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,
BoyleSports 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.
BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby 2025 Odds
Dog | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Bockos Diamond | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Bombay Pat | 12/1 | 7.7% |
Callaway Knegare | 14/1 | 6.7% |
Droopys Kathleen | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Faypoint Ranger | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Cheap Sandwiches | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Droopys Patriot | 20/1 | 4.8% |
Ballinabola Joe | 20/1 | 4.8% |
BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Favourites
Bockos Diamond – 5/1
The early favourite for the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby is reigning Champion Bockos Diamond with odds of 5/1 suggesting a 16.7% chance he does the business again.
The September 2022 whelp is trained by Graham Holland for the Remember-Them- Syndicate and is the exceptional son of Dorotos Wildcat and Seaglass Shadow. Though only 21 races into his career (at the time of writing) he’s won the 2024 Champion Unraced in Kilkenny, slashed the 550 Track Record at Shelbourne Park clocking 28.94 but most importantly of all went unbeaten to to win the Irish Greyhound Derby last November in Shelbourne Park winning the most coveted prize in the Greyhound game.
With an almost impeccable record in Open Class company of 19 wins, 1 runner-up finished and 1 third place from 21 races, usually making his opposition look silly he’s a very worthy favourite for this competition again in 2025.
Will he be an English Greyhound Derby winner by then also? Bockos has gone unbeaten in the opening three rounds of the competition and will be hard-stopped!
Bockos Diamond to win - 2/1
Bombay Pat – 12/1
The second favourite for the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby is another Graham Holland runner this time the son of Pestana and Clear Mountain.
Bombay Pat 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
Since then the September 2022 whelp has become a major player in the opening racing seen both in Ireland and the UK, winning at Shelbourne Park for the winter festivals 550 yard race in 29.19. He’s also currently running in the English Greyhound Derby with 3 wins and 1 runner-up finish on his way to the quarter-finals.
Pat has won 12/18 of his races and if he can maintain consistency he has the legs to be a major player for this event.
Bombay Pat - 12/1
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Callaway Knegare– 14/1
The third favourite for the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby is the Owen McKenna trained Callaway Knegare who at 14/1 is seen as having a 6.7% chance in this competition.
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
At the time of writing, he also can boast an exceptionally consistent record on the track with 8 wins, 5runner-up finishes and 6third finishes from 21 races. His most recent run was at Shelbourne Park where he was an impressive winner over 600 yards clocking 32.10.
This strong running sort has gone far in this competition before and could very well be thereabouts again this time around.
Callaway Knegare to win - 14/1
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Droopys Kathleen – 16/1
The Robert Gleeson trained Droopys Kathleen the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Dancer is another one of the leading contenders for the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby with odds of 16/1.
The May 2023 whelp, may only have 5 races to her name, but she's already made an out of this world impression on the track debuting at Shelbourne Park in October last year she won in 28.33 and followed by wins with times of 28.03 and 27.77 showcasing early ability quite unlike we've ever seen on the track.
She won fourth race of her career in a Track Record 27.58 at Shelbourne Park before winning the final the following week in 28.05.
5/5 a perfect start to her career and she's certain to be a major contender for the 2025 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby
Droopys Kathleen to win - 16/1
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Faypoint Ranger – 16/1
Another one of the market leaders for the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby is the Graham Holland trained son of Coolavanny Hoffa and Carefree. Tipp, Faypoint Ranger.
The May 2023 dog only debuted on the track earlier this year in the Rural Kennels Open Unraced Stake though he finished last in the final. Next up was the the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial in Limerick where he exploded into life winning every single round including a 27.98 in the semi-final and a 28.05 to bring home the first classic of his career
Since then, he won a round of the Produce Stakes in 28.81 before being knocked out in the second round.
Can he contend for the Derby though? With 9 wins and 1 runner-up finish from his opening 12 races in the quality of field that he's performed in means he's certainly a worthy name among the other market contenders!
Faypoint Ranger to win - 16/1
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Cheap Sandwiches – 16/1
Another one of the 16/1 shots for the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby is another trained dog by Graham Holland Cheap Sandwiches.
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 10 wins, 11 runner-up finishes and 3 third finishes from 27 races. Like Bockos Diamond he’s currently running up the English Greyhound Derby and has a quarter-final to look forward to next weekend.
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.
A serious contender based on current running and at 16/1 can't be ignored in the betting market.
Cheap Sandwiches to win - 16/1
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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