Race of Champions (Irish greyhounds) explained

Surface:Sand
Class:Feature
Horse Race:Race of Champions
Location:Kingdom Greyhound Stadium
Inaugurated:2008
Sponsor:Denis Murphy
Distance:550 yards
Purse:€15,000 (winner)

The Race of Champions is a greyhound racing competition held annually at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland.[1]

Race history

It was inaugurated in 2008 and therefore is a relatively new event but due to the significant winners prize money on offer stands as a feature event in the Irish racing calendar.[2] The event offers one of the richest prizes for a one-off race.[3] In 2019, the competition was sponsored by Navillus and previous to that was sponsored by Boylesports and served as a major fundraiser for the Kerry GAA training fund, while showcasing how the greyhound industry plays a pivotal role in the local community.[4]

The event has been won a record five times by Graham Holland.

Venues & Distances

Sponsors

Past winners

width=50Yearwidth=180Winnerwidth=250Breedingwidth=200Trainerwidth=80SPwidth=80Timewidth=300Notes
2008Melodys Pat [5] Larkhill Jo – Urla Melody Pa Fitzgerald 3/1 29.62 Track record
Cash Dream [6] Crash – A Little Slow Gerry Holian 6/1 30.49
Beaming Dilemma [7] Brett Lee – Beaming Heart Pat Buckley 8/1 29.66
2011Deerfield Music [8] Ace Hi Rumble – Droopys Bolero Maurice (Mossy) O’Connor 6/4f 29.52 Track record
2012Razldazl Rioga [9] Brett Lee – Razldazl Pearl Dolores Ruth 9/4f 29.58
Farloe Trent [10] Hondo Black – Final Pearl Pat Buckley 6/1 29.43 Track record
2014Sidarian Blaze [11] Kinloch Brae – Silverhill Tina 5/2 29.57
Rural Hawaii [12] Head Bound – Duck Fat Graham Holland 6/1 29.52
Paradise Maverick [13] Royal Impact – Paradise AlannaPat Buckley 4/129.61
Killinan Rosie[14] Brett Lee – Killinan Baby Pat Buckley 7/129.62
2018Clonbrien Hero[15] Razldazl Jayfkay – Trout or Salmon Graham Holland5/2 29.99
2019Slippy Cian[16] Crash – Global Liberty Graham Holland2/1 29.60
2020cancelled due to COVID-19
2021Explosive Boy[17] Good News – Delightful GirlPatrick GuilfoyleNo SP29.36No SP due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions
2022Bockos Budsit[18] Laughil Blake – Matts MonicaGraham Holland9/229.43
2023Ballinabola Ed[19] Confident Rankin – Dolls Lady Pat Buckley 1/1f29.23
2024Coolavanny Otto[20] Droopys Sydney – Westwind Jet Pat Buckley 11/229.38

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Race of Champions. Irish Greyhound Board.
  2. Web site: Feature Events. Irish Greyhound Board.
  3. Web site: Race of Champions at Tralee to be south's richest ever one-off. Racing Post.
  4. Web site: Boylesports Race of Champions. Irish Greyhound Board.
  5. Web site: Paddy O'Sullivan "Spring Twilight" Race of Champions. Irish Greyhound Board.
  6. Web site: Lynch Family "Paddy O'Sullivan" Race of Champions. Irish Greyhound Board.
  7. Web site: Paddy O Sullivan Race of Champions Final. Irish Greyhound Board.
  8. Web site: Paddy O Sullivan Race of Champions Final. Irish Greyhound Board.
  9. Web site: Betdaq Race of Champions Final. Irish Greyhound Board.
  10. Web site: Boylesports.com Race Of Champions Final. Irish Greyhound Board.
  11. Web site: Boylesports.com Race of Champions Final. Irish Greyhound Board.
  12. Web site: 2015 Boylesports Race of Champions Final. Irish Greyhound Board.
  13. Web site: 2016 Result. Irish Greyhound Board.
  14. Web site: Race of Champions. Irish Greyhound Board.
  15. Web site: race of Champions race meeting. Irish Greyhound Board.
  16. Web site: Navillus Race Of Champions Final . Irish Greyhound Board.
  17. Web site: SIS Race Of Champions Final . Greyhound Racing Ireland. 19 June 2021.
  18. Web site: Callaway Rambler@Stud Race Of Champions. Greyhound Racing Ireland. 18 June 2022.
  19. Web site: Callaway Rambler@Stud Race Of Champions . Greyhound Racing Ireland . 18 June 2023.
  20. Web site: Callaway Pro Am @ Stud Race Of Champions Final . Greyhound Racing Ireland . 28 June 2024.