MERRY AND BRENDAN WIN 30 YEARS AFTER DENIS

Ian Fortune

In the days leading up to last year’s Boylesports Irish Greyhound decider, at the Talking Dogs Roadshow, this scribe was lucky enough to interview Brendan Mullan in front of a crowd.

Brendan told some wonderful tales and clearly enjoyed reminiscing about the greatest night in his time in greyhound racing, the victory of Daleys Denis in the 1993 Derby decider. 

Well, given the weekend that was in it, we missed the fact that Brendan won a race on Derby final night at Dundalk with his wonderful servant Princess Merry. The tiny daughter of Ballymac Eske was also celebrating her fifth birthday on the night and reports suggest that Brendan was delighted with his veteran performer as she ran out a ready winner of an A2 620 in 34.11.

Her victory may not have been as significant as that of Daleys Denis on the biggest stage some thirty years earlier but the joy she has given Brendan is proof that they don’t all need to be Derby winners. Well done to one of the great gentlemen of greyhound racing, Brendan Mullan and to his plucky performer Princess Merry. May she win again in the near future.