Gone to the dogs: Offaly greyhounds in hunt for derby glory

The most anticipated classic of the year the Boylesports Irish Derby finally got underway on Friday,  with thirteen great heats with the concluding thirteen heats on Saturday. Crowds came out in the droves, after a year's wait, for a full house in what is now one of the most modern stadium in Ireland and probably the nicest greyhound stadium worldwide at the moment.

Besides the Derby there was plenty of fine action around all the tracks with the Offaly winners to the fore both in the Derby and elsewhere.

Early Week Racing

Monday, quarter-finals of the Lord Of Charity Open in Enniscorthy, some fine performances from these young dogs with Mystical Jet setting the standard highest for Pat Buckley in 29.01 (20 slow) by one length at 1/2 fav.

Shelbourne, Thursday, final of the Upcoming Puppy Oaks Open unraced stake, Droopys Kathleen (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Dancer) was an easy ten length winner of the €2.5k first prize in a serious 28.03 at 4/7 fav with Robert Gleeson training for winning owner flat jockey rider Dylan Browne-McGonagle.

One Offaly winner on the supporting card, in an AO grade Highview Jamie won by three lengths for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman in 28.68 at 4/1.

Friday Racing

First Offaly winner of the weekend was in Newbridge as Meraxes had her first career win for Edenderry owner Paul Cronin in 28.98 by five lengths at 5/2.
In the final of the October ON2 Unraced stake, Shared Future (Pestana-Jetstream Lynx) won the €1k first prize for Eugene and Rosemary Price in 29.37 (10 slow) at 7/2 by three lengths.

Galway staged the semi-finals of their biggest event of the year, The Fonez Galway Oaks Open 525. Westway Rossa won the first for Damian McGinn in 28.84 (10 slow) by two lengths at 5/2. The second semi was won by Drombeg Pearl for Evan McAuliffe in 28.96 (10 slow) by four lengths at 4/1. Also in Galway, in the final of the Paul McKenna Memorial A3 stake Rylane Master (Burgess Bucks-Notimetotalk) was first back in kennels in 29.48 (10 slow) by three lengths at 4/5 fav  with a cheque of €1.5k going to trainer Donal Duggan.

Saturday Racing

Curraheen Park in Cork  held the final of the Jack, Mary and Brian Finn Memorial ON2 Unraced stake. The €1.5k pot went to Danzig Rebel (Ballymac Cashout-Livz Dream) in 28.97 by a neck at 4/1 for local Cork trainer James Kelleher. 

The two best races in Limerick were the semifinals of the Gammell Car Sales A3 Kennedy Cup. The  first semi went to Blaze More Fire for Kim Bennis and Tom Brigdale in 28.58 (20 fast) by three lengths at 2/1 with the second semi going to Foxwood Rip for Denis McGrath in 28.42 (20 fast) by five lengths at 4/1. 

Four Offaly winners in Mullingar with the first two for Moneygall owner Liam Jones. In an A6 grade Foyle Con won in 30.08  by one length at 2/1. In the semifinals of the King Sheeran @ Stud A2 stake both heats were won by Offaly dogs, Lingrawn Aoife was Jones’s second winner in 29.40 by four lengths at 1/1 fav. The second semi was won by Killeshill Callie for Croghan owner Vincent Lynch in 29.67 by one length at 3/1. Our final winner on Saturday was in an A8 contest as Wee Gizzy for Edenderry trainer David Hanlon in 29.67 by a wide margin of eleven lengths at 1/1 fav. All races in Mullingar were rated .50 slow. 

Boylesports Irish Derby

After last years epic final when The Other Kobe blitzed the field for Jennifer O’Donnell to get their names inscribed on the Derby trophy anticipation was high for the first round of this annual classic. Thirteen super heats on Friday with some serious runs recorded. Derby favorite Bockos Diamond didn’t disappoint the huge crowd who turned up to see him win his eleventh race from twelve starts in magnificent style, hitting the lids running and was never in danger, delivering the fastest clock of the night in 29.23 by six lengths at an unbackable 1/5 fav for Graham Holland. Holland had a treble on the night and also supplied the second fastest winner as Bombay Pat stopped the timer in 29.34 by six lengths at 1/2 fav.

Two great Offaly winners in the earlier heats, in the first race of the night Breaghmore Dice won for Kinnitty owner M.J. Corrigan in 29.77 by two lengths at 14/1. Carrick Aldo had his eighteenth career win for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn in a super 29.42 by four lengths at 2/1 with David Murray training.

Saturday, English raider March On Freddie set the large attendance talking with the fastest time of the Derby so far for Romford trainer David Mullins when scorching around the Ringend Venue in 29.19 winning by eight lengths at 3/10 fav. This multiple open  winner across the pond has certainly put himself in the picture for outright winner.

Next best on the clock was Boylesports Bob for Paul Hennessy in 29.25 by three lengths at 1/2 fav. Long way to go in the competition yet but this weekend will certainly separate the wheat from the chaff as we get down to the business end. 

Offaly Dogs In Derby

Six Offaly dogs were entered in this years Derby, four on Friday with remaining two on Saturday. Two great winners on Friday Breaghmore Dice and Carrick Aldo. Sadly Glenlara Blue for Liam Kirley and Highview Splash for Gerry Merriman were eliminated with neither having much luck in running. Saturday, Short Grip was a comfortable second for Rhode owner P.J. Cocoman only beaten two lengths in a fast 28.25 while Yorkie Ollie sadly exited the competition for Birr owners Michael Hennessy and Adrian Shiels. Three Faithful County dogs remain in this years Derby all hoping for a favourable draw to progress. 


Derby Betting

Before racing Friday sponsors Boylesports had Bockos Diamond as favourite to lift the blue ribbon event at 5/1, De Lahdedah was second fav at 8/1, Callaway Knegare 10/1 with Bombay Pat at 12/1. 14/1 bar. After  the first round the betting was as follows on Sunday morning, Bockos Diamond was hardened into 4/1 fav with March On Freddie and Bombay Pat both on 8/1. Boylesports Bob can be backed at 10/1 with 14/1 bar. 

Sunday Racing

The semi-finals of the Droopys Stud Fair Warrior Open 400 Sprint dominated the card at the matinee meeting in Mullingar. The first heat went to prolific winner Road Exile for Pat Buckley in 21.21 (20 slow) by two lengths at 4/9 fav. The second semi was won by Manalishi Jet for James Kerr in 21.50 (20 slow) by three lengths at 8/1.

Another two Offaly winners on the undercard, in an A5 grade Clonearl Dasher won for Daingean owner Conor McGrath in a career best 29.13 (30 slow) by six lengths at 9/4. Our final Offaly winner of the week was in an A4 grade as Lahinch Lilly won in 29.62 (30 slow) by eight lengths at 2/1 fav for Clara owner P.J. Cleary.

Upcoming Events

Friday, final of the Fonez Galway Oaks and final of the Time Greyhound Nutrition A3 Stake in Kilkenny. Friday (eight heats) and Saturday (remaining eight heats) in the second round of the Boylesports Irish Derby.  Saturday, final of the Gammell Car Sales Kennedy Cup in Limerick and final of the King Sheeran @ Stud A2 stake in Mullingar. 

Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week

Breaghmore Dice gets the nod this week for Kinnitty owner M.J. Corrigan He delivered a super 29.77 when winning in the first round of the Boylesports Derby on Friday night booking himself into the second round draw. Fine performance. 

Offaly Winners

Ten Offaly winners this week. Well done to all connections.