DE LAHDEDAH – A LOVE STORY
Ian Fortune
More than any retirement story over the past few years, this is a personal one for many. By now everyone knows that De Lahdedah has run his final race.
Liam Dowling, who steered him expertly through his career, made that clear moments after his Winter Racing Festival success in November but many had hoped that he would change his mind – this scribe included.
Alas, the news that De Lahdedah is to be advertised for stud duties this week confirmed that it really is the end of his days on the track but also the start of a new exciting career.
Over the past three years, the brilliant black has built a huge fanbase and established himself as one of the modern greats. For Liam Dowling, his breeder and handler, De Lahdedah will always hold a special place in his heart.
Aside from all he achieved on home soil, he will be best remembered as the dog that finally provided Liam with a first English Derby success.
THE BEGINNING OF A LONG JOURNEY
His road to greatness began in February 2023 with the brilliant son of Lenson Bocko debuting in the opening round of the Juvenile Classic at Tralee.
A good winner in 28.61, he would follow up a week later with a 28.42 success. The early signs were certainly good, although a first defeat came in the third round as he hit the deck after early traffic.
He was then on the road to Dublin and won his second outing at Shelbourne in 28.44 before a spell on the sidelines. When he returned, he was close to the finished article.
He was back in action in mid-July and won an Open 550 in 29.44 on a track rated .20 slow. It was the type of run that left those present in no doubt that he was going to go onto bigger things. And we didn’t have to wait long.
HIS FIRST DERBY CAMPAIGN
A fortnight later, he lined out in the opening round of the 2023 BOYLE Sports Derby and looked right at home in the hottest company imaginable.
Winning his opening round assignment in 29.43, he overcame a very slow start to qualify in round 2 before establishing himself as the one to beat in the classic with stunning runs in the third round and quarter finals.
His 29.15 return in the third round was the joint fastest of the Derby, while his 29.31 return in the quarter finals was enough to see him take over the mantle of favouritism.
Drawn in red in the semis, he seemed destined to contest a Derby final as a raw youngster with limited experience, but it wasn’t to be. A tardy start left him vulnerable and when he was forced to check his stride halfway down the back straight, his race was run. He found further traffic at the third turn and made his exit.
MORE SIGNS OF BRILLIANCE
It was disappointing for his already large fanbase but he dusted himself down and turned up a week later for the opening round of the Juvenile Derby.
Again, he looked a star in the making in the early rounds, coming from off the pace to win his opening round assignment in 28.29.
A week later, he produced one of the most memorable runs of his career. The brilliant Droopys Flytline, who would go on to win the classic, set the pace early but De Lahdedah absolutely flew down the back straight to pass his rival on the third turn before easing on to win by three and a half lengths in a sensational 27.78.
It was a scarcely believable run and one that confirmed his standing as perhaps the fastest greyhound in training at the time. Unfortunately, he made his exit the following week but was set for bigger tests in the future.
TURNING DOWN BIG OFFERS
By this point in his fledging career, his connections were turning down significant offers for their star.
He reappeared later in the year, still under the ownership of the Garsuns Syndicate, comprising of John McAuliffe and his sons in law, Kevin O’Connor and Stephen Hanrahan, for a crack at the Kingdom Derby and reached the final but Tralee would be a fraction tight for the powerhouse.
After his winter break, De Lahdedah returned to contest the Easter Cup, reaching the third round before traffic ended his challenge but a plan was starting to come together with Towcester and a crack at the English Derby in mind.
A DATE WITH DESTINY AT TOWCESTER
His love affair with Towcester began on May 23rd, 2024.
He made a tardy start in his opening round heat but missed opening bend traffic to emerge a facile winner in 28.78. In the second round he flew home after early crowding to win in 28.91 and produced a massive run in defeat in the third round, going down narrowly to Irish Oaks winner and subsequent Laurels champ Crafty Shivoo.
His only real scare in the classic came in the quarter finals when he had to perform miracles to get up for third in the closing yards.
Much like his Irish Derby campaign the previous year, he found himself drawn in the red of one in the semi-finals, amongst the favourites for English Derby glory. His intentions were clear on this occasion. Turning close, he soon mastered his rivals to emerge an easy winner in 28.78.
And so, to his date with destiny. The draw was not kind to De Lahdedah and he found himself in four with the favourite King Memphis on his immediate inner and the flying starter Churchfield Syd on his right shoulder.
Sent to traps the 5-1 third choice in the market, he needed to do everything right but fate was on his side. King Memphis missed the kick and De Lahdedah made full use of the space, somehow finding a way to turn second to Churchtown Syd.
By the time they entered the back straight, the race was over. De Lahdedah forced his way up the inside of the early pace setter and had the opportunity to treat the rest of the contest as a victory lap. Two lengths to the good to the third turn, he stayed on powerfully to lead home an Irish one-two with Boylesports Bob coming through for second. In victory, De Lahdedah also equaled the track record of 29.58.
There were joyous scenes with those connected to him overcome with emotion. They had countless opportunities to sell but stayed firm in their assertions that he would never be sold. And this was the greatest reward that could have achieved for their stance.
ENDS THE YEAR IN STYLE
After a well-earned break, De Lahdedah returned to again challenge for Irish Derby honours and went to the quarter finals where his luck ran out.
He would win the Derby Consolation and end the year with a memorable victory over that year’s Derby runner-up and subsequent 2025 Derby champion Cheap Sandwiches in the Winter Racing Festival Championship 550.
A GALLANT DEFENCE OF HIS TITLE
A series of stunning trials in early 2025 suggested De Lahdedah was as good as ever but we had to wait until March or his return in the Easter Cup.
After an early exit from the classic, Towcester was again the target and the incredible tracker certainly made a gallant defence of his title.
In the opening round he posted a fastest of the Derby 28.50 on his way to a brilliant success. He would run a big race in second in the second round before winning his third round, quarter final and semi-final assignments in typically determined fashion.
Could he possibly become just the fifth greyhound in history and the first since 2006 to successfully defend his Derby crown? Alas, it wasn’t meant to be although he ran one of the races of his career to finish a close third to Droopys Plunge after losing his place early and sitting at the tail of the field.
SIGNING OUT IN STYLE
He was now in the home straight as far as his racing career was concerned.
Another Irish Derby challenge was in the offing and he ran with purpose in the early rounds to reach the quarter finals yet again. Sadly, he carried no luck and was badly baulked at the turn to exit the classic. He would then reach the final of the valuable Yvonne Barry Open 600, finishing fourth to Coosane Pickles but he would exact revenge on that rival a few weeks later.
One suspects Liam Dowling always had the Winter Racing Festival in the back of his mind for De Lahdedah’s swansong. The decision to enter him for the WRF Championship 600 was an inspired one. Run as the finale of the Winter Racing Festival, he would earn the spotlight one last time.
Powering his way to the front down the back straight, he would hold off a gallant Coosane Pickles by a short head. Ever the showman, he gave his legion of admirers one last reason to smile.
A DOG WITH EVERYTHING
It would be the final race of a glittering career. It’s hard to explain what made De Lahdedah so talented and so popular.
He had everything. Pace, power, strength, determination, a real will to win and just the most wonderful attitude.
He was a welcome addition on any card at any track and will be greatly missed by those that were lucky enough to watch him perform in the flesh. His English Derby triumph will stay with this scribe for a lifetime.
It was one of the rare occasions where I got to watch a major final from the steps of the stands and not the commentary box.He left both myself and many of those around me hoarse. For that I am grateful.
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A NEW ROLE
He now takes up stud duties in familiar surroundings at his home in Ballymac.
As the son of Derby champion Lenson Bocko and brilliant racer Ballymac Sarahjo, he will have many eyeing him up as a sire of many potential champions.
Certainly, if he passes his talent and just a few ounces of his graft to his progeny, he will throw plenty of talented trackers. For the time being, we will take time to reflect on a racing career that was second to none. Thanks for the memories champ!
Video: Liam Dowling chats after De Lahdedah runs this final race