Following the later start to BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby last year, this year it’s set again for its usual date with it starting in August and ending in September at Shelbourne Park where some of the quickest hounds from Ireland and the UK battle it out for the most prestigious race in Greyhound Racing.
The reigning Champion is Bockos Diamond who was a remarkable winner of the event for trainer Graham Holland going unbeaten through every round and even winning his semi-final in 28.94 a Track Record for the 550-yard trip at Shelbourne Park.
Bockos Diamond likely be entered again in the hope he can retain his title this coming September, but there will be a competitive field as always with Cheap Sandwiches, De Lahdedah and Bombay Pat all worthy contenders too among others,
BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby Dates
The BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby will begin on the 22nd of August with the Final set for the 27th of September.
BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby 2025 Odds
Dog | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Bockos Diamond | 9/2 | 18.2% |
Cheap Sandwiches | 14/1 | 6.7% |
Lennies Desire | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Bombay Pat | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Callaway Knegare | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Magical Major | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Droopys Patriot | 16/1 | 5.9% |
De Lahdedah | 20/1 | 4.8% |
BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby Favourites
BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby Favourites
Bockos Diamond
Bockos Diamond
The early favourite for the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby is reigning Champion Bockos Diamond who won the 2024 final by finishing 1 length of runner-up Cheap Sandwiches in 29.25.
The September 2022 whelp is the exceptional son of Dorotos Wildcat and Seaglass Shadow and trained by Graham Holland for the Remember-Them- Syndicate. Bockos has hardly missed a step in his career to date boosting an exceptional record of 20 victories, 2 runner-up finishes and 1 third place result from 23 races, amassing €155,175 in the process from his successes.
He opened his career by winning the 2024 Champion Unraced in Kilkenny and slashed the 550 Track Record at Shelbourne Park clocking 28.94 as well as going unbeaten on his way to winning the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby last November. He's already a dog who has etched himself into greyhound folklore for his out of this world pace.
More recently, he returned to racing last May in the hope of landing the English Greyhound Derby, first running in he Juvenile Championship where he finished third in behind Proper Heiress and Droopys Plunge. In the Derby he was impressive throughout winning 4/5 rounds to reach the final. Unfortunately for connections this time he had to settle for runner-up coming 1.5 lengths behind winner Droopys Plunge.
In advance of his title defence, he has clocked 16.94 for the sprint in Curaheen Park and 28.44 for the 525 in Shelbourne Park. It'll take a serious dog to beat him in this years competition.
Bockos Diamond has huge claims for the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby
Can Bockos Diamond Go Back-To-Back?
Cheap Sandwiches
Cheap Sandwiches
Next in the betting for he BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby is another trained dog by Graham Holland this time Cheap Sandwiches who connections will be hoping can go one better this time around.
The September 2022 whelp and son of Burgess Bucks and Hearthill Josie was the runner-up in the 2024 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby coming only 1 length behind his kennel mate Bockos Diamond his 29.33 he clocked in that final would’ve won him 17 of the last 20 finals.
At the time of writing, he also can boast an exceptionally consistent record on the track with 13 wins, 13 runner-up finishes and 3 third finishes from 33 races. Like Bockos Diamond he also ran up the English Greyhound Derby winning 3/5 rounds to get to the final before placing fourth though he was still clocking 28.91.
Cheap Sandwiches has caught the eye in defeat against Bockos before and arguably most notably in the third round of the English Derby putting it up to him all the way to only lose by a short head in 28.84. More recently he's won over the 550 trip in Dundalk and won 1 from 2 races at Shelbourne Park over the same distance.
A serious contender based on current running who can't be ignored in the betting market.
Bet on Cheap Sandwiches for the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby
Lennies Desire
Lennies Desire
Another one of the market leaders for the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby is the Paul Hennessy trained son of Signet Ace and Free From Desire, Lennies Desire.
The December 2022 dog made his debut at Kilkenny in August 2024 winning in 28.78 and setting a statement of his potential on the track. He then spent time sprinting in Dundalk and found form winning in Shelburne Park twice over the 525 yard trip before he spent some time away from racing.
The break proved exactly what the dog needed and on his return at Towcester in April in the Maidan Derby he clocked the fastest time of his career to that point winning in 29.06 and he ended up finishing third in the competition coming 2 lengths back of Hello Diego.
He then was entered into the English Derby where in the opening round he clocked a Track Record 28.58 and though he was knocked out of the following round he then won the Derby Plate. Recently he's been running around Shelbourne but his recent spring sessions around Kilkenny have been a fine reminder of the pace he possesses.
Lennies Desire is a fine contender for this competition,
Bombay Pat
Bombay Pat
Bombay Pat the son of Pestana and Clear Mountain trained by Graham Holland is another one of the market leaders for the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby.
The September 2022 dog took a while to showcase his exceptional pace, failing to start at Kilkenny in May 2024 before finishing 4th in a sprint at Cork in July 2024. However, on his third start, he finally showed the public what he was all about winning an A3 race at Cork stopping the clock in showstopping 27.96.
However, since that success in Cork he’s become a far more consistent dog on the Open Racing Scene coming 4th in the Consolation Derby last year, and recently reaching the English Greyhound Derby Final though he finished last in the event he did win his heat in the opening three rounds and posted some of the fastest clocks of the competition.
More recently he won over the 550 yard trip at Shelbourne stopping the clock earlier this month in 29.32.
Bombay Pat has the pace to compete with anyone.
Callaway Knegare
Callaway Knegare
Callaway Knegare trained by Owen McKenna is seen as the next most likely to win the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby following his third place finish in the 2024 Final.
The November 2022 whelp and son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Sweet finished third in the 2024 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby coming only 1 length behind runner-up Cheap Sandwiches and 2 behind winner Bockos Diamond still clocking 29.41 for the 550 yard trip.
Following his impressive run in the 2024 BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby, Callaway has become he was given a break from running until he returned in February for completed two sensational trials one in Shelbourne where he clocked 27.99 and one in Tralee where he clocked 27.87. He then ran in both 550./600 yard races most notably finishing third in the Shelbourne Open 600 Final.
At the time of writing, he also can boast an exceptionally consistent record on the track with 9 wins, 6 runner-up finishes and 7 third place finishes from 25 races. His most recent runs were a 28.01 trial in Dundalk and a fourth finish in a race in Dundalk over the 550 yard distance.
Best Bet
Best Bet
De Lahdedah
De Lahdedah trained by Liam Dowling is another expected to contend for the most prestigious prize in racing.
The October 2021 son of Lenson Bocko and Ballymac Sarahjo has been a regular scorer on the racing scene since debuting at the Juvenile Classic in Tralee back in February 2023. He was always seen as a dog with great ability including in the following September of that year clocking 27.78 for the 525 in Shelbourne Park.
He finally delivered on his promise last year in this competition when he was crowned the 2024 English Greyhound Derby Champion breaking the Track Record (at the time) in a 28.58 victory.
In the 2024 BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby, De Lahdedah got knocked out in the fourth round when he finished in fifth place. However if any thought retirement could be on the cards they were wide of the mark, with him continuing to run around Shelbourne Park. But he again found form in Towcester reaching another English Derby Final this time finishing third last June.
Bet on BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby Odds
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