MAY 2023
CARING FOR THE GREYHOUND IN HOT WEATHER
GRI
RCÉ/GRI remind greyhound owners & trainers of the following in anticipation of the warm weather forecast for the week ahead.
SALES FIXTURES TO 9TH SEPTEMBER 2023
GRI
At a recent meeting of the RCÉ Sales Committee the Sales Fixtures have been allocated to 9th September 2023.
BRILLIANT BLAKE HAS RUN HIS FINAL RACE
Ian Fortune
Part Blake was undoubtedly one of the fastest greyhounds in recent years but persistent injury problems often stood in his way.
“LORD” WOODS WITH A HAT TRICK
Ian Fortune
Tommy Woods had a night to remember at Enniscorthy on Monday night as he recorded a wonderful hat trick.
BIG NAMES ON COURSE FOR PRODUCE STAKES TILT
Peter Farrell
The draw for the opening round of the 2023 Thatch Bar & Restaurant National Produce Stakes was made earlier this morning and as expected, some top-class talent will take their chance in the hope of landing the €20,000 Classic.
ENGLISH DERBY SECOND ROUND DRAW
Ian Fortune
The second-round draw for the Star Sports/ TRC English Derby was made yesterday afternoon and it has largely worked out very kindly for the remaining 24 Irish trained greyhounds.
TALKING OAKS EPISODE 2 MONDAY 29TH MAY
GRI
Plenty of great greyhound racing action to discuss tonight as the Talking Dogs team chat about the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks 2nd Round in Shelbourne Park and more.
FERGIE TIME AT KILKENNY
Ian Fortune
The sun shone, the crowds poured through the stiles and the canine stars provided some exceptional racing at Kilkenny on Sunday evening making it a very special occasion for the final of the Champion Open Unraced.
WILLOW WINS SALVER HEAT IN STYLE
Ian Fortune
Flashing Willow made a winning start to his Arena Racing Company Kent Silver Salver campaign at Central Park on Sunday afternoon.
DERBY HERO WARRIOR ON WAY BACK
Ian Fortune
We caught up with Jennifer O’Donnell at Kilkenny on Sunday night and she confirmed that her Derby champion Born Warrior was on the way back after a superb sprint trial at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night ahead of racing.
IRELAND’S TOWCESTER PROGRESS BY NUMBERS
Ian Fortune
After 32 opening round heats, Ireland’s hand in the Star Sports & TRC English Derby is even stronger than it was prior to the start of the classic.
NEON LIGHTS UP LIFFORD AS ROCKO ALSO IMPRESSES IN BALLYMAC OPENER
Peter Farrell
The opening round heats of the Ballymac Stud A1/A2 Trophy took place at Lifford Stadium yesterday evening and there were no shortage of top-class performances, the fastest of which came in heat two as Neon Lights got back to winning ways.
AN EPIC EXPECTED AT KILKENNY
Ian Fortune
Kilkenny will be packed to the rafters this evening with a huge crowd expected to flow through the stiles for what promises to b a wonderful night of action.
MOFO LAYS DOWN A MARKER IN OAKS
Ian Fortune
The Sporting Press Irish Oaks continued at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night and there were a number of brilliant second round displays, including that of defending champion Raha Mofo as she joined the illusive 28 second club.
ANOTHER FINE NIGHT FOR IRISH AT TOWCESTER
Ian Fortune
Of the total 27 Irish trained runners to take their place in the opening round of the Star Sports/ TRC English Derby, just three failed to progress to next week’s second round.
BAILEY BACK TO HIS BEST IN TOP-CLASS ACTION AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
The semi finals of the GRI Spring Stake A4 525 served as the highlight on last night’s Limerick card and both contests were separated by just one spot on the clock with Portinard News going quickest.
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER FOR THE O'REILLY FAMILY IN CURRAHEEN PARK
Barry Drake
It was a night to remember for the O'Reilly family in Curraheen Park on Saturday night as Montana Fantasy landed the €8,500 to the winner A2 Spring Derby final.
SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, SATURDAY 27/5/2023
GRI
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Saturday 27/5/2023:
EXPECT MORE FIREWORKS AS OAKS CONTINUES
Ian Fortune
There were some exceptional performances in the opening round of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks last weekend and it seems safe to expect more of the same this evening.
NIGHT TAKES ISLANDBRIDGE THRILLER
Ian Fortune
Gallant Knight has, in a very short spell, established himself as one of the most talented sprinters in training.
LUCIUS COMPLETES UNBEATEN DERBY RUN AT NEWBRIDGE
Ian Fortune
It was very much a case of Déjà vu at Newbridge as Prince Lucius turned close enough to the pace before pouncing late in the final of the Friends of Newbridge A1 Derby.
DUKE AND MARINO SHINE FOR IRISH AT TOWCESTER
Ian Fortune
Graham Holland kept his foot on the accelerator on Friday night as he continued his incredible start to the Star Sports/ TRC English Derby with his brilliant Juvenile Derby and Select Stakes winner Clona Duke posting a new track record in a facile success in Heat 12.
PRODUCE STAKES CLUES ON DISPLAY AT CLONMEL
Peter Farrell
There were a number of fine performances on display last night at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium as they hosted an all-graded nine-race card, one-week prior to the scheduled start of the National Produce Stakes.
ALLOWDALE ICON A BRILLIANT WINNER OF THE LEE STRAND 550 IN THE KINGDOM
Barry Drake
ALLOWDALE ICON, for Eimear and Daniel Roche, ran out a brilliant winner of the €6,500 to the winner Lee Stand 550 at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Friday night.
SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, FRIDAY 26/5/2023
GRI
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Friday 26/5/2023:
BIG NIGHT FOR IRELAND AS ENGLISH DERBY STARTS
Ian Fortune
Team Ireland couldn’t have made a much better start to their Star Sports/ TRC English Derby challenge at Towcester on Thursday evening, claiming an incredible six wins in the ten heats, while each of eleven-strong raiding party in action safely qualified for the next round.
GER WALSH
The Greyhound community in Galway are saddened to hear of the passing of a legend of the sport, Ger Walsh.
A WEEK TO REMEMBER FOR YOUNG GEAROID GEARY
IT was a week to remember for young Gearoid Geary and all the Geary family at Youghal Greyhound Stadium.
SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, THURSDAY 25/5/2023
GRI
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Thursday 25/5/2023:
TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 130: BILLY DUNNE & DANIEL CRONIN
GRI
This week we're bringing you a double episode so get comfortable as you're in for a treat!
GREYHOUND RACING IRELAND LAUNCH NEW-LOOK FUNDRAISING COLLATERAL
GRI
Greyhound Racing Ireland this week launched their new-look fundraising brochure, now available at GRI venues nationwide.
THATCH BAR & RESTAURANT NATIONAL PRODUCE STAKES FAST APPROACHING
Peter Farrell
With the door closed on this year’s Con & Annie Kirby Memorial, attention now turns to another Juvenile Classic in the form of the National Produce Stakes at Clonmel, sponsored this year by the Thatch Bar & Restaurant in Lisselton, Co. Kerry
STELLA POUNCES FOR APRIL GLORY AT ENNISCORTHY
Ian Fortune
Dairyhill Stella completed an impressive run through the April Open Unraced Stake at Enniscorthy on Monday night, riding a bump on the corner before coming through to land the €3,000 prize in fine style for Paul Hennessy and the MCSS Syndicate.
TAKING OAKS EPISODE 1 MONDAY 22ND MAY
GRI
The 2023 Sporting Press Online Edition got underway last weekend and delivered plenty for our panel to talk about so join Ian Fortune, Tommy Lyons and Declan O'Donoghue now for their thoughts. They also chat through the other big action of the weekend in Shelbourne Park and across the country including Kilkenny, Newbridge, Curraheen Park and Tralee.
REX ROARS IN THE CHAMPION
Ian Fortune
Ballyhimikin Rex may have been a big price with the layers all week for Shelbourne Champion 550 glory but he produced a brilliant display of front running to belie his odds and hand Billy and John Dunne a wonderful big race success.
INCREDIBLE START TO SPORTING PRESS OAKS
Ian Fortune
The Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks got underway at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night and, predictably, there were some sensational displays as well as a few shocks.
ARABELLA LANDS THE FEATURE AT LIMERICK AS SWIZZ STARS ELSEWHERE
Peter Farrell
There was some wonderful action on offer last night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium with the feature event, the Talking Dogs A3 600 final, landed in trap to line fashion by Arabella Rue.
PIER IMPRESSES IN OPENING ROUND OF GALWAY TRI-DISTANCE
Peter Farrell
The opening round heats of the gogreyhoundracing.ie A2/A3 Tri Distance served up some terrific action at Galway Greyhound Stadium last night and it was Newport Pier who was particularly impressive for the Curtin-Mullins-Syndicate.
SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, SATURDAY 20/5/2023
GRI
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Saturday 20/5/2023:
READY TEDDY TO GO IN CHAMPION
Ian Fortune
The betting for tonight’s Shelbourne Champion 550 decider suggests that either Bens Teddy or Sober Glory will emerge triumphant in the €7,500 to the winner showpiece.
LADIES TO DELIVER AS THE OAKS COMMENCES
Ian Fortune
The very best ladies in training will descend on Shelbourne Park this evening as the Sporting Press Irish Oaks gets underway.
INCREDIBLE RACING IN CHAMPION UNRACED
Ian Fortune
This year’s Champion Open Unraced continues to really deliver.
LUCIUS FASTEST IN NEWBRIDGE DERBY
Ian Fortune
Prince Lucius continued his unbeaten passage through the Friends of Newbridge A1 Derby with a superb semi-final display on Friday evening.
DRAMA APLENTY IN ISLANDBRIDGE SPRINT
Ian Fortune
There was certainly plenty to report in the semi finals of the Islandbridge Open Sprint at Shelbourne Park on Friday evening.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE FROM BLASTOFF CHASE IN LEE STRAND
Barry Drake
BLASTOFF CHASE delivered an outstanding performance in the second semi-final of Lee Strand 550.
BURKOS TONIC LANDS SPRINT FEATURE AT GALWAY
Peter Farrell
There was €700 up for grabs as the final of the Talking Dogs S5/S6 350 served as the highlight on last night’s Galway card and it was Burkos Tonic who landed the spoils at odds of 5/1.
SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, FRIDAY 19/5/2023
GRI
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Friday 19/5/2023:
SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, THURSDAY 18/5/2023
GRI
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Thursday 18/5/2023:
VIDEO: A VISIT TO CON AND ANNIE KIRBY WINNING CLUB
GRI
Join us as we visit the Con and Annie Kirby memorial winning club to see how they plan to spend their €10,000 winner's prize.
TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 129: KEVIN O'BRIEN & JACK KENNELLY
GRI
This week Barry chats to two guests! Both busy preparing for the English Greyhound Derby. First guest up is Kevin O'Brien, owner of Clona Duke, a sensational tracker that set records at the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial earlier this year, followed by another stunning performance at the Time Greyhoundd Nutrition Select Stakes in Waterford.
CONOR FLANAGAN
It’s with a heavy heart we must report the sudden passing of Conor Flanagan of Clouna, Ennistymon, Co. Clare.
VIDEO: €10,000 CHEQUE PRESENTATION TO DILLON QUIRKE FOUNDATION
GRI
Recently, we were honoured to hand over €10,000, on behalf of the Greyhound Community across Ireland, to the Dillon Quirke Foundation.
CAREER OPPORTUNITY - RACING SUPPORT OFFICER GALWAY
GRI
We are looking for a Racing Support Officer to join our team at Galway Greyhound Stadium
CAREER OPPORTUNITY - RACING SUPPORT OFFICER NEWBRIDGE
GRI
We are looking for a Racing Support Officer to join our team at Newbridge Greyhound Stadium
DETAILS ANNOUNCED FOR THE TIME GRADERS DERBY A4 525
GRI
As part of their extensive sponsorship agreement announced earlier this year, TIME have in conjunction with Greyhound Racing Ireland, announced details for the TIME Graders Derby A4 525.
ANOTHER TREMENDOUS KILKENNY SALES
Ian Fortune
There was another hugely successful sales meeting at Kilkenny last Saturday morning, May 13th. The turnover on the day was extremely impressive - the highest in years - while the clearance rate was also very high.
SENSATIONAL WINNING DEBUT FOR REBEL SPRING IN YOUGHAL
Barry Drake
REBEL SPRING delivered a sensational debut performance on Monday night's opener at Youghal Track.
BRAGGING RIGHTS TO JET IN LIFFORD MATCH RACE
Peter Farrell
Something that isn’t utilized enough in greyhound racing is the ‘Match-Race’ and last night saw the eagerly anticipated buckle between Slipalong Jet and Droopys Next One come to a head at Lifford Greyhound Stadium.
AN IRISH HAT TRICK AT TOWCESTER
Ian Fortune
The Irish challenge were again in superb form at Towcester on Sunday afternoon with three of our six runners coming home in front in their respective English Derby Trial Stakes.
BEN AND GLORY IMPRESS IN CHAMPION
Ian Fortune
Just one hundredth of a second separated Bens Teddy and Sober Glory on the clock as both impressed in the semi-finals of the Champion 550 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.
RON RALLIES TO LAND GALWAY FEATURE
Peter Farrell
With Friday night seeing two sweepstake finals coming to a conclusion at Galway, Saturday night saw another three down for decision and there were some brilliant performances fitting of the winning purse on offer.
EPIC FINISH TO LIMERICK OAKS AS MOFO SEALS THE HAT-TRICK
Peter Farrell
After being crowned as the GRI ‘Bitch of the Year’ last weekend at the National Greyhound Awards, Raha Mofo created a piece of history last night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium as she landed the final of the Epic Hero Limerick Oaks in exceptional fashion.
LINEHAN LANDS TREBLE ON A NIGHT OF SMART PERFORMANCES AT CURRAHEEN PARK
Barry Drake
Local trainer Johnny Linehan enjoyed a fantastic treble in Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, SATURDAY 13/5/2023
GRI
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Saturday 13/5/2023
RAHA CAN SEAL HAT-TRICK OF OAKS TITLES AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
Tonight will see the Epic Hero Limerick Oaks come to a conclusion at the Munster venue and all eyes will be on Raha Mofo as she bids to seal a hat-trick of Oaks victories after landing the Sporting Press Irish Oaks at Shelbourne Park, as well as the GRI Galway Oaks in 2022.
TWO SHOCKS AS GALWAY STAKES COME TO A CLOSE
Peter Farrell
There were two sweepstake finals down for decision at Galway Greyhound Stadium last night and both resulted in short-priced favourites being turned over.
CHAMPION UNRACED TAKES OFF
Ian Fortune
The opening round of the Champion Open Unraced provided some fine racing but it moved to another level at Kilkenny on Friday night as some of the best and brightest young trackers in training flexed their muscles, including Droopys Doughnut who set a blistering standard when coming home clear in 28.65.
GIZMO SETS ISLANDBRIDGE PACE
Ian Fortune
Gizmo Cash was named Sprinter of the Year last Friday night at the National greyhound Awards and he has since claimed two mighty impressive victories to confirm his selection, the latest of which came in the opening round of the Islandbridge Open Sprint at Shelbourne Park on Friday.
MAGIC GOES FASTEST IN NEWBRIDGE DERBY
Ian Fortune
Willie Rigney’s All About Magic took the headlines at Newbridge with a fastest of the round 30.07 in the opening second round heat of the Friends Of Newbridge A1 Derby.
CHAMPION CONTINUES AT SHELBOURNE
Ian Fortune
After coming from well off the pace to post a fastest of the round 29.74 last week, Bens Teddy can again be expected to play a big part in the semi-finals of the Champion 550 at Shelbourne Park this evening.
BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE FROM BALLYARD OSCAR IN LEE STRAND 550
Barry Drake
BALLYARD OSCAR went quickest in round three of the Lee Strand 550 in Tralee on Friday night.
MORE FIREWORKS LIKELY AT KILKENNY
Ian Fortune
The hunt for the €15,000 winner’s purse continues in the second round of the Champion Open Unraced at Kilkenny this evening.
RPGTV ENGLISH DERBY FEATURE WITH GRAHAM HOLLAND
Ian Fortune
Robert Catterson was on the road in the past week catching up with Graham Holland at his Riverside Kennels outfit in Golden, Co. Tipperary.
PALERIVA AND FARLOE LAND VALUABLE THURLES DECIDERS
Peter Farrell
The finals of the Willie Maher ‘It’s Good to Talk’ A5 525 and the Sonny Butler Memorial A4 525 came to a conclusion last night at Thurles Greyhound Stadium and both produced two excellent winners to cap off some brilliant racing at the Premier venue over the past number of weeks.
SHELBOURNE PARK TRIAL RESULTS, THURSDAY 11/5/2023
GRI
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Thursday 11/5/2023:
TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 128: JAKE FAUL
GRI
This week Barry chats to a young greyhound trainer from Youghal, Jake Faul, who has enjoyed 17 successes this year alone! Owning greyhounds is certainly a family affair for the Fauls with all generations involved and sharing a love of greyhounds.
SHELBOURNE SEEKING SPORTING PRESS IRISH OAKS ENTRIES
Ian Fortune
Those wishing to have a runner in the Sporting Press Irish Oaks are remined that entries will close on Monday.
OUR PEOPLE THE GENERATIONS - MEET THE SPILLANES
GRI
For Sheila Spillane it all began when she received her first greyhound from a neighbour when she was a young child, a bitch named Springfield Gift. From that moment on, the yard was never without a greyhound.
PRODUCE STAKES CHANGE OF DATE
GRI
Owners & trainers please note that due to a change in dates of The English Derby the 2023 National Produce Stakes will now start on the weekend of the 4th of June with the Final taking place on the 25th of June.
BILL TUOHY
It’s with real sadness we must report the passing of a great friend to greyhound sport, Bill Tuohy, peacefully earlier this week.
DOUBLE FOR HENNESSY IN ENNISCORTHY’S APRIL STAKE
Ian Fortune
Dairyhill Stella returned to winning ways in the quarter finals of the April Unraced Stake at Enniscorthy on Monday evening, showing great determination to assert between the last two bends before going on to set the standard with a 28.95 return.
VIDEO: RPGTV 600 FINAL
GRI
Ballinabola Ed is the 2023 RPGTV Open 600 Champion for owner Brendan Murphy and trainer Pat Buckey. Join Ian Fortune and Rob Catterson now in Shelbourne Park to look back on his win plus interviews with the winning connections.
TALKING DOGS ON MONDAY 8TH MAY
GRI
Join us now to chat about all the big greyhound racing news including Ballinabola Ed's win in the 600.
VIDEO: 2022 NATIONAL GREYHOUND RACING AWARDS
GRI
Join Ian Fortune in Curraheen Park for highlights from the 2022 Rásaíocht Con Éireann / Greyhound Racing Ireland National Greyhound Racing Awards. Held on Friday 5th May 2023 in the Cork venue, the Awards honoured the achievements in our sport in 2022.
JOKER LOOKS A REAL PROSPECT
Ian Fortune
There was a stunning display in the final of the ON1 at Dundalk on Saturday night with Avocas Joker dipping under the magical 21 second barrier for the 400yd trip.
ALL ABOUT KILAHEEN LADY IN CURRAHEEN PARK SPRING DERBY
Barry Drake
KILAHEEN LADY was the standout performer in round two of the €24,000 Curraheen Park Spring Derby on Saturday night.
BALLINABOLA ED NO LONGER THE BRIDESMAID
Ian Fortune
Ballinabola Ed is the RPGTV Open 600 champion but that only tells half the story.
MOFO DOWN BUT NOT OUT AS RAFAS GOES QUICKEST IN LIMERICK OAKS
Peter Farrell
Despite some terrific action on RPGTV at Shelbourne Park last night, Limerick also had plenty to offer in the form of the Epic Hero Limerick Oaks and there were two upsets in each of the semis, most notably the defeat of leading contender, Raha Mofo.
WARRIOR NAMED SUPREME GREYHOUND
Ian Fortune
Born Warrior and Jennifer O’Donnell were the big winners at the National Greyhound Awards at Curraheen Park on Friday evening as the former was named Dog of the Year and Supreme Greyhound of the Year.
ED CAN FINALLY CLAIM A BIG PRIZE IN 600
Ian Fortune
A glance at the advance betting would suggest that Ballinabola Ed need only turn up this evening to capture the RPGTV Open 600 but that is certainly not the case.
PROMISING PUPS SPARKLE AT KILKENNY
Ian Fortune
There was massive interest in proceedings at Kilkenny on Friday night as a hugely promising crop of young greyhounds took their first steps towards future stardom in the opening round of the Champion Open Unraced.
MENDELSON FASTEST IN NEWBRIDGE DERBY
Ian Fortune
Thomas O’Donovan and Ger Hutton have a promising young tracker in the form of Mendelson and the son of Droopys Sydney and Ravenna set a strong standard in the opening round of the Friends Of Newbridge Derby on Friday night.
TWO THRILLING SEMI FINALS IN STORE AS EPIC HERO LIMERICK OAKS CONTINUES
Peter Farrell
After some brilliant opening round performances, the two semi finals of the Epic Hero Limerick Oaks serve as the highlight on tonight’s Limerick card and all eyes will be on semi final number two as both Raha Mofo and Burgess Rapid lock horns.
DIVA DELIVERS ONCE AGAIN AT GALWAY
Peter Farrell
Sweepstake action dominated last night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium and for the second week running, Foxwood Diva stole the show with an explosive performance in race seven.
BALLYMAC OPERA LEADS THE WAY IN THE LEE STRAND
Barry Drake
Ballymac Opera set the standard in round two of the 2023 Lee Strand at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Friday night.
WATCH THE AWARDS CEREMONY LIVE
Join us from 8pm for part two of the 2022 National Greyhound Racing Awards live from Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium.
ROUND TWO OF THE LEE STRAND IN THE KINGDOM
Barry Drake
Always a fantastic event, the opening round of the 2023 Lee Strand produced some fantastic racing in the Kingdom last weekend and we are expecting more of the same tonight.
STARS TO EMERGE IN KILKENNY’S CHAMPION
Ian Fortune
Those taking an active interest in proceedings at Kilkenny this evening should have their notebooks ready as a number of potential superstars take their first steps towards future greatness in the opening round of the Champion Open Unraced.
MAGICO TO MAKE TOWCESTER RETURN
Ian Fortune
Romeo Magico will step back onto UK soil on Sunday afternoon as he prepares for a defence of his English Derby crown.
KOKORO ON HER WAY BACK
Ian Fortune
On a day when Crafty Kokoro is amongst those up for honours at the National Greyhound Awards, plenty will be glad to hear that she is on the way back after a lengthy layoff.
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Thursday 4/5/2023:
GRI
Shelbourne Park Trial Results, Thursday 4/5/2023
RPGTV 600 FINAL VIRTUAL RACE CARD PROGRAMME AVAILABLE
GRI
As we look forward to Saturday night's Final of the RPGTV 600 at Shelbourne Park, we have made a virtual race card programme available for you to brush up on the runners and recap on the performances to date before you get here.
NEWS GIVES EUGENE A REAL LIFT
Ian Fortune
When Legit News won the ON3 opener at Newbridge on Friday night, storming clear in the second half of the contest to win in 29.35, it meant so much to so many.
CHAMPION UNRACED OOZING WITH QUALITY
Ian Fortune
The Kilkenny Track Champion Open Unraced has been the springboard to so many wonderful careers in recent years and this year’s renewal will be no exception.
TALKING DOGS ON TUESDAY 2ND MAY
GRI
After a busy May Bank Holiday there's plenty for Ian Fortune, Tommy Lyons & Barry Caul to discuss including Clona Duke's win in the Time Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes Final in Waterford's Kilcohan Park and the RPGTV 600 action in Shelbourne Park as we look forward to the Final this weekend.
GREYHOUND RACING STADIA NATIONWIDE RAISE €10,000 FOR DILLON QUIRKE FOUNDATION
GRI
Racegoers at 14 greyhound stadia across have raised €10,000 for the foundation set up in honour of the late Tipperary & Clonoulty/Rossmore hurler Dillon Quirke.
VIDEO: TIME SELECT STAKES FINAL
GRI
Join us now to look back on Clona Duke's win in the 2023 Time Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes Final.
HUGE CROWD AND SUPERB ACTION AT ENNISCORTHY
Ian Fortune
There was a wonderful atmosphere at Enniscorthy on bank holiday Monday evening as a benefit for Ferns United and the second round of the April Open Unraced attracted a bumper crowd to the south eastern venue.
OZARK FLYING THE FLAG WITH ARC SUCCESS
Ian Fortune
Reigning Irish Sprint Cup champion Hawkfield Ozark may be trained in the UK these days but he is still very much an Irish runner given the fact that he I still owned by Jerry Connors, while Jamie McGee spends most of his days with the brilliant son of Laughil Blake and Brownstown Tango as a member of Patrick Jannsens team.
WIDE OPEN SPRING DERBY AT CURRAHEEN PARK
Barry Drake
The €24,000 Curraheen Park Spring Derby got off to a flying start in Curraheen Park on Saturday and it's expected to produce some fantastic racing over the next couple of weeks.
SEAMUS GILLESPIE
Greyhound racing lost another passionate enthusiast in recent days with Seamus Gillespie, Sessiaghoneill, Co. Donegal, sadly passing away.
HONEY BUNNY LANDS SORLEY O’DORNAN FEATURE AT CLONMEL
Peter Farrell
The final of the €2,000 to the winner Sorley O’Dornan Memorial Guys & Dolls took centre stage at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium last night and there was a minor shock as Honey Bunny once again displayed her brilliant promise to emerge a fine winner.
HOLLAND DOUBLE AT TOWCESTER
Ian Fortune
Graham Holland began his English Derby preparations at Towcester on Sunday afternoon and recorded a fine double with both Jacktavern Bella and Bockos Crystal winning in fine style, while Swords Rex will benefit greatly from his first look at the Northamptonshire venue.
HUNTER ON THE PROWL AT DUNDALK
Ian Fortune
Gold Cup champion Bogger Hunter is on the Irish Sprint Cup trail and made a fine impression in an open sprint at Dundalk on Saturday night.
SOBER SPEED EXCELS AT THURLES
Peter Farrell
There were a number of fine performances at Thurles Greyhound Stadium last night but the standout was a brilliant display from Sober Speed, who posted the fastest time since 2021 for the 570-yard trip.
LADIES SET STANDARD IN ENNISCORTHY’S APRIL UNRACED
Ian Fortune
Such has been the incredible performances of the ladies over the past four to five years, it should come as no surprise that the two biggest runs in the opening round of the April Open Unraced Stake came from the fairer sex at Enniscorthy on Monday night.
TWO VALUABLE SWEEPSTAKES COME TO A CLOSE AT GALWAY
Peter Farrell
It didn’t go unnoticed that Galway Greyhound Stadium hosted two valuable sweepstake finals last Saturday night and it was Canya Dream and Caislean Blue who landed the spoils.
BUBBLES GOES POP
Ian Fortune
Much like her half-sister, the great Susie Sapphire, Lets Go Bubbles looked more than happy from an inside draw at Shelbourne Park on Thursday evening as she raced away with the valuable final of the Retired Greyhound Trust A3.