It’s no lie to say that the Greyhound Derby is the biggest occasion on the greyhound racing calendar. Each year, dozens of dogs compete to make it to the showpiece final and get a shot at winning one of the most prestigious races in the sport, while the punters pore over the greyhound racing betting exchange. Last year, Deerjet Sydney became the latest Irish greyhound to win the Derby, continuing a long history of Irish success in the race.

In fact, last year was the second successive edition of the Derby where an Irish greyhound has
reigned supreme. As you explore the past editions of the race, you’ll notice a number of winner
that had Irish trainers. Let’s take a look back at the last ten Irish-trained dogs to have won the
Greyhound Derby.

2020: Deerjet Sydney

As previously mentioned, Deerjet Sydney triumphed at last year’s Greyhound Derby. Having lined up
at odds of 11/4, it was a fine performance to give Pat Buckley his first win in the famous race and
continue a long line of Irish winners.

2019: Priceless Blake

An Irishman was the winning trainer in 2019 too, as Paul Hennessey earned the plaudits for Priceless
Blake’s victory. It was a memorable triumph, with the greyhound having sneaked into the final by
finishing a narrow third in the first semi-final.

2016: Jaytee Jet

Three years prior, it was the turn of Jaytee Jet to win the Greyhound Derby, with Hennessey earning
his first Greyhound Derby triumph. Jaytee Jet set off as the 15/8 favorite in the final, and duly delivered on those odds with a fine performance and a sensational triumph.

2008: Loyal Honcho

You have to go all the way back to 2008 for the next Irish trainer in the list of Derby-winning
greyhounds. It was Loyal Honcho who went all the way at Wimbledon that year, earning a
momentous victory for trainer Seamus Graham.

2004: Droopys Scholes

Four years before Loyal Honcho’s success, Droopys Scholes delivered a Derby win for trainer Ian
Reilly. At odds of 7/2, Droopys Scholes made a strong start and carried that form through the race to
claim victory.

1999: Chart King

It’s fair to say that Chart King’s Derby success in 1999 was not much of a surprise. Trained by Irish
duo Karl and Ralph Hewitt, the greyhound set off as the odds-on favourite at 8/11, which is rare in
the Derby, but those odds were proved justified as Chart King emerged victorious.

1996: Shanless Slippy

There was glory for trainer Dolores Ruth in 1996, as Shanless Slippy crossed the line in first place to
deliver a memorable win. The race was another example of an odds-on favorite doing the business,
with Shanless Slippy lining up at a price of 4/9.

1992: Farloe Melody

In 1992, the Greyhound Derby was won by Farloe Melody, trained by Matt O’Donnell. Farloe Melody
was the pre-race favourite, and secured an easy victory in the end by four lengths.

1989: Lartique Note

Having lined up as the 1/1 favorite at the beginning of the race, Lartique Note delivered a solid
display to give trainer Ger McKenna his second English Greyhound Derby triumph.

1981: Parkdown Jet

Our odyssey into the history of the Derby finishes up at White City, with McKenna’s first Derby
success proving to be the final Irish triumph at the west-London venue. It was Parkdown Jet who
provided the moment of glory, winning as the 4/5 favorite

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