Race of Champions (Irish greyhounds)

The Race of Champions is a greyhound racing competition held annually at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland.[1]

Race of Champions
Feature race
Slippy Cian
LocationKingdom Greyhound Stadium
Inaugurated2008
SponsorDenis Murphy
Race information
Distance550 yards
SurfaceSand
Purse€15,000 (winner)

Race history

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It was inaugurated in 2008 and therefore is a relatively new event but due to the significant winners prize money on offer stands as a feature event in the Irish racing calendar.[2] The event offers one of the richest prizes for a one-off race.[3] In 2019, the competition was sponsored by Navillus and previous to that was sponsored by Boylesports and served as a major fundraiser for the Kerry GAA training fund, while showcasing how the greyhound industry plays a pivotal role in the local community.[4]

The event has been won a record five times by Graham Holland.

Venues & Distances

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  • 2008-present (Tralee 550y)

Sponsors

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  • 2008–2011 (Paddy O'Sullivan)
  • 2012–2012 (Betdaq)
  • 2013–2017 (Boylesports)
  • 2018–2018 (Kerry G.A.A Supporters)
  • 2019–2019 (Navillus)
  • 2021–2021 (S.I.S)
  • 2022–present (Denis Murphy)

Past winners

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Year Winner Breeding Trainer SP Time Notes
2008 Melodys Pat [5] Larkhill Jo – Urla Melody Pa Fitzgerald 3/1 29.62 Track record
2009 Cash Dream [6] Crash – A Little Slow Gerry Holian 6/1 30.49
2010 Beaming Dilemma [7] Brett Lee – Beaming Heart Pat Buckley 8/1 29.66
2011 Deerfield Music [8] Ace Hi Rumble – Droopys Bolero Maurice (Mossy) O’Connor 6/4f 29.52 Track record
2012 Razldazl Rioga [9] Brett Lee – Razldazl Pearl Dolores Ruth 9/4f 29.58
2013 Farloe Trent [10] Hondo Black – Final Pearl Pat Buckley 6/1 29.43 Track record
2014 Sidarian Blaze [11] Kinloch Brae – Silverhill Tina Graham Holland 5/2 29.57
2015 Rural Hawaii [12] Head Bound – Duck Fat Graham Holland 6/1 29.52
2016 Paradise Maverick [13] Royal Impact – Paradise Alanna Pat Buckley 4/1 29.61
2017 Killinan Rosie[14] Brett Lee – Killinan Baby Pat Buckley 7/1 29.62
2018 Clonbrien Hero[15] Razldazl Jayfkay – Trout or Salmon Graham Holland 5/2 29.99
2019 Slippy Cian[16] Crash – Global Liberty Graham Holland 2/1 29.60
2020 cancelled due to COVID-19
2021 Explosive Boy[17] Good News – Delightful Girl Patrick Guilfoyle No SP 29.36 No SP due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions
2022 Bockos Budsit[18] Laughil Blake – Matts Monica Graham Holland 9/2 29.43
2023 Ballinabola Ed[19] Confident Rankin – Dolls Lady Pat Buckley 1/1f 29.23
2024 Coolavanny Otto[20] Droopys Sydney – Westwind Jet Pat Buckley 11/2 29.38

References

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  1. ^ "Race of Champions". Irish Greyhound Board.
  2. ^ "Feature Events" (PDF). Irish Greyhound Board.
  3. ^ "Race of Champions at Tralee to be south's richest ever one-off". Racing Post.
  4. ^ "Boylesports Race of Champions". Irish Greyhound Board.
  5. ^ "Paddy O'Sullivan "Spring Twilight" Race of Champions". Irish Greyhound Board.
  6. ^ "Lynch Family "Paddy O'Sullivan" Race of Champions". Irish Greyhound Board.
  7. ^ "Paddy O Sullivan Race of Champions Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  8. ^ "Paddy O Sullivan Race of Champions Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  9. ^ "Betdaq Race of Champions Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  10. ^ "Boylesports.com Race Of Champions Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  11. ^ "Boylesports.com Race of Champions Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  12. ^ "2015 Boylesports Race of Champions Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  13. ^ "2016 Result". Irish Greyhound Board.
  14. ^ "Race of Champions". Irish Greyhound Board.
  15. ^ "race of Champions race meeting". Irish Greyhound Board.
  16. ^ "Navillus Race Of Champions Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  17. ^ "SIS Race Of Champions Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  18. ^ "Callaway Rambler@Stud Race Of Champions". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  19. ^ "Callaway Rambler@Stud Race Of Champions". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  20. ^ "Callaway Pro Am @ Stud Race Of Champions Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 28 June 2024.