April 2023

APRIL 2023

HEADLINES FOR HELSINKI AT LIFFORD

Peter Farrell

A massive crowd coincided with a top-class card at Lifford Stadium last night and the standout performance of the night came in an Open sprint as Velvet Helsinki made it three wins from four starts.

CLONA DUKE A FANTASTIC WINNER OF THE SELECT STAKES

Barry Drake

CLONA DUKE (Malachi-Coolavanny Pearl) ran out a fantastic winner of the €10,000 to the winner TIME Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes at Kilcohan Park on Saturday night.

ED WOWS A HUGE SHELBOURNE CROWD IN 600

Ian Fortune

There was a massive crowd at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night, providing a superb atmosphere and those present were treated to an exceptional display from Ballinabola Ed as he again confirmed his standing as one of the very fastest in the semis of the RPGTV Open 600.

SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, SATURDAY 29/4/2023

GRI

Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Saturday 29/4/2023:

ED TO JUSTIFY ODDS-ON BILLING IN 600

Ian Fortune

Ballinabola Ed is amongst the most talented greyhounds to grace the tracks of Ireland in recent years. Of that there is no doubt but he has yet to taste big race success.

LIMO MOTORS TO BLACKSTONE SUCCESS

Ian Fortune

Watch The Limo seized his opportunity to claim the €2,000 on offer in the final of the Blackstone Kennels A2 525 at Kilkenny on Friday night.

MOFO STARS IN EPIC HERO OAKS OPENER AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

One week on from the Con & Annie Kirby decider at Limerick Greyhound Stadium, the Munster venue hosted another night of top-class racing as the opening round heats of the Epic Hero Limerick Oaks got underway on Friday night.

ROCKY LANDS SPRINT FEATURE AS DIVA IMPRESSES AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

There was a night of sweepstake action on offer at Galway Greyhound Stadium last night and the star of proceedings was undoubtedly Foxwood Diva as she romped to victory in the opening round heats of the Galway A6 525.

A NARROW VOTE TO CLONA DUKE IN SELECT STAKES FINAL

Barry Drake

The €10,000 to the winner TIME Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes final promises to be a terrific contest in Waterford on Saturday night.

SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, FRIDAY 28/4/2023

GRI

Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Friday 28/4/2023:

LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS TO THE NATIONAL GREYHOUND RACING AWARDS 2022 GO ON SALE

GRI

A limited number of tickets for the National Greyhound Racing Awards 2022 being hosted on Friday 5th May in Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium have been released for sale.

SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, THURSDAY 27/4/2023

GRI

Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Thursday 27/4/2023:

GOOD BUSINESS AT CURRAHEEN PARK SALES

Barry Drake

There was plenty of good business at the Curraheen Park sales last Saturday morning.

CURRAHEEN PARK RACE NIGHTS UPDATE

GRI

There will be no racing or trials in Curraheen Park next Friday 5th May due to the GRI Annual Greyhound Awards taking place in the stadium. Racing will take place next week in Curraheen Park on Thursday 4th May and Saturday 6th May.

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 127: GRAHAM HOLLAND

GRI

This week Barry chats to one of the biggest names in the business of greyhound trainers, Graham Holland. Having recently enjoyed success at Shelbourne Park's BresBet Easter Cup, with Swords Rex claiming the €25,000 to the winner prize.

AU REVOIR AUXERRE

Ian Fortune

There has been something missing from Shelbourne Park in recent Saturday nights.

CONNECT 6 AND TOTE GUARANTEES

Ian Fortune

On a busy weekend for Irish greyhound racing, the tote has announced their tote guarantees.

VIDEO: A VISIT TO THE GREYHOUND CARE CENTRE

GRI

Come with us to visit the Greyhound Care Centre in Limerick, a partnership between Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ)/ Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) and the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust. The next chapter in Irish Greyhound Racing, the Care Centre helps ex-racing greyhounds find their new families and their forever homes as pets.

FRIENDS OF NEWBRIDGE DERBY APPROACHING FAST

Ian Fortune

Its thirteen months since Toolmaker Wilde raced to a brilliant victory in the 2022 Friends of Newbridge A1 Derby.

€20,000 YOUGHAL TRACK SUPPORTERS CLUB LOTTO IS WON

Barry Drake

Congratulations to James Kennally on winning the Youghal Track Supporters Club with a fantastic prize of €20,000.

TALKING DOGS ON MONDAY 24TH APRIL

GRI

Clonbrien Treaty's victory in the 2023 Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Final is the hot topic of conversation tonight as the team sit down for Talking Dogs.

TREATY NOW AS SHORT AS 16-1 FOR DERBY GLORY

Ian Fortune

After his brilliant display in capturing the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at a packed Limerick on Friday evening, Clonbrien Treaty is now a 16-1 chance with Derby sponsors Boylesports to become the first to complete the impossible double.

CALLAWAY PRO AM IN TOP FORM IN SELECT STAKES AT KILCOHAN PARK

Barry Drake

CALLAWAY PRO AM went quickest in the semi-finals of the €10,000 to the winner TIME Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes in Waterford on Saturday night.

VIDEO: 2023 CON AND ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL FINAL

GRI

Join Rob now to look back on a fantastic night in Limerick Greyhound Stadium as Clonbrien Treaty added his name to the history books as the 10th winner of the prestigious Con and Annie Kirby Memorial. Look back on the night now with reaction from the winning trainer, owner and GAA Club, plus a look back at the Limerick & Clare GOBA A3 Final and the Sean O'Connor Memorial Final.

BUBBLES FOLLOWS IN SUSIE’S FOOTSTEPS

Ian Fortune

Just two years after the sensational Susie Sapphire raced to victory in the Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks, Lets Go Bubbles followed in her famous half-sister’s footsteps on Saturday night as she was crowned queen of Shelbourne Park for the night.

SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, SATURDAY 22/4/2023

GRI

Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Saturday 22/4/2023:

PUPPY OAKS AND 600 ACTION TO DELIGHT AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

A quality card is headlined by the final of the Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks at Shelbourne Park this evening.

DUSTER FASTEST FOR PEACOCK IN BLACKSTONE KENNELS STAKE

Ian Fortune

Bogger Lucky ran a huge race for Liam Peacock to chase home Clonbrien Treaty in the final of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick, but less than two hours up the road his Bogger Dusty was going one better in the semi-finals of the Blackstone Kennels A2 525.

A FAMOUS NIGHT AS TREATY RACES TO KIRBY GLORY

Ian Fortune

After the most incredible four weeks of canine action, the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial saw the aptly named Clonbrien Treaty announce himself as a future superstar, producing a brilliant display to emerge an easy and most deserving winner of the €80,000 to the winner showpiece.

CLONA DUKE CAN BOUNCE BACK TO WINNING FORM IN SELECT STAKES

Barry Drake

The Time Greyhound Nutrition Select Stake semi-finals are the feature races in Kilcohan Park on Saturday night.

SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, FRIDAY 21/4/2023

GRI

Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Friday 21/4/2023:

CON AND ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL FINAL

GRI

Six of the very best young greyhounds will take to the track in Limerick this evening for the 2023 Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Final. Check out the virtual race programme and more.

TREATY CAN SIGN OFF IN STYLE IN CON & ANNIE KIRBY DECIDER

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored by the McManus Family, the final of the 2023 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial reaches its conclusion later tonight and all eyes will be drawn to Limerick Greyhound Stadium as the latest batch of future stars bid to land the prestigious €80,000 feature.

SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, THURSDAY 20/4/2023

GRI

Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Thursday 20/4/2023:

CON & ANNIE KIRBY PATH TO FINAL VIDEOS

GRI

Just 10 years in, the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial, sponsored by JP & Noreen McManus in honour of Noreen's late parents. is firmly established as one of the greatest greyhound races not just in Limerick, or Ireland, but the World. Why not have a look at our finalists, and how they got here.

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 126: WILLIE RIGNEY

GRI

This week, Barry chats to a man well-known in the industry, Willie Rigney, co-owner of Time Greyhound Nutrition. They chat about the action in the opening round of the Select Stakes in Waterford’s Kilcohan Park, which is kindly sponsored by Time Greyhound Nutrition.

CONNECT 6 AND TOTE GUARANTEES

Ian Fortune

On a busy weekend for Irish greyhound racing, the tote has announced their tote guarantees.

WELFARE AWARD RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

GRI

The recipients for the Greyhound Welfare Awards at the RCÉ/GRI National Greyhound Racing Awards 2022 have been announced by RCÉ.

LEE STRAND 550 LAUNCH AT THE KINGDOM GREYHOUND STADIUM

Barry Drake

The Kingdom Greyhound Stadium is looking forward to the start of the 2023 Lee Strand 550 on Friday 28th April.

PAT CURTIN

The greyhound community was left reeling on Sunday afternoon as the news filtered through of the sudden and tragic passing of one of the greatest characters in the history of greyhound sport, Pat Curtin.

TALKING DOGS ON MONDAY 17TH APRIL

GRI

As we look forward to the 2023 Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Final in Limerick Greyhound Stadium, our Talking Dogs team have plenty to chat about as they dissect the Semi-Final performances and give their thoughts on the Final draw for Friday night and much more.

VIDEO: 2023 CON AND ANNIE KIRBY SEMI-FINALS

GRI

A massive crowd were in Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night for Semi-Finals of one of the greatest Juvenile Greyhound Racing competitions in the world.

BORNA MICK STARS AGAIN AS WHITEY GOES QUICKEST IN O’DORNAN MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the Sorley O’Dornan Memorial A4/A5 Guys & Dolls stake served as the highlight on last night’s card at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium and it was Whiteys Fullback who made it back-to-back wins for trained Declan Byrne.

JET GIVES THEM THE SLIP AT LIFFORD

Peter Farrell

Another bumper crowd packed into Lifford Greyhound Stadium last night as the track hosted a seven race program and it was Slipalong Jet who stole the show with an exceptional performance in the Open 325.

RAZZLE AND BUBBLES STAR IN PUPPY OAKS

Ian Fortune

The rain may have come in the second half of the evening at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night but it didn’t dampen proceedings as there were a number of superb performances including that of Easy Razzle in the semi-finals of the Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks.

FINAL SIX REVEALED IN 2023 CON & ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

Last night saw the remaining twelve greyhounds do battle for a spot in the final of the 2023 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and although there were a few shock exits from the Classic, it was no surprise to see Graham Holland dominate as he accounted for both of the semi final winners on the night.

A FLYING RUN FROM FLASHING WILLOW IN SUPERSPRINT FINAL

Barry Drake

FLASHING WILLOW, trained by Pat Buckley for owner Kenny Glen, ran out a brilliant winner of the €3,500 to the winner final of the Greyhound & Petworld Supersprint.

SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, SATURDAY 15/4/2023

GRI

Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Saturday 15/4/2023

TUESDAY 18TH APRIL - YOU'RE INVITED TO LIMERICK

GRI

The 2023 Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Final is now just days away, with the Semi-Finals taking place this Saturday 15th. Who will win the €80,000 first prize on Friday 21st April? That is the question, and one that our Talking Dogs panel will aim to answer for you on Tuesday night.

ROSE BLOOMS IN RACING DEBUT

Ian Fortune

There was quite a debut from Dapper Rose at Dundalk on Friday evening.

PEACOCK AND DUSTY FLY HIGH AT KILKENNY

Ian Fortune

Ahead of tonight’s Con & Annie Kirby Memorial semi-finals, Liam Peacock had a timely bonus at Kilkenny on Friday evening with his Bogger Dusty setting a strong standard in the second round of the Blackstone Kennels A2 525.

WINX TAKES FRIDAY’S FEATURE AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

Friday’s feature at Shelbourne Park, the final of the RCETS A3 525, saw Ballymac Winx come home in front for Liam Dowling, although she did have to dig deep to contain the late charge of Turbo Tucker.

FINAL TWELVE TO DO BATTLE IN CON & ANNIE KIRBY

Peter Farrell

Last weekend saw more tremendous action at Limerick Greyhound Stadium as the Con & Annie Kirby quarter finals reached their conclusion and with the field now halved to just twelve runners, all connections will be feeling the heat ahead of tonight’s semi finals.

HONEY SWEET IN CONNECT SIX DECIDER AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

The final of the €2,000 to the winner Connect Six A7-A10 525 was the highlight on last night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium and it was Springwell Honey who made every yard to land the handsome prize.

FLASHING WILLOW THE PICK IN SUPERSPRINT FINAL

Barry Drake

Kindly sponsored by Greyhound & Petworld, the final of the €3,500 to the winner Greyhound & Petworld Supersprint is the feature race on tonight's Curraheen Park 11-race card.

TIME GREYHOUND NUTRITION SELECT STAKES IN KILCOHAN PARK

Barry Drake

The €10,000 to the winner Time Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes gets underway in Waterford tonight.

SENSATIONAL EARLY SPEED FROM STRIDEWAY LENA IN KINGDOM FEATURE

Barry Drake

STRIDEWAY LENA confirmed her outstanding recent form with another smashing display in the final of the €2,200 to the winner John & Mary Killeacle Dowling Memorial A1 570 at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Friday night.

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 125: TRACEY FITZPATRICK AND DAVE BOURKE

GRI

This week Barry chats to two guests, both having enjoyed recent success at the Enniscorthy track.

RAYMOND McCARRICK

Greyhound racing lost a great friend and character with the news that classic winning trainer Ray McCarrick had sadly passed away yesterday.

ENNISCORTHY LOOKING FOR YOUR MEMORIES

Ian Fortune

Enniscorthy Greyhound Track will be 90 years open on August 3rd and Bridget Whelan, who does so much to keep the south eastern venue purring, is seeking help as they ready themselves for wonderful celebrations.

JOIN US ON TUESDAY 18TH FOR THE FIRST TALKING DOGS ROADSHOW OF 2023

GRI

The 2023 Con and Annie Kirby is really heating up, with some of the best greyhound racing the competition has ever produced on display in Limerick. Join us on Tuesday 18th April FOR FREE for a preview of the €80,000 to the winner Final.

MARIE IN SEASON AND MISSES OAKS

Ian Fortune

Recent Cork Oaks champion and 2022 Boylesports Irish Derby finalist Maries Wedding has been reported in season and will sadly miss the upcoming Sporting Press Irish Oaks for which she would have been amongst the favourites for outright glory.

TIME GREYHOUND NUTRITION ANNOUNCE SERIES OF GREYHOUND RACING SPONSORSHIPS

GRI

Time was launched by two well-known names associated with the greyhound food market, Willie Rigney and John Fox. The two men who have prided themselves over the years on the supply of high-quality nutritional products for their customers had dipped their toe in the sponsorship market earlier in the year with the announcement of their support of the Cork Cup at Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium. They have now announced a series of further sponsorship agreements for the remainder of 2023.

TALKING DOGS ON TUESDAY 11TH APRIL

GRI

The BresBet Easter Cup and the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial naturally dominate the chat this Tuesday evening.

VIDEO: 2023 BRESBET EASTER CUP FINAL

GRI

Join us now to look back on the action in the BresBet EasteFinal from Shelbourne Park and get reaction from the winning trainer, Graham Holland, and sponsor rep, Carl Perry.

FLY FLASHER MAKES IT THREE STRAIGHT WINS IN FEATURE FINAL

Barry Drake

It was such a big weekend of racing action we almost missed the final of the €2,500 to the winner Connect A7-A8 stake final in Waterford on Saturday night.

MASSIE ROMPS TO TR-DISTANCE FEATURE AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

There was a handsome €1,900 prize up for grabs on Easter Sunday at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium as the final of the Bow Meow Pet Luxury Hotel Tri-Distance took centre stage and it was Motown Massie who sprung a surprise as she landed the feature at odds of 5/1.

MICHAEL DOWNES RIP

GRI

It is with regret that we report the death of greyhound trainer, Michael Downes, late of Killaloe.

VIDEO: 2023 CON AND ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL QUARTER FINALS

GRI

Join us now to look back on the 4 exciting Quarter Finals in the 2023 Con and Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick Greyhound Stadium.

CARLO THE STAR OF A SPECIAL NIGHT AT ENNISCORTHY

Ian Fortune

It was a special night at Enniscorthy on Sunday despite poor weather conditions in the second half of the evening. A big local support was present, including so many families, and all those that poured through the stiles thoroughly enjoyed themselves especially those involved in Haka Carlo, who ran out a brilliant last gasp winner of the Future Champion & Michael Fortune Memorial Unraced Stake.

REX CLIPPED IN PLACES FOR TOWCESTER GLORY

Ian Fortune

It’s not unusual for Robert Catterson to ask the pertinent questions on behalf of RPGTV but he certainly got plenty out of winning handler Graham Holland in an interview after the wonderful success of Swords Rex in the Bresbet Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

FLASHING WILLOW LEADS THE WAY IN GREYHOUND & PETWORLD SUPERSPRINT

Barry Drake

FLASHING WILLOW returned to top form in the second semi-final of the Greyhound & Petworld Supersprint at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

REX PUTS RIVALS TO SWORD IN EASTER CUP DECIDER

Ian Fortune

Swords Rex is now a dual classic winner after racing to a thoroughly professional and deserving victory in the Bresbet Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

KIRBY DELIVERS MORE THRILLS AS BEACH STARS AND DUKE EXITS

Peter Farrell

The four quarter finals of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial served as the highlight on last night’s Limerick card and there was no shortage of thrills and spills with the main talking point the shock exit of outright favourite, Clona Duke.

MURRAY TREBLE AS HEADFORD IMPRESSES AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

Galway hosted a ten race card last night and there was no shortage of quality performance, the pick of which was an explosive debut from Headford Sonny.

DREAM RUN BY DARGLE AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

Dargle Dream landed the €1,750 winner’s purse in the Upcoming Events A2 525 at Shelbourne Park on Friday night.

DUSTY SETS BLACKSTONE PACE AT KILKENNY

Ian Fortune

The highlight of Friday’s card at Kilkenny was the opening round of the Blackstone Kennels A2 525 and Bogger Dusty set the standard, taking the opening heat for Liam Peacock.

SEMI FINALS OF GREYHOUND & PETWORLD SUPERSPRINT AT CURRAHEEN PARK

Barry Drake

The semi-finals of the Greyhound & Petworld Supersprint take centre stage at Curraheen Park tonight

FOSTER MOTHER IS URGENTLY REQUIRED IN THE TIPPERARY AREA

Ian Fortune

A foster mother is urgently required in the Tipperary area.

RPGTV CHAT TO BRESBET EASTER CUP FINALISTS

GRI

As we look forward to the big Final tomorrow night in Shelbourne Park, RPGTV has been chatting to our finalists. Why not catch up!

YOUR FREE BRESBET EASTER CUP FINAL VIRTUAL RACE PROGRAMME

GRI

Which dog will have its day? The 2023 BresBet Easter Cup Final takes place in Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium on Saturday 8th April.

2 LUCKY CONNECT 6 WINNERS AND TOTE GUARANTEES

Ian Fortune

The big headline from the last week as far as the tote is concerned is the fact that the Connect 6 jackpot was won by two lucky punters at Limerick and Shelbourne.

NOTICE IN RELATION TO TEA AND OTHER EVERYDAY FOOD AND DRINK

GRI

RCÉ would like to remind owners that some every day products can contain levels of stimulants and feeding them may inadvertently lead to a positive test or adverse analytical finding in a racing greyhound.

FUTURE CHAMPIONS PROVIDE INCREDIBLE ACTION AT ENNISCORTHY

Ian Fortune

The Future Champion & Michael Fortune Memorial Unraced Stake came alive on Monday night with both heats providing incredible action.

BRESBET TO RENEW EASTER CUP SPONSORSHIP

GRI

BresBet is committed to another two-year sponsorship of The Easter Cup, one of Ireland’s top class greyhound competitions, held at Shelbourne Park.

MISSING SAPLING IN LIMERICK

Ian Fortune

A black greyhound sapling is missing in the Knocklong area of Co. Limerick.

TALKING DOGS ON MONDAY 3RD APRIL

GRI

Ian's enjoying a well earned holiday, so Barry Caul is in the hot seat tonight as he's joined by BresBet's Carl Perry and Alan Troy who reports on Greyhound Racing action for Clare FM.

RECORD-BREAKING CORBRACK STARS ON LIFFORD OPENER

Peter Farrell

An incredible crowd packed into Lifford Greyhound Stadium last night for the official reopening of the North-West venue and those in attendance were treated to a number of spectacular performances, none more so than Corbrack Prince’s record breaking display in the Open 325.

VIDEO: ROUND 2 CON AND ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL

GRI

A packed Limerick Greyhound Stadium were treated to a fantastic Saturday night out on April 1st as they enjoyed the 2nd Round of the 2023 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial. Off the track #JerseysAtTheDogs in aid of the Dillon Quirke Foundation was massively supported while on the track the greyhounds were supported by racing fans & nominated Limerick GAA Clubs alike.

RECORD EQUALING CLONA DUKE LIGHTS UP SECOND ROUND KIRBY ACTION

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the Con & Annie Krby Memorial took centre stage at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night and it was a night to remember as Clona Duke equaled the track record, as well as making history in recording the quickest time ever in the Kirby Classic.