Tipperary trainers to the fore ahead of Irish Greyhound Derby Final
All Eyes on Graham Holland as history beckons in the 2025 BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby Final.
The stage is set for one of the most eagerly anticipated nights in Irish greyhound racing, as the 2025 BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby reaches its thrilling conclusion this Saturday, 27th September, at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium.
All focus will be on legendary trainer Graham Holland (based in Golden), who has the chance to etch his name into the history books by becoming the first ever trainer to win five Irish Greyhound Derby titles. Holland, already regarded as one of the greats of the sport, will send out the red-hot favourite Cheap Sandwiches in Saturday’s decider.
Holland’s Derby journey began in 2016 when Rural Hawaii gave him his first victory. He returned to the winner’s circle with Lenson Bocko (2019), Newinn Taylor (2020) and last year’s champion Bockos Diamond (2024). Victory this weekend would lift him clear of training icons Tom Lynch and Gay McKenna, who each secured four Derby crowns.
Derek Frehill, Director or Racing said, “Winning the Derby is the ultimate dream for any trainer. To be equal to names like Lynch and McKenna is an honour, but to have the chance of going one better is something truly special,”
A Final Steeped in Storylines
This year’s final promises history-making potential from all angles:
•UK Contender Makes the Cut: Proper Heiress, trained by Mark Wallis, carries the hopes of Britain. No UK-trained runner has reached the decider since 2008, while the last cross-channel winner was Toms The Best in 1997. A win would be a seismic moment for UK greyhound racing.
•The Youngest Ever Champion? Glengar Silent (trained by Pat Buckley,Tipperary), born in November 2023, could become the youngest Derby winner on record at just 679 days old, eclipsing Tina Marina (1996) and Susie Sapphire (2021).
•Flying the Flag for the Ladies: Magical Mag (trained by Pat Guilfoyle, Tipperary) and Barefoot On Song (Paul Hennessy, Kilkenny) represent the bitches in this year’s decider. The last female to capture the crown was Susie Sapphire in 2021.
•Trap Four Drought: Glengar Silent also bids to end a 14-year drought for the black jacket. The last trap four winner was Razldazl George in 2011.
•Bookending the Classic: Favourite Cheap Sandwiches (trained by Graham Holland)could emulate Rural Hawaii’s 2016 triumph by winning both the opening heat and the final, a rare feat in Derby history.
Final - 9.24pm
1.Proper Heiress (Mark Wallis)
2.Magical Mag (Pat Guilfoyle)
3.Barefoot On Song (Paul Hennessy)
4.Glengar Silent (Pat Buckley)
5.Cheap Sandwiches (Graham Holland)
6.Droopys Deploy (Robert Gleeson, Kildare)