The definition of De Lahdedah means “affectedly or pretentiously elegant or refined in manners or tastes”. When your prefix is ‘Ballymac’, you’d better be a bit special to carry off a name like that. So – put up, or shut up.

On Saturday night, the dog bred and trained by Liam Dowling for the Garsuns Syndicate did just that by taking the 2024 Star Sports & TRC English Greyhound Derby Final.

This is how he did it.

To equal the track record in a Derby Final is simply the confirmation of a greyhound and his trainer working in total harmony.

In all honesty, the black son of Lenson Bocko didn’t arrive in England in the best of form having been eliminated in the second round of the Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park. But like so many of the top Irish stars, he seemed to immediately take to Towcester clocking 28.78 in the opening round of the competition.

There was only one major scare along the way when scraping through in third place in a trouble strewn third round in which Cooliogold was knocked over. De Lahdedah was the quickest of the inside quartet to the bend and never looked like being caught.

The winning time, equalling the track record jointly held by beaten favourite King Memphis and Droopys Clue, will dispel any future conjecture that the 5/1 chance was a fortunate winner. It was thoroughly merited.

After so many attempts and bringing so many fast hounds for the English Derby and reaching finals with ‘Ballymacs’ Vic, Tas, Fairone and Wild, no one could begrudge this fine greyhound family from the Kingdom of Kerry their greatest night on this side of the Irish Sea.

(We hope to catch up with Liam’s thoughts on the big race in the coming days)

Churchfield Syd leads at the first bend in the Derby Final from De Lahdedah (t4 rails) and Boylesports Bob (t6). King Memphis (top of pic, trap 3) is stuck at the back of the field having missed the break. Photo: © Steve Nash

DE LAHDEDAH (t4) wins the Star Sports & TRC Derby Final from Boylesports Bob (t6). They are followed home by Whyaye Man (t1), Churchfield Syd (t5), Ballymac Gizmo (t2) and King Memphis (t3). WT 28.58 =TR Photo: © Steve Nash

Derby main presentation by Ben Keith to Liam Dowling after De Lahdedah’s victory for the Garsuns Syndicate Photo: © Steve Nash

 

 

More Derby celebrations by De Lahdedah’s connections Photo: © Steve Nash

Worms eye view of De Lahdedah landing the Derby final in a track record equalling 28.58 with Boylesports Bob (right) completing an Irish 1-2. Photo: © Steve Nash