joe Show ON2 525 at Kilkenny on Friday night with a statement like display.

MISSING GREYHOUNDS IN CURRAHEEN AREA OF CORK

GRI

Two female greyhounds (a blue brindle and a black) have gone missing from their kennels in the Curraheen area of Cork city.

YOUR FREE TOTE GOLD CUP VIRTUAL RACE CARD

GRI

Your free Tote Gold Cup Virtual Race Card is here! Perfect to get up to speed and follow along the racing action from home or in stadium.

GTV TOTE GOLD CUP FINAL INTERVIEWS

GRI

Ahead of Saturday’s Final, GTV have been catching up with some of the lucky finalists. Rob went along to visit Ian Reilly and Shaun Conway to chat to them about the final and their careers.

NEWS FROM CORK

Barry Drake

Curraheen Park Track Awards.

KEHOE ENJOYS SLANEYSIDE TREBLE IN YOUGHAL ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Barry Drake

Owner/trainer Derek Kehoe stole the show in Youghal on Wednesday night as the in-form handler enjoyed a fantastic treble.

PAT JONES

Greyhound racing lost a great friend and hugely talented handler in recent days with the sad passing of Pat Jones.

CARRICKFERGUS HAS MARTIN DREAMING

Ian Fortune

There was a welcome return to Shelbourne Park for a familiar name on Friday evening as Martin Fortune sent out the promising Carrickfergus to come home clear in the semi-final of the TIME Greyhound Nutrition A3 575 in a rapid 31.46.

TALKING GOLD CUP EPISODE 3 MONDAY 19TH FEBRUARY

GRI

The Tote Gold Cup action in Shelbourne Park might take the headlines but there is plenty of action across the country for Ian and Tommy to discuss tonight.

ALL EYES ON THE TIME GREYHOUND NUTRITION CORK CUP AT CURRAHEEN PARK

Barry Drake

The 2024 TIME Greyhound Nutrition Cork Cup has produced some fantastic racing in Curraheen Park over the last two weeks.

COCO FAVOURITE TO TAKE GOLD

Ian Fortune

After two brilliant displays in the past fortnight, Boylesports Coco has been installed the 15-8 favourite with Boylesports to land the Tote Gold Cup at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

SUPER MODEL QUICKEST IN DROOPYS CHAMPION BITCH STAKE

Peter Farrell

It was a stacked card at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night with the semi finals of the Droopys Stud Champion Bitch Stake serving as the feature.

ROSSHILL NEWS CLAIMS 600 DECIDER AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

Limerick Greyhound Stadium played host to two sweepstake finals on Saturday night but it was the Talking Dogs A3/A4 600 that served as the feature and it was Rosehill News that landed the €1,200 first prize on offer.

A HANOVER TAKEOVER AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

There were a couple of really notable performances at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and they both came from litter companions, Hanover Storm and Hanover Sky.

DRAMA APLENTY IN GOLD CUP

Ian Fortune

The unpredictable nature of greyhound racing is perhaps what makes it so riveting. On Saturday night, at Shelbourne Park, the semi-finals of the Tote Gold Cup provided a real highlight but little went to script, although both Deadly Style and Boylesports Coco were worthy heat winners.

ABBIE IN RECORD BREAKING FORM AT MULLINGAR

Ian Fortune

Hawkfield Abbie stole the headlines at Mullingar on Saturday night, setting new figures for the 550yd trip in the opening round of the Kilbride Kennels Midlands Derby.

CORONA’S OUTLAW LANDS WHEATLEY MEMORIAL

Ian Fortune

The final of the Eamon Wheatley Memorial A4/A5 may have been run a week later than scheduled at Newbridge on Friday night but Corona Ryan won’t care a jot as her progressive, early paced youngster Beaming Outlaw emerged a tremendous winner.

CANON FIRES IN SHELBOURNE REGULARS DECIDER

Ian Fortune

Burgess Canon may have left it late but he ran out a deserving winner of the feature race, the Shelbourne Park Regulars A3 525.

NASEEM AGAIN FASTEST IN JOE SHOW

Ian Fortune

The Joe Show ON2 Unraced continued at Kilkenny on Friday night and Prince Naseem and Droopys Prairie did enough to win their respective heats.

SENSATIONAL DEBUT PERFORMANCE FROM COOLAVANNY OTTO IN JUVENILE CLASSIC

Barry Drake

COOLAVANNY OTTO (Droopys Sydney-Westwind Jet) delivered a sensational winning performance in the opening round of the 2024 Juvenile Classic in Tralee on Friday night.

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 157: SHANE RIGNEY & MARK J. FANNING

GRI

A double episode this week as Barry chats to two guests; Shane Rigney and Mark J. Fanning.

NATIONAL GREYHOUND RACING AWARDS 2023 SET FOR APRIL 12TH, 2024 IN LIMERICK GREYHOUND STADIUM

GRI

It has been confirmed that the National Greyhound Racing Awards for the year 2023 will take place on Friday, April 12th, 2024, at Limerick Greyhound Stadium.

TALKING GOLD CUP 2024 EPISODE 2 TUESDAY 13TH FEB

GRI

Join Ian and Tommy for some great greyhound racing chat!

DENIS O’MALLEY

It came as a shock to hear the sad news that the hugely popular figure and leading handler Denis O’Malley passed away earlier this week.

SALES FIXTURES FOR 2024

GRI

The next 3 Sales Meeting dates have been confirmed.

THE IRISH CESAREWITCH 600 RETURNS IN 2024 WITH AN EXCITING NEW FORMAT

GRI

The anticipation is building as the 2024 Irish Cesarewitch gears up to showcase an exhilarating new format, promising two runs for a first prize of €10,000.

JOHN MULLANE LAUNCHES LOVE YOUR CLUB CAMPAIGN WITH GREYHOUND RACING IRELAND

GRI

This Valentine's season, Greyhound Racing Ireland is thrilled to announce an exciting competition aimed at supporting grassroots sports clubs and celebrating the passion of local athletes. In collaboration with former Waterford Senior Hurler John Mullane, we are proud to launch the "#LoveYourClub" campaign.

MURTY TOPS KILKENNY SALE

Ian Fortune

There was a large turnout at the Kilkenny sales on Saturday morning, February 10th, while lively online interest resulted plenty of business throughout the auction.

UP THE STYLE A MUM

Ian Fortune

Alan Dobbs shared some great news on social media yesterday, showing a video and picture of new doting mother Up The Style.

TALKING GOLD CUP EPISODE 2 LIVE TUESDAY 8PM

GRI

In a change to our normal Monday schedule (Bank Holidays excluding), this week’s episode of Talking Dogs and Talking Gold Cup will be live on Tuesday 13th from 8pm. Check back then for all the latest greyhound racing chat.

BROWNSTOWN TANGO & NTSC UNRACED APPROACHING FAST AT NEWBRIDGE

Ian Fortune

What do Droopys Curio, Unlock Unlock, Susie Sapphire, Slick Sakina, Boylesports Coco, Lets Go Bubbles, Crafty Shivoo and so many more female superstars have in common?

SPEED DEMONS THRILL IN GOLD CUP

Ian Fortune

It may have been a chilly Saturday in Dublin but the second round action in the Tote Gold Cup certainly helped to heat up proceedings at Shelbourne Park with some of Ireland’s best displaying sensational early speed.

ANNIE SETS THE STANDARD IN DROOPYS CHAMPION BITCH OPENER

Peter Farrell

The opening round heats of the Droopys Stud Champion Bitch Stake featured on Saturday night’s card at Thurles Park and it was Annie on Faya who set the standard with a blistering performance trainer Murt Leahy.

A TREBLE FOR TEAM HOLLAND IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE CORK CUP

Barry Drake

The 2024 TIME Greyhound Nutrition Cork Cup got off to a flying start in Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

WATERFORD FC ATTRACT A BIG CROWD TO KILCOHAN PARK

Barry Drake

Waterford FC held a big fundraising night at Kilcohan Park on Saturday night and it attracted a great crowd.

KODI BRINGS UP MARTIN’S TON

Ian Fortune

There were two finals up for decision at Shelbourne Park on Friday night with Unanimous Kodi and Lion Dancer emerging at good prices.

NASEEM THE STAR OF ‘THE JOE SHOW’ AT KILKENNY

Ian Fortune

Named after the flamboyant and hugely talented fighter of the late 1990’s, Prince Naseem delivered a knockout blow to his rivals at Kilkenny on Friday night to the star of the Joe Show On2 Unraced Stake.

FUTURE STAR FREDDIE MARCHES ON AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

With the dust now settled on last week’s bumper weekend at Clonmel, the top-class performances kept on coming at the Tipperary venue on Friday night with March On Freddie seriously impressive.

PHILIP HEFFERNAN

It’s with sadness we must report the passing of one of the great owners and gentlemen of greyhound racing, Philip Heffernan.

O’MUIRCHEARTAIGH FLYING FLAG IN NEWCASTLE

Ian Fortune

National Puppy Stake third OMuircheartaigh was flying the flag for Ireland at Newcastle on Thursday evening as he went fastest of the three semi-final winners in the Arc Northern Puppy Derby.

AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRPERSON OF RÁSAÍOCHT CON ÉIREANN

GRI

The Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine now invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for the role of Chairperson to the Board of Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ), Greyhound Racing Ireland.

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 156: PAUL HENNESSY

GRI

This week Barry chats to legendary greyhound and horse trainer, Paul Hennessy. Have a listen now!

MIDLANDS DERBY JUST AROUND THE CORNER

Ian Fortune

Last year’s Kilbride Kennels Midland’s Derby at Mullingar saw Vinegar Joe go unbeaten through the competition to emerge a tremendous winner.

SENSATIONAL GIZMO BOWS OUT

Ian Fortune

Just a month shy of his fourth birthday, one of the greatest sprinters of this century, Gizmo Cash, has been retired from racing.

TALKING GOLD CUP EPISODE 1 MONDAY 6TH FEBRUARY

GRI

Our favourite greyhound racing chat is back for the first time in 2024!

ROMEO TAYLOR CROWNED 2024 RURAL KENNELS UNRACED CHAMP

Peter Farrell

It was one of the biggest nights of the year at Clonmel greyhound stadium on Sunday as the final of the Rural Kennels Open Unraced 525 took centre stage and there was a shock on the cards as Romeo Taylor lowered the colours of the 1/2 favourite, Ballymac Danica.

SYDNEY STEALS HEADLINE WITH GOLD CUP DOMINATION

Ian Fortune

The 2024 Tote Gold Cup got underway at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night and those present were treated to some truly exceptional racing.

BAREFOOT IN ON FIRE IN BORN WARRIOR DECIDER AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

There was €3,000 up for grabs in the final of the Born Warrior @ Stud A1/A2 525 at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night and it went the way of Barefoot On Fire as he produced a determined performance for Bryan and Kathleen Murphy.

SUPPORTING ACT AT CLONMEL SERVES UP SOME FINAL DISPLAYS

Peter Farrell

Ahead of a huge night at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium tonight with the Rural Kennels Open Unraced going down for decision, the Suirside venue also hosted three sweepstake finals on Saturday night and there were also some fine performances on the undercard.

A GOLD RUSH IN DUBLIN

Ian Fortune

The very best and sharpest greyhounds in training will be on show at Shelbourne Park as the traditional curtain raiser, the Tote Gold Cup gets underway.

ROSE BLOOMS IN DUBLIN CUP DECIDER

Ian Fortune

Hello Rose had improved with almost every one of her eight career starts prior to her appearance in the final of the Dublin Cup at Shelbourne Park on Friday night and right on queue she produced her very best run to date to emerge a fully deserving winner of the valuable prize.