1970 Irish Greyhound Derby

1970 Irish Greyhound Derby 8 August £5,000 (winner) Shelbourne Park Dublin 1969 1971 The 1970 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 8 August 1970.Genders Roy NGRC book of Greyhound Racing 261 1990 Pelham Books Ltd 0-7207-1804-X There was a major breakthrough for the Irish Derby after it received sponsorship from P.J.Carroll and Co, a cigarette company who contributed £3,500 towards the event. The first prize carried a valuable £5,000 and the competition itself had £8,460 prize money in total.Fortune Michael Irish Greyhound Derby 1932–1981 Victory Irish Promotions Ltd The winner Monalee Pride won £5,000 and was trained by Gay McKenna, owned by Dave Cahill and bred by Bertie Hatton.Comyn John 50 Years of Greyhound Racing in Ireland Aherlow Publishers Ltd Final result At Shelbourne, 8 August (over 525 yards): PositionWinnerBreedingTrapSPTimeTrainer1st Monalee Pride Prairie Flash - Sheila At Last 4 4-1 29.28Gay McKenna2nd Own Pride Always Proud - Kitty True 1 11-8f 29.48Ger McKenna3rd Menelaus Prairie Flash - Pride of Corrin 6 Tom Lynchunplaced Ballyhandy Duke Czarevitch - Ballyhandy Rose 5 Danny Kellyunplaced Geraldine Silver The Grand Silver - Cindico 3 L Cullenunplaced Fly Ally Fly Adeli - Craigmore Ally 2 Robert Shaw Distances 2½ (lengths) Competition Report With the significant rise in prize money the Irish Derby became a major target for UK connections in addition to the Irish greyhounds. The 1970 competition drew in large crowds for all rounds which included trial stakes run at different tracks around Ireland with the winners of the races receiving free entry for the main event. All 22 Irish tracks North and South of the border carried a qualifying trial stake.Fortune Michael The 75 Years History of the Irish Greyhound Derby Irish Greyhound Review 0332-3536 The defending champion Own Pride returned for trainer Ger McKenna and was installed as the 7-1 ante-post favourite. McAlinden Cup champion Ballyhandy Duke trained by Danny Kelly was considered a major contender but the expected competition from England was missing following a rabies scare. Chicago based Dave Cashman entered Monalee Pride following the brindle dog's disappointing National Produce Stakes campaign. Monalee Pride and his litter mates had cost Cashman £4,000 to buy.Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When 1970) April edition 2012 Greyhound Star It was Own Pride that showed first in round one after winning in a fast 29.40 which shortened his odds further. Ballyhandy Duke went well in 29.46 and other winners that impressed included Brendas Pick 29.50, Geraldine Silver 29.55 and Blackrath Motion 29.67. The second round nearly provided the end of Own Pride who just managed third place behind Deise Slipper. Monalee Pride 29.44 and the Tom Lynch trained Menelaus 29.48 went fastest. In the semi-final Own Pride bounced back to winning ways beating Geraldine Silver in 29.38. A great battle in the second semi-final ended with Ballyhandy Duke beating Monalee Pride in 29.58 and the final semi saw Menelaus defeat Fly Ally. Own Pride gained the perfect trap draw for the final starting from the red jacket and went off at a hot 11-8 favourite. When the traps opened Monalee Pride led unchallenged until the back straight when Own Pride got himself into a prominent position to challenge the leader. Monalee Pride kicked again to win the Derby for Gay McKenna; Own Pride come home second followed by Menelaus.http://greyhoundstar.co.uk/remember-august-4-2/ Remember When - August 1970 2018 Greyhound Star See also 1970 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year References Greyhound Derby Irish Greyhound Derby