1994 Irish Greyhound Derby

The 1994 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during August and September with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 24 September 1994.[1]

1994 Respond Irish Greyhound Derby
VenueShelbourne Park
LocationDublin
End date24 September
Total prize money£50,000 (winner)

The winner Joyful Tidings won £50,000 and was trained by Donie O'Regan, owned by Michael Carmody and bred by Donal O'Connor. The race was sponsored by the Kerry Group's dog food product 'Respond'.[2][3]

Final result

At Shelbourne, 24 September [4] (over 550 yards):

Position Winner Breeding Trap SP Time Trainer
1st Joyful TidingsWhisper Wishes - Newmans Mall55-230.35Donie O'Regan
2nd Michaels MachineSatharn Beo - Sleepy Midget49-230.63Jimmy O'Connor
3rd Emmett RobertMurlens Slippy - Long Valley Lady330.79Christy O'Callaghan
4th Old MaidMoral Support - Olan Rose16-4f30.87Reggie Roberts
5th Nimble PiperTico - Fair Damsel230.88Martin Broughan
6th Ayr FlyerArdfert Sean - Slaneyside Glory630.89Patsy Byrne

Distances

3½, 2, 1, short head, short head (lengths)

Competition Report

The leading entry for the Irish Derby was the 1994 English Greyhound Derby champion Moral Standards who would attempt to take the trophy back to England for the first time since 1971. Ireland's leading contender was Champion Stakes winner Velvet Rocket. Other notable runners included English Derby finalist Ayr Flyer who was now with Patsy Byrne and the Scottish Greyhound Derby champion Droopys Sandy.[5]

The repechage system was scrapped but four would qualify from the first two rounds resulting in two rounds of racing that would not give a true indication of the probable winner at this stage. Michaels Machine was fastest in qualifying timed at 30.16 and the best first round time went to Joyful Tidings in 30.21, Moral Standards failed to win either round.[5]

Velvet Rocket came good in the second round posting 30.31 and Old Maid remained unbeaten, Moral Standards lost yet again. The quarter finals started with heavy rain and Joyful Tidings went fastest again in 30.39 with Old Maid still unbeaten, Droopys Sandy failed to make the semis along with Westmead Merlin.[5]

Old Maid won her sixth consecutive race in the first semi-final with Ayr Flyer second and Nimble Piper third; Moral Standards form had deserted him finishing fifth and without a win in the competition. The other semi saw Joyful Tidings beat Michaels Machine and Emmett Robert.[5]

In the final the well drawn Old Maid went off favourite but it was Joyful Tidings that came good cutting off Michaels Machine and Ayr Flyer at the first bend and he eased to victory.[5][3]

See also

References
  1. Hobbs, Jonathan (2008). Greyhound Annual 2008, pages 177-178. Raceform. ISBN 978-1-905153-534.
  2. Hobbs, Jonathan (2004). Greyhound Annual 2005, pages 164-165. Raceform. ISBN 1-904317-58-8.
  3. Fry, Paul (1995). The Official NGRC Greyhound Racing Yearbook. Ringpress Books. pp. 30–31. ISBN 186054-010-4.
  4. "Irish Derby Final". Greyhound Data.
  5. Fortune, Michael. "The 75 Years History of the Irish Greyhound Derby". Irish Greyhound Review. ISSN 0332-3536.
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