The Oaks is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Shelbourne Park.

First held at Harold's Cross in 1930, the event was unofficial until 1932. It is an original classic competition in the Irish racing greyhound racing calendar and was officially inaugurated in 1932 following the decision by the Irish Coursing Club to issue a new list of classic races.

The event was shared around several tracks in Ireland starting with Clonmel Greyhound Stadium from 1932 to 1933 and then the two Dublin venues of Shelbourne Park and Harold's Cross Stadium. Before World War II the old Cork Greyhound Stadium and Markets Field Greyhound Stadium in Limerick also both hosted the competition.

After the war Shelbourne Park and Harold's Cross both shared the race until sole control was taken by Shelbourne Park in 1992.

Venues and distances

1932–1933 (Clonmel) 1930, 1934, 1936, 1938 (Harolds Cross) 1935, 1937 (Shelbourne Park) 1939, 1943 (Cork) 1942 (Limerick) 1944 (Harolds Cross then alternate years with Shelbourne until 1970.) 1970–1976, 1982, 1984, 1991 (Harolds Cross) 1977–1981, 1983, 1985–1990 and 1992–present (Shelbourne Park)

Sponsors 1978–1978 (Sean Kelly Dublin Bookmakers) 2003–2025 (Sporting Press)

Past winners YearWinning GreyhoundBreedingTime (sec)TrainerSPNotes/ref1930Keerie Brave Mutton Cutlet – Keen Gift 30.90 Richard Keane 1932Queen of the Suir Mutton Cutlet – Burette 30.80 1933 Loophole Open Steak – Last Plum 30.55 1934Chocolate Kid Cheerful Choice – Style Kid 31.18Tom Harty 1935 The Fenian Bride Mutton Cutlet – Moleskin Peggy 30.73 1936 Chicken Sandwich Heros Heart – Moor Girl 30.73 1937 Godivas Turn Prudent Turn – Poor But Honest 30.61 1938 Gentle Sally Again Noras Cutlet – Stream View Fashion II 30.13 1939 Janetta Hunloke Dee Rock – Truite Bleue 30.47 1942Fair Mistress Saccadee – Edith Bronte 30.10 Frank Moore 2/7f1943 Mad Printer Printer – Mad Darkie 30.05 1944 My Little Daisy Luck Laddie – Clongowney Girl 30.08 1945 Paladins Charm Uacterlainn Riac – Paladin 30.70 1946 Cold Christmas Tanist – Cold Evening 29.86 1947 Belle O'Manhattan Manhattan Midnight – Raithneach 30.46 1948 Lovely Louisa Mad Tanist – Fair Light 29.90 Harry Bryant 1949 Coolkill Darkie Mad Tanist – Braemar Mersey 30.36 1950 Celtic Gem Lucky Tanist – Celtic Queen 30.00 1951Glenco Pearl Western Post – Pearl Hermann 30.23 Paddy Moclair 1952Peaceful Lady Mad Tanist – Elm Green 29.95 1953 Peaceful Lady Mad Tanist – Elm Green 30.11 1954 Wild Iris Mad Tanist – Crosty Lady 30.04 1955 Prairie Peg The Grand Champion – Prairie Vixen 29.55 1956Baytown Dell Ollys Pal – Baytown Brunette 29.99 1957 Gallant Maid The Grand Champion – Ash Haunts 30.02 1958 Ballet Festival Champion Prince – Peaceful Lady 29.73 1959Last Landing Man Of Pleasure – Dannys Gift 30.09 1960Tristam Hi There – Prairie Lil 30.03 1961Just Sherry Knock Hill Chieftain – Nimble Star 29.95 1962Purty Good Jungle Man – Pocket Glass 29.78 1963Cherry Express Man Of Pleasure – Clementine 29.87 1964Knock Her Knock Hill Chieftain – Don't Ask 29.98T O'Shaughnessy 1965Drumsough Princess Hi There – Gettysburgh Princess 29.76Gay McKenna 1966 Hairdresser The Glen Abbey – Billum 29.40 Vincent Toner 1967Kevinsfort Queen Prairie Flash – Miss Grindl 29.79 1968 Orwell Parade Racing Rory – Orwell Wonder 29.96 1969Itsamint Prairie Flash – Cranog Bet 29.35 1970 Rosmore Robin Clonmannon Flash – Con Robin 29.60 Gay McKenna 1971 Blissful Pride Mad Era – Ballybeg Pride 29.30Leslie McNair 1972 Brandon Velvet Brandon Jungle – Hi Trend 29.45 1973 Romping To Work Swanky Pa – Go To Work 29.20Larry Kelly 1974 Fur Collar Yanka Boy – Handbag 29.40 Paddy Cross 1975 Main Avenue Kilbelin Style – Speckled Fawn 28.98 1976 Clashing Daisy Clashing – Chief Legacy 29.64 Eddie Spain 1977 Snow Maiden Sole Aim – Gallant And Gay 29.09 1978 Hail Fun Laurdella Fun – Westmead Hail 29.40 E McGeough8/1 1979 Nameless Pixie Monalee Champion - Itsastar 29.34 Ger McKenna 1980 Strange Legend Sand Man – Maythorn Pride 29.34 1981 Claremount May Shamrock Sailor – Claremount Queen 29.52 Niall Maher 6/1 1982 My Last Hope Gaily Noble – Tobago Charm 29.32 1983 Quick Suzy Shamrock Sailor – Big Deposit 29.38Colm McGrath 1984 Burnpark Sally You Genius – Burnpark Lass 28.92 Michael Browne 1985 Airmount Jewel Sail On II – Airmount Rose 29.06 1986 Meadowbank Tip Citizen Supreme – Shandon Anne 29.34 1987 Yale Princess Whisper Wishes – Saga Miss 29.42 Matt O'Donnell 1988 Tracy Budd Moral Support – Sandy Sally 29.26 1989 Picture Card Soda Fountain – Picture This 29.40 Seamus Connaughton 1990 Bornacurra Liz County Final – Lizzies Flower 29.10 1991 Gentle Soda Soda Fountain – Gentle Approach29.12 Hugh Davies (Powderhall)9/10f 1992 Old Spinster Glen Park Dancer – Hawkfield Music 29.42 1993 Libertys Echo Kyle Jack – My Liberty 29.48Ber Murtagh 1994 Shimmering Wings Alpine Minister – Narabane Gosh 29.23 1995 Cool Survivor Lodge Prince – Gunboat Ann 29.35 1996 Fossabeg Maid Lodge Prince - Fossabeg Rose 29.51 1997 Borna Best Boyne Walk – Firm Mist 28.86Ruairi Dwan 9/4f 1998 April Surprise Beaming Supreme – Serene Lady 28.95Paul Hennessy 5/1 1999 Borna Survivor Staplers Jo – Cool Survivor 28.67Ruairi Dwan 4/5f 2000 Marinas Tina Staplers Jo – Tina Marina 28.56Seamus Graham 9/4f 2001 Marinas Tina Staplers Jo – Tina Marina 28.60Seamus Graham 4/7f 2002 Lifes Beauty Staplers Jo – Annies Touch 28.70Nick Turner 6/1 2003 Axle Grease Top Honcho – Fees Chance 28.64Ollie Bray 11/-10f 2004 Legal Moment Judicial Pride – Legal Jan 28.59Pat Buckley 2/1f 2005 Grayslands Pixie Larkhill Jo – Newry Beo 28.78Bill O'Hare 7/4f 2006 Shelbourne Becky Spiral Nikita – Shanless Rose 28.58Keeley McGee 5/2 2007 Ms Firecracker Magical Captain – Aughavas 28.54Patrick Guilfoyle 10/1 2008 Oran Majestic Daves Mentor – Droopys Lauren 29.02 John McGee Sr. 11/10f 2009 Skywalker Queen Razldazl Billy – Nifty Princess 28.24Frances O'Donnell 9/-4 2010 Dalcash Dvinsky Ace Hi Rumble – Dalcash Diva 28.41Jack Meade 9/4f 2011 Droopys Twirl Westmead Hawk - Droopys Rena 28.42John Linehan 2/1 2012 Milldean Tally Head Bound – Talita Beauty 28.75John O'Flynn 9/4 2013 Locnamon Bridie Royal Impact – Locnamon Nell 28.23Paul Hennessy 5/1 2014 Velvet All Jam Velvet Cash – Droopys Snowdrop 28.42Mike Buckley 2/1 2015 Ballydoyle Honey Brett Lee – Kildallon Maid28.47 Graham Holland 1/5f 2016 Witches Belle Droopys Scolari – Lemon Belle28.44Liam Twomey 6/1 2017 Forest Natalee Ballymac Vic – Droopys Danneel28.37Martin Lanney 3/1 2018 Jaytee Jordan Laughil Blake – Gorgeous Gal 28.47Paul Hennessy 7/2 2019 Killmacdonagh Zero Ten – Deercrest Lady 28.17Kieran Lynch 4/1 2020 Ballymac Beanie Ballymac Matt – Coolavanny Pet28.18 Declan Byrne n/a No SP due to COVID-192021 Susie SapphireDroopys Jet – Jetstream Lynx28.15Owen McKenna3/1 2022 Raha MofoDroopys Sydney – Clares Queen28.14Martin 'Murt' Leahy3/1 2023 Crafty ShivooDroopys Sydney – Ballymac Sanjose28.14Peter & Brian Divilly3/1 2024 A Lucky JulieBallymac Bolger – Julies Paradise 28.53James Melia 3/1dead-heat2024 Fleadh SaraideBallymac Best – Fleadh Ramona 28.53Murt Leahy 14/1dead-heat2025Carrigmore FreyaDroopys Sydney – Carrigmore Dizzy28.17 Graham Holland 9/4f

References