# Irish Greyhound Derby

The Irish Greyhound Derby held at Shelbourne Park, is the premier greyhound racing competition in Ireland.
First held at Harold's Cross in 1928, the event was unofficial until 1932 and called the National Derby. The first winner in 1928 was Tipperary Hills who won in a time of 30.56 sec at a starting price of 1-1f.
It controversially switched to Shelbourne Park in 1932 and then it was held in alternate years between the two tracks.
The defunct Markets Field Greyhound Stadium in Limerick and the defunct Cork Greyhound Stadium in Western Road both hosted the event once in 1939 and 1942 respectively. The 1969 Irish Greyhound Derby was the last renewal held at Harold's Cross and the competition remained at Shelbourne Park from 1970. The most successful greyhound has been Spanish Battleship who won the event three times.
Today it is considered to be one of the two biggest races in the calendar by the UK & Ireland greyhound racing industries, alongside the English Greyhound Derby.

## Venues and distances

* Harolds Cross (1928–1931, then alternate years until 1967)
* Limerick (1939)
* Cork (1942)
* Shelbourne Park (1932, then alternate years until 1967)
* Shelbourne Park (1968–1985, 525 yards)
* Shelbourne Park (1986–present, 550 yards)

## Past winners

| Year | Winning Greyhound | Breeding | Trainer | Owner | Breeder |
| 1928 | Tipperary Hills | Melksham Tom – Na Boc E | Billy Quinn | Billy Quinn | |
| 1929 | Jack Bob | Orkit – Tottie Longsocks | H Yeats | Miss P Harris | Mick Lynch |
| 1930 | Prince Fern | Green Fern – Run Around | James Harper | James Harper | |
| 1931 | Little Chummie | Bottle – Coolalong Girl | Billy Quinn | Michael Grace | Michael Grace (Callan) |
| 1932 | Guideless Joe | Guiding Hand – Flaming Fire | Mick Horan | Jack Moylan | Cornelius Forde |
| 1933 | Monologue | Mutton Cutlet – High Force | Luke Maher | Luke Maher | John Hughes |
| 1934 | Frisco Hobo | Hidden Badger – Pykes Peak | Tom Harty | Tim Fennin | |
| 1935 | Roving Yank | Roving Bunty – Yankey Land | Tom Harty | Billy Dunne | Michael Ryan (Tipperary) |
| 1936 | Minstrel Rover | Dick The Rover – Hogans Choice | Michael Sheehan | Michael Sheehan | Charlie Grumbridge (Fermoy) |
| 1937 | Muinessa | Slanebeg – Won But Los | Nuala O'Byrne | Nuala O'Byrne | Simon Garrahan (Rathconrath) |
| 1938 | Abbeylara | Prudent Turn – That's The Why | Tom Black | Tom Black | Larry Kiernan (Granard) |
| 1939 | Marchin' Thro' Georgia | Church Parade – Stone Park | J.J.Doran | A. Morton | |
| 1940 | Tanist | Inler – Tranquila | Billy Quinn | Arthur Probert | Father Browne |
| 1941 | Brave Damsel | Maidens Boy – Queen of the Suir | Paddy Kelly | John Byrne | John Byrne (Tipperary) |
| 1942 | Uacterlainn Riac | Creamery Border – Roisin Riac | John Crowley | Jerry Crowley | S Riordan (Cork) |
| 1943 | Famous Knight | Highland Rum – Flyers Fortune | Bertie Tierney | Miss R Monaghan | Flynn |
| 1944 | Clonbonny Bridge | Melksham Nobody – Bridge of Avon | A O'Neill | A O'Neill | |
| 1945 | Lilacs Luck | Printer – Wilton Sandills | Paddy Byrne | M Coolican | |
| 1946 | Steve | Printer – Verge of Palm | Harry O'Neill | Mrs R.H. Dent | Pat Redmond (The Harrow) |
| 1947 | Daring Flash | Tanist – Daring Lady | Mary d'Arcy | Mary d'Arcy | Mary d'Arcy (Kilternan) |
| 1948 | Western Post | Lucky Post – Lonesome Sister | Paddy Moclair | Frank Davis | Brother Brouther (Newcastle West) |
| 1949 | Spanish Lad | Shaggy Lad – Cordal Moonlight | Tim (Chubb) O'Connor | Tim (Chubb) O'Connor | Tim (Chubb) O'Connor (Killorglin) |
| 1950 | Crossmolina Rambler | Tanner Trail – Reney's Delight | Anthony Meenaghan | Frank Fox | Tadgh Drummond (Kerry) |
| 1951 | Carmodys Tanist | Mad Tanist – Castletown Skinner | Dicky Myles | Frances Chandler | |
| 1952 | Rough Waters | D X Rice – Just Push | Henry Lalor | Patricia Lalor | John Byrne (Duncormick) |
| 1953 | Spanish Battleship | Spanish Chestnut – Ballyseedy Memory | Tom Lynch | Tim (Chubb) O'Connor | Tadgh Drummond (Kerry) |
| 1954 | Spanish Battleship | Spanish Chestnut – Ballyseedy Memory | Tom Lynch | Tim (Chubb) O'Connor | Tadgh Drummond (Kerry) |
| 1955 | Spanish Battleship | Spanish Chestnut – Ballyseedy Memory | Tom Lynch | Tim (Chubb) O'Connor | Tadgh Drummond (Kerry) |
| 1956 | Keep Moving | Imperial Dancer – California | Malachy McKenna | Mrs Kathleen McBride | Crean |
| 1957 | Hopeful Cutlet | Imperial Dancer – Katie The Duck | Jack Mullan | Chris Farrelly | |
| 1958 | Colonel Perry | Olly's Quare Rebel – Ashgrove Breeze | Jack Nallen | Mrs Olive Tasker | Larry Cribbin (Edenderry) |
| 1959 | Sir Frederick | Champion Prince – Charming Biddy | Tom Harty | Mrs Hannah Cronin | Jimmy Walsh (Waterford) |
| 1960 | Perrys Apple | Only Perry – Ryans Demon | Paddy Behan | Paddy Behan | Charlie Weld (Robertstown) |
| 1961 | Chieftains Guest | Knock Hill Chieftain – Star Guest | Leslie McNair | McNair & Eric MCullough | Leslie McNair |
| 1962 | Shanes Legacy | Knock Hill Chieftain – Betsy | Bob McCann | Bob McCann | Bob McCann (Randalstown) |
| 1963 | Drumahiskey Venture | Odd Venture – Drumahiskey Girl | Mrs Eithne Hammond | Mrs Eithne Hammond | Mrs Eithne Hammond (Ballymena) |
| 1964 | Wonder Valley | Pigalle Wonder – Racing Millie | Jack Mullan | Jack Mullan | |
| 1965 | Ballyowen Chief | Oregon Prince – Earnest Lady | Gay McKenna | Mrs Lillie McKenna | |
| 1966 | Always Proud | Clonalvy Pride – Always A Rebel | Gay McKenna | Albert Lucas | Albert Lucas (Bray) |
| 1967 | Russian Gun | Pigalle Wonder – Shandaroba | Tom Lynch | Hugh Marley | Frank Muldoon (Dungannon) |
| 1968 | Yellow Printer | Printer's Prince – Yellow Streak | John Bassett (England) | Miss Pauline Wallis & Sir Robert Adeane | |
| 1969 | Own Pride | Always Proud – Kitty True | Ger McKenna | Tom O'Doherty | Ignatius Kelly (Cooraclare) |
| 1970 | Monalee Pride | Prairie Flash – Sheila at Last | Gay McKenna | Dave Cahill | Bertie Hatton (Enniscorthy) |
| 1971 | Sole Aim | Monalee Champion – Yurituni | David Geggus (England) | Mrs Frances Chandler | |
| 1972 | Catsrock Daisy | Fantastic Prince – Truly Silver | Gay McKenna | Matt Bruton & Cyril Scotland | Mrs Ann Rellis (Waterford) |
| 1973 | Bashful Man | Myross Again – Ballyflake | Ger McKenna | Deirdre Hynes | Mrs Nancy Dirrane (Kilmallock) |
| 1974 | Lively Band | Silver Hope – Kell's Queen | Jack Murphy | Cyril Scotland | Denis Clancy |
| 1975 | Shifting Shadow | Clonsherry – Queens Parachute | Podger Molloy | Brian Donovan & Michael Cummiskey | Paddy O'Connor |
| 1976 | Tain Mor | Monalee Champion – An Tain | Paddy & Jack Nolan | Miss Aifric Campbell | Paddy & Jack Nolan (County Wexford) |
| 1977 | Linda's Champion | Monalee Champion – Merry Linda | Michael Barrett | Michael Barrett | Michael Barrett (Ballingarry) |
| 1978 | Pampered Rover | Time Up Please – Pampered Peggy | Paddy Keane | Joe Phelan | Joe Phelan (Conahy, County Kilkenny) |
| 1979 | Penny County | Dark Mercury – Columbcille Aim | Matt Travers | Paddy Hurney & Sean Dunne | Con Moore (Thomastown) |
| 1980 | Suir Miller | Minnesota Miller – More Cream | Michael Barrett | Elizabeth Flood | Elizabeth Flood (Tipperary) |
| 1981 | Bold Work | Itsachampion – Silver Moll | Frank O'Regan | Breda O'Regan | Michael Foley |
| 1982 | Cooladine Super | Tranquility Sea – Cooladine Ruby | Colm McGrath | Siobhan Kenny | |
| 1983 | Belvedere Bran | Brave Bran – Knock Out | Dermot O'Sullivan | Con O'Sullivan | Thomas McSherry (Nenagh) |
| 1984 | Dipmac | Sand Man – Kind of Luxury | Seamus Graham | Paschal Taggart & Noel Ryan | Seamus Graham (County Laois) |
| 1985 | Tubbercurry Lad | Liberty Lad – Tubbercurry Nancy | Charlie Faul | Michael Costelloe | Charlie Faul (Sligo) |
| 1986 | Kyle Jack | Oran Jack – Lady Barbara | John Field | Michael Field | Batt O'Keeffe (Kerry) |
| 1987 | Rathgallen Tady | Overdraught Pet – Mea West | Ger McKenna | Eddie Costello | Colm McCarthy (Golden) |
| 1988 | Make History | Game Ball – Raymonds Pride | Johnny Quigley | Paul McKinney & John Kelly | Ramie Dowling (Kilkenny) |
| 1989 | Manorville Magic | Manorville Sand – Black Vision | Paddy Doran | Catherine Doran | Catherine Doran (Tipperary) |
| 1990 | The Other Toss | The Other Risk – Knocknaboha Snap | Matt O'Donnell | John Houilhan | Michael Lonergan (Cahir) |
| 1991 | Ardfert Mick | Ardfert Sean – Boher Rita | Matt O'Donnell | Noel Clifford | Maurice Harty (Kerry) |
| 1992 | Manx Treasure | Greenpark Fox – Minorcas Fuchsia | Michael O'Sullivan | John Guilford | John Guilford (Isle of Man) |
| 1993 | Daleys Denis | Daleys Gold – Lisnakill Flyer | Brendan Mullan | George Davenport & Patrick Keating | John O'Brien (Surrey) |
| 1994 | Joyful Tidings | Whisper Wishes – Newmans Mall | Donie O'Regan | Michael Carmody | Donal O'Connor (Tipperary) |
| 1995 | Batties Rocket | Batties Whisper – Lady Arrancourt | Matt O'Donnell | Alicia Swaffield | Alicia Swaffield (Wheldrake, York) |
| 1996 | Tina Marina | Phantom Flash – Minnies Nikita | Seamus Graham | Greenvale+ | Elizabeth Maher (Tipperary) |
| 1997 | Toms The Best | Frightful Flash – Ladys Guest | Nick Savva (England) | Eddie Shotton | Ian Greaves (Kildare) |
| 1998 | Eyeman | Double Bid – Minglers Magic | Eddie Wade | Gerard Kervick | Jim Moore (Carrigeen) |
| 1999 | Spring Time | Vintage Prince – Meantime | Gerald Watson | Gerald Watson | Charles Magill (Larne) |
| 2000 | Judicial Pride | Thorgil Tex – Dons Pride | Michael O'Donovan | Pat Daly | Michael Walsh (Knocknagoshel) |
| 2001 | Cool Performance | Mustang Jack – Pony Nikita | Sean Bourke | Patsy Byrne & Mick Gleeson | P.J. Keane (Abbeydorney) |
| 2002 | Bypass Byway | Spiral Nikita – Sandy Penny | Ollie Bray | Michael Kearney | Pat D'Arcy (Clare) |
| 2003 | Climate Control | Larkhill Jo – Ballinclare Star | Seamus Graham | Kevin Smith & Aidan O'Regan | Ailish & Ailsing McCann (Wexford) |
| 2004 | Like A Shot | Larkhill Jo – Blackstone Lace | Owen McKenna | Michael Kelly | Patrick Sinnott (Kells) |
| 2005 | He Said So | Top Honcho – You Said So | Tim O'Donovan | Jim Hennessy & Tim O'Donovan | Mick O'Donovan (Cork) |
| 2006 | Razldazl Billy | Brett Lee – Inky Black | Dolores Ruth | Liam Marks | Tommy Holden/Michael Power (Youghal) |
| 2007 | Tyrur Rhino | Tyrur Ted – Tyrur Marita | Paul Hennessy | P.J. Fahy | P.J. Fahy (Galway) |
| 2008 | Shelbourne Aston | Just The Best – Queen Survivor | Pat Curtin | Curtin-Hehir-Montgomery+ | John Marks (Tipperary) |
| 2009 | College Causeway | Go Wild Teddy – College Tina | Pat Buckley | Mike & Vincent McKenna | Frank Culloty (Kerry) |
| 2010 | Tyrur McGuigan | Brett Lee – Tyrur Temptress | Conor Fahy | P.J. Fahy | P.J. Fahy (Galway) |
| 2011 | Razldazl George | Kinloch Brae – Razldazl Pearl | Dolores Ruth | Dazzling+ | Dolores Ruth (Kildare) |
| 2012 | Skywalker Puma | Royal Impact – Dianas Ranger | Frances O'Donnell | Ray Patterson | Paddy Purtill (Lisselton) |
| 2013 | Slippery Robert | Hondo Black – Steamy Windows | Robert Gleeson | Larry Dunne | Larry Dunne (Louth) |
| 2014 | Laughil Blake | Brett Lee – Laughil Lass | Michael O'Donovan | Mary & Paul Jennings | Mary Jennings (Offaly) |
| 2015 | Ballymac Matt | Tyrur Big Mike – Ballymac Scarlet | Liam Dowling | Ballymac-kelly-and-the-lads+ | Liam Dowling (Kerry) |
| 2016 | Rural Hawaii | Head Bound – Duck Fat | Graham Holland | Helen & Michael O'Dwyer | Michael O'Dwyer (Clonmel) |
| 2017 | Good News | Definate – Pippy | Patrick Guilfoyle | Sandra Guilfoyle & Mary Kennedy | John Kennedy (Thurles) |
| 2018 | Ballyanne Sim | Confident Rankin – Freedom Shadow | James Robinson | Eamon Cleary | Kathleen Pomfret |
| 2019 | Lenson Bocko | Droopys Jet – Melodys Diamond | Graham Holland | Lochead-Ponder-Whelan+ | Patrick Collins (Ballylongford) |
| 2020 | Newinn Taylor | Droopys Buick – Newinn Expert | Graham Holland | Simon Taylor | Jim O'Donnell |
| 2021 | Susie Sapphire | Droopys Jet – Jetstream Lynx | Owen McKenna | Peter Comerford | Peter Comerford |
| 2022 | Born Warrior | Ballymac Best – Mountaylor Queen | Jennifer O'Donnell | Whatever-you-like Syndicate | Jennifer O'Donnell |
| 2023 | The Other Kobe | Ballymac Best – Mountaylor Queen | Jennifer O'Donnell | Brian Clare & David L'Estrange | Jennifer O'Donnell |
| 2024 | Bockos Diamond | Dorotas Wildcat – Seaglass Shadow | Graham Holland | Remember Them+ | Joseph O'Connor |

## Statistics

| Stat | Comment |
| Most wins | 3; Spanish Battleship 1953, 1954, 1955 |
| Winning trainer | Gay McKenna, Tom Lynch, Graham Holland (all 4) Ger McKenna, Matt O'Donnell, Seamus Graham (all 3) |
| Winning Bitches | 9; 1933, 1937, 1941, 1972, 1979, 1990, 1996, 1999, 2021 |
| Starting Prices | Shortest winners: 2024 (3/10f), 1954 (4/11f) Longest winners: 1996 (14–1) |