LENNIES EDDIE LIGHTS UP TOWCESTER TO CLAIM DERBY GLORY
Ian Fortune
Lennies Eddie was the toast of the greyhound world on Saturday night as he captured the Star Sports & Orchestrate English Greyhound Derby earning Paul Hennessy the unique distinction of claiming three victories in the UK’s blue riband at three different venues.
The Irish took over Towcester in more ways than one. Indeed, it seemed as though half the massive crowd had made the journey from across the Irish Sea and Lennies Eddie was roared home as though it was Shelbourne Park.
There was no doubt that the early battle for supremacy was going to have a huge bearing on the contest and Lennies Eddie, it seems, was well aware of the fact with the exceptionally talented son of Good Cody and Portumna Marina producing the fastest start of his career on the night that mattered.
Ballymac Deniro went to traps the 15-8 favourite, just ahead of his kennel companion Ballymac Duffle who was well supported before starting a 2-1 chance. Further highlighting Liam Dowling’s incredibly tight grip on the final, his third runner Ballymac Ralf was clear third choice at 10-3.
Hackney Corner was next in at 9-2 with Lennies Eddie the outsider of the field at 10-1, a price that with the benefit of hindsight was far too big.
A FLYING START
The hare, despite the puzzling absence of a bell, was welcomed with the traditional Derby roar from the packed stands.
And then, BANG! Lennies Eddie was away like a bullet from a gun, posting a fastest of the Derby 3.71 sectional, further highlighting the genius of his handler.
Hennessy had his charge primed to produce the performance of his career and he certainly delivered. Ballymac Duffle also produced his fastest start, recording a 3.79 sectional, to go faster to the line than any trap one greyhound throughout the entire classic.
But it wasn’t enough. He was a little outpaced into the turn with his kennelmate Ballymac Deniro engaging the burners after a moderate start to move second. Despite the impressive pace of Ballymac Deniro, Lennies Eddie hit the bend with a length in hand.
The Derby was his should he produce the sort of pace he had shown throughout his five-week Towcester campaign. Only this time he was in front and not chasing Ballymac Deniro as he had done in both the quarter and semi-finals.
Ballymac Deniro ran with huge credit in second, showing real pace and tenacity. Ballymac Duffle entered the back in third but far enough back that it wasn’t going to be possible to worry the leaders. Hackney Corner missed the start but moved fourth as Ballymac Ralf took a bump from Ballymac Duffle at the bend. Neither Hackey Corner or Ballymac Ralf would land a blow thereafter.
A HEAD TO HEAD BATTLE
Instead, it was a two-dog affair.
Lennies Eddie dictated but Ballymac Deniro pushed hard. Two young, inexperienced greyhounds, both possessing Derby pace, battling it out in search of a place amongst the immortals.
Paul Hennessy and Liam Dowling, now family, going toe to toe on the biggest stage. But the advantage was with Lennies Eddie and he had no intention of letting his lead slip. Despite the best efforts of the gallant Ballymac Deniro, Lennies Eddie was on his way to securing a third, historic, Derby victory for Paul Hennessy.
That man that won at Plough lane, Wimbledon with Jaytee Jet in 2016 and with Priceless Blake at Nottingham in 2019 was about to win a third Derby at the third venue. A truly remarkable feat.
For owner Lee Craze, who had his owned his first greyhound over forty years ago at White City, it was a first Derby victory. He has only been associated with Hennessy for the past three years after an introduction through their great friend, and Derby winner owner, John Turner.
Both men would have enjoyed every inch of the 500m trip. Lennies Eddie entered the back straight with a length in hand and kept pushing, striding out, to repel Ballymac Deniro. Ballymac Duffle was four lengths further back in third at halfway.
The gap between the front two scarcely changed, although Ballymac Deniro made one final move off the final turn, closing to the line but it wasn’t to be. Lennies Eddie, so strong, running with real purpose claimed a famous victory by a half length in a rapid 28.20 – the third fastest time ever recorded at the venue.
Ballymac Deniro going out on his shield in second, while Ballymac Duffle also flew home to finish just three parts of a length away in third in what was likely to be his final start in the northern hemisphere.
GREAT SCENES
The entire Hennessy family, Lee Craze, breeder John Kennedy and many well-wishers ventured into the infield to welcome and congratulate the 2026 Star Sports & Orchestrate English Greyhound Derby champion.
For Susan Hennessy it was a particularly poignant victory, arriving on the 17-year anniversary of her late father Benny Kavanagh, the man who introduced his future son-in-law Paul to the art of training a racing greyhound. Hennessy is one of the most popular and well-respected men in the sport, he is certainly one of the good guys but also a genius.
Lennies Eddie a Derby champion, just weeks after his second birthday. What will the future hold? No doubt he will be seen back in action at Shelbourne Park in the coming months, bidding to become the first greyhound to capture the English and Irish Derby in the same year but for now he can take a well-earned break in the knowledge that he will forever be remembered as a Derby champion.