THE ROAD TO THE 2024 BOYLESPORTS IRISH DERBY FINAL

BROTHERS FREDDIE AND DIAMOND SHINE

It was more than obvious from the outset that this year’s Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby was packed with exceptionally talented greyhounds, including litter brothers March On Freddie and the hottest ante-post favourite in recent history, Bockos Diamond.

Both were on fire in the opening round. UK raider March On Freddie was majestic as he dominated in a 29.19 return, while Bockos Diamond gave warning to his rivals that he was going to be a real force through the classic, winning with a flawless display in 29.23.

Graham Holland, Paul Hennessy and Pat Guilfoyle had more than one winner with the first named sending out a four-timer. Holland’s other winners included Bombay Pat, who posted 29.34, while Untold Dollar and Clona Duke also impressed.

Paul Hennessy had a hat trick over the two nights, although the standout was Boylesports Bob, who posted 29.25, showing all his power in the process. Jaytee Craze and Dynamic Force also won well for Hennessy.

Carrick Aldo displayed huge early speed to win with a 29.42 return, while Seven Beach and Tarsna Maasai also did everything right from the front.

There was also a noteworthy display from Singalong Dolly.

The Cesarewitch winner was a surprise absentee from the opening round draw but came in as a reserve to dominate in 29.39. Just a spot slower was Ballinabola Jim. The massive tracker had been in tremendous form in the previous weeks and again impressed, coming home clear in 29.40.

DIAMOND WITH A POLISHED DISPLAY AS JIM ALSO GOES FAST

If the opening round was good, the second was exceptional.

There were countless massive performances but that of Bockos Diamond really did set the standard. The Derby favourite absolutely flew in a facile 29.03 success, giving further warning that he was the greyhound to beat.

Ballinabola Jim also continued his incredible run of form, posting a career best effort as he dominated to stop the clock in a sizzling 29.07.

Jennifer O’Donnell, who was seeking a third Derby win in a row, sent out Scooby Pacemaker and Seven Beach to impress.

Scooby Pacemaker doesn’t often lead around the turn so, when he did, it came as no surprise that he clocked a rapid 29.16. Seven Beach displayed all his many qualities in a 29.37 victory.

After a scare in the opening round, Cheap Sandwiches was pretty much foot-perfect as he ran out a ready 29.20 scorer.

There was also a big return to form from English Derby champion De Lahdedah. Liam Dowling’s star was at his very sharpest at trap rise and emerged an easy winner in 29.30.

A few new names threw their name in the hat also. Bubbly Shadow returned to his best form to score in 29.24, while Da Bold Falcon flew home to win in 29.39. Grangeclare Lady, a daughter of 2021 winner Susie Sapphire, was electric in her heat, shooting clear to win in 29.43.

Oaks champion A Lucky Julie followed up an encouraging opening round defeat with a victory a week later. She would storm home to win in 29.54, highlighting her well-being. Others to impress included Bombay Pat and Beanos Podge.

A RECORD-BREAKING DISPLAY

As always, the remaining competitors were in action on the one night for the first time in the classic in the third round and Bockos Diamond took the opportunity to create history when lining out a red-hot favourite for the opening heat.

Showing the most incredible pace and fluency, he was absolutely untouchable as he came home three lengths clear of Carrick Aldo in a track record breaking 28.94. He became only the second greyhound to smash the magical 29 second barrier, again justifying his billing as the one to beat in the classic.

To highlight the strength of his run, runner-up Carrick Aldo was the second fastest qualifier from the entire third round.

Flying female Undulation was the next fastest heat winner for the Newry maestro, Brendan Matthews, as she emerged a ready winner in 29.16, while Cheap Sandwiches again displayed real professionalism to win in 29.18.

Bombay Pat maintained his unbeaten record in the Derby with a fine display. He would lead before the third turn to see off Short Grip in 29.30. Ballinabola Jim also preserved his unbeaten record in the classic with a fine half length success over Da Bold Falcon in 29.39.

Untold Dollar was also starting to catch the attention of a few, winning in 29.34. There were a couple of messy contests with Ballymac Briar emerging triumphant in 29.68 and Extra Gain winning in 29.82.

ALDO GOES FASTEST

By quarter final night, the narrative was well and truly established. Bockos Diamond was the greyhound to beat but there were a whole host of exceptionally fast greyhounds waiting in the wings should he make any mistakes.

All four heats were packed with quality and each of the four heat winners were pretty much paw-perfect. These included the hot favourite Bockos Diamond. He would overcome a slightly tardy start to lead before the turn. The Graham Holland trained superstar would eventually race clear to see off Callaway Knegare in 29.19.

However, honour of going fastest went to the David Murray trained Carrick Aldo. The 2023 Irish Sprint Cup champion shot into a commanding advantage to halfway before holding the late charge of Boylesports Bob in 29.15.

Bombay Pat displayed all his early speed to win in 29.19, lowering the colours of Ballinabola Jim in the process, while UK raider March On Freddie progressed in third.

A Lucky Julie was also in tremendous form, showing real strength and determination to pick up Cheap Sandwiches to win by a half length in 29.31.

CAMERAS ON SITE TO WITNESS MORE HISTORY

The Virgin Media cameras were on site to see the Derby field halved for the final time in the semi-finals and those tuning in were treated to another masterclass from Bockos Diamon as he matched his own track record with one of the most perfect displays ever seen at Shelbourne Park.

Exploding from traps, he would leave his rivals stranded on the way to a facile five and a half-length victory in a stunning 28.94. The battle for the remaining qualifying places went right down to the wire. Carrick Aldo had given chase from the early yards with Bombay Pat charging into the third turn to go third but both found themselves under severe pressure as they turned for home.

Callaway Knegare and A Lucky Julie were in full stride and on a mission to make the decider. Callaway Knegare had room up the fence and flew up the straight to grab second with A Lucky Julie coming wide and fast to take third.

The second heat saw Cheap Sandwiches, a kennel companion to Bockos Diamond, win in very similar fashion from the same trap three draw. He too was razor sharp at boxes and would make every inch to get the better of Singalong Dolly by four lengths in 29.13.

Singalong Dolly was left second when Ballinabola Jim lost his stride down the back straight. Much like the opening heat, the battle for third would go right down to the wire.

Boylesports Bob dug in deep to hold the fast-finishing Da Bold Falcon, in turn completing the Derby field.

Finalist profiles by Sarah Kinsella

Callaway Knegare with Owen McKenna and Declan Murphy

Trained by Owen McKenna & owned by The Fields Sports syndicate. It consists of the Murphy family from Kerry including Denis, with Conor Foley also a member.

Michael Dunphy ran Owen one day and said there was a nice dog there and he bought him for the Murphy family without even seeing him. The Dunphys have an outstanding reputation. The Murphy family went close with Callaway Pro Am in the derby final in 2022. He won every round of the competition except the final itself as the 7/4 favourite. He is now enjoying life at stud. They took a chance on Knegare and he has exceeded their expectations says McKenna. Owen took his licence out at the age of 29 and trained in the UK first for a couple of years. He learned from the best as his dad Ger was a terrific trainer.

Winner of the Juvenile Derby at Shelbourne Park in Aug clocking 27.96, one of the fastest times ever recorded for the 525 yards. A greyhound that everyone was talking about has he made his debut at Curraheen Park as he clocked 28.17 in The Denis Linehan Solicitors Open Unraced. He hasn’t had things easy in this derby but has shown his class by qualifying each week without winning which is the aim with anyone in this competition!

Just qualify and then win the final!! He has been coming from last place in most of his rounds so a big run is due. It would be some training feat if he was to make it to the final and give McKenna his third Derby title. He won his first won with Like A Shot I 2004, 20 years ago and Susie Sapphire in 2021 but his dad Ger McKenna was the maestro of the derby winning it three times, and two English Derby titles! Knegare is still young having just turned two-years-old says McKenna, so he is a dog for next year. He is delighted with his draw in trap one as it’s the best place to be with all the wide seeds.

Singalong Dolly with James Corden

Trained by Pat Buckley & owned by Gilbert Anderson. Winner of the Puppy Oaks last year at Shelbourne Park, the Champion Bitch at Thurles this year along with the Irish Cesarewitch at Mullingar. She gave the English Greyhound Derby a go and then reached the final of the Tipperary Cup at Thurles in July.

Gilbert first came to their kennel through a mutual owner/ friend. He was looking to buy a pup and his grandson Archie laid his eyes on Singalong Sally. The rest is history of course Sally was so special to them all and was runner up to Susie sapphire in the 2021 derby final.

He has always had an eye for bitches so when the Buckley family saw Dolly finishing second in a heat of a novice competition in Shelbourne one night they sent her details to Gilbert. She developed into a beautiful bitch and came forward quickly leading to an entry in the puppy oaks which she went on to win.

After winters break, she ran in the Champion Bitch Stake. She drew 5 in the final- admittedly eyes may have been on Bobsleigh dream (their other finalist) that night out of the boxes but Dolly was determined as ever to win that final too taking off down the back!

Mullingar was next on the agenda. She won her heat booking her place in the final alongside dream who had won it previously. Dream couldn’t take her place in the final due to injury and retired that week so when Dolly won that final it was a special moment as it felt she was taking up the baton from her bestie. She broke the track record that day too. She also reached the 600 final in Shelbourne shortly after this. She loves her running.

She ran in the Dundalk international where she took a tumble and picked up an injury. Vet on the night wasn’t overly optimistic but she’s a resilient lady. For the last few months as a kennel they’ve worked on getting her back and just had her right in time for the derby.

She came in as a reserve in the opening round and won her heat in 29.39. She has qualified each week when things haven’t been straight forward for her. She finished in a dead heat in the quarterfinals with Hot Wood and the trainers agreed to a coin toss to see who would progress into the semi-finals. Dolly won the toss so you could say luck has been on her side for this entire competition. To come in as a reserve and then get through to this stage based on a toss! What is next for Dolly.

It’s also going to be James’s (Emma’s partner) first time parading a Derby finalist, he handles her at the track so they’ve everything crossed for both.

Cheap Sandwiches with Gary Walsh

Aka ‘Sambo’ – owned by Bark Wahlberg syndicate. Named after a famous movie star. Bred by Joe Connor from Ballyduff. The same man who bred their first sapling they bought. The syndicate consists of eight lads that all went to college with one another, and it was formed the night Dan Brassil’s son got married!

There are three or four doctors in the syndicate and a heart electrician, so they are all highly qualified says Dan. It’s all for fun and a night out he said. They travel up from Kerry and are loving every minute and love the newly refurbished Shelbourne Park.

Kerryman Dan reared and trained Cheap Sandwiches and the plan was always to send him to Graham after the Lee Strand in Tralee as he knew he had something special. Dan told me that this is a journey he never dreamt of happening. It’s been amazing and the dog has progressed week after week and the greyhound enthusiasts love him and his name attracts attention. He was named Cheap Sandwiches after a night in Vegas so the story will remain untold says Dan!!

Dan only has two track dogs himself and won the coursing derby in 2015 with Feel My Pulse and is a friend of John Boyle, having trained coursing dogs for him for years. Sambo has been consistent for his connections and has improved over the course of this competition. He started his career in Tralee over 325 yards and then made the Lee Strand Final finishing 2^nd to Dashing Toro in 29.54 back in May.

He went to Curraheen Park and had no luck. He came to Shelbourne Park in August and he eventually won on his third attempt at the Dublin track in 28.18 and made the semi-final of the Juvenile Derby. He then finished 2^nd to Bockos Diamond TIME Greyhound Nutrition AA0 550 Final. The derby was the next target and he was 2^nd in the opening round, won the next two rounds and finished 2^nd to A Lucky Julie in the quarters and won his semi-final! He has excelled during this comp.

A Lucky Julie with Jerry and Mary Melia

Trained by Jerry Melia & owned by him too. Jerry is training his whole life and now in his 80s. As he said himself, you’re only as old as you feel and he feels 60! Jerry and Julie have a great bond. He got her a pup at around 3-4 months old. She was bred by Sean Harrison in Antrim who had dogs in training with Jerry. He also has her brother. Jerry took his licence out in the 60’s and has been training winners ever since. 

Jerry hit the post with Holycross Leah back in 2016 and also in 1984 when the derby was ran over the 525 yards for the last time. Had it been ran over 550 he would have won says Jerry with Glencorby Lad. Leah was beaten by the Graham Holland trained Rural Hawaii and now he wants to win it with Julie. Every week when Julie is getting a drink in the wash area after her race, she looks up at the TV and watches the recording of herself! She wants to learn from her mistakes says Jerry. Julie won the Irish Oaks this year in a dead heat along with Fleadh Saraide. She took a break from the track after coming in season and Jerry always leaves them off for 12/14 weeks. She hadn’t raced for four months until the first round of this competition. That really is remarkable. She is known for her incredible pace and staying power and is one special lady. She is looking to emulate Susie Sapphire by being the second bitch in history to win the Oaks/Derby double! Jerry is one of the sports greatest characters. He has been training winners for years from Newbridge to Harolds Cross and lives in what he describes as ‘a little piece of heaven’ in a place called Robertstown, County Kildare. Robertstown was named around the time of St Patrick! It was customary to take your boots off when you went into the pub. Only problem about that was when you came back out the boots were gone! That’s why it was called Robertstown says Jerry!

I asked Jerry when he realised, he had a special lady in his kennel. One day he was away and got a phone call that his dogs got out. On his way back home he seen Julie flying out from a neighbour’s garden with something in her mouth. Jerry was worried that she might have caused damage so called into the neighbour. “Is everything OK asked Jerry?” You better put that one on the track soon says his neighbour. Why is that asked Jerry? Well if she can run half as fast on the track as she can when she robbed my underwear off the washing line then she will be a great greyhound!!! Never a dull moment. That is the moment Jerry knew she could run!

He has never won the derby but all of greyhound racing are behind him. He always has a smile on his face and always has a story or joke to share! His most common one would be after a race if your dog finished second, Jerry would always say “ah sure you’re obviously not walking him far enough then”!! A wonderful man. Jerry is going to keep Julie for breeding and takes each race as it comes. She doesn’t get a lot of galloping as she nearly trains herself running round the field and keeps herself fit and well.

Boylesports Bob with Sarah and Susan Hennessy

Trained by Paul Hennessy & owned by John Boyle (sponsor & chasing his first derby win) and Ned Murphy (in his 80s & in dogs his whole life).

Paul got a phone call from John Kennedy who recommended him to pop down to his local track Kilkenny and watch Bob running in the Champion Open Unraced 525. He didn’t qualify but he showed huge potential, and Paul liked the look of him. He met Robbie O’Neill at the track and then spoke to Ned Murphy who wanted to sell a share in Bob. He advised Paul to buy the share as he wanted a Saturday night star for Shelbourne and knew this was the dog. John Boyle then bought the share. They are both gentlemen and easy to train for says Paul.

They knew Bob was talented and they wanted him to compete at the top level so made a plan to only target certain competitions and keep his fresh. He reached the Easter Cup final and then went on to finish 2^nd in the English Greyhound Derby, a race Paul had won twice before!

Now Bob has reached the final of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby and is trying to give sponsor John his first win, having gone agonisingly close with BoyleSports King. Paul said win lose or draw, they will repeat the same process next spring with Bob and only target key events and compete at top level. Dogs like him are hard to find says Hennessy won the Irish Derby with Tyrur Rhino in 2007.

Bockos Diamond with Nicky Holland

Bockos Diamond aka ‘Wildcat’ – coming into the Derby was the shortest priced outright favourite since 2016! Owned by Remember Them syndicate and unbeaten so far in this competition. The syndicate consists of Bev Lochead, Graham Box,  Austin Wheelan and Thomas McNamara. It called the Remember Them syndicate due to all members of the group suffering from family bereavements in recent times. 

Graham calls Holland every Sunday and Timmy, (Holland’s son) told Graham to look at the results from Kilkenny. Rachel Wheeler trained the dog and they made her an offer (Called Moanteen Wildcat back then). Once they came to an agreement the dog stayed with Wheeler for the duration of the Kilkenny competition.

When Graham Holland got the dog, he told Graham Lochead that he thought Bockos was really special. They won the derby with Lenson Bocko, they were 2^nd with Bockos Crystal and are now back again with Diamond! They own a pub in Croydon called Pawson’s Arms and they also own a building company. Austin owns a chain of pubs.

He broke the 550 yards track record in the third round clocking a sensational 28.94, the previous record was held by Pestana of 28.99. He is being classified as one of the best greyhounds we have ever seen.

Started his career in October 2023. First trial 19.33 over 350 yards at Limerick. First race was in May 2024 in the Champion Unraced 525 at Kilkenny. He won in 28.71 and went on to win the final in 28.65. It was onto Curraheen Park in July for the David Fitzgibbon Memorial Open 525 and he won that final too in a blistering 27.83 by 13½ lengths. It was clear he was special. He was put away them until 14^th September and he won the TIME Greyhound Nutrition AA0 550 Final at Shelbourne Park. He soon became the outright favourite for the Irish Derby and now remains unbeaten in the comp with a track record of 28.94! He is a joy to watch when in full stride.

He has only been beaten once in his 16 races when second to Broadstrand Syd in Kilkenny during the unraced comp. An outright favourite at 3/10 for a very good reason! His sectional to the third turn is 16.58! Frightfully fast! He is the shortest price finalist since 1932!!