1981 Irish Greyhound Derby

1981 Irish Greyhound Derby 25 July £25,000 (winner) Shelbourne Park Dublin 1980 1982 The 1981 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during June and July with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 25 July 1981.Genders Roy NGRC book of Greyhound Racing 261 1990 Pelham Books Ltd 0-7207-1804-X The winner Bold Work won £25,000 and was trained by Frank O'Regan, owned by Breda O'Regan and bred by Michael Foley. Trap to line triumph for Bold Work Belfast Telegraph 27 July 1981 29 January 2022 https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002318/19810727/272/0012 British Newspaper Archive subscription Comyn John 50 Years of Greyhound Racing in Ireland Aherlow Publishers Ltd The competition was sponsored by Carrolls. Final Line-up in Trap Order Belfast Telegraph 24 July 1981 29 January 2022 https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002318/19810724/365/0015 British Newspaper Archive subscription Final result At Shelbourne, 25 July (over 525 yards): PositionWinnerBreedingTrapSPTimeTrainer1st Bold Work Itsachampion – Silver Moll 3 6/1 29.32 Frank O'Regan2nd Calandra Champ Itsachampion – Calendar Girl 2 4/6f 29.36 Francie Murray3rd Moreen Rocket Moreen Hyena – Bog Match 16/1 29.37 Jim Conaty4th Brickyard Gem Glen Rock – Grange Hostess 5 6/1 29.39 Francie Murray5th Murlens Blond Liberty Lad – Lemon Cider 4 10/1 Christy O'Rourke6th Robbie Lad Some Skinomage – Another Flame 6 16/1 John Franklin Distances ½, short-head, head (lengths) Semi finals First semi final (Jul 18)PosName of Greyhound Time 1stCalandra Champ 29.32 2ndRobbie Lad29.743rdSinbad 29.75uMillbowe Sam Second semi final (Jul 18)PosName of Greyhound Time 1st Moreen Rocket29.442ndBold Work 29.513rdCooladine Super 29.68 Third semi final (Jul 18)PosName of Greyhound Time 1st Murlens Blond29.362ndBrickyard Gem 29.41uUpland Tiger 7-4fuGos Beag Competition Report A historic 50th Irish Greyhound Derby event attracted 118 runners. The Irish challenge was headed by Produce Stakes winner Calandra Champ trained by Francie Murray and owned by Eddie Costello. The main English challenge was Upland Tiger trained by George Curtis and both hounds showed their class winning in fast times on opening night of 29.09 and 29.08 respectively.Fortune Michael Irish Greyhound Derby 1932–1981 Victory Irish Promotions Ltd The second round produced some controversy when Bonifacio won in 31.55, the bookmakers felt the stewards should have declared a no race because of the time and stood down for the next race. Two runners Kool Dude and Millbowe Sam broke 29 seconds winning in 28.88 and 28.96. The third round saw Cooladine Super go best in 29.06 with Upland Tiger and Calandra Champ winning once again. Bold Work was next to show his hand winning his quarter-final in 29.10 with further wins for Cooladine Super, Calandra Champ and Oran Jack.Fortune Michael The 75 Years History of the Irish Greyhound Derby Irish Greyhound Review 0332-3536 Calandra Champ continued a faultless run to the final beating Robbie Lad by six lengths in the first semi, Moreen Rocket defeated Bold Work in the second heat and Murlens Blond and Brickyard Gem qualified from the final heat with Upland Tiger being eliminated. In the final Calandra Champ made a poor start and after trouble at the first his challenge had ended. Bold Work led early pursued by Brickyard Gem and Robbie Lad. Bold Work held on well and came home first holding off a late challenge by Calandra Champ who had run a remarkable race to gain considerable ground. See also 1981 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year References Category:1981 in Irish sport Category:July 1981 sports events in Europe