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The O’Donnell and Ruth Dynasty

The O’Donnell and Ruth Dynasty

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Derby Winners Special
Meet the O'Donnells & Ruths, Tipperary & Kildare

Our People, The Generations - pictured are members of the Ruth and O'Donnell famliies who have each made their own piece of Irish Greyhound Racing history - 2 time Irish Derby and English Derby winning trainer, Dolores Ruth, her sister and Irish Derby winning trainer Frances O'Donell, neé Ruth, and Frances' daughter and two time Irish Greyhound Derby winning trainer Jennifer O'Donnell

When Jennifer O’Donnell commenced her bid to win the 2022 Irish Greyhound Derby, she was following in the footsteps of not just one but both her parents AND her aunt – all having previously claimed the title. 

Jennifer’s father Matt married Frances Ruth, sister of Dolores Ruth, another leading trainer, and so began the dynasty of the O’Donnell & Ruth families.

Matt started training greyhounds in 1968 and after several years of claiming various titles across the country, he won the first of his three Irish Greyhound Derby Trophies in 1990 with The Other Toss. 

He successfully defended his title in 1991 with Ardfert Mick and joined the exclusive group of English & Irish Greyhound Derby winning trainers with Farloe Melody in 1992.  He completed his Irish Greyhound Derby Trio in 1995 with Batties Rocket.

Fast forward to 2006 when Dolores claimed her first Irish Greyhound Derby title with Razldazl Billy, followed in 2011 with Razldazl George.  Dolores is the second member of this extended family to claim their seat at the exclusive club of Irish trainers who have managed to win both the Irish & English Greyhound Derbies; she claimed the English Greyhound Derby crown in 1996 with Shanless Slippy, which coincidently Matt & Batties Rocket finished 3rd in.

Our People, The Generations - pictured is Irish Greyhound Trainer Dolores Ruth pictured giving a treat to one of her beloved Greyhounds

Just one year after her sister Dolores’ second Irish Greyhound Derby win, Frances joined the illustrious winning list in 2012 with Skywalker Puma.

In 2023, Jennifer completed her own piece of Derby history when she became the first female trainer to win back-to-back Irish Greyhound Derby titles. It took the honour as the fastest ever Final and was also the first time that litter brothers had completed the Derby double.

Now Jennifer has two Derby victories to her name, 2022 with Born Warrior and 2023 with The Other Kobe, she is far from finished.  Who knows what the future holds but she has clearly inherited her family training talent and is in her own right exceptionally talented in her chosen field.

Our People, The Generations - pictured is history making trainer Jennifer O'Donnell with her two BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby champions, 2022 winner Born Warrior and 2023 winner The Other Kobe, at their home in Killenaule, Co. Tipperary

This story was part of a feature called 'Our People, The Generations' which shares the story of families across Ireland who are united by their love of greyhounds. 

View them all on grireland.ie/ourpeoplethegenerations 

The hundreds of years of tradition that forms our sport.

The generations of families brought together

by their love of the dogs.

We stand for all that is good about our sport

and we are its future.

Because

THIS RUNS DEEP

© Greyhound Racing Ireland