IRISH WITH A STORIED HISTORY IN ENGLISH DERBY
Ian Fortune
A look at Ireland’s 18 English Greyhound Derby champions
It all began back in 1929.
Mick The Miller, under the care of Mick Horan, has a special place in the history of greyhound racing and his first success in the English Derby would begin an Irish love affair with the blue riband event.
The brilliant son of Glorious Event was the first real superstar of greyhound racing and raced to a famous victory in 1929 for Ireland. He would stay in the UK and successfully defend his Derby crown a year later, albeit under the stewardship of his new trainer Sidney Orton but he had planted the seed for the Irish.
There may have been more Irish trained winners in the subsequent years had the rule not been introduced that Irish greyhounds had to be transferred to NGRC licensed kennels in England for the duration of the Derby.
That rule was scrapped in time for the 1962 renewal and Paddy Dunphy took full advantage with his Easter Cup winner The Grand Canal. He justified favouritism to earn Ireland a second win at White City on the biggest stage of all.
By the end of the decade, Sand Star had completed an Irish hat trick, going unbeaten through the classic for Northern Irish handler Hamilton Orr in 1969.
After twice winning in the 1960s, Ireland tasted victory just once in the 70s with Patricias Hope returning from retirement to defend his crown. A UK trained winner in ’72 for Clapton handler Adam Jackson, he was under the care of his co-owner Johnny O’Connor a year later when he became the first greyhound to successfully defend his title since Mick The Miller.
80sBOOKENDED BY IRISH GLORY
The 80s was a far more successful era for Ireland, bookending the decade with victories in 1980 and 1989, while also capturing the classic in 1981.
Indian Joe, under the care of Johnny Hayes was a brilliant winner in 1980, capturing a world record prize of £35,000.
A year later, the legendary Ger McKenna claimed his first English Derby, sending out Parkdown Jet to justify odds-on favouritism in the final, a week after setting a track record in the semis. This would be the final Irish trained winner at White City with the famous venue closing three years later.
A SWITCH TO PLOUGH LANE
With the Derby switching to Plough Lane, Wimbledon in 1985, it took the Irish a few years to get used to the new venue but Ger McKenna was the man to end the drought. In 1989 he steered Lartigue Note to claim a first Irish success at Wimbledon.
One of the stars through the early rounds, he was favourite for outright success by the semi-final stages and despite finding traffic and suffering defeat in his heat, he was sent off a warm favourite in the final. He duly obliged, taking over early before pulling away from his rivals to win by over five lengths.
A TRIO OF SUPERSTARS IN THE 1990s
The Irish also won the Derby three times in the 90s. Farloe Melody was a most memorable winner for Matt O’Donnell in 1992.
The Easter Cup champ had run so well in the Irish Derby the previous year and was favourite for English Derby glory from the outset.
In the final, he asserted at the third turn from his compatriot Siostaloir before easing on to beat Winsor Abbey by four lengths.
Shanless Slippy was imperious in 1996 for Dolores Ruth. A brilliant winner of the Produce Stakes at Clonmel, he took to Wimbledon like a duck to water. Going uneaten through the qualifying rounds, the son of Murlens Slippy was simply too good for his rivals in the decider, powering his way to the front early to emerge a facile winner at odds of 4-9.
Three years later, Chart King was also a very special winner for Karl and Ralph Hewitt. Brilliant in both the Easter Cup at Shelbourne and the Scottish Derby at Shawfield, going unbeaten through both, he was always fancied to claim another classic victory at Wimbledon.
An odds-on favourite in every round, with the exception of the semis when sent off at 5-4, he battled hard in the final to get the better of Frisby Full and Deerfield Sunset, claiming a third classic in as many months.
SCHOLES AND HONCHO FLY THE FLAG IN ‘00s
The following decade was a relatively quiet one for the Irish, thanks in no small part to Rapid Ranger and Westmead Hawk, who both captured the classic twice for the home team.
There was Irish success, however. 2004 saw Droopys Scholes emerge on top for Ian Reilly, landing home hefty ante-post wagers in the process. His task was made somewhat easier when Premier Fantasy crashed out in the semis after suffering a career ending injury but Droopys Scholes could only beat what was in opposition in the decider.
Tims Crow set a strong gallop but Droopys Scholes was always poised and came through in the later stages to secure a famous victory.
Having gone so close on a number of occasions, Seamus Graham finally got his hands on the English Derby in 2008. Having finished second to Westmead Lord a year earlier, Loyal Honcho returned to Wimbledon and earned his place in history. A 5-2 joint favourite in the final, he made all to claim a twelfth victory for Ireland in the English Derby a first for Samus Graham.
A HENNESSY DOUBLE AT DIFFERENT TRACKS
There was only time for one more Irish winner at Wimbledon and it came in the last renewal at the famous venue in 2016. Much like Seamus Graham, Paul Hennessy had gone close to English Derby glory on more than one occasion before finally climbing the mountain with Jaytee Jet.
The powerful son of Droopys Scolari followed the well-worn path of claiming Easter Cup success before making the journey across the pond. A 15-8 favourite in the final, he came through in the closing yards to head long-time leader Hiya Butt while also containing his compatriot Droopys Roddick in a thrilling finish.
Much like buses, Paul Hennessy had to wait a long time for an English Derby success but a second came along soon after. This time it was the turn of Priceless Blake in 2019 at Nottingham. He really appreciated the galloping nature of the Nottingham circuit and saved his best for the final when flashing from three to make every inch, completing an Irish 1-2-3 with Ballymac Tas and Skywalker Logan finishing second and third.
SYDNEY LEADS HOME A 1-2-3 FOR IRISH
A year later, Deerjet Sydney was the victor for Pat Buckley.
Run under covid restrictions, the crowds may not have been there to witness his brilliant final display but the images of Pat Buckley and his daughter Emma embracing after the race will live long in the memory.
Remarkably, Deerjet Sydney also led home an Irish 1-2-3 as he made all to see off Ballydoyle Valor and Coolavanny Chick. It was perhaps a further hint at the Irish dominance that was on the way.
TOWCESTER RETURN SEES GRAHAM SCORE A BRACE
After hosting the Derby in 2017 and 2018, the classic returned to Towcester from Nottingham in 2021 and the Irish again failed to deliver.
Many felt that the venue may not have suited the Irish but that view would change in 2022.
Four Irish trained runners lined out that year with Romeo Magico coming out on top for Graham Holland. Slipping up the inside of Kildare at the second bend, he would claim a famous victory and a first for Ireland at Towcester by almost two lengths.
Twelve months later, Holland would join Ger McKenna and Paul Hennessy on two wins with Gaytime Nemo doing the business for his all-conquering Riverside Kennels operation. One of three runners in the decider for the kennel, the son of Droopys Sydney shot from boxes to make all at odds of 9-1.
LAHDEDAH GIVES IRELAND A THIRD STRAIGHT WIN
For the first time in the near 100-year history of the classic, Ireland claimed a third win on the bounce in 2024 when De Lahdedah gave Liam Dowling his first English Derby win.
After going close with Ballymac Vic (3rd) in 2013 and Ballymac Tas (runner-up) in 2019, Dowling’s brilliant son of Irish Derby champion Lenson Bockos was at his very best on the night that mattered. Close to the pace early, he asserted on the second bend to lead home an Irish 1-2 with Boylesports Bob coming through for second.
18 UP AND 19 TO FOLLOW
The victory of De Lahdedah was the 18th for an Irish trainer.
It seemed certain the Irish would make it four-straight in 2025 when five of the six finalists were trained in Ireland but it wasn’t meant to be with the cards falling the way of Droopys Plunge for the UK.
But you can’t keep the emerald isle down and tonight, after five weeks of pulsating action, Ireland will claim win number 19 in the English Greyhound Derby. Who it will be we don’t yet know but, have no doubt, they are joining an illustrious club of Irish trained winners.