November 2022

NOVEMBER 2022

GUIDANCE NOTE FOR EXPORTING DOGS FROM IRELAND TO GREAT BRITAIN

GRI

From 1st January 2021, rules for moving dogs between Ireland and Great Britain (GB) have changed.

NICKY WALSH

It’s with real sadness we must report the passing of a true doggy man, Nicky Walsh.

CLASSIC CHAMP PADDY RETIRED

Ian Fortune

Fast Fit Paddy has run his final race following the news that he is to be retired after failing to recover from a small injury.

DALE’S WINNING SEQUENCE EXTENDED TO SIX

Ian Fortune

When Great Dale skipped home in front after affine display at Shelbourne Park on Friday evening, it escaped me that she was doing so for the sixth time in a row.

€150,000 PRIZEMONEY INCREASE IN DECEMBER ANNOUNCED

GRI

The Board of Greyhound Racing Ireland recognises that the cost-of-living crisis is having a significant impact on owners and trainers nationwide. In response to this, the Board have approved an increase of €150,000 in prizemoney for the month of December 2022.

HOLLYHILL MOLL DELIVERS THE PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT

Barry Drake

HOLLYHILL MOLL delivered the performance of the night in Youghal last night as the 8-1 outsider sprang a major surprise in the seventh of the night, an A0-A1 contest.

TALKING LEGER 2022 EPISODE 3: MONDAY 28TH NOVEMBER

GRI

Ian Fortune and Tommy Lyons are joined by Joe Sheahan in Dubai as they talk all things Matchbook Irish St. Leger, looking back on Saturday's Quarter Final action and ahead to the Semi-Finals this weekend in Limerick.

DEFOE SCORES ON 100TH CAREER START

Peter Farrell

It’s a rarity for any greyhound to hit three figures in terms of career starts but that was the feat achieved by Slaneyside Defoe last night at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium.

A BIG CROWD WITNESSES BRILLIANT ACTION AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

A big crowd poured through the Shelbourne Park stiles on Saturday night as the festive season got underway and they were treated to some superb racing including two wonderful displays in the semi-finals of the IGOBF National Puppy Stake.

REAL QUALITY ON SHOW IN DRUMO’S GOLD CUP

Ian Fortune

Little separated the three heats winners in Saturday’s Toolmaker & DTSC Gold Cup at Drumbo Park, although honour of going fastest went to Boherna Rio as he ran out a ready winner.

TIMMYS ROVER THE STANDOUT PERFORMER IN CURRAHEEN PARK

Barry Drake

TIMMYS ROVER was the standout performer in the semi-finals of the Davy O'Brien Memorial A3 stake at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

SHOCKS APLENTY AS LADIES TAKE CHARGE OF ST. LEGER QUARTERS

Peter Farrell

The quarter finals of the Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St. Leger dominated last night’s card at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and no one could have predicted how events unfolded as the top three in the outright market made shock exits.

DOLLY STRIKES GOLD IN COLLAR

Ian Fortune

Donal O’Mahoney is not afraid to journey up from Millstreet to Shelbourne Park with many of his Millridge greyhounds appearing and indeed winning at HQ over the years but on Friday night the journey home would have been considerably shorter as his Millridge Dolly emerge a thoroughly deserving winner of the Gold Collar.

BOBBY BLAST RIVALS IN BURGESS DECIDER

Ian Fortune

He may have finished second in each of his three previous career outings but Blackstone Bobby chose the right time to open his account as he came home clear in the final of the Burgess Kennels ON2 at Kilkenny on Friday night.

HEATHCLIFF PRODUCES A CAREER BEST DISPLAY

Ian Fortune

Whether Paula Heffernan’s Heathcliff is named after Emily Bronte’s tortured antihero or the carton cat scarcely matters.

CLEAN SWEEP FOR MOFO IN GRI GALWAY OAKS

Peter Farrell

After a series of incredible performances in recent weeks, Raha Mofo was all the rage heading into the final of the €6,000 GRI Galway Oaks on Friday night and she certainly didn’t disappoint as she maintained her unbeaten run in the stake with another emphatic display.

ENTRY OF GREYHOUNDS AT LICENSED STADIA – REGULATORY NOTICE

GRI

Owners and Trainers are advised that further to a recent Irish Coursing Club Rule Amendment, entries from previously authorised Irish Coursing Club Agents, will not be accepted at Rásaíocht Con Éireann licensed Stadia.

EPISODE 111: NOEL HOLLAND

In this episode, Barry chats to Noel Holland, a man who has been involved with greyhounds throughout his entire life.

MORE MOFOS ON THE WAY?

Ian Fortune

While Sporting Press Irish Oaks champion Raha Mofo is currently creating history at Galway in the GRI Galway Oaks, smashing the track record in each of the two rounds to date, her dam Clares Queen has been busy.

EXPLOSIVE BOY RETIRES AS ONE OF THE GREATS

Ian Fortune

After an incredible racing career, one of the true greats of the past decade, Explosive Boy has been retired to stud.

ED STRENGTHENS IN ST. LEGER MARKET

Peter Farrell

Despite being beaten by Bockos Crystal in the second round of the Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St. Leger last Saturday night, Ballinabola Ed remains the outright market leader.

TALKING LEGER 2022 EPISODE 2 MONDAY 21ST NOVEMBER

GRI

The action in the 2022 Matchbook Irish St. Leger continued on Saturday night in Limerick and Ian Fortune, Barry Caul and Tom Fitzgerald are here to give us their thoughts on all things Leger and more!

PRO AM A BIG MOVER AS 2023 DERBY PRICES GO LIVE

Ian Fortune

Derby sponsors for the past decade, BoyleSports have already priced up the 2023 renewal and, while the market has only been live for a matter of hours, greyhound trader Damien Lonergan reported on Sunday evening that there has already been strong support for one greyhound.

CURRAHEEN PARK SALES REPORT

Barry Drake

There were a number of smart performances in Curraheen Park on Saturday morning as the sales returned to the Cork circuit.

ALL THE WAY FOR DARING BOWIE IN KILCOHAN PARK FEATURE

Barry Drake

DARING BOWIE (Ballymac Best-Libbys Pet) landed the feature race in Waterford on Saturday night, the final of the €1,800 to the winner Friends of Kilcohan Park & W.T.S.C A4/A5 Guys and Dolls stake.

VINCENZO QUICKEST AS CRYSTAL EDGES OUT ED IN ST. LEGER SECOND ROUND ACTION

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St. Leger took place last night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and although there were a few shock exits, the majority of the big hitters impressed to advance into next week’s quarter finals.

UNDISPUTED THE QUEEN OF SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

Saturday’s action at Shelbourne Park was right out of the top drawer.

CONSISTENT ODIN COMES OUT ON TOP IN DINNY MACKEY MEMORIAL CUP

Peter Farrell

Offering a winner’s purse of €1,800, the final of the Dinny Mackey Memorial Cup was the highlight on last night’s card at Thurles Park and there was to be a minor upset as Freedom Odin maintained his unbeaten run in the stake to emerge victorious.

CHEQUE GOES THE WAY OF SIR AT KILKENNY

Ian Fortune

Cheque For Sir completed a flawless path through the valuable Deadly Kennels A2 525 at Kilkenny on Friday night but he had to be at his sharpest to repel the persistent challenge of Priceless Opera who pushed him all the way to the line.

A FANTASTIC FRIDAY AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

For the second week running, Shelbourne Park hosted a tremendous card on Friday packed with sweepstake action.

ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING DISPLAY FROM THE INCREDIBLE RAHA MOFO

Peter Farrell

Following on from her terrific record-breaking performance in the opening round of the GRI Galway Oaks last weekend, Raha Mofo excelled even further in last night’s second round as she broke her own track record in emphatic fashion.

DROOPYS SYDNEY CLEAR CUT WINNER AS IRISH GREYHOUND REVIEW LAUNCHES

GRI

Droopys Sydney (Duke Special-Droopys Laramie) is a runaway winner of the Irish Greyhound Review Annual Stud Dog of the Year Award as the 2023 edition is published.

A FANTASTIC WEEK FOR RECENT PODCAST GUEST MICHAEL O'KEEFFE

Barry Drake

A recent guest on the Talking Dogs on Thursday Podcast, Midelton handler Michael O'Keeffe enjoyed a fantastic week at his local Youghal track.

CYRNAME SADLY RETIRED

Ian Fortune

One of the most exciting young greyhounds in training, Tullig Cyrname has sadly run his last race after picking up an injury to the stopper bone.

SENSATIONAL CODY RETIRED AND STRAIGHT TO STUD

Ian Fortune

After capturing the Irish Laurels last Saturday week, Good Cody has run his final race, bowing out in real style. In terms of brute raw pace, there were very few greyhounds in the past decade that could match the son of Definate Opinion.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE TUESDAY AS SHELBOURNE JAMMED TO RAFTERS

Ian Fortune

Tuesday night action returned to Shelbourne Park with a real bang as 4000 students descended on Ringsend for a memorable night that provided an atmosphere scarcely matched in the sport.

3-YEAR SPONSORSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT FOR NEWBRIDGE GREYHOUND STADIUM

GRI

A new three-year sponsorship agreement was announced in Newbridge Greyhound Stadium this weekend

TALKING LEGER EPISODE 1 MONDAY 14TH NOVEMBER

GRI

The 2022 Matchbook Irish St. Leger is underway in Limerick Greyhound Stadium so it's time for the Talking Dogs team to start Talking Leger!

DOUBLING OF RCÉ WELFARE OFFICERS INSPECTIONS IN 2022

GRI

Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) / Greyhound Racing Ireland carried has out a record 2,246 welfare inspections and inspections of greyhound establishments during the first ten months of 2022.

LILYWHITE THE QUEEN IN MUNSTER JUVENILE CUP DECIDER

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored by the Stud owners, the final of the 2022 Munster Juvenile Cup took place at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium last night and Murt Leahy made it back-to-back wins in the Cup as Lilywhite Queen led from outset to claim the €5,000 first prize.

CLONA LEAVES RIVALS FEELING BLU

Ian Fortune

It was one of the more low-profile Saturday nights of the year at Shelbourne Park yet there were still many wonderful displays to speak of, including that of Clona Blu as he posted a stunning time over the 575yd trip.

BUCKLEY TREBLE HIGHLIGHTS MATCHBOOK ST. LEGER OPENER AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

All eyes were on Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night as the eleven opening round heats of the Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St. Leger got underway and Pat Buckley laid down an early marker as he sent out a treble of winners on night one.

SOME REALLY NICE PERFORMANCES AROUND CURRAHEEN PARK

Barry Drake

Footfield Athena was quickest over the standard trip at Curraheen Park on Saturday night as the Johnny Linehan-trained runner delivered an impressive 28.44 winning display.

RAPID LANDS BRUSSELS DECIDER AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

Last night saw the 2022 Liam Brussels Memorial come to a close at Galway Greyhound Stadium and So Its Rapid bounced back from semi final defeat to land the €1,800 to the winner feature.

FESTIVAL FORMAT ANOUNCED AS BIG PRIZES RETURN

Ian Fortune

It may have been the Night of Stars for almost a decade, but the Winter Racing Festival is now firmly established as the end of year showpiece at Shelbourne Park. Of course, this year’s weekend of racing is much later than in previous years for various reasons but it will certainly be worth waiting for.

FABULOUS FRIDAY NIGHT FARE AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

With three finals up for decision, the opening round of the Gold Collar and the semi-finals of a sweepstake, Friday’s action at Shelbourne Park certainly wasn’t boring. Indeed, from start to finish, the racing was of a high quality with a number of memorable displays.

GREAT ENTERTAINMENT AT KILKENNY

Ian Fortune

There was plenty to entertain at Kilkenny on Friday night. Obviously, the semi finals of the valuable Deadly Kennels A2 525 were the feature but there was some superb racing to back it up.

RAHA MOFO SMASHES THE CLOCK IN GALWAY OAKS OPENER

Peter Farrell

The opening round of the GRI Galway Oaks got underway at the Connacht venue last night and it couldn’t have gone any better as reigning Sporting Press Oaks Champion, Raha Mofo, smashed the 525-yard track record on route to a procession victory.

AG RÁSAÍOCHT LE CHÉILE - GO GREYHOUND RACING FOR FREE THIS WEEKEND

GRI

Join in the Ag Rásaíocht Le Chéile celebrations this weekend

VIDEO: MATCHBOOK IRISH ST. LEGER 1ST ROUND DRAW

GRI

Shortly after the draw was made for the opening round of the 2022 Matchbook Irish St. Leger, we spoke to Paul Geasley and Tom Fitzgerald.

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 110 PATRICK GUILFOYLE

Barry Drake

This week Barry Drake speaks with Good Cody’s trainer Patrick Guilfoyle after their great win in the Friends and Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing Irish Laurels Final in Cork last Saturday night.

GREAT WORK CONTINUES AT CLONMEL AHEAD OF MUNSTER JUVENILE FINAL ON SUNDAY

Peter Farrell

Things at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium have much improved in the recent few months due to great work being done by the members of the track maintenance committee.

VIDEO: 2022 IRISH LAURELS FINAL

GRI

On Saturday 5th November, a packed Curraheen Park witnessed an exciting Laurels Final with Good Cody emerging as the 2022 Champion.

TALKING LAURELS 2022 EPISODE 5 MONDAY 7TH NOVEMBER

GRI

Join Barry Caul, Tommy Lyons and this week's special guest Jimmy Barry Murphy as they chat about a thrilling Final and a great night of racing and entertainment in Cork.

GOOD APRIL CAPS GREAT WEEKEND FOR KENNEDYS

Peter Farrell

After landing the Laurels at Curraheen Park on Saturday night with Good Cody, the Kennedy Family landed another super victory at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium last night as Good April came home clear in the final of the Derrjet Sydney & Glengar Bale @ Stud Unraced Bitch Stake.

GOOD CODY A BRILLIANT LAURELS CHAMPION IN FRONT OF A FULL HOUSE

Barry Drake

It really was a night to remember in Curraheen Park on Saturday night as a massive crowd filled the Cork Stadium for a night of spectacular racing action.

EYE-CATCHING COLM AS RUSSIAN ALSO CATCHES THE EYE

Peter Farrell

With the Matchbook Irish St. Leger set to commence in six days time, it was a quiet affair at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night but there were no shortage of smart performances on the night

JACKO QUICKEST IN DINNY MACKAY MEMORIAL AT THURLES

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the Dinny Mackay Memorial Cup took place last night at Thurle Greyhound Stadium and it was Hello Jacko who grabbed the stake by the scruff off the neck to win in emphatic style.

BALLYMAC RUN AND UNDULATION EXCITE AT SHELBOURNE PARK

Ian Fortune

There was some superb racing at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night but the headlines certainly belonged to Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Run, as she won the final of the RPGTV Puppy Oaks in real style, and Undulation who emerged a tremendous winner of the Paddy Merriman Memorial.