1944 Irish Greyhound Derby

1944 Irish Greyhound Derby August 12 £500 (winner) Shelbourne Park Dublin 1943 1945 The 1944 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 12 August. Genders Roy NGRC book of Greyhound Racing 261 1990 Pelham Books Ltd 0-7207-1804-X The winner Clonbonny Bridge won £500 and was owned and trained by A O'Neill.Comyn John 50 Years of Greyhound Racing in Ireland Aherlow Publishers Ltd Final result At Shelbourne Park, 12 August (over 525 yards): +PositionName of GreyhoundBreedingTrapSPTimeTrainer1st Clonbonny Bridge Melksham Nobody - Bridge of Avon 1 7-230.53A O'Neill2nd Down Signal Castledown Lad - Signal Post 2 2-1jf 30.55Tom Lynch3rdLively Breeze Bellas Jim - Harem Lady 5 8-1 30.67McConnell4th Laurel Fidget breeding unknown 3 2-1jf John O'Keefe5thFinal Party breeding unknown 48-1 6thMallacka breeding unknown 6 10-1 John O'Keefe Distances head, 1½ (lengths) Competition Report The 1944 Irish Derby was considered the best entry to date with a greyhound called Mad Tanist owned by Jack McAllister being given the tag of ante-post favourite. Famous Knight the 1943 winner would not defend his title after leaving for England previously. Mad Tanist son of Tanist, won his first round defeating Clonbonny Bridge by a remarkable ten lengths in 30.20. Irish Puppy Derby winner Fawn Cherry was second fastest in 30.25, the fawn dog had just returned from London after eight months there.Fortune Michael Irish Greyhound Derby 1932-1981 Victory Irish Promotions LtdFortune Michael The 75 Years History of the Irish Greyhound Derby Irish Greyhound Review 0332-3536 In the second round Mad Tanist once again impressed in 29.86 followed by an improving Clonbonny Bridge and Fawn Cherry. Other heat winners were Laurel Fidget (30.15), Down Signal (30.34) and Lively Breeze (30.34). In the second semi-final Mad Tanist at odds of 4-9 and Fawn Cherry both went out after awful trouble at the first bend in a race won by 25-1 shot Mallacks in 30.38. The first semi had gone to Laurel Fidget who defeated Clonbonny Bridge and Lively Breeze in 30.20. In a controversial final Laurel Fidget led from Down Signal until the third bend which left Down Signal clear but after he swung wide on the run-in Clonbonny Bridge made ground and the pair crossed the finish line together. Clonbonny Bridge was given the verdict by the stewards but it was a result which many disputed. See also 1944 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year References Greyhound Derby Irish Greyhound Derby