KNEGARE BOWS OUT AT THE TOP

Ian Fortune

When Callaway Knegare finished out of the frame in the opening round of the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby, it was immediately clear that something was amiss with one of the very best greyhounds in training.

Sadly, that news was confirmed soon afterwards. The brilliant son of Droopys Sydney had broken a bone in his hind leg.

There was, however, good news on the horizon. Owen McKenna confirmed in recent days that Callaway Knegare is on his way back to full health and is happy and content.Unfortunately, despite a successful operation, he will never race again.

It comes as a real disappointment to those who have seen him race in the flesh, but it also gives us the opportunity to look back on a career that deserves to be celebrated.

OBVIOUS TALENT FROM THE START

It all began at Curraheen Park in June 2024 in a special renewal of the Denis Linehan Solicitors Open Unraced.

There were many superb performances in the opening round, but none could match Callaway Knegare as he announced his arrival on the Irish track scene with a sensational 28.17 debut.

Even more remarkable was the fact that he didn’t dictate the pace. It highlighted the incredible pace and power possessed by the Owen McKenna-trained newcomer.Carrying Denis Murphy’s ‘Callaway’ prefix and named after the local townland in his native Kerry, it was clear that this was a greyhound destined for the top.

He found traffic in the second round and suffered defeat before returning to winning ways in the semi-finals, stopping the clock in 28.25.

Ultimately, he finished third in the final behind his brother, future English Derby winner Droopys Plunge. It was notable, however, that Callaway Knegare had been sent off the 4-6 favourite, only to again find bad traffic.

For all that he impressed at Cork, it was clear he was going to be far more at home around Shelbourne Park. His connections felt the same way.

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH SHELBOURNE

Trials aren’t always the best guide to how a greyhound will perform on a track, but there was no doubting that Callaway Knegare fell in love with Shelbourne Park straight away.

Just a fortnight after the Cork final, he had a spin at Shelbourne and flew around in a sensational 27.79.

Another two weeks later, he posted 27.89 in a trial. It was clear he was ready to challenge for Juvenile Derby honours despite his relative inexperience.What followed was unbelievable.

A JUVENILE DERBY STROLL

Scarcely has a classic been won in more dominant fashion.

His opening-round display set the tone. Despite being badly squeezed in the early yards, he found a seam at the turn and powered his way to the front between the last two bends.Once there, he powered clear to win in 28.14.

That would prove to be his slowest clock through the famous competition.A week later, he posted 27.98 before going even faster in the semi-finals, dominating from the start to win in 27.85.

To highlight his superiority, he was sent off the 1-2 favourite in the final and duly obliged in typically merciless fashion.Powering his way to the front between the last two turns, he eased clear to win by an ever-widening three and a half lengths in 27.96.

Given his immense power and strength, it is perhaps no surprise that this would be his final ever start over the standard trip.

WONDERFUL DERBY CHALLENGE DESPITE PROBLEMS

He was now established as one of the fastest and most talented greyhounds on the planet, and a crack at the 2024 Derby was the obvious next target.

Despite a couple of physical problems through the classic, he was bombproof.

He found traffic, took on established superstars and, despite not being fully fit, kept powering his way through into qualifying positions.Week after week, round after round, the brilliant son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Sweet showed his strength and determination.

Chasing home Bockos Diamond in both the quarter-final and semi-final, he took his place in the decider and ran his heart out.

Third choice in the market, he produced a huge performance. It was clear throughout the competition that he wasn’t the same dog we had seen in the Juvenile Derby, yet he would finish just two lengths behind one of the all-time great Derby winners in Bockos Diamond.

To highlight the strength of that final, subsequent 2025 Derby winner Cheap Sandwiches was second, with Callaway Knegare third.

GOING CLOSE IN THE BIG EVENTS

After a well-earned rest, he returned with a couple of massive trials in early 2025 and was installed among the favourites for the Derby.

He looked rusty in the Easter Cup but produced some massive performances in the Shelbourne Open 600.

He went to traps as the 8-11 favourite for the final after a huge semi-final run, but bad traffic ended his hopes. He actually ran a big race to finish third.

It was a similar scenario in the Race of Champions at Tralee. After early crowding, he recovered brilliantly to take second.

Sadly, persistent niggles meant he was lightly raced through the remainder of the year.He had been far from overly raced to this point in his career and, while his immense power was still very evident, his physical issues meant we would never again see the very best of Callaway Knegare.

Yet he returned in 2026 and managed to remind us all of his talent and his ability to progress through the very best competitions.

MORE FINAL APPEARANCES

Unlike twelve months earlier, he progressed through the Easter Cup, winning his semi-final with a massive run before finishing third in the decider.

He would again reach the final of the Shelbourne Open 600, only to badly miss the start.

It would turn out to be the penultimate start of his remarkable career.More than three months later, he returned for the opening round of the Derby.

Sadly, when finding crowding at the opening turn, his race was over almost before it had begun.

This time, there would be no comeback.

THE END OF AN ILLUSTRIOUS RACING CAREER

Callaway Knegare had suffered a hind-leg injury and, despite the best efforts of those around him, his racing career was over.

For a greyhound who had spent his entire career battling the very best in the highest possible company, while overcoming physical setbacks, it was an unfortunate way for the curtain to fall.But it is fitting that he bows out at the top with his reputation and legacy firmly intact.

A Juvenile Derby champion. A Derby finalist. A multiple classic finalist. A greyhound capable of producing a display of extraordinary pace and power.

And, above all, one of those rare greyhounds who left an impression on anyone fortunate enough to see him at his brilliant best.Callaway Knegare may have run his last race, but his best performances will live long in the memory.

Given all his many strengths and his incredible pedigree, it seems inevitable he will develop into a stud dog of some note. Should his progeny inherit his engine and ability to perform at the highest level, they are sure to make a splash. Bit for now, there’s little more than to say best of luck and happy retirement champ.