Jumierah Buddy is Galway’s sole hope for success as 24 greyhounds remain in the race for the €300,000 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby for quarter final weekend.
The action continues this Saturday at Shelbourne Park with four ultra-competitive heats down for decision in the richest race in the Irish greyhound calendar, which boasts a prize fund of over €300,000.
The third round saw 48 greyhounds brought down to 24, with Lenson Bocko, trained by Graham Holland, posting the fastest time of the round in 29.27 seconds. Jumierah Buddy, trained by Gerry Holian in Athenry and owned by Jimmy Buckley, came 2nd in the same heat, five and a half lengths behind in 29.65.
Racing Manager with the Leinster Racing Office, Derek Frehill, commented: “We’re through the half way point of the 2019 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby now as we approach the fourth weekend out of six. The first half of the competition has seen such high quality racing and we’re getting down to the nitty gritty now. Derby time is a special time here at Shelbourne Park and we’re all looking forward to this weekend’s quarter finals. I’d like to wish the very best of luck to all greyhounds and their connections who have done remarkably well to still be involved.”
Payments are staggered for heat winners with larger rewards for greyhounds winning later rounds, particularly quarter and semi-finals, following on from last year’s increase in this area.
All four quarter final heats take place this Saturday, September 7th, with the final of the 2019 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby being held on Saturday, September 21st, at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium.
2019 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby, quarter finals – Galway interest:
Heat 2: Jumeirah Buddy (trained by Gerry Holian, Athenry and owned by Jimmy Buckley, Athenry)
This is the sixth year of BoyleSports sponsorship of the classic event, which has been running since 1928, receiving classic status in 1932. The competition, which is run over a distance of 550yds, takes place in Shelbourne Park, Dublin, Ireland’s premier greyhound track.
Key event dates:
Quarter Finals – Saturday, September 7th
Semi Finals – Saturday, September 14th
Final – Saturday, September 21st