The 2017 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby took place during August and September with the final being held on 23 September at Shelbourne Park.
The prize money on offer was €240,000 of which €150,000 went to the winner Good News, trained by Patrick Guilfoyle, owned by Sandra Guilfoyle and Mary Kennedy and bred by John Kennedy. The competition was sponsored by Boylesports.
Final result At Shelbourne Park (over 550 yards): PositionGreyhoundBreedingTrapSectionalSPTimeTrainer1st Good News Opinion - Pippy 2 3.32 7-4jf 29.37 Patrick Guilfoyle2nd Black Farren Droopys Cain - Ballycowen Moll 3 3.38 6-1 29.51 Graham Holland3rd Sonic Knockglass Billy - Vickis Dream 6 3.36 7-4jf 29.65 Graham Holland4th Jaytee Jet Droopys Scolari - Chin Gach Gook 4 3.38 12-1 29.86 Paul Hennessy5th Buckos Dream Superior Product - Dalcash Dvinsky 5 3.38 5-1 30.03 Michael J O'Donovan6th Hey Bound Head Bound - Southest Suzie 1 3.55 20-1 30.31 Peter Cronin
Distances 2, 2, 3, 2½, 4 (lengths)
Competition report 2017 English Greyhound Derby finalist Clares Rocket was once again the ante-post favourite as he was during the 2016 Irish Greyhound Derby. The British challenge was headed by the Select Stakes champion Dorotas Wildcat. The first round took place on 17/18/19 August with the fastest winner being the Graham Holland pair of Sonic (a finalist in 2016) in 29.12 and Clares Rocket in 29.16.
In the first eight heats of the second round Good News set the best time of 29.49 and Sonic recorded a second success, as did Typical Ash. The second eight heats saw Produce and Laurels champion Clonbrien Hero record 29.41 before Clares Rocket won in 29.15. Kilgraney Ace also went well, winning in 29.36.
The 2016 English Greyhound Derby champion Jaytee Jet won his third round heat but it was Clares Rocket who was once again the fastest with a 29.58 win to remain unbeaten. Tyrur Harold, Sonic and Droopys Cabaye also remained unbeaten going into the quarter-finals. Dorotas Wildcat was an unfortunate withdrawal after picking up a shoulder injury.
In the quarter-finals Sonic won a first messy heat in a time of 29.61 which was followed by an impressive win for Native Chimes from Kilgraney Ace in 29.44. The third quarter went to Black Farren who ended Tyrur Harold's unbeaten run and Jaytee Jet qualified by virtue of a third-place finish but Droopys Cabaye was eliminated. The final heat was won by Good News who surprisingly beat Clares Rocket.
Only Sonic remained unbeaten going into the semi-finals and his chances were enhanced when Clares Rocket was withdrawn lame, which explained the quarter-final defeat. The first semi final provided a shock with Black Farren winning in 29.63 followed by Buckos Dream and Hey Bound. The heat favourites Native Chimes and Tyrur Harold were both eliminated. In the second semi final Good News defeated hot favourite Sonic in 29.49 and Jaytee Jet finished third to claim a final place.
The final was won by Good News who was fast away from the traps and always led. Black Farren held onto second place holding off the strong finishing Sonic who had found trouble at the first bend along with the other competitors.
Quarter finals
Heat 1 (Sep 9)PosName SP Time 1stSonic4-7f29.612ndJaytee Barracuda6-130.203rdHey Bound 20-130.314thClona Kid 12-130.555thDrive on Tipp 4-131.326thPension Plan 7-131.39
Heat 2 (Sep 9)PosName SP Time 1stNative Chimes 5-229.442ndKilgraney Ace 1-1f29.683rdDrumsna Star 33-130.034thBallymac Sarahjo 12-130.175thSwithuns Brae 5-130.496thSidarian fern 6-130.80
Heat 3 (Sep 9)PosName SP Time 1stBlack Farren7-1 29.682ndTyrur Harold 6-4f29.823rdJaytee Jet 5-129.964thMilldean Skip10-1 29.975thDroopys Cabaye7-2 30.076thBurnt Beans 7-230.63
Heat 4 (Sep 9)PosName SP Time 1stGood News 5-129.592ndClares Rocket2-5f 29.613rdBuckos Dream 8-129.684thHovex Mick10-1 29.735thTypical Ash 20-129.986thSkywalker Manner12-1 30.05
Semi finals
First Semi-final (Sep 16)PosName of Greyhound SP Time Trainer1stBlack Farren 5-129.63Holland2ndBuckos Dream9-229.73O'Donovan3rdHey Bound 16-129.91Cronin4thNative Chimes2-1f30.05O'Sullivan5thTyrur Harold9-430.19Fahy6thJaytee Barracuda8-130.36Hennessy
Second Semi-final (Sep 16)PosName of Greyhound SP Time Trainer1stGood News 6-429.49 Guilfoyle2ndSonic1-1f29.63Holland3rdJaytee Jet10-129.80Hennessy4thDrumsna Star50-130.08Quinn5thKilgraney Ace4-130.19BuggyN/RClares Rocket Holland
See also 2017 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
References