GREYHOUND TV COVERAGE RETURNS
Thursday, September 2nd
For the first time this year there will be a live Greyhound transmission by an Irish based TV company when the RTE cameras visit Shelbourne Park for the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby final on Saturday week.
While it will be just a 45 minute programme it will be extremely welcome given the dearth of coverage this year. The programme is scheduled to go out on RTE 2 between 9.15 and 10 pm and is expected to include two live races plus a few recordings.
The Derby final will be run at approximately 9.30 which will leave a very short period for a build-up to the classic decider. The shorter programme is necessitated by the proliferation of sporting programmes that evening on the station with a live Magners League Rugby game and the Premiership programme to be shown beforehand.
It is hoped that the Kerry AgriBusiness Irish St Leger can be shown live from Limerick on Saturday, December 18th.
€60,000 NEWBRIDGE OAKS BONUS
Thursday, September 2nd
Despite the severe cutbacks which have hit greyhound racing and every other sector, the J.P. Moran & Trevor O’Donnell Newbridge Oaks will have very handsome money on offer when it commences next month.
For 48 bitches, the Oaks over 525 yards will have a total prizefund of €14,000, of which the winner will receive €6,500. However the real stunner with this stake is the associated €60,000 Bonus which is payable if the winner of this year’s event goes on to win the final of the 2011 Sporting Press Irish Oaks at Shelbourne Park.
The first round of the Oaks will be run at Newbridge on Friday, October 15th.
SHANEBOY RETIRED TO STUD
Thursday, September 2ndt
Leading Irish tracker Shaneboy Lee has been retired to stud and will be standing at the Kiely kennels in Ballymac, Kilmallock.
His owner Denis Kiely confirmed today that the dog has been retired due to injuries that have plagued him this year. “He wasn’t fit when we ran him in the Derby. We felt he was sound and we took a chance but he just wasn’t able to drive forward off his hind leg. In addition we discovered that he also had a hamstring problem and we reckoned it was time to call it a day”.
Shaneboy Lee was a star tracker and was a finalist in last year’s Champion Stakes and Irish Derby at Shelbourne as well as the Munster Puppy Cup, the Two Year Old Stake at Limerick and the Produce Stakes before running-up the St Leger at Limerick. He set a new 28.24 record around Clonmel. His crowning moment came when he won the Hegarty Bookmakers 600 at Shelbourne this year, the second last race of his career.
He has actually been serving the odd bitch right from the start of the year and Denis reckons he has up to thirteen bitches mated at this stage with all bar one reported in pup. He has been officially launched on his stud career in the week that his sire Brett Lee passed away.
UK BLONDE PAIR IN PUPPY LINE-UP
Wednesday, September 1st
Two leading British puppies figure among the early entries for the Bookmakers Puppy Derby which commences at Harold’s Cross on Friday week.
Blonde Snapper and Blonde Ross are litter brothers by Droopys Kewell out of Rough Charley and both contested the final of the William Hill Puppy Derby at Wimbledon where Snapper went off the 9-4 second favourite and finished third. Ross was in the wars on the bend and finished down the field. They have been sent over to John McQuillan for this competition.
Leading home entry at this stage is the Dolores Ruth trained Kingo, the impressive winner of a valuable stake at Mullingar. He was thrown in at the deep end in the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby but ran with distinction and will be a fancied contender for Puppy Derby honours. Another entry from Dolores is Razldazl Faye.
Other names in the book at this stage include Saleen Return and Melody Hawk. Entries close on Monday for the 72 dog puppy classic which carries a winner’s prize of €25,000 with the runner-up collecting €8,000 and the third €4,000.
BIG STAYERS CLASH ON DERBY CARD
Wednesday, September 1st
Following their thrilling battles in the Corn Cuchulainn and more recently the Suirside Stayers Stake, Ireland’s two top stayers are set for another battle royal at Shelbourne on Derby final night.
Kiltrea Kev and Cooladerry Fizz are among the entries for the Open 750 on that all open card but all the other top names are already in the pot for the two staying races over the 750 and 850 yard distances. The likes of Corporate Attack, Ferdia Bound, Slick Season and Seven Hills Lady will all be on show.
The entries are rolling in for all the open contests with Monday morning the closing date. It is hoped to stage open races over all distances from 350 to 850 yards as well as a Bitch Open 525.
EXTRA LIMERICK MEETING
Wednesday, September 1st
Due to the increased number of entries for the Limerick meetings at Thurles, an extra meeting for Limerick dogs will be staged at Thurles on Friday week, September 10th. To facilitate this meeting, the normal Thurles card will be staged on Tuesday night next.
There will also be a meeting for Limerick dogs at Tralee on Thursday, September 16th.
By the way, reports from the new stadium suggest that the bookings to date have been very encouraging with a number of Benefit Meetings already in the book and the restaurant is reported to be filling up fast.
NO PROBLEM WITH DROMORE
Monday, August 30th
The doubts which arose concerning Dromore Hero’s participation in the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby were totally unfounded.
The dog’s trainer Jim Morrissey was unaware of the stories which had gathered momentum after betting on the dog was suspended by a leading bookmaking firm on Sunday.
I received calls and texts enquiring about the story on Sunday evening but Morrissey yesterday said the dog is one hundred per cent. “We have had him checked over and everything is great. We are just hoping for a miracle at this stage”.
The betting lists suggest that the son of Head Bound and Graigues Haze may need a minor miracle to qualify as he is 66-1 in the outright betting and 33-1 for the opening heat on Saturday. But the dog is perfectly drawn in six and will be staying strongly.
He won the first two rounds of the classic and is a first Derby semi-finalist for Morrissey who trains in Rathdowney. “I have had six quarter finalists but the story always ended there until last Saturday when Dromore got through”. The dog is owned by Tom Murphy from Brosna and his Hong Kong based nephew John.
TRAINERS “HAPPY” WITH THEIR RUNNERS
Monday, August 30th
Two trainers with previous Derby victories behind them yesterday declared themselves happy with their charges in advance of Saturday’s semi-finals.
Seamus Graham, who has won the classic three times with Dipmac, Tina Marina and Climate Control, has Mesedo Blue involved in the hot first semi-final but he is his usual positive self. “I am delighted with the way he is running and hopefully we will have a little bit of luck in running on Saturday. It would be great to get him to the final”.
The dog is owned by the Four M Syndicate and their spokesman Sean McKee is thoroughly enjoying the Derby experience. “It is fantastic to have a dog in the semi-final of the Derby. It really is a dream and it would be marvellous if he could make it to the final”.
Paul Hennessy won the Derby three years ago with Tyrur Rhino and he has two very strong contenders in Colorful Champ and Barefoot Bullet. “They’re grand, there’s not a bother on them. They are fresh enough in themselves and it’s great to be still involved at this stage. We’ll just keep them ticking over now to Saturday and hope for the best. They are two very good semis but this has been a very good Derby and you cannot expect to get an easy Derby semi-final”.
FAVOURITE BIG MIKE “SPOT ON”
Monday, August 30th
Tyrur Big Mike, clear favourite in all lists for the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby, was today described by owner P.J. Fahy as being in great form following his latest victory in the quarter finals on Saturday night.
Speaking from his Glenamaddy base this afternoon (Sunday), Fahy said: “Both Big Mike and McGuigan are in great form after their runs last night. We’ll have them checked out as usual tomorrow but we couldn’t be happier with them. They have difficult draws but what can you expect in the Derby semi-finals?”.
Fahy reports that Tyrur Enda was “a little sore in the wrist and we’ll give him a week off before thinking of the Hennerty Laurels at Curraheen. We might give him a trial around there on Friday week”.
Incidentally, Tyrur Enda sustained a cut on the head when hitting the trap lids on Saturday, an incident that obviously caused him to miss the break.
BIG MIKE THE 5-2 FAVOURITE
Sunday, August 29th
Sponsors Ladbrokes have responded to the quarter final action by cutting Tyrur Big Mike to 5-2 favourite for the Irish Derby but Tullymurry Act is now the clear 4-1 second favourite after his season’s best performance on Saturday night.
Amazingly, five of the six favourites in the betting have been drawn against each other in next Saturday’s potentially lethal opening heat. Grouped together, in trap order, are Tullymurry Act (4-1), Colorful Champ (10-1), Tyrur Big Mike (5-2), Mesedo Blue (10-1) and Thurlesbeg Joker (5-1) with the wide running Dromore Hero (33-1) ideally housed in six as one of only two surviving wide seeds.
Just about anything can happen in this semi but if Tyrur Big Mike continues to demonstrate that fantastic pace to the bend then he will surely be an automatic for a spot in the final. But such is the quality of the race that absolutely nothing can be taken for granted!
The second heat is a much more open affair, despite the rather conservative 6-4 price being quoted about Barefoot Bullet, particularly with the big early paced wide running Tyrur McGuigan on his inner. Foyle Storm, Hats My Boy and the evergreen also provide early spice in this contest while Krug Ninety Five will be motoring home in a bid to reach his second Derby final of the year.
The two Derby semi-finals will be run at 9.15 and 9.30 on Saturday with the semi-finals of the Derby Plate at 10.15 and 10.30.
LADBROKES’ BETTING
Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby
5-2 Tyrur Big Mike; 4 Tullymurry Act, 5 Barefoot Bullet, Thurlesbeg Joker; 10 Mesedo Blue, Colorful Champ; 12 Krug Ninety Five; 14 Hats My Boy, Tyrur McGuigan; 50 Ballymac Under, Foyle Storm; 66 Dromore Hero.
Derby Semi-final Odds
Heat 1: 1 Tullymurry Act 2-1; 2 Colorful Champ 6-1; 3 Tyrur Big Mike 13-8; 4 Mesedo Blue 6-1; 5 Thurlesbeg Joker 4-1; 6 Dromore Hero 33-1.
Heat 2: 1 Foyle Storm 12-1; 2 Hats My Boy 4-1; 3 Krug Ninety Five 3-1; 4 Ballymac Under 12-1; 5 Tyrur McGuigan 7-2; 6 Barefoot Bullet 6-4.
BALLYMAC’S 25-1 SHOCKER & SUPER TYRUR DOUBLE
Saturday, August 28th
The quarter-finals of the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby got off to a sensational start at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night when the 25-1 veteran Ballymac Under shot out of traps and went on to win in 29.66.
Fastest of the night was Tyrur Big Mike with a brilliant 29.54 run while his litter brother Tyrur McGuigan won in 29.78. The other qualifier saw Tullymurry Act lead home his kennel companion Hats My Boy in 29.67.
A REAL BALLYMAC SHOCK
The favourite was Tyrur Enda and he was expected to dash off in front. However he mistimed the start, as did the well fancied Monlesa Alsation and it was the Pa Fitzgerald trained Ballymac Under (Ballymac Maeve/ Ballymac Lark) that flashed out of the four box and led up from Colorful Champ and Barefoot Bullet.
The early pace of Tyrur Enda saw him get into the mix on the bend and he bumped Barefoot Bullet. Down the back and Ballymac led by a length from the threesome of Colorful Champ, Tyrur Enda and Barefoot Bullet with Monlesa just in behind. Colorful was forced to check on the third bend and then Tyrur Enda was baulked and all this left Ballymac Under in control and he won by three parts of a length in 29.96. Colorful Champ kept on well for second with Barefoot Bullet a head back in third.
FAHY COMPENSATION
Following the disappointment of Tyrur Enda’s elimination there was quick consolation for the Fahy team as Tyrur McGuigan continued on his upward path with another very impressive performance in the second qualifier. Again early pace was the hallmark of his performance as he flew to the bend and led clear around the corner from Foyle Storm and Razldazl Lord.
That continued to be the order down the back with Krug Ninety Five moving into fourth at the 750 box and starting to close on the leaders. Tyrur McGuigan (Brett Lee/ Tyrur Temptress) drifted wide off the final bend as usual but he maintained his lead and kept on well to win by a length in 29.78. Krug Ninety Five really powered home to finish second three parts of a length in front of Foyle Storm.
BIG MIKE IN FLYING FORM
The Tyrur double was completed by Tyrur Big Mike (Brett Lee/ Tyrur Temptress) with a typically dashing performance in the third heat. From a pretty level start, with the exception of Westmead Grant which was slowly away, it was soon Tyrur Big Mike up front and he led into the bend from Mesedo Blue and Kinda Ready.
Tyrur Big Mike lost a little ground on the bend but was still clear of Mesedo Blue into the back with Thurlesbeg Joker now moving into third. Nothing else counted from here with Mesedo Blue pressing all the way to the final bend but with Thurlesbeg Joker now moving strongly. Thurlesbeg went second off the final bend but failed by a length to catch Tyrur Big Mike in a fastest time of the round, 29.54. It was another length to Mesedo Blue in third.
TULLYMURRY GETS IN ON ACT
It has taken the Pat Buckley trained Tullymurry Act (Top Honcho/ Europa Spitfire) quite a while to recapture last year’s top form but he is just doing it at the best possible time! He produced a very fine performance to win the last of the qualifiers as he quickly took it up from his fast starting kennel companion Hats My Boy as the favourite Definate Opinion was slowly into stride.
Tullymurry Act led around the bend from Hats My Boy with Oran Jaguar next. Dromore Hero moved third early down the back but continued on his normal wide course. Tullymurry Act never looked like being caught and he led home a Buckley 1-2 as he had a length and a half in hand of a rallying Hats My Boy in 29.67 with Dromore Hero two and a half lengths third and three parts of a length in front of Definate Opinion.
Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby Plate
HEAT 1
1 THREE ONE THREE
2 DARTREY SPRING (M)
3 SLIPPERY DAVE (M)
4 MUSTANG JOHNNY (M)
5 KERRYDALE FARLOE (W)
6 ST LOUIS SPIRIT (W)
HEAT 2
1 ROYAL TORNADO
2 BALLYMAC MITSY
3 BLACK PAWS DOWN
4 WESTMEAD BOLT
5 BALLYFEARD BRAVE
6 TYRUR LUCKY (w)
AP’s TRACK WINNER
Thursday, August 26th
While champion jockey Tony McCoy was involved at Ffos Las on Wednesday night he was among the winners at Shelbourne Park where his Eves Aston made a hugely impressive racing debut in a semi-final of an A7 Stake.
Eves Aston took up the running early in the back straight and powered clear to win by eleven lengths from Express Simon in 29.02. In the first semi his litter sister Eves Choice had been a strong finishing second behind Black Cyclone in 29.24.
The dog pups run in the name of the McCoy/ Curtin Syndicate and are trained by Pat Curtin. They are named after McCoy’s lovely two year old daughter Eve.
They were, incidentally, the first runners at Shelbourne Park for the sire Shelbourne Aston who was such a favourite with the Ringsend racegoers in winning the 2008 Champion Stakes and Derby. The dam of the pups is Dr Proctor which won two races for McCoy and his wife Chanelle and the litter was bred by Pat’s brother John in Clonadrum, Co. Clare.
DERBY PRIZE FOR UK FANS
Thursday, August 20th
Call all UK fans, there is a trip to the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby final to be won and you could find yourself at Shelbourne on September 11th.
A competition is being run on our associated Derby Competition Page and on the website’s Facebook page. The prize will be a trip for two to the final via Irish Ferries sailings from Pembroke to Rosslare or Holyhead to Dublin with two nights stay at the Grand Canal Hotel in Dublin which is a very short distance from Shelbourne Park. On the night of the final the winner and guest will be taken to Shelbourne where they will enjoy a mouth-watering meal in the comfort of a private suite and they can enjoy all the Derby final action. But they will also be given €100 Tote betting vouchers for their betting on the night.
So, click on to the Derby Special pages or the Facebook page. It’s that simple.
€35,000 PRIZE FOR HENNERTY LAURELS WINNER
Saturday, August 21st
The Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels will be the second richest event in the Irish greyhound calendar following the confirmation that the winner’s prize will remain at €35,000 in spite of the general reduction elsewhere.
This is a massive boost for the southern classic which is being sponsored for the first time by Pat Hennerty. Great credit is due to Hennerty and his back-up team in coming up with more than €72,000 to be distributed in prizemoney on final night, October 16th.
Hennerty has got nine supporters to support the remaining races on final night and in addition some 132 nominators have paid up their cash with these contributions going towards the prize fund. The nominator’s draw will be held in conjunction with the first round draw on Tuesday, September 14th.
Said Pat Hennerty, “It is fantastic to see a classic event such as the Laurels maintaining the prize money with the support of greyhound enthusiasts from Cork City and County and from all over Ireland.
The €35,000 winner’s prize places the Laurels as second only behind the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby on the Irish calendar and is a great boost for the Curraheen classic which is run over 525 yards.
DERBY FINAL FOR OZ
Saturday, August 21st
It has just been confirmed that the final of the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby will be shown live in Australia on Saturday, September 11th.
The service will be provided via SIS and will be shown on the Sky Channel station down under. Of course, with Australia so many hours ahead of us it will actually be Sunday morning down there.
DERBY FINAL NIGHT ENTRIES
Tuesday, August 17th
There is usually a terrific battle to have runners on the Derby final night programme and so all are warned that entries are currently being accepted for a variety of open races to be run on the night of Saturday, September 11th.
It will be an all-open card and entries are invited for ALL DISTANCES between 350 and 850 yards in addition to an Open Bitch 525. Entries will close on Monday, September 6th.
Of course there will be open races to be filled on the quarter and semi-final nights, August 28th and September 4th, as well and the earlier you contact Shelbourne the better chance you have of getting a runner on to those cards!
HELLO TO 93 COUNTRIES!
Wednesday, August 11th
Figures just to hand show that Talking Dogs has readers in 93 different countries in all corners of the world.
The readership for the first week of the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby is up 11.8% on last year’s figures and we are now linked with the New South Wales Greyhound Racing Board (www.thedogs.com.au) who are featuring our videos of each round.
Naturally the bulk of our readers are in Ireland, the US, the UK, Australia and New Zealand but we also have readers in such far-flung out posts as Mexico, El Salvador, Uruguay, Belize, Togo, Taiwan, Peru, Macedonia, Vietnam, Iceland, Laos and Ghana just to name a select few.
So, let us say Good Morning to all our readers all over the world who have one thing in common – the love of greyhound racing.
IGB Announce New Prizemoney System
GRADED PRIZE GRANTS INTRODUCED
Wednesday, July 28th
The Irish Greyhound Board has totally revamped its prizemoney grant system and has adopted the long advocated graded grant structure which will reward the better trackers with better prizemoney.
Having conducted the first serious review of the prizemoney grant system since the arrival of the economic downturn, the new system announced today will:
* Introduce a Grant system which runs from €300 per race down to €150 depending on grade
* Reduce the total prizemoney grants by €300,000 per year
* Encourage owners and trainers to seek to improve the performance level of their dogs
This review took place in the aftermath of Government Funding being reduced by €3.8 million since 2008. The new system was discussed with the IGOBF and will see the total grant allocation being €6.5 million.
The new level of grants just announced will have a top level of €300 per race for open class distance racing while the top grant for standard distance open races will be €290. The A1 and A2 performers will still qualify for the top level grants but they will then be gradually reduced through the grades. The lowest standard distance grant will be €160 for the A9 grade.
One level of grant will actually be increased. This is for the open sprints with the top money increasing from €185 to €240.
* Full IGB statement in Profiles & Features.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Tuesday, July 27th
The night of July 17th was an historic one with the final meeting staged at the Markets Field in Limerick. Collectors of historical items related to the sport can obtain a copy of the racecard from the night by contacting the Irish Greyhound Board.
Marketing Manager Orla Strumble has organised a reprint of the programme and readers of Talking Dogs can obtain a copy free of charge by emailing their name and address to pr@igb.ie. The cards will be dispatched by the end of the week
VANDALS MAKE EARLY STRIKE
Tuesday, July 20th
The plight of the old Markets Field track was highlighted within hours of the track being officially closed following the farewell meeting on Saturday night.
Vandals struck at the stadium over the weekend and considerable damage was done to the offices, electrical wiring and the general facilities.
At least the era at the Markets Field ended on a hugely positive note with a bumper crowd enjoying a great night of racing despite the poor weather conditions. The cards ran out on the night, which meant there was an attendance in excess of 1,200 and there was a Tote turnover of more than €23,000. Even the beer ran out on the night – but at least that meant the vandals couldn’t get any of it!
The winner of the draw on Saturday night was Fionnuala Murphy from Croom and she wins a Dinner for four people in the new Limerick Greyhound Stadium.
IGB’S REGULATORY REVIEW
Wednesday, July 14th
The Irish Greyhound Board has announced the appointment of former NGRC Chief Executive Officer Frank Melville to conduct a review of the Board’s Control procedures with particular reference to incidents that occurred at the Dundalk and Curraheen Park stadia.
To enable the operation, Mr Melville has be appointed an authorised officer of the Board for the purposes of carrying out investigations under section 43.3 of the Racing Regulations 2007.
Mr Melville will review control procedures with particular reference to incidents that took place in Dundalk and Cork Stadia. Furthermore, Mr Melville will investigate any other matters or irregularities that may arise during the course of his investigations.
Mr Melville will be required to assess all control procedures, mechanisms and training at all tracks and centrally to ensure best practice and full compliance in line with corporate governance, thus ensuring that the integrity of the greyhound racing industry is protected.
There are nearly 20,000 greyhound races each year and the vast majority of these races are run without incident. Even though the incidents of concern are few, the Board believes it must act decisively to safeguard the industry. In the era where legal challenge is the norm the Board is determined that our procedures must be both fair and watertight.
The Board has nominated Teresa Wall, Director of Bord na gCon, to act as liaison with Mr Melville during his work. Mr Melville will report directly to Mrs Wall who will furnish the final report to the Board of the Irish Greyhound Board.
DERBY TICKETS ON SALE
Friday, July 2nd
The Ladbrokes Irish Derby will be underway in five weeks time and you can secure your place at the final on Saturday, September 11th by buying your tickets early.
The final tickets are now on Sale from the Sales Centre at €25 per adult and €12.50 for children under 12.
The tickets can be booked by contacting the Sales Centre at 1890 269 969 where payment will be processed and the tickets will be forwarded
RESERVES IN A CLASSIC!
Tuesday, June 29th
As a direct result of the reduced prizemoney there will be the very unusual and highly controversial situation whereby reserves will be introduced into a classic this weekend.
The threshold level of €15,000 was never changed following the cut in prizemoney and so there will be reserves used in the second round of the Gain Feeds Corn Cuchulainn this weekend. Indeed, by current rules reserves will be allowed right up to the final itself!
There are two withdrawals from the second round of the six bend classic, Granslam and Tyrur Speedy and reserves will come in to replace them.
NEW LIMERICK’S FIRST BENEFIT
Thursday, June 17th
Pieta House will have the honour of staging the first Benefit Meeting at the new Limerick Greyhound Stadium when they visit on Friday, October 18th.
Pieta House is Ireland’s first community-based centre for the prevention of self-harm or suicide and they are opening a new centre in Limerick which will service the entire Mid-west region. Limerick has the second highest suicide rate in Ireland, so this centre will be of huge importance to the area.
It is hoped that this will be the first of an annual series of meetings run by Pieta House.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that the last official day trials at the Markets Field will be staged next Wednesday, June 23rd. The decision was made as not every greyhound that qualifies from now on at the Markets Field will be guaranteed a race before the closure on Saturday, July 17th.
However official trials will continue after racing on Thursday nights and these will be mainly for raced grounds and will be bookable only.
NEW BACKGRADING RULES
Friday, April 30th
A change in the Backgrading rule is being introduced from Monday week, May 10th. The change was announced by the IGB Regulation Department and the statement reads:
From Monday 10th May the current Backgrading rule of: “A greyhound will be backgraded when it finishes out of the first two on three consecutive occasions over the same category of distance (i.e. 3 Sprint races, 3 Middle Distance races, 3 Long Distance races or 3 Hurdle races)”
will read:
“A greyhound will be back graded if it does not win a race on three consecutive occasions over the same category of distance (i.e. 3 Sprint races, 3 Middle Distance races, 3 Long Distance races or 3 Hurdle races)” N.B. Racing over other categories of distance does not break the cycle
Any greyhound which is not already down to race that week will be regraded to take into account this new rule prior to running its next race. Greyhounds which are already down to race will be regraded following that particular race.
The back grading rules in relation to OPEN grade greyhounds will then read:
1. It must not have won on three consecutive occasions
2. It must not have recorded an open time in all three consecutive races
3. Racing over another category of distance will not break the three race cycle
NEW UK REGULATIONS FOR IRISH RUNNERS
Thursday, February 18th
The Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations UK will come into force on April 5th and, in advance of their introduction, the GBGB have now modified its requirements for greyhounds wishing to race or trial on all its tracks as international entries.
From 1st March 2010, an international entry will only be permitted to race or trial if the greyhound has first been micro-chipped and registered on the GBGB Registry database.
There is no charge for an international entry registration. However, the following information must be provided to GBGB not less than five working days prior to the closing date of the intended race/ competition and not less than five working days prior to participation in a trial:
* Name and address and contact telephone number of owner (or owners if in joint ownership).
* Proof of address for the owner/s (copy of utility or telephone bill).
* Proof of date of birth of the owner/s (copy of passport or driving licence).
* Name and address of trainer.
* Name, address and date of birth of any trainer assistants/kennel hands.
* Name of greyhound and identification (markings and form lines).
* Certificate of micro-chipping, to include microchip barcode or full microchip number. The microchip must comply with either ISO standard 11784:1996 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785:1996 of the ISO’s standards for microchips.
* Name of competition/ race/ trial that greyhound will be competing in.
* Place of kennelling in Britain and name of GBGB trainer licensed to kennels.
* Up to date veterinary certificate of inoculation.
* Special Authority from the Irish Greyhound Board (061-448001)
Owners and Trainers with queries on any matter are requested to contact the GBGB Registry Department on 0044 207 421 3770
Please note that greyhounds participating in sales trials on GBGB tracks are exempt from the regulations and are not required to be micro-chipped or registered in advance.
Any queries from an Irish viewpoint should be directed to Barry Coleman, Welfare and Racing Operations Support Manager at the IGB (Tel: 00353 61 448001). Fax: 00353 61 448202. e-mail: barry.coleman@igb.ie
ARCHIVES STILL UP TO DATE
Friday, November 13th
Despite fact that there will be no live online racing on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from now on, the videos of those nights will still be available the following morning on www.igb.ie.
Fears had been expressed that the cessation of the online service on the opening three nights of the week would affect the availability of videos but this will not happen. The IT department has confirmed that archived racing will be available as normal the following morning for each night’s racing.
FULL VIDEO RACE COVERAGE LAUNCHED BY IGB
Wednesday, August 26th
In a major advancement of the current video operation, the Irish Greyhound Board has announced that as of next Saturday the video footage of all races run at sixteen Irish tracks will be available online the morning after the race is run.
For the past few years the video footage of all Dublin races has been available on the IGB website, www.igb.ie, as well as all Saturday night racing at Cork. But the new move means that racing from every track except Dundalk will be available from next Saturday.
Initially at least, the service will be free for all users of the IGB site. Archived footage of all races run throughout 2009 will also be available from this weekend.
Said IGB CEO Adrian Neilan: “This is a huge step forward for everyone involved in the sport. By making the footage of the races more available it will be a major boost for the promotion of greyhound sales in Ireland and to the UK and further afield. It will allow everyone involved in the sport greater access to what has happened on the track. There will be more information available to those who like to bet and the service will link in to our continued expansion of the online tote betting service which operates through the same portal.
“The internet presents great global opportunities for the promotion of Irish greyhound racing. Everything hinges on the performance of the greyhounds and that is what we will now be showing, initially in an archive format but with the opportunity for more live streaming as the demand and the betting interest from around the world gathers momentum. The service will be free in the early stages. We will monitor the cost of providing the service and the benefit of the increased coverage of the sport before making any decision on the pricing model. This may be linked to our betting portal. This initiative backs up the activity which has taken place on Facebook surrounding the Paddypower.com Irish Greyhound Derby and shows that our sport, while traditional in nature, has embraced the opportunities of new media”.
The only Irish track not included in the service is Dundalk but it is hoped that this will be added shortly afterwards.
INTERESTED IN SYNDICATION?
Thursday, July 30th
Recently we have been contacted by a few people with slightly different queries regard syndication. One man from the Limerick area is interested in getting involved with either a new or established syndicate. Is there anybody out there who would like to welcome a new member or syndicate partner on board?
So, if there is anybody who would like to recruit members for a syndicate or to personally join a syndicate, why not contact us at, “Malcolm on 086 8142833.”
IGB LAUNCHES FACEBOOK PAGE
Tuesday, June 30th
The Irish Greyhound Board has increased its online presence, by launching a Fan Page on Facebook. The site, which has experienced a massive rise in popularity in Ireland, allows users to not only interact with friends but also with celebrities, businesses and communities.
The Irish Greyhound Board page will give fans updates on events and happenings around the country, and will also give them the chance to win in exclusive Facebook competitions.
The establishment of the Facebook page follows the successful launch of the e-zine, IGB News & Views, in March. The monthly email newsletter has established a strong following, and rewards readers with excellent competitions each month. The July 2009 issue will give subscribers the chance to win flights with Aer Arann.
All of this follows improvements to the IGB website www.igb.ie, designed to create a more interactive and informative portal for visitors. In the past year the website has seen an expansion in the archived racing and live streaming service and the introduction of Talking Dogs, Special Offers, Photo Galleries and more.
To become a fan of the Irish Greyhound Board on Facebook, simply log in and search Irish Greyhound Board:.http://www.facebook.com/pages/Irish-Greyhound-Board/92504867988.
NEW IGB NEWSLETTER
Thursday, March 12th
The Irish Greyhound Board has launched a new monthly Newsletter which will be available to all subscribers to the IGB Website www.igb.ie.
Each issue will give readers the opportunity to win great prizes and this month’s prize is two tickets to the Ireland versus Bulgaria World Cup qualifier at Croke Park on March 28th.
You can sign up for the Newsletter in the Reservations section or the Special Offers on the main IGB Website. If anybody would like to receive this month’s issue to be in with a chance of winning those Croke Park tickets, simply email newsletter@igb.ie by Wednesday next, March 18th