TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 184 LUCY ROCHE
Barry Drake
Young trainer Lucy Roche joins Barry Drake for a chat this week.
SPARK FIRES IN LORD OF CHARITY UNRACED
Ian Fortune
Amazing Spark certainly lived up to his name as he stepped up in previous form to emerge a tremendous winner of the Lord Of Charity Open Unraced at Enniscorthy on Monday night.
JANSSENS’ STARS SAY GO AND BEAR COULD BE WRF BOUND
Ian Fortune
Druids Say Go and Barntick Bear are two of the biggest names across the water and their handler, Patrick Janssens, suggested to the Racing Post earlier in the week that the talented duo could be bound for Shelbourne Park and the Winter Racing Festival.
TALKING DERBY 2024 EPISODE 2 TUESDAY 29TH OCTOBER
GRI
Join Ian Fortune, Tommy Lyons and BoyleSports' Damien Longeran now as they talk all things Derby!
VIDEO: 2024 FONEZ GALWAY OAKS FINAL
GRI
Drombeg Pearl won the €10,000 to the winner Fonez Galway Oaks Final on Friday 25th October for young Limerick Owner/Trainer Evan McAuliffe.
VIDEO:ROUND 2, NIGHT 2 2024 BOYLESPORTS IRISH GREYHOUND DERBY
GRI
The 2nd Round of the 2024 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby concluded on Saturday 26th October. Another blistering night on the track with terrific performances across the 8 heats.
BORN RACES TO WARRIOR SUCCESS
Ian Fortune
It was certainly a wonderful weekend for Jennifer O’Donnell, finished in real style by Born Racer in the final of the €5,000 Droopys Stud Fair warrior at Mullingar on Sunday afternoon.
BOCKOS TOPS AN ILLUSTRIOUS ALL-TIME LIST TO THE THIRD TURN
Ian Fortune
The sensational performance of Bockos Diamond on Friday night in the second round of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby got us thinking once again about the best third bend clocks ever record at Shelbourne Park.
DIAMOND TOPS THE CHARTS AGAIN
Ian Fortune
Given the fact we highlighted that Bockos Diamond posted the fastest time ever recorded to the third turn since the introduction of the third bend sectional, it’s no surprise to see him topping the table to that point in the second round.
1-2-3 FOR TEAM HENNESSY IN CURRAHEEN PARK FEATURE
Barry Drake
Trainer Paul Hennessy recorded a 1-2-3 in the €4,000 to the winner Jacktavern Gem @ Stud A2/A3 Bitch Stake Final at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
BIG JIM STARS AS SECOND ROUND OF DERBY CONCLUDES
Ian Fortune
On a night of brilliant performances in the concluding second round heats of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby, the headlines went to Ballinabola Jim as he posted one of the fastest times ever recorded for the 550yd trip at Shelbourne Park.
ASHMORE SUSIE LANDS GAMMELL CAR SALES KENNEDY CUP
Peter Farrell
The final of the Gammell Car Sales Kennedy Cup took pride of place at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and Paul Hennessy secured another big race victory as Ashmore Susie justified favouritism to land the €3,300 decider.
VIDEO: ROUND 2, NIGHT 1 2024 BOYLESPORTS IRISH GREYHOUND DERBY
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The 2024 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby really lit up as the 2nd Round got underway on Friday 25th October. Take a look!
WATCHING THE DERBY FROM HOME OR ANOTHER STADIUM? FOLLOW WITH YOUR VIRTUAL RACE PROGRAMME
GRI
The BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby action will be on SIS or on Intertrack from your local stadium racing tonight.
MORE EXCEPTIONAL RUNS EXPECTED AS DERBY CONTINUES
Ian Fortune
While it may be a bit much to expect one of tonight’s competitors in the concluding session of second round heats in the Boylesports Derby to match the Friday night exploits of Bockos Diamond, it would also be brash to rule out the possibility such is the quality of the greyhounds on show at Shelbourne Park this evening.
AWESOME DIAMOND SETS DERBY ALIGHT WITH INCREDIBLE RUN
Ian Fortune
As brilliant as the opening round of the Boylesports Derby was, the classic really came to life on Friday night as the second round got underway.
PEARL SHINES IN 2024 FONEZ GALWAY OAKS DECIDER
Peter Farrell
The final of the €10,000 to the winner Fonez Galway Oaks took centre stage at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and there was a very popular winner in the shape of Drombeg Pearl as owner Evan McAuliffe notched a big-race double on the night.
MUNDY A WORTHY TIME CHAMPION AT KILKENNY
Ian Fortune
Lemon Mundy was a brilliant winner of the TIME Greyhound Nutrition A3 at Kilkenny on Friday night, racing clear of his rivals once going to the front to emerge a facile scorer.
DIAMOND AND FREDDIE TO SHINE AS BOYLESPORTS DERBY CONTINUES
Ian Fortune
There’s a greater sense of jeopardy about tonight and tomorrow night’s action in the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby with less room for error.
WATCH DANIEL AND DAZ ON NATIONWIDE - AVAILABLE NOW ON RTE PLAYER
GRI
17 year old Daniel O'Rahilly and Knockeen Dazzler were the €80,000 winners of the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial earlier this year and their success was featured on RTE One's Nationwide this Wednesday. Missed it? We have the link to watch now.
GODFREY DELIGHTED WITH CORNFLAKE
Ian Fortune
It’s no surprise March On Freddie has taken many of the headlines as perhaps the UK’s best chance of landing the Boylesports Irish Derby since Toms The Best won in 1997.
VIDEO: ROUND 1, NIGHT 2 2024 BOYLESPORTS IRISH GREYHOUND DERBY
GRI
Look back on the final13 heats of the opening round of the 2024 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby.
RTE 1 NATIONWIDE PROGRAMME TO FEATURE YOUNG ACHIEVERS INCLUDING WINNING TRAINER DANIEL O'RAHILLY
GRI
On Wednesday, 23rd October, RTE 1’s Nationwide Programme will spotlight the remarkable achievements of young people in their hobbies and sports.
MAYOR VISITS BRANDYWELL GREYHOUND STADIUM, DERRY
Peter Farrell
On Saturday past, October 19th, there was a guest appearance at the Brandywell Greyhound Stadium in Co. Derry as the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Lilian Seenoi-Barr, visited the venue for a special presentation.
TIMES FASTEST IN ENNISCORTHY’S LORD OF CHARITY
Ian Fortune
Timeless Times and Bounceback Chico were the semi-final winners in the Lord of Charity Open Unraced Stake at Enniscorthy on Monday night, securing their place in next week’s €2,500 decider.
TALKING DERBY 2024 EPISODE 1 MONDAY 21ST OCTOBER
GRI
The 2024 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby is finally underway! We witnessed 26 exhilarating heats on Friday and Saturday night in Dublin's Shelbourne Park and there's a lot to analyse, discuss and dissect for our Talking Dogs team.
VIDEO: ROUND 1, NIGHT 1 2024 BOYLESPORTS IRISH GREYHOUND DERBY
GRI
Look back on all 13 blistering heats of the opening night of the 2024 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby.
VIDEO: 2024 FONEZ GALWAY OAKS SEMI-FINAL
GRI
Look back on the action now with us with commentary from George McDonagh and interviews with Semi-Final winners Damian Maginn and Evan McAuliffe.
UK RAIDER MARCH ON FREDDIE FASTEST HEAT WINNER IN OPENING ROUND OF IRISH DERBY
Sarah Kinsella
Uk Raider March On Freddie Fastest Heat Winner In Opening Round Of Irish Derby
EXILE DOMINANT IN FAIR WARRIOR
Ian Fortune
Conditions may have been wet and windy at Mullingar on Sunday afternoon but Road Exile and Manalishi Jet didn’t seem to mind as they emerged as good winners in the semi-finals of the Droopys Stud Fair Warrior Open 400.
DIAMOND SHARPEST TO THIRD BEND
Ian Fortune
As has become tradition, we will take time to reflect on the third bend clocks after each round of the Boylesports Derby and the champion as regards the opening round was Bockos Diamond.
FLYING FREDDIE FASTEST AS DERBY DELIGHTS
Ian Fortune
Few believed Friday While the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby may be only two nights deep, it’ already obvious that this is going to be a vintage renewal of the blue riband with Saturday night’s action following the tone set twenty-four hours earlier.
BOYLESPORTS DERBY DRAW – ROUND 2
Ian Fortune
It was late into the evening when the draw for the second round of the Boylesports Derby was completed in the Champion Stakes suite on the top floor of Shelbourne Park but it has thrown up some wonderful clashes.
FOXWOOD DELIVERS IN STYLE IN KENNEDY CUP SEMIS
Peter Farrell
Kindly sponsored by Gammell Car Sales, the semi finals of the Kennedy Cup served as the highlight on Saturday nights Limerick card and Foxwood Rip opened his account in the competition with a powerful performance to win convincingly.
DANZIG REBEL DIGS DEEP TO WIN THE CURRAHEEN PARK FEATURE
Barry Drake
DANZIG REBEL (Ballymac Cashout-Livz Dream), trained by James Kelleher for owners the Castlegrounds-Syndicate, came home in front to win the €1,500 to the winner Jack, Mary & Brian Finn Memorial ON2/ON3 Unraced Stake at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
MORE FIREWORKS LIKELY IN BOYLESPORTS DERBY
Ian Fortune
It seems safe to expect more fireworks at Shelbourne Park this evening as the opening round of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby draws to a conclusion.
INCREDIBLE START TO DERBY AS DIAMOND AND PAT SHINE
Ian Fortune
The start of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby may have been much later this year but the extra weeks and months of waiting suddenly seemed worthwhile at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night as the best greyhounds on the planet put on a clinic.
RAMPANT ROSSA QUICKEST IN FONEZ GALWAY OAKS SEMIS
Peter Farrell
The first round heats of the BoyleSports Irish Derby may have dominated proceedings on Friday night, however, there was plenty of interest in the action at Galway as the semi finals of the Fonez Galway Oaks went down for decision.
EXPECT A WONDERFUL START TO BOYLESPORTS DERBY
Ian Fortune
The journey to November 23rd and a potential place in history begins at the new Shelbourne Park this evening with the start of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby. 156 greyhounds will line out in the opening round, half of which will be in action tonight, and favourite to land the Derby crown is Bockos Diamond.
KATHLEEN A RARE PROSPECT FOR DYLAN
Ian Fortune
The undoubted star of Thursday’s action at Shelbourne Park was Droopys Kathleen as he produced a scarily good performance to run out a facile winner of the €2,500 final of the Upcoming Puppy Oaks ON1 525 for Robert Gleeson and top jockey Dylan Browne-McMonagle.
TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 183 SEAN BEATTY AND ADAM MATTHEWS
Barry Drake
Barry is joined by two great guests this week; Sean Beatty and Adam Matthews.
NEW SHELBOURNE PARK MUSEUM ON MORNING IRELAND
GRI
Pauric Lodge paid a visit to the new look Shelbourne Park and spoke to Orla about the new Museum. The interview aired on RTE Radio 1's Morning Ireland this morning. If you missed it, listen back now.
GOURMET ISLAND NEW SPONSORS OF HUGELY VALUABLE PUPPY OAKS
Ian Fortune
Following the news that Bernard Barry is to sponsor the Christmas Oaks with an enhanced winner’s purse, the upcoming Puppy Oaks has been given the same treatment with new sponsor Gourmet Island coming on board.
BALLYHIMIKIN JET STAKE A PERFECT PREP FOR NATIONAL PUPPY
Ian Fortune
Billy Dunne is another man that is to sponsor a valuable event at Shelbourne Park with the Ballyhimkin Jet at Stud ON2 for January ‘23 whelps and younger expected to attract a few talented types.
NEW PICK 5 JACKPOT INTRODUCED AT SHELBOURNE
Ian Fortune
The Pick 4 Jackpot has a long history at Shelbourne Park, both in its previous guise as the Twin Double Jackpot and the Pick 4, but it will have its last hurrah this week with a new Pick 5 Jackpot being introduced to replace its little brother.
SIS SHARE DERBY AND SHELBOURNE PARK NEWS
GRI
As Derby fever hots up and Shelbourne Park is the place to be this autum, SIS are sharing regular updates and news, make sure you check it out!
GREYHOUND RACING IRELAND TOTE ANNOUNCES REDUCED RETENTION RATE FOR THE BOYLESPORTS IRISH GREYHOUND DERBY
GRI
Greyhound Racing Ireland Tote Announces Reduced Retention Rate for The BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby
KILKENNY REDEVELOPMENT SET TO COMMENCE
Ian Fortune
Kilkenny has been a real success story in recent years with big crowds and a thriving betting market, allied with superb action over all grades.
JET FASTEST IN LORD OF CHARITY AS MEL IS WITHDRAWN
Ian Fortune
After her stunning opening round display, Bushpark Mel was sadly a non-runner from the second round of the Lord of Charity Open Unraced at Enniscorthy on Monday.
TALKING DERBY 2024 1ST ROUND PREVIEW
Join Ian and Barry now as they give us their thoughts from the draw for the 1st Round of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound D
Pavilion On Fire In Droopys Stud Fair Warrior As Defending Champ Clocks Fastest Heat Win
Sarah Kinsella
The Aidan McVeigh trained Pavilion Fire was the fastest heat winner in the second round of the Droopys Stud Fair Warrior at Mullingar Greyhound Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
PAVILION ON FIRE IN FAIR WARRIOR
Ian Fortune
With each passing heat, the action in the second round of the Droopys Stud Fair Warrior Open 400 got better and better.
SUPER SATURDAY LEAVES US SALIVATING AHEAD OF DERBY
Ian Fortune
With the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby starting in less than a week, Saturday’s action at Shelbourne Park had real meaning with a number of Derby clues on offer.
TRIANGLE BRANDO LANDS THE KILCOHAN PARK FEATURE IN FINE STYLE
Barry Drake
TRIANGLE BRANDO ran out a fine winner of the €1,500 to the winner Whitewood Kennels A3 Stake Final at Kilcohan Park on Saturday night.
ANNIE ON FAYA IN OPENING ROUND OF FONEZ GALWAY OAKS
Peter Farrell
Kindly sponsored by Fonz.ie, the opening round heats of the Fonez Galway Oaks featured a brilliant card at the Connacht venue on Saturday and the standout performance was that of Annie On Faya as she spearheaded a treble of heat wins on the night for Murt Leahy.
SUSIE SETS THE SECOND ROUND KENNEDY CUP STANDARD
Peter Farrell
The second round heats of the Gammell Kennedy Cup served as the highlight at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and Ashmore Susie bounced back from her opening round defeat to go quickest for John Boyle and Paul Hennessy.
BLUE IMPRESSES BEFORE DERBY BID
Ian Fortune
Hawkfield Blue was the star turn at Shelbourne Park on Friday night as he completed his comeback with a serious run in the feature race, the final of the Shelbourne Park Museum Open 525.
TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 182 PAUL HENNESSY
Barry Drake
Trainer Paul Hennessy joins Barry as they look forward to the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby and chat about some of the contenders to watch.
MINSK FOLLOWS IN MOTHER’S FOOTSTEPS
Ian Fortune
Given her pedigree, it’s perhaps no surprise to see Meenagh Minsk turning into a very promising youngster.
A BONNIE DISPLAY FROM BIG JAWS AT ENNISCORTHY
Ian Fortune
Laura Earle and Pat Whelan will have to start planning for life in hotter company with their bright prospect Bonnie Big Jaws after he completed his unbeaten march through the valuable Jim Bolger Memorial A3 at Enniscorthy on Thursday night.
A MOMENT IN TIME - SHELBOURNE PARK MUSEUM
GRI
Over a week in Summer 2024, we invited the people of Shelbourne Park to take part in a very special photography project for the new Shelbourne Park Museum.
BROWNE McMONAGLE WITH A BRIGHT PROSPECT
Ian Fortune
Many top jockeys have dipped their toe into greyhound ownership in recent years and the latest of them is Dylan Browne McMonagle.
VIDEO: 2024 BOYLESPORTS IRISH GREYHOUND DERBY LAUNCH
GRI
The 2024 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby is almost upon us and it was officially launched this week in Shelbourne Park.
VIDEO: 2024 BAR ONE RACING IRISH LAURELS FINAL
GRI
Look back on Crafty Shivoo's win in Cork on Saturday night and more.
BUSHPARK MEL LOOKS VERY SPECIAL AT ENNISCORTHY
Ian Fortune
It came as no surprise that a number of very talented youngsters have already emerged from the Lord of Charity Unraced at Enniscorthy with Monday’s opening round proving some fine displays but there was also a potential superstar in action with Bushpark Mel producing one of the greatest debuts ever seen on Irish shores in the final heat.
OAKS WINNER SARAIDE IS A MUM
Ian Fortune
We got word in recent days that Fleadh Saraide, who was last seen dead-heating the Sporting Press Irish Oaks in June, has become a mum. Her lucky owner Alan Quinn was delighted to report that she had a litter of eight, consisting of four dogs and four bitches.
TRIBAL SYD CHANGES HANDS BUT STAYS WITH MURT
Ian Fortune
Tribal Syd has been one of the undoubted stars of 2024, claiming a famous victory in the Tipperary Cup, making a bold bid for Dundalk International Glory and using his stunning early speed to win a number of top-class races.
TALKING LAURELS 2024 EPISODE 5 MONDAY 7TH OCTOBER
GRI
Ian Fortune and Tommy Lyons are talking dogs with you this Monday as they reflect on the wonderful win of Crafty Shivoo in the 2024 Bar One Racing Irish Laurels Final in Cork's Curaheen Park Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night.
THE 2024 BOYLESPORTS IRISH GREYHOUND DERBY IS LAUNCHED AT SHELBOURNE PARK
GRI
Ireland’s largest independent bookmaker, BoyleSports, today launched the 2024 Irish Greyhound Derby at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium
Mitchelstown Trained Crafty Shivoo Terrific Winner Of BarOne Racing Irish Laurels
Sarah Kinsella
Crafty Shivoo was crowned the 2024 BarOne Racing Irish Laurels champion at Curraheen Park on Saturday night in front of a huge crowd with the action live on Virgin Media 2.
ZOZO SMASHES CLOCK AS FAIR WARRIOR GETS UNDERWAY
Ian Fortune
At over three years of age, the lightly raced Glendale Zozo made his sprinting debut in only his sixth ever race at Mullingar on Sunday night in the opening round of the Droopys Stud Fair Warrior Open 400 and proceeded to smash the 400yd track record.
DROOPYS SUPPLY IMPRESSIVE ON LAURELS UNDERCARD
Barry Drake
On the Laurels undercard, Droopys Supply impressed when winning the €2,000 to the winner Bar One Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels Consolation.
PAT THE MAIDEN DERBY HERO
Ian Fortune
Bombay Pat again took the headlines at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night, running out an exceptional winner of the inaugural Shelbourne Maiden Derby. His trajectory in recent weeks has been nothing short of sensational and he is now firmly amongst the favourites for Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby glory.
STAR FASTEST IN BOSCO GLEESON MEMORIAL
Ian Fortune
The Bosco Gleeson Memorial continued at Newbridge on Friday night and A Lucky Star set the standard with a superb 28.74 in the opening semi-final, in turn initiating a superb heat double for Jerry Melia.
CLASSY CRAFTY SHIVOO A BRILLIANT WINNER OF THE BAR ONE RACING IRISH LAURELS
CRAFTY SHIVOO (Droopys Sydney-Ballymac Sanjose) delivered a paw perfect display to win the €30,000 to the winner Bar One Racing in association with the Friends & Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
CRAFTY SHIVOO WINS THE BAR ONE IRISH GREYHOUND LAURELS.
GRI
Crafty Shivoo wins the Bar One Irish Greyhound Laurels.
MAGICAL BLAZE CLAIMS 2024 KASKO UNRACED AT THURLES
Peter Farrell
All eyes were on the final of the Kasko Dog Foods ON2 525 at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and it was Magical Blaze that dominated from the outset to take home the €2,200 first prize on offer.
LAURELS FINAL RACE PROGRAMME
GRI
The 2024 Bar One Racing Irish Laurels Final takes place this Saturday night in Curraheen Park, check out your free Virtual Race Programme now.
PUPS TO SHINE AT SHELBOURNE
Ian Fortune
The weather conditions may have been biblical for the opening of the new Shelbourne Park last Thursday evening but there were still some fine displays from the unraced youngsters in the opening round of the Upcoming IGOBF National Puppy 0N2 525.
Tipperary Trained Stonepark Hoffa Claims €10,000 Paddy Merriman Memorial Final
Sarah Kinsella
We were treated to some wonderful racing at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night with plenty of clues on show ahead of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby later this month.
COE SHELBOURNE BOUND AFTER YORKSHIRE SUCCESS
Ian Fortune
Greenwell Coe is coming to Shelbourne Park. That was the big news after he ran away with the Yorkshire Derby at Doncaster at the weekend.
DUKE A DAD
Ian Fortune
It was only in recent days Grouchos Duke got a mention on this very page as one of the greyhounds to make a memorable start to his career at Shelbourne Park.