STAGE SET FOR ANOTHER SPECIAL DERBY DECIDER
Ian Fortune
Since the calendar turned to the year 2000, just four greyhounds have completed an unbeaten Derby campaign.
Tonight, in the final of the 2026 BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby, Bouncing Monarch has the opportunity to join the company of four true greats of the sport, Judicial Pride, College Causeway, Susie Sapphire and, most recently, Bockos Diamond.
Once again, Shelbourne Park will provide an atmosphere like no other, with our corner of Dublin 4 the destination of choice for everyone who loves greyhound racing. After five weeks of wonderful racing, countless brilliant performances, unexpected shocks and more than a fair share of drama, the destination of the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby will ultimately be decided by less than half a minute of racing.
In front of packed stands, six brilliant greyhounds will chase the €125,000 winner’s prize. But tonight, it is about far more than money. It is about history, legacy and, above all, it is about the opportunity to earn a place among the immortals.
MONARCH A WORTHY FAVOURITE
Bouncing Monarch was a truly brilliant winner of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial earlier in the year.
It was abundantly clear he would develop into a serious Derby contender and, less than five months on, the brilliant son of Deerjet Sydney is odds-on and just one run away from achieving what many feel is his destiny.
Trained by Michael O’Donovan, who is chasing a third Derby title, the brilliant fawn has been imperious through the classic. A wonderful starter with the early speed to back it up and the overall pace and strength to be a true superstar, he is fully deserving of his position at the heads of the market.
The draw has also been relatively kind. From two, his immediate concern is clearing Sleight Of Hand on the inside of the track. All evidence suggests that is entirely possible and should he produce one of his famed fast starts, he could again find himself in the driving seat by the opening corner.
CAN SLEIGHT OF HAND SLIP THE FIELD?
The aforementioned Sleight Of Hand has come in for support since the trap draw.
His two best performances in the Derby came when wearing red and his immediate concern is containing Bouncing Monarch in the opening exchanges.
But Lawrence Jones’ Sleight Of Hand is certainly worthy of his place in the final. The youngest finalist, he has really developed into a serious performer. It began in the opening round when he came in for strong support before dominating in a wonderful 29.10.
While the tests have been tougher in the subsequent weeks, he has risen up to meet every challenge culminating in a determined victory in the quarter finals and a big run behind Bouncing Monarch in the semis when just two lengths back at the line.
Capable of going up strongly, he is a match for any of his rivals down the back straight and it’s understandable he has come in for support.
JAMES A BIG CHALLENGER DESPITE DRAW
Wi Can James is drawn in three and is another with all the ability to mount a serious challenge, albeit the draw is not ideal.
Trained by Pat Guilfoyle, who won the Derby in 2017 with Good News, he has a massive engine and has worked hard to get into tonight’s decider.
Short of luck in both his last two outings, he had to show great determination to even progress. His many followers will feel he is due a fast start and clear passage. The presence of Hackney Dancer on his right shoulder is a concern, however.
If Wi Can James is to go close, he needs to start on terms and contain Hackney Dancer in the opening yards. In that scenario, he would establish himself as a serious player. It’s worth remembering that he recorded 29.10 earlier in the classic and a repeat of that sort of form would put him right in the mix.
DANCER TO OUTRUN HIS ODDS
Hackney Dancer is a second runner for Michael O’Donovan.
He may be the outsider of the field but there is certainly a way for him to have a big say in the outcome. A talented tracker with fine early speed and a new found strength, he has been tremendous through the classic, winning each of his first three assignments.
He suffered a narrow defeat in both the quarter and semi-finals, running very well in both. The reason he is available at double figure odds is down purely to the draw. He moved inwards from the same trap last week, finding room to his left.
He may not find the same room to race this evening unless he explodes from the box. That is possible but it’s a big ask for the son of Dorotas Wildcat.
BOCKOS CHASING GOLD AND WIN NUMBER SIX FOR HOLLAND
Graham Holland has won the Derby a record breaking five times.
His first was Rural Hawaii in 2016, but in the subsequent years he also won with Lenson Bocko, Newinn Taylor, Bockos Diamond and Cheap Sandwiches.
Tonight, he is hoping for a third Derby win in a row with Bockos Gold and many will feel he can mount a bold bid despite what is perceived as a tricky draw in five. But history suggests that if his handler is to win a Derby, it will come from one of the outside two boxes.
Indeed, three of his Derby winners have raced from six, while Lenson Bocko and Cheap Sandwiches both raced from five.
Bockos Gold is incredibly talented. Capable of a flying start, he has superb early speed, huge pace down the back straight and is showing more strength than any other point in his career. In many ways he is the perfect greyhound but for his tendency to take a stride for himself at the turn.
His semi-final victory is evidence of what he is capable of. On that occasion he went up fastest, lost his position to sit third into the back straight before powering home to lead again in the closing yards. It is somewhat remarkable he could manage to post 29.37 in such circumstances.
If he is to win this evening, the massive son of Coolavanny Hoffa needs to come through the bars and find a way to turn close to the pace. If he does, it’s game on.
IM HERE AIMING FOR MORE DERBY GLORY
Puppy Derby champion Im Here completes the line-up and few would argue that he has a great draw with both Hackney Dancer and Bockos Gold expected to edge inwards in his inner.
With the prospect of a clear run into the bend and the potential for some crowding in the middle and inside of the track, he could find himself in the perfect position to strike as they enter the back straight.
He has yet to win a round of the classic but the same could be said ahead of the Puppy Derby final. Certainly, his classic winning handler Peter Cronin won’t be too concerned and will believe that Im Here can produce a huge run on the night.
It is important he makes one of the best starts of his career but recent evidence suggests he is starting to get to grips with the 550yd boxes and he is likely to race prominently.
It’s down the back straight where Im Here does his most damage. He is particularly good between the second and third turns and, while he tends to find little off the final bend to the line, he could potentially steal a couple of lengths on the field. That is his best hope.
MONARCH LOOKS THE PART
And so, after five weeks of incredible racing action, the BOYLE Sports Irish Derby is down to the final contest.
It should be another special night at Shelbourne Park with a huge crowd likely to welcome our gladiators.
Bouncing Monarch is a red-hot favourite for a reason. He has been unbeatable in recent weeks and most feel with another slick exit, he can complete his unbeaten march through the classic. The fact that it is difficult to pick out the biggest danger to Bouncing Monarch tells a story in itself.
With none of the remaining give guaranteed a clear passage, the argument for Bouncing Monarch gets only stronger. Wi Can James has the pace and strength to worry the favourite but his chances depend on him producing his best start and avoiding traffic. Neither are guaranteed.
In short, if Bouncing Monarch produces yet another fast start, he can assert into the turn and come home in front. Wi Can James and Im Here are selected to chase him home in second and third.
But as history will confirm, anything can happen in a Derby final. To those lucky enough to have a runner in the final, the very best of luck and may they all come home safe and sound.
Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate
SETANTA AND DENIRO TO DOMINATE IN PLATE
Ballymac Setanta and his kennel companion Ballymac Deniro dominate the market ahead of the final of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate.
The pair are amongst the very fastest greyhounds on the planet and the make-up of the contest should really allow them express themselves.
With the remaining quartet all known for their strength rather than their early speed, it’s very possible that Ballymac Setanta and Ballymac Deniro will be afforded plenty of racing room in the early yards, which should, in turn, allow them to dictate out front.
Grouchos Frank has a kind draw on the fence if somehow finding a way to turn close, while Coolemount Fame, Oriental King and Ballyhooly Cliff also be staying on at the finish but it would be something of a shock if they were to get involved in the battle for first spot.
Ballymac Setanta is a hot favourite at odds on but Ballymac Deniro shouldn’t be dismissed. He found plenty of traffic in the semis but has all manner of pace. The English Derby runner-up can certainly worry his more fancied kennel companion throughout.
Undercard Highlights
DIAMOND’S SWANSONG
After an incredible career that saw him become one of the greatest Derby champions of all time, Bockos Diamond is set to bow out this evening.
He takes his place in the seventh race on the card, the BOYLE Sports Home of the Early Payout open 550 and will look to head into the sunset on the back of yet another famous victory at Shelbourne Park.
His final assignment is far from easy, however. Indeed, it really is a top lass contest with his rivals including last year’s Juvenile Derby champion Getup The Boy, Race of Champions winner Ballycowen Frank, Puppy Derby runner-up Kapuka Coley and the brilliant Lennies Dynamic.
The presence of the strong running In The Sunset in three is a big help to Bockos Diamond as he is unlikely to cause him concern in the early yards. With a slick exit, the Graham Holland trained superstar can strike the front into the bend and his rivals will quickly find themselves with a mountain to climb.
Getup The Boy and Ballycowen Frank will fly down the back straight and finish well. The duo are amongst the very best in training and will undoubtedly attract support in the ring, while Lennies Dynamic on the outside of the track may need to be at his very sharpest. He will almost certainly need to dictate if he is to lower the colours of the Bockos Diamond. The same can be said for Kapuka Coley.
Should Bockos Diamond come home in front, the roof at Shelbourne Park may be in danger of being lifted off the famous stadium.
DREAM TO FLY YET AGAIN
Tiermana Dream is building quite a CV.
The brilliant sprinter has already landed the Treaty Cup and Irish Sprint Cup and will look to add the Derby final night sprint to his tally. A superb winner in last week’s semi-finals, he gave the impression he was blowing away a few cobwebs.
From a kind draw in the stripes with The Other Aari likely to edge inwards from five, he can get first run on his rivals into the turn. Stone Park Browne, the aforementioned The Other Aari and Bomber Nina are all respected but Tiermana Dream is in incredible form and can win again for his young handler Colm Fitzgerald.
KAMALA TO SHOW HER CLASS
There’s a tremendous Open Bitch 525 featuring many of Ireland’s fastest females.
Those connected to top class trackers Maireads Susie, Silent Noelle, Glengar Robin, Highview Carol and Bombay Special will feel they have strong claims but Champion Stakes winner Ballymac Kamala gets the nod after returning to her best at Curraheen Park last weekend. If she makes one of her traditional flying starts from three, she can quickly assert at the head of affairs.
HANS ONE OF THE BETTER BETS
Miami Hans is selected to win the fourth race on the card from an ideal draw on the fence.
In a contest where many of his rivals need to dictate the pace, the strong running tracker can turn close to the pace before pouncing from halfway.