It was a slightly subdued Graham Holland who reflected on the Boylesports Irish Derby win on Saturday night.

A scrappy decider saw Newinn Taylor lead home Meenagh Miracle by half a length to secure a third Irish Derby for the lad who cut his greyhound teeth on the west Country flapping tracks.

He said: “My first thoughts have to be with Owen McKenna and his family, I can’t imagine how sick they must feel with Pestana breaking a leg in a Derby Final. He is one of the fastest greyhounds I have ever seen and I can imagine how we would all feel if the same thing happened to us. I understand the he broke a fibula but will hopefully be okay.

“It just added to what was a bizarre night with no crowds to create the atmosphere. I felt sorry for the sport in general. Everyone tried so hard, particularly the IGB, and Covid robbed them of their best night of the year.”

A reminder of how the race unfolded. . .

The winning time of 29.61 suggested that Taylor had been far from his optimal on the night.

Graham said: “Nobody outside the kennel knew, but his tonsils had been inflamed earlier in the week and I was slightly concerned at how he would run. He had improved by the end of the week but until they come out of the traps you just don’t know.”

There are currently no plans in place for the dog who has 16 wins from 18 races. Taylor was bred by Jim O’Donnell and transferred from New Inn to Golden after schooling.

Graham said: “Simon Taylor knew Jim having bought Newinn Shadow, and Jim had said that he thought he had a very fast pup. It was immediately obvious that he was right. Even as a very young dog he was running away from good experienced open racers on the gallop. He has just got better and better. Clares Rocket was a phenomenally fast dog, but Taylor goes to the bend with an extra turbo.

“I have my own views on Taylor’s immediate future but I would prefer to have a discussion with Simon Taylor before I make any announcements. I didn’t get to spend much time with him last night.”

Not bed until 3am and up with the dogs at 7am, the Holland family celebration will probably extend to a family night out at a local restaurant.

Graham said: “It is all about the family. None of this would be possible without us working as a team. Most of us were at Shelbourne but because of restricted numbers, Christopher stayed at home and let dogs out last night.

“So I am looking forward to the meal, and then sitting and watching the replay of the meeting and taking it all in.”

Simon Taylor and Lisa Herd with Newinn Taylor winner of the 2020 BoyleSports Derby – photo Imelda Grauer