Priceless Diamond wins Irish Derby
It takes a brave commentator to describe a person, human or event, as ‘the greatest ever’, but when Ian Fortune, made the statement about Bockos Diamond’s victory in the 2024 Boylesports Irish Derby Final in such glowing terms, it is tempting to suggest that his father, the late (greatest ever) commentator Michael Fortune would have made a similar observation – writes Star Editor Floyd Amphlett.
Witness greatness. . .
It was career win 16 from 17 races for the track record holder who returned the 30/100fav, the shortest price ever for an Irish Derby winner. Closest to him was Spanish Battleship who returned at 4/11 when winning the second of his three Derbys.
It was also a fourth Irish Derby triumph win for Englishman Graham Holland (now Tipperary’s Golden Balls!), equalling the feats of Irish greats Tom Lynch and Gay McKenna.
The Hollands also provided the forecast with the game Cheap Sandwiches running on for a merited second place.
The whole event was a highpoint for Greyhound Racing Ireland. Their promotion of the event was exemplary with more than €160K taken on the tote on the night.
GBGB Director Peter Hardnen recorded a video reflecting the atmosphere before the final. He will no doubt be sharing it with his colleagues . .
Three Cat One finals on a busy open race day
The action from Towcester with Jonathan Hobbs and Joe Conneely
and then Crayford
Last week’s result: Grand National Gold Collar
Gone To The Dogs Live – Update
JASON BARRASFORD joins Gone To The Dogs – Live! for Monday’s broadcast from Nottingham for the £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse Final.
After live outside broadcasts from Yarmouth and Romford, the GTTD team head to Colwick Park for the Category One showpiece and supporting races.
Dani Jackson, host of the near four-hour show, said: “It’s great to have Jason on board and, having worked with him for many years on RPGTV and GTV, I know how popular he is with the greyhound community and it’s great to have him join us.
“And with Jason around, I know we’re going to have some fun at Nottingham and then for our final show of the year at Towcester (December 21).”
Monday’s Nottingham show can be viewed via the GTTD’s YouTube channel youtube.com/@gonetothedogs-live or @GTTDPodcast and Facebook – Gone to the Dogs Live! Group
STAR SPORTS are willing to lay any greyhound to win £1,000 on Monday’s Gone To The Dogs – Live! broadcast from Nottingham.
The 12-race card features the final of the £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse and the English Greyhound Derby sponsors are launching the offer for ‘show’ prices and will be for win only bets.
*New customers can sign up to Star Sports with the promo code: GTTD to receive 50 per cent back as a free bet.
MONDAY’S Gone To The Dogs – Live! show from Nottingham will include details of the next live broadcast for the team in December, which will be the Christmas Bonanza at Towcester on Saturday, December 21.
The Nottingham show follows two previous outside broadcasts for the GTTD team at Yarmouth for the Click Competitions 78th East Anglian Greyhound Derby Final in September and last month’s Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes Final at Romford.
Gone To The Dogs – Live! takes place at Nottingham from 7.30pm on Monday. The show can be viewed via the GTTD’s YouTube channel youtube.com/@gonetothedogs-live or @GTTDPodcast and Facebook – Gone to the Dogs Live! Group.
TIME GREYHOUND NUTRITION are once again backing a Best Turned Out award for each of Monday’s races at Nottingham on Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse Final night – broadcast on YouTube via the Gone To The Dogs – Live! channel.
Kennelhands will receive £50 and the winners will be announced during the show.
Time’s Willie Rigney said: “It’s a busy but great weekend. We’re at Shelbourne Park on Saturday for the (BoyleSports) Irish Derby final and then heading to Nottingham on Monday.
“We know the Best Turned Out awards have proven popular in the two shows the guys have done at Yarmouth and Romford and we’re delighted to do the same again to reward those who do so much hard work.”
The show from Nottingham starts at 7.30pm.
OPENS
Today: Crayford ♦ Sheffield ♦ Towcester
Monday: Nottingham
