1994 Irish Greyhound Derby

Irish Greyhound race 1994 Respond Irish Greyhound Derby 24 September £50,000 (winner) Shelbourne Park Dublin 1993 1995 The 1994 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during August and September with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 24 September 1994.Hobbs Jonathan Greyhound Annual 2008, pages 177-178 2008 Raceform 978-1-905153-534 The winner Joyful Tidings won £50,000 and was trained by Donie O'Regan, owned by Michael Carmody and bred by Donal O'Connor. The race was sponsored by the Kerry Group's dog food product 'Respond'.Hobbs Jonathan Greyhound Annual 2005, pages 164-165 2004 Raceform 1-904317-58-8Fry Paul The Official NGRC Greyhound Racing Yearbook 1995 30–31 Ringpress Books 186054-010-4 Final result At Shelbourne, 24 September http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?r=94 Irish Derby Final Greyhound Data (over 550 yards): PositionWinnerBreedingTrapSPTimeTrainer1st Joyful Tidings Whisper Wishes - Newmans Mall 5 5-2 30.35 Donie O'Regan2nd Michaels Machine Satharn Beo - Sleepy Midget 4 9-2 30.63 Jimmy O'Connor3rd Emmett Robert Murlens Slippy - Long Valley Lady 3 30.79 Christy O'Callaghan4th Old Maid Moral Support - Olan Rose 1 6-4f 30.87 Reggie Roberts5th Nimble Piper Tico - Fair Damsel 2 30.88 Martin Broughan6th Ayr Flyer Ardfert Sean - Slaneyside Glory 6 30.89 Patsy Byrne Distances 3½, 2, 1, short head, short head (lengths) Competition Report The leading entry for the Irish Derby was the 1994 English Greyhound Derby champion Moral Standards who would attempt to take the trophy back to England for the first time since 1971. Ireland's leading contender was Champion Stakes winner Velvet Rocket. Other notable runners included English Derby finalist Ayr Flyer who was now with Patsy Byrne and the Scottish Greyhound Derby champion Droopys Sandy.Fortune Michael The 75 Years History of the Irish Greyhound Derby Irish Greyhound Review 0332-3536 The repechage system was scrapped but four would qualify from the first two rounds resulting in two rounds of racing that would not give a true indication of the probable winner at this stage. Michaels Machine was fastest in qualifying timed at 30.16 and the best first round time went to Joyful Tidings in 30.21, Moral Standards failed to win either round. Velvet Rocket came good in the second round posting 30.31 and Old Maid remained unbeaten, Moral Standards lost yet again. The quarter finals started with heavy rain and Joyful Tidings went fastest again in 30.39 with Old Maid still unbeaten, Droopys Sandy failed to make the semis along with Westmead Merlin. Old Maid won her sixth consecutive race in the first semi-final with Ayr Flyer second and Nimble Piper third; Moral Standards form had deserted him finishing fifth and without a win in the competition. The other semi saw Joyful Tidings beat Michaels Machine and Emmett Robert. In the final the well drawn Old Maid went off favourite but it was Joyful Tidings that came good cutting off Michaels Machine and Ayr Flyer at the first bend and he eased to victory. See also 1994 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year References Greyhound Derby Irish Greyhound Derby