Historic success for Tipperary-based trainer in Irish Greyhound Derby final

Above: Jenna Boyle makes a presentation to Beverley Lochead after Bockos Diamond won the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night. Also included are Austin Whelan and Tom McNamara, part owners; Golden-based trainer Graham Holland (left) and Nickey, Timothy and Rachel Holland

Bockos Diamond was crowned the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby champion amid great excitement on Saturday night last at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium, winning €125,000 for the Remember Them syndicate, and securing a historic success for Tipperary-based trainer Graham Holland.

This son of Dorotas Wildcat – Seaglass Shadow was sublime from trap six and produced an excellent 16.85 sectional to the third bend.

He won by a length in 29.25, with his kennelmate Cheap Sandwiches finishing second, giving the Holland’s Riverside Kennels a wonderful one-two.

The Owen McKenna-trained Callaway Knegare was third.

This is an historic fourth Irish Greyhound Derby win for trainer Graham Holland, who trains at Golden.

The success has assured him of a place in the history books of greyhound racing, becoming only the third trainer in the almost 100-year history of the Irish Greyhound Derby to win the accolade an incredible four times.

In doing so he joins trainers Tom Lynch (who completed his last win in 1967) and Gay McKenna (in 1972).

Bockos Diamond remained unbeaten throughout the competition and brought his tally of wins on Saturday night to an incredible 15 in a row.

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He broke the track record in the third round, clocking 28.94 and equalled that record in the semi-finals.