I will never forget Saturday September 17 2016. At 9.15, and despite all my reservations, we achieved my lifetime ambition by winning the Irish Derby. Later the same evening, it was all put into perspective when our son Christopher was involved in a car crash on the way home from Dublin.
Graham and Nicky Holland talk to the media about how it feels to win the Irish Derby. Photo: Steve Nash
Thankfully Christopher and his girlfriend weren’t badly hurt. He had nodded off for a split second and hit the central reservation. The car is a right mess, though that was the least of the concerns.
We arrived home at about 4am and were up at the usual time to get on with the dogs.
Waking up this morning was a bit of a strange feeling, I felt we should be celebrating but it was actually a day just like any other.
But among all the drama, the positive memories of last night will be with us forever.
I watched the race from the middle of the track and maybe I am too much of a pessimist but I was still expecting something to go wrong. In this game you set your sights on something but are always prepared for the disappointment.
RURAL HAWAII (t6) leads approaching the first bend in the Boylesports Irish Derby Final with Holycross Leah (t1) just edging out Sidarian Pearl (t2) for the inside ground. Just behind are partly hidden Sonic (t4) and Ballymac Matt (t3) with Escapism (t5) adrift. Photo: Steve Nash
I saw Rural Hawaii break in front pursued by the Holycross Leah who ran a mighty race. In fact I think she led Hawaii off the last bend briefly. We know he is strong enough, and that he would run off at the last bend; I was just hoping that it wouldn’t be too far.
When he crossed the line I think I jumped about 10 feet in the air – or at least as high as a middle aged slightly round trainer might manage when he has won the Derby.
The feeling was absolutely fantastic. We had the whole family there and they all played a part. I would also like to thank the team who help keep the kennel operating: Tommy Dunford, Brenda Peters, Fintan O’Murchu and Conor Scahill. I don’t want it to sound like an Oscar speech, but genuinely it wouldn’t be possible without them. They have played a huge part in helping us fulfil our dream.
I really didn’t care which of ours was to win it, though possibly it might be best that it was Rural Hawaii because the others should have plenty of other big nights in them.
They both ran very well. Sidarian Pearl wasn’t ideally drawn and was bumped early. She is very fast and there should be many more wins in her.
As for Sonic, he came into the competition as a very fast pup looking for experience. To go to traps as the Derby favourite would have been way beyond my expectations. What a greyhound he has turned out to be.
He is quite a headstrong young dog and handled himself very well, but you could tell that he was aware that it wasn’t just another Saturday night. The crowd was huge and the Derby roar would have taken him by surprise. He ran brilliantly to finish so close to the first two and it will hold him in great stead for the future.
Rural Hawaii on the other hand has been in a string of big finals, including the Laurels and Race of Champions and he wasn’t fazed by any of it.
I don’t know what the future holds for him. I will have a chat with Helen and Michael O’Dwyer and we guided by them.
If they decide to retire him, I think he would make a great stud dog. He is very sound and has never had a serious injury, is a son of the great Head Bound, and is an incredibly genuine greyhound.
And he made my dreams come true!
Rural Hawaii’s joint owner Mike O’Dwyer (blue jacket, right) leads the celebrations as his mother and joint owner Helen prepares to receive the Boylesports Irish Derby trophy. Trainer Graham Holland gives the winner a drink as wife Nicky and daughter Rachel hold the winner. Photo: Steve Nash
