# 2000 Irish Greyhound Derby

The 2000 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during August and September with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 2 September 2000.
The winner Judicial Pride won £60,000 and was trained by Michael O'Donovan, owned by Pat Daly and bred by Michael Walsh. The race was sponsored for the first time by Paddy Power.

## Final result

At Shelbourne, 2 September (over 550 yards):
| Position | Winner | Breeding | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Judicial Pride | Thorgil Tex - Dons Pride | 2 | 6-4f | 29.68 | Michael O'Donovan |
| 2nd | Rapid Ranger | Come on Ranger - Rapid Vienna | 5 | 7-4 | 29.89 | Charlie Lister (England) |
| 3rd | Miss Tetley | Staplers Jo - Much Better | 6 | 12-1 | 29.94 | Fraser Black |
| 4th | Ballyhoe Cyclone | Lassa Java - Picture Palace | 3 | 33-1 | 30.22 | Mal Thomas |
| 5th | Golfing Lad | Polnoon Chief - Roses Jewel | 4 | 33-1 | 30.36 | Fraser Black |
| 6th | Currie Kid | Spiral Nikita - Westmead Spirit | 1 | 6-1 | 30.54 | Seamus Graham |

### Distances

2½, ¾, 3½, 1¾, 2¼ (lengths)

## Competition Report

The 2000 English Greyhound Derby champion Rapid Ranger only just managed to take his place in the first round after the ferry transporting him was late, as a consequence the ante-post favourite only just qualified for the next round after finishing third in his heat. The fastest winner of the first round was Joannestown Cash in 29.92.
In the second round Rapid Ranger bounced back to form recording 29.97, a time nearly matched by English Derby semi-finalist Judicial Pride in 29.98. Greenfield Deal now with Matt Travers recorded 30.13, as did Killiney Kingdom.
In the opening quarter-final Greenfield Deal was fast away from the traps and broke the track record time by finishing in 29.74 (15 spots (0.15 sec) inside Frisby Flashing's former record). Official Leader claimed the second heat before Currie Kid won heat three which contained Rapid Ranger and defending champion Spring Time, the latter failed to progress. Judicial Pride completed the quarter-final winners.
Rapid Ranger came good again in the semi-finals catching leader Currie Kid in 29.94, with Miss Tetley taking third place. In the second semi final Judicial Pride was away fast, easing to a seven and a quarter length win and another new track record time of 29.66. Golfing Lad and Ballyhone Cyclone were a distant second and third and Greenfield Deal not only lost his short lived record but failed to make the final.
Judicial Pride did everything right in the final, taking an early lead and then helped by the slow start of Currie Kid on his inside. The fawn dog then completed his unbeaten Derby campaign by crossing the line in a very fast 29.68, Rapid Ranger had a poor trap five draw and ran on well to take the runner-up spot.

## Quarter finals

Heat 1 (Aug 19) :
| Pos | Name | SP | Time |
| 1st | Greenfield Deal | 4-1 | 29.74 |
| 2nd | Ballyhoe Cyclone | 10-1 | 29.98 |
| 3rd | Killiney Kingdom | 5-1 | 30.58 |
| 4th | Concorde Direct | 1-1f | 00.00 |
| 5th | Fat Boy Slim | 7-1 | 00.00 |
| 6th | Three Jacks | 25-1 | 00.00 |
Heat 2 (Aug 19) :
| Pos | Name | SP | Time |
| 1st | Official Leader | 14-1 | 30.10 |
| 2nd | Golfing Lad | 7-1 | 30.20 |
| 3rd | Johannestown Cash | 7-4f | 30.38 |
| 4th | Lemon Ralph | 3-1 | 30.40 |
| 5th | Lenson Returns | 5-2 | 30.45 |
| 6th | Quanns Bridge | 8-1 | 31.22 |
Heat 3 (Aug 19) :
| Pos | Name | SP | Time |
| 1st | Currie Kid | 3-1 | 30.22 |
| 2nd | Wings of Speed | 10-1 | 30.24 |
| 3rd | Rapid Ranger | 11-10f | 30.25 |
| 4th | Shanless Park | 6-1 | 30.42 |
| 5th | Spring Time | 10-1 | 30.70 |
| 6th | New One | 33-1 | 30.77 |
Heat 4 (Aug 19) :
| Pos | Name | SP | Time |
| 1st | Judicial Pride | 7-2 | 30.06 |
| 2nd | Marinas Tina | 6-4f | 30.08 |
| 3rd | Miss Tetley | 7-1 | 30.13 |
| 4th | Mr Bozz | 7-2 | 30.15 |
| 5th | Billionaire | 8-1 | 30.33 |
| 6th | Compsey Tribunal | 33-1 | 30.54 |

## Semi finals

First Semi-final (Aug 26) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time |
| 1st | Rapid Ranger | 2-1f | 29.94 |
| 2nd | Currie Kid | 3-1 | 30.08 |
| 3rd | Miss Tetley | 8-1 | 30.13 |
| 4th | Johannestown Cash | 4-1 | 30.20 |
| 5th | Official Leader | 8-1 | 30.31 |
| 6th | Killiney Kingdom | 16-1 | 30.31 |
Second Semi-final (Aug 26) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time |
| 1st | Judicial Pride | 5-2jf | 29.66 |
| 2nd | Golfing Lad | 20-1 | 30.18 |
| 3rd | Ballyhoe Cyclone | 20-1 | 30.29 |
| 4th | Marinas Tina | 5-2jf | 30.30 |
| 5th | Greenfield Deal | 3-1 | 30.44 |
| 6th | Wings of Speed | 8-1 | 30.51 |