2024 Irish Greyhound Derby

The 2024 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby took place during October and November 2024, with the final being held on 23 November at Shelbourne Park. The competition was sponsored by BoyleSports and the prize money purse was €300,000, of which €125,000 went to the winner.^[1][2]

The competition was moved from its traditional Summer slot sue to a major refurbishment of Shelboure Park.^[3]

The winner was a black dog called Bockos Diamond, trained by Graham Holland, bred by Joseph O'Connor and owned by the Remember Them Syndicate. Bockos Diamond lit up the competition breaking and equalling the track record in two rounds of the competition on his way to an unbeaten success. Six flawless runs saw him become the shortest priced winner of a final in the event's history and extend his race record to a 15th consecutive win in just his 16th race.^[4][5][6]

The first round was held on 18 & 19 October, second round on 25 & 26 October, third round on 2 November, quarter finals on 9 November and semi finals on 16 November.^[7]

In the antepost betting installed Bockos Diamond as the 6/1 favourite, following 9 consecutive wins. Callaway Knegare was 7/1, De Lahdedah (the 2024 English Greyhound Derby winner) was 10/1, Bombay Pat and British challenger March On Freddie were both 12/1.^[8][9]

At Shelbourne Park (over 550 yards):

1, 1, ¾, short head, 3

(0.07 sec = one length) 

The competition seemed to be lacking the number of star names usually associated with the event due in part to the revised dates and also the fact that some of the expected challengers were either injured or retired. They included the defending champion The Other Kobe, Easter Cup and St Leger champion Clonbrien Treaty, Swords Rex, Champion Stakes winner Daleroad Duke and Dundalk International winner Droopys Mandolin.

Antepost favourite Bockos Diamond recorded 29.23 on the opening first round night, with Bombay Pat next best with 29.34. Clona Duke won his heat but last years runner-up Bockos Crystal failed to progress.^[10] Boylesports Bob and March On Freddie both impressed on the second night with a 29.25 and 29.19 runs respectively and Kirby Memorial winner Knockeen Dazzler also won his heat but Laurels champion Crafty Shivoo was eliminated.^[11]

March On Freddie and Oaks champion A Lucky Julie both scored second round wins but Clona Duke and Produce champion Unanimouspanther were eliminated. However, Bockos Diamond won in 29.03, the fastest time of the event so far.^[12] De Lahdedah won the first heat on night 2, a race that saw the end of Knockeen Dazzler's challenge. Bombay Pat won again and Ballinabola Jim set a time of 29.07 beating Callaway Knegare by 9½ lengths.^[13]

The third round saw Bockos Diamond broke the track record and further his claims for the title. The black dog trained by Graham Holland set a time of 28.94, breaking Pestana's four year record.^[14] Undulation won in 29.16 and Cheap Sandwiches in 29.18.^[15]

Bombay Pat made if four from four by winning a strong first quarter-final, Ballinabola Jim and March On Freddie both qualified by English Derby champion De Lahdedah went out. A Lucky Julie pipped Cheap Sandwiches in heat 2 before Carrick Aldo claimed the third heat. The last race featured Bockos Diamond, who won easily from Callaway Knegare.^[16]

In the first semi-final Bockos Diamond equalled his own track record with another faultless display from Callaway Knegare and A Lucky Julie. The three eliminated were Bombay Pat, Carrick Also and Seven Beach. The second heat went to Cheap Sandwiches from Singalong Dolly and Boylesports Bob, with Da Bold Falcon, March On Freddie and Ballinabola Jim missing out on a Derby final place.^[17]

• 2024 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year