1973 Irish Greyhound Derby

1973 Irish Greyhound Derby 28 August £10,000 (winner) Shelbourne Park Dublin 1972 1974 The 1973 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 28 August 1973.Genders Roy NGRC book of Greyhound Racing 261 1990 Pelham Books Ltd 0-7207-1804-X The Irish Derby winner's prize was doubled to £10,000 by sponsors P.J.Carroll and Co. The winner Bashful Man won £10,000 and was trained by Ger McKenna, owned by Deirdre Hynes and bred by Nancy Dirrane.Comyn John 50 Years of Greyhound Racing in Ireland Aherlow Publishers Ltd Final result At Shelbourne, 28 August (over 525 yards): PositionWinnerBreedingTrapSPTimeTrainer1st Bashful Man Myross Again – Ballyflake 6 4-5f 28.82 Ger McKenna2nd Ritas Choice Spectre II - Toffee Apple II 5 29.14 Gay McKenna3rd Heavy Sleeper Monalee Champion - Handbag 1 29.30unplaced Black Banjo Monalee Champion - Brook Densel 2 Mick Collinsunplaced Kal's Daisy Russian Gun - Woodbrook Blonde 3 20-1 unplaced Its A Witch Yanka Boy - Itsamint 4 Distances 4, 2 (lengths) Competition Report In the first round, a leading bitch called Romping To Work won her race in a very fast time of 29.05, she would go on to win the Oaks later that year. Bashful Man recorded a win in 29.13 and Kilmac Chieftain in 29.23. Ante-post favourite Shara Dee who had won the English Derby consolation won in 29.55 and the Cesarewitch and recent TV Trophy winner Ritas Choice recovered from encountering trouble in running to finish second behind Moordyk Ringo.Fortune Michael Irish Greyhound Derby 1932–1981 Victory Irish Promotions Ltd English hope Black Banjo took up the mantle of the new competition favourite following a second round victory in a heat that included both Ritas Choice and Bashful Man. Shara Dee and China Sea remained unbeaten.Fortune Michael The 75 Years History of the Irish Greyhound Derby Irish Greyhound Review 0332-3536 Bashful Man produced 29.01 victory in the quarter-finals propelling Ger McKenna's charge to the new favourite. Both Romping To Work and Shara Dee were eliminated but Ritas Choice won. In the first semi-final Bashful Man recorded 29.15 when beating Ritas Choice and Kal's Daisy before Black Banjo wrapped up the second semi-final from Heavy Sleeper and Itsawitch in 29.58. The final turned out to be one of the most memorable of all time because Bashful Man became the first greyhound to break 29 seconds in a final. He took a rails course at the first bend and overtook fast starter Kal's Daisy, before drawing clear of the field and winning in a time of 28.82, just two spots off the track record set by 1972 finalist Ballykilty. See also 1973 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year References Greyhound Derby Irish Greyhound Derby