Tuesday 31 October 2017

BoyleSports Irish Derby rosettes raise €2,000 for Irish Retired Greyhound Trust


The sale of rosettes for the finalists of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby raised just over €2,000 for the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT), a substantial increase on €1250 collected in 2016. The rosettes were purchased by the IGB and proved very popular on Derby night. 

Welfare Manager with the IGB Barry Coleman commented "I wish to thank our excellent sales volunteers on the night; Samantha Flynn, Ciare Flynn, Alma Carroll, Muriel Carroll, Brenda Powderly, Catriona Ni Duill, Tara Fitzpatrick and Ciara Darby.

"The Good News rosette sold out very quickly. Overall the initiative was very popular with many racing regulars giving more than the price of five euros. The level of rehoming has increased in recent years through the IRGT and supported agencies, from 614 in 2014 to 891 in 2016. The money raised on Derby night will help in finding more homes for our ex-racers."

Mattie Murphy on behalf of the Irish Greyhound Board, presents the cheque to the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust. Pictured L-R Brenda Powderly, Bill Murphy, Mattie Murphy, Barry Coleman, Pamela Holian, Brigid Frank.

Wednesday 25 October 2017

Healthy Thurles October Sales


Phenomenal demand for greyhounds at Thurles Sales

Total of €54,000 spent with new record average at €1,000

Signs of growing confidence within the greyhound racing sector were seen at the Thurles Sales on Tuesday (24 October) with 54 dogs sold from a total of 56 on the bench. The only two unsold were Kildubh Rocky with top bid reaching €1,400 (reserve €2,500) and Honey River unsold at €3,400 (reserve €6,000) although a sale outside the auction is expected for the latter greyhound.

The top selling dog was Sal’s Express, sold for €3,600 to Karol Ramsbottom, a Laois based trainer.

Billy O’Dwyer of the Sales & Ownership Committee commented “The Thurles Sales shows growing confidence in the market. There was phenomenal demand as there was a bid received for every dog. Bidding was very strong with the average selling price at €1,000 - this is a new record for a sales meeting in Thurles. Most buyers were looking for general graders. I believe the demand is due to a recent increase in prize money of 25% or €1.2m by Bord na gCon, along with demand for the SIS market in the UK. The overall prize money total will mean an investment of over €9 million across 16 tracks nationwide.”

Top selling greyhounds
Salls Express
€3,600
Move over Ming
€2,500
Nessas Star
€2,000
Dance Meeta
€1,900
Anamore Rusty
€1,900
Election Reward
€1,700
Move over Henry
€1,650
Vale Jogger
€1,350
Shay’s DJ
€1,350
Warrior
€1,350
She’s a Flyer
€1,200
Home town goal
€1,100
Braqcket Hall Duke
€1,100
Mind a Penny
€1,050
Boots no Bell
€1,050
Tell on Blacy
€1,000
Drynan’s Boy
€1,000
Gateman
€1,000

2016 National Greyhound Awards

Double win for Jaytee Jet at the National Greyhound Racing Awards

The National Greyhound Racing Awards were held on Sunday 22 October in the Killashee Hotel in Co. Kildare. The event was kindly sponsored by Galway Crystal in its tenth consecutive year. A previous winner of the Easter Cup and English Derby, Jaytee Jet almost stole the show after taking home the awards for Dog of the Year and Supreme Greyhound of the Year.

Witches Belle faced off strong competition from Holycross Leah and Sidarian Pearl to collect the Bitch of the Year honour for owners Liam and Edel Twomey. Airmount Tess got the award as Stayer of the Year while Ballymac Bigmike & Scarlet earned a double honour for Liam Dowling as Sprinter and Brood Bitch of the Year respectively.

The Future Star went to Droopys Wilbury and the Stud Dog award went to Droopys Scolari, over Headbound and Kinloch Brae. Francie Murray, a trainer based near Mullingar, received the Hall of Fame award. The Special Merit award honoured Jim Russell, while Tara Fitzpatrick, racing enthusiast and founder of All About Greyhounds, a Belfast re-homing agency, was the awardee for Greyhound Welfare.

Phil Meaney, Chairman of the IGB commented “I wish to congratulate all finalists and winners for their achievements. The high standard of quality across all categories is evidence of the commitment and passion that exists within the Irish Greyhound Industry. I wish to thank Minister Andrew Doyle TD for presenting the awards and for the continued support of Government for the greyhound sector.”


Thursday 19 October 2017

Retired Greyhound Stroll around University of Limerick


The members of the University of Limerick Greyhound Racing Society have organised a Retired Greyhound Stroll around the grounds of the University of Limerick on Wednesday 25th of October.

Owners of Retired Greyhounds to confirm their participation with Mr. Joe Sheahan joesheahan90@yahoo.com or Mr Barry Coleman barry.coleman@igb.ie 

Owners to meet at Court Yard at 11.15am and members of the U.L. Greyhound Racing Society will be available to assist owners with the parading of greyhounds if they have a number of retired greyhounds on the day. 

Please support the Society with this greyhounds as pets awareness campaign in any way you can. Thank you.

Monday 16 October 2017

St Leger Rd 2 extra split times


With the split clock being a bit temperamental on the opening night, the few figures we had to hand from last week could not be applied with confidence so we had to wait until Saturday's second round heats to go all nerdy on the Leger!

I would estimate the track to have been on the slow side by about 30 spots so some of the split times are quite impressive. Clearly the figures would make Clonbrien Hero a worthy favourite at this point as the fastest runner to the third bend and his finishing split too compares very well, especially as he is likely to be in front most of the time!

The likes of Priceless Rum and Jaytee Dutch are going to be difficult to eliminate with impressive finishing times that you may expect to see at 525 but which are superb for the Leger trip, however, clearly both will have to turn closer to put these finishing kicks to winning effect.

Heat 4 on Saturday was a high class affair where all were staying on well and with Cabaye and Brae in particular being capable of a sharp run to the third bend, they must remain of interest for outright contention. Jaytee Denver clearly stays very strongly but he must show more in the opening half of his races going forward.

Anyway, use the figures in conjunction with the race card when studying up for the quarter-finals and we will try to establish some trends after this week's action.

ST LEGER RD 2
Opening 325 Yards
Closing 225
HEAT 1 – 29.89


COOLAVANNY MASON
17.50
12.39
PRICELESS RUM
18.06 ckd
12.18
CHAWKE IT DOWN
17.50
12.79
HEAT 2 – 29.92


GULLEEN BILLY
17.48
12.44
SONIC
17.53 ckd
12.49
BEARA GIG
17.90 ckd
12.44 ckd
HEAT 3 – 30.11


CAHIR CASTLE
17.80
12.31
GARRYVOE BOBBY
17.81
12.47 ckd
HOVEX MICK
17.85 bmp
12.31
HEAT 4 – 29.96


DROOPYS CABAYE
17.60
12.36
JAYTEE DENVER
17.91
12.26
SWITHINS BRAE
17.76 ckd
12.33
HEAT 5 – 30.01


JAYTEE YANKEE
17.56
12.45
BLACK EYED PEPPA
17.78 ckd
12.35
FALCON BAY
17.70
12.48
HEAT 6 – 29.72


CLONBRIEN HERO
17.38
12.34
JAYTEE DUTCH
17.94 ran wide
12.16
ARCLIGHT BOLT
17.70
12.46
HEAT 7 – 30.16


KNOCKNACREE SKY
17.70 ckd
12.46
DRIVE ON TIPP
17.79 crd/bmp
12.36
HEWHODARESWINS
17.69
12.85 ckd
HEAT 8 – 30.18


BALLYBOUGH DAD
17.75 ckd
12.43
MISTY SUPREME
17.65
12.56
AWAY JET
17.86
12.60




Tuesday 3 October 2017

Increased welfare powers authorised to Irish Greyhound Board

Wednesday is World Animal Day 2017.

Increased welfare powers authorised to Irish Greyhound Board to  coincide with World Animal Day 2017

‘IGB is pro-welfare and pro-racing’

Two Welfare Officers of the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) have received approval from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to be authorised officers under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. The IGB believes this will greatly enhance its ability to ensure the highest welfare standards across the industry and highlights its welfare commitment ahead of World Animal Day 2017, which is celebrated on Wednesday 4 October 2017.

Welfare officers Michael Falvey and Enda McCabe will be appointed ‘Authorised Officers’ under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. This authorisation provides increased legal powers.  Under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011, Welfare Officers were already authorised to inspect kennels, seize evidence, issue welfare notices and fines, and seek prosecutions in the District Court. The extra authority afforded under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 will allow for a greyhound to be seized (where health or welfare is compromised) and for increased penalties before the Circuit Court.

Speaking at the announcement, IGB Welfare Manager Barry Coleman commented “The IGB does not tolerate poor welfare standards or mistreatment of greyhounds in any shape or form. Any member of the public can contact the IGB as all reports are fully investigated. The IGB cooperates with the ISPCA and An Garda Síochana where appropriate in these investigations. Today’s announcement will act as a strong deterrent to a very small minority who fail to care for greyhounds adequately. I would like to remind Greyhound owners of their obligations to notify the Irish Coursing Club in writing of the sale/purchase/transfer/death of a greyhound within 14 days. Sanctions will be imposed on those found to be in breach of legislation or welfare standards.”

Under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011, IGB Welfare Officers completed 571 inspections of kennels in 2016; this resulted in 34 full investigations and 20 sanctions being issued. Furthermore in 2016, two Welfare Notices were issued; follow-up inspections of the premises in question determined that the Welfare Notices were complied with.

Ger Dollard CEO of the IGB added “The IGB will continue to work closely with the Department of Agriculture to address welfare issues. The granting of increased powers to IGB is a further demonstration of the importance that the Government attaches to greyhound welfare. The IGB is pro-welfare and pro-racing; there is no place within our industry for the minority who mistreat greyhounds through poor welfare or use of prohibited substances.  I wish to commend all of our Welfare Officers who work very hard to ensure excellent welfare standards exist across our industry.”

The two Welfare Officers will now have the same legal powers as ISPCA inspectors and will now have authority to: use reasonable force to enter a property (other than a private dwelling), use reasonable force to enter a vehicle to rescue an animal, issue Welfare Notices (instructing owners to improve conditions or welfare), seize a greyhound or other property or evidence relating to an offence, request and by law, an animal owner must give such assistance or information to an authorised officer as may reasonably be required.

Penalties under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 include fines up to up to €5,000 or €250,000 on indictment (i.e. in higher court), imprisonment of six months or up to five years or a ban from buying, owning or caring for an animal for any period, including life.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Andrew Doyle TD added “My Department and the Irish Greyhound Board have signed a formal service agreement under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides for named IGB officers to be appointed authorised officers under the Animal Health & Welfare Act. This gives the IGB greater powers and responsibility in particular to address any welfare issues arising amongst greyhounds. While excellent work continues to be done by the IGB in the welfare sphere, this will allow them to act more quickly and effectively in ensuring the welfare of greyhounds.”

Separately, the IGB have proposed a new traceability measure in new legislation currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The robust traceability measure would require that all racing greyhounds to be registered in a new database and for owners to report on significant life events which the IGB believe would be a significant step forward in ensuring greater welfare and accountability. This traceability measure has been proposed by the IGB into the Greyhound Industry Bill 2017 which is under pre-legislative scrutiny.

MISSION OF WORLD ANIMAL DAY 2017 ‘To raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe. Building the celebration of World Animal Day unites the animal welfare movement, mobilising it into a global force to make the world a better place for all animals.  It's celebrated in different ways in every country, irrespective of nationality, religion, faith or political ideology.  Through increased awareness and education we can create a world where animals are always recognised as sentient beings and full regard is always paid to their welfare.’


2017 Kerry AgriBusiness Irish St Leger Draw

Kerry Agribusiness Irish St. Leger Dates:

First Round – Saturday 7 October
Second Round – 14 October
Quarter Final – 21 October
Semi-Final – 28 October
Final – 4 November

About the Irish St. Leger
The Irish St. Leger was first run in the Market’s Field in 1944, and was won by No Relation, owned by Mr. T. Rea, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, in a time of 31.48. Run over 550 yards, the event is one of the most prestigious in the Irish Greyhound Racing calendar.

This is the eighth running of the event in the Greenpark location, following the opening of Limerick Greyhound Stadium at the site in 2010.

Kerry Agribusiness have sponsored the event since 2002, when they took over title sponsorship following their acquisition of Golden Vale, who had sponsored the event from 1991 to 2001.
A total prizefund of €60,000 is on offer, with the winner to receive €25,000 plus a commemorative trophy.

Heat 1
Heat 2
1. Coolavanny Mason
1.Vardy
2. Jaytee Denver
2.Lybes Destiny
3. Hewhodareswins (M)
3.Faithful Linda
4. Ballybough Dad (W)
4.Kingdom King
5. Kylehill Mozart (W)
5.Arclight Bolt
6. Misty Supreme (W)
6. O’Garney Brandy
Heat 3
Heat 4
1.Priceless Rum
1.Chalk It Down
2. Jaytee Charlie
2. Hovex Mick
3. Ballyhale Blaze
3. Cahir Castle
4. Typical Ash (M)
4. Garryvoe Bobby
5. Clonbrien Hero (M)
5. Shiner
6. Hardy Tom (W)
6. Jaytee Yankee
Heat 5
Heat 6
1.Paradise Summer
1. Obair Deanta
2.Oakfront Oreo
2.Native Chimes
3.Dumas
3. Knocknacree Sky
4.SendIit Dacula
4. Sonic (W)
5.Lolos Frampton
5.Beara Gig (W)
6. Bailey’s Prince
6.Jaytee Barracuda (W)
Heat 7
Heat 8
1.Swithin’s Brae
1.Black Eye Peppa
2.Lassa Exquisite
2.Chilmark Chaser
3.Callaway Colgan
3.Gulleen Billy
4.Falcon Bay
4.Away Jet
5.Ballymac Sarahjo
5.Hawkeye Joe (W)
6.Killeacle Wayne (W)
6.Droopy’s Cabaye (W)
Heat 9
Heat 10
1.Dignified
1.Concrete Jungle
2. Iceroad Convoy
2.Drive on Tipp
3.Clona Kid
3.Callaway Bosco
4.Clonleigh Brave (W)
4.Jaytee Dutch
5.Liscahane Ted (W)
5.Barefoot Painter
6.Buttsy’s Boy (W)
6. Brandyandbaileys

First four in each heat plus eight fastest fifths qualify for second round on Saturday 14 October.


Monday 2 October 2017

Greyhound Derby Winning Trainer honoured at Rhode N.S. Co Offaly


Pupils welcome Good News and two retired greyhounds

Pat Guilfoyle, winning trainer of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby 2017, attended a special ceremony this morning (Monday 2 October) celebrating his achievement before a packed crowd of parents, pupils and fellow teachers at Scoil Mhuire Naofa, Co. Offaly. 

A special plaque was unveiled on the wall to honour Pat’s achievement as he showcased Good News and two retired greyhounds, Jack (black greyhound) and Saorla (fawn greyhound) before the excited primary school students.

Trainer of the winning greyhound Good News, Pat Guilfoyle is brother to Sandra Guilfoyle, co-owner with Mary Kennedy of the competition’s top dog. Good News was the hot favourite on Derby night and failed to disappoint, having stormed out of the traps from the start. Good News set a new final record, completing in 29.37 seconds over the 550 yards.

Both the Guilfoyle and Kennedy families took home the €150,000 first place prize and have been celebrating amongst their communities since.


Pat Guilfoyle worked as a primary school teacher at Rhode N.S. for six years until June 2017 and was well known as a greyhound racing enthusiast among teachers and pupils.  Scoil Mhuire Naofa is no stranger to racing success having honoured past pupil Pat Smullen in June 2016.  Pat Smullen attended Scoil Mhuire Naofa from 1981 to 1989 was the winning jockey in the Epsom Derby on Saturday 4th June 2016 with Harzand.

Speaking at the ceremony, Pat Guilfoyle commented “I am overwhelmed by the welcome I have received here at Scoil Mhuire Naofa today and I want to thank my former colleagues for their kind wishes. Winning the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby was a dream come true for me and my family. I would advise all pupils to focus on their goals and work hard for them – anything is possible. Greyhound racing has strong roots in the Midland counties and I am truly humbled by today’s support.”



School Principal Mary Bray added “Scoil Mhuire Naofa are delighted to welcome back a former colleague and showcase his achievement. Pat Guilfoyle was an excellent teacher throughout his six years here. Pat is remembered as a keen greyhound racing enthusiast and now serves as a strong ambassador to our pupils and community.”

Ger Dollard, CEO of the Irish Greyhound Board commented “I wish to congratulate Pat Guilfoyle on his major success at the industry's showpiece event, the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby 2017. Pat is a shining example of the greyhound industry at its best. The Guilfoyle family’s success is a measure of the passion and commitment that exists in the Irish Greyhound sector.”