WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GET A CHAMPION AT THE GRI GREYHOUND SALES!
Vinny Grennan
Not from one of our regular contributors, but a voice from the sales support team itself, Vinny Grennan charts the remarkable rise of a Kilkenny sales purchase proving that champions can indeed be found where it all begins.
He starts with a simple question, "Who says you can’t get a champion at the Greyhound Racing Ireland greyhound sales?"
Lemon Orla was bought out of the July 2024 Kilkenny sales for €3,700 as an unraced bitch after winning her sales trial by a wide margin in an eye catching 29.35 and since then this September 22 daughter of Jacob Tashadelek out of Foyle Lucy has gone on to win the valuable Liam Brussels sweepstake at Galway worth €1,800 to the winner just three months after been bought by TJ Lyons and Noel Crowley remaining unbeaten throughout the competition.
This lady then stepped up in grade going unbeaten through the Ger Gubbins A2 stake worth €1,750 winning the final in 28.26 in late December 24 for her new sporting owners and Co.Cork trainer Tom O’Neill.
After a seasonal break Lemon Orla then contested the 2025 Sporting Press Irish Oaks final where she didn’t get the rub of the green meeting trouble early on but earlier had won the opening round in 28.45 and semi final in 28.36
Returning to action this year after a lay off in late February Lemon Orla showed her well being posting a stunning 28.19 run around Cork. She then headed back to headquarters winning the opening two rounds of the 2026 Easter Cup in an identical 29.63 before finishing runner up in last weeks semi final when finishing two lengths behind Droopys Faithful.
Tonight at a wild and blustery Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium Lemon Orla wrote her name into the history books as she battled strongly close home to just collar long time leader Lennies Tank in the shadows of the post to land the prestigious 2026 Easter Cup a fantastic victory for her sporting connections and for her trainer Tom O’Neill.
A huge result for winning connections and massive congratulations to all involved.
***Don’t forget the next sales are at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on the 25th of April and Kilkenny greyhound stadium on the 23rd of May.
Shelbourne Park Bookmakers Easter Cup Final Lemon Orla (Trap 1) leads from Callaway Knegare (Trap 2) and Lennies Tank (Trap 6) to the finish line.