The Irish Sprint Cup formerly known as the Irish National Cup and Irish National Sprint is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Dundalk Stadium in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland.[1] It is a prestigious invitation event held for Ireland's leading sprinters and is an integral part of the Irish greyhound racing calendar.[2]

Irish Sprint Cup
Feature race
LocationDundalk Stadium
Inaugurated1932
SponsorBar One Racing Ltd
Race information
Distance400 yards
SurfaceSand
Purse€20,000 (winner)

History

edit

It was first held at the Dunmore Park Greyhound Stadium in 1932[3] and again from 1938 until 2000[4] until the track closed in 1996 and then it returned in 1999 at Ballyskeagh before switching to Dundalk in 2004.[5] The event was sponsored by Guinness from 1965 until 1996.[6]

Venues & distances

edit
  • 1932–1940 (Dunmore Park, 435 yards)
  • 1942–1942 (Celtic Park, 375 yards)
  • 1943–1996 (Dunmore Park, 435 yards)
  • 1999–2002 (Ballyskeagh/Drumbo Park, 325 yards)
  • 2004–2004 (Dundalk, 410 yards)
  • 2005–present (Dundalk, 400 yards)

Sponsors

edit
  • 1965–1996 (Guinness)
  • 2004–present (Bar One Racing Ltd)

Past winners

edit
Year Winner Breeding Time Trainer SP Notes/refs
1932 Guideless Joe Guiding Hand – Flaming Fire 24.11 Mick Horan 1/3f [7]
1938 British Destiny Fulford – Miss Orville 24.99 Billie Dunlop 13/8 [8]
1939 Lone Kil Lone Man – Lucky Plum 24.69 Mrs W. McL. Wallace 7/1 [9]
1940 Farloe Border Valiant Cutlet – Roeside Cook 24.03 D. McCann 10/11f [10]
1941 not held due to Foot-and-mouth disease [11]
1942 Fair Mistress Saccadee – Edith Bronte 20.54 Frank Moore 1/3f [12]
1943 Fair Mistress Saccadee – Edith Bronte 24.03 Frank Moore 4/7f Track record[13]
1944 Mad Tanist Tanist – Mad Darkie 24.11 Jack McAllister no SP Track record
1945 Oranmore Bandit Rebel Light – Duffy's Tea Again 24.08 M. Twibill 4/7f [14]
1946 Count Lally Inler Irish – Lady of the Gale 24.56 Jack McAllister 4/5f [15]
1947 Fair Moving Well Squared – Fair Light 24.32 J. McMullan 7/4 dead-heat
1947 Rockfield Light Well Squared – Fair Light 24.32 W. P. O'Kane 10/1 dead-heat
1948 Leamas Sport Sporting Tanist – Misers Curse 24.66 W. P. O'Kane 3/1
1949 Burndennet Brook Great Climber – Cherokee Girl 23.99 H. Gallagher 4/5f
1950 Sandown Champion Mad Tanist – Good Record 23.86 J. Killeen 1/6f Track record[16]
1951 Mad Companion Bellas Prince – Maddest Yet 23.88 Jack McAllister 4/7f
1952 Kilrid Blackbird Dante the Great – Kilrid Colleen 23.90 P. J. Maguire 4/1
1953 Mushera Shaggy Shaggy Lad – Mushera Farloe 23.99 Jack McAllister 1/2f [17]
1954 Hi There Slaney Record – Dublin Red 24.51 Jack McAllister 1/1f
1955 Claremont John Derrycrussan – Claremont Girl 23.77 J. J. Campbell 4/1
1956 Keep Moving Imperial Dancer – California 23.65 Malachy McKenna 2/5f Track record
1957 Coakfield Hero Baytown Coak – Queen of the Mountain 24.04 4/1
1958 Obeeda's Son Imperial Dancer – Princess Obeeda 23.89 Malachy McKenna 7/1
1959 Clougharevan Boy Glittering Look – Manhattan Heiress 23.84 Noel Mooney 4/5f
1960 Skip's Choice Romolas Dante – Phil Skip 23.92 Gay McKenna 2/1f [18]
1961 Highland Fame unknown – unknown 24.22 Paddy Tubridy 3/1
1962 Tanyard Chef Tanyard Champion – Flexions Glow 23.96 Paddy Burns 6/4f
1963 Melody Wonder Pigalle Wonder – Racing Millie 24.17 Jack Mullan 6/4f [19]
1964 Dorado Champions Son – Last July 24.08 J. Quigley 10/1
1965 Bauhus Solar Prince – Lovely Sister 23.73 Ger McKenna 7/4f
1966 Hairdresser The Glen Abbey - Billum 23.89 Vincent Toner 4/1
1967 Mullaghroe Hiker Knockrour Again – Carless Fire 23.72 Jack Mullan 6/4f
1968 Dry Flash Prairie Flash – Newhill Snowdrop 24.10 Bobby McBride 10/1 dead-heat
1968 Newhill Printer Prairie Flash – Newhill Snowdrop 24.10 Bobby McBride 10/1 dead-heat
1969 Move Gas Dandy Man – Move Sally 23.60 Ger McKenna 6/1 Track record[20]
1970 Gaultier Swank Yanka Boy – Gaultier Hi 24.00 Jack Flynn 9/2 [21]
1971 Benbradagh Luck Lucky Wonder – Gentle Star 23.74 A. Nelson 2/5f
1972 Clashing Yanka Boy – Bresheen Peg 23.72 Colm & Mary McGrath 3/1
1973 Get The Point Shauns Ticket – Itsamint 23.87 Leslie McNair 6/1
1974 Empty Pride Own Pride – Chick Chick 24.05 Jack Mullan 6/1 [22]
1975 Rapid Roger Kerry Wonder – Rapid Smokey 23.58 Colm & Mary McGrath 4/5f
1976 Thurles Yard Bright Lad – Backyard Girl 24.04 Brendan Matthews [23]
1977 Land Power Power to Spare – Rayhill Meg 23.97 Billy Anthony 7/1 [24]
1978 Noble Brigg Faction Fighter – Noble Lynn 23.76 Artie McGookin [25]
1979 La Cosa Nostra Rockfield Era – Mafia Poppy 23.82 Jim McGuinness 8/1 [26]
1980 Blue Train Never So Gay – Ballagan View 23.77 Tom Woods 5/1 [27]
1981 Noble Legion Faction Fighter – Noble Lynn 23.78 Artie McGookin 4/1 [28]
1982 Otago Fair Boot – Gulleen Primrose 23.56 Jimmy Johnston 4/6f [29]
1983 I'm Slippy Laurdella Fun – Glenroe Boss 23.50 John Quinn 4/9f [30]
1984 Market Major Tender Hothead – Market Telex 23.78 Jack Mullan 4/7f [31]
1985 Arties Rover Knockash Rover – Noble Queen 23.79 J. Whiteside 9/1 [32]
1986 Autumn Magic Tender Hothead – Long Bar 23.53 John Quigley 2/5f
1987 Oran Flash Oran Jack – Warm Wind 23.72 Bill McCreary 2/1jf [33]
1988 Lisnakill Carmel Hay Maker Mac – Lisnakill Mist 23.44 Davy Lennon 1/1f [34]
1989 Macs Lock Quare Rocket – Killetra Queen 23.86 Tom Fox 3/1 [35]
1990 Leaders Best For Real – Leaders Exile 23.40 Matt O'Donovan 4/1 [36]
1991 Hawaiian Knight[37] Flag Star – Dancing Dream 23.35 Alan Black 2/1f
1992 Boyne Walk[38] I'm Slippy – Tiger Hart 23.30 Seamus Graham 2/1
1993 Ballyfolion Shy[39] Meeniyan Prince – Ballyfolian Jig 23.16 John Hyland 2/1f
1994 Jackies Phantom[40] Phantom Flash - Dainty Queen 23.31 Matt O'Donnell 3/1
1995 Analysis[41] Mid Clare Champ – Glenmoira 23.39 Francis Murray 2/1
1996 Old Kingdom Mid Clare Champ – Sunstory 23.42 F. Sibley 7/1
1997-1998 not held
1999 Quarter to Five Boyne Walk – Gig of Gold 20.24 Paul Hennessy 6/4
2000 Knockeevan Star Slaneyside Hare – Rubys Bridge 20.14 Tom Flaherty 7/2
2001 Fact File [42] Thorgil Tex – Lady Be Silent 20.06 Jerry Melia 9/4
2002 Fast Gladiator [43] Roanokee – Stocks The Rocks 20.28 Seamus Hagan 2/1
2004 Lowtown Supreme [44] Arrigle Phantom – Silver Side 21.94 Ray Kavanagh 7/2
2005 Mabels Dilemma [45] Roanokee – Adriennes Beauty 21.11 Gerry Holian 4/6f Track record
2006 Smart Teddy [46] Go Wild Teddy – Quick Sweep 21.31 Joe Blair 4/1
2007 Johnny Gatillo [47] Top Honcho – Corries Kate 21.26 Martin Lanney 7/1
2008 Allmightyjack [48] Tucks Mein – Lethal Claudia 21.08 James Roche 2/1
2009 Inny Blue [49] Honcho Classic – Sydney Swan 21.15 John McGee Sr. 9/2
2010 Sheepwalk Mac [50] Ballymac Maeve – Crazy Jane 21.08 Michael Taggart 4/5f
2011 Shoemakers Lad [51] Brett Lee – Ms Pepinstep 21.10 Thomas Harte 6/1
2012 Cambushmore [52] Head Bound – Maryanns Venture 21.01 Graham Holland 7/2
2013 Razldazl Rioga [53] Brett Lee – Razldazl Pearl 21.27 Dolores Ruth 13/2
2014 Crokers Champ [54] Kinloch Brae – Honey Shine 21.18 Peter Cronin 2/1
2015 Slipalong Hero [55] Gold Slipalong – Thorns And Roses 21.31 Gerry Holian 8/1
2016 Ballymac BigMike [56] Tyrur Big Mike – Ballymac Scarlet 21.01 Robert Gleeson 6/4f
2017 Heisman [57] Brett Lee – Claddagh Pearl 20.96 Laurence Jones 3/1
2018 Ardnasool Jet [58][59] Droopys Jet – Kilara Jade 21.07 Cathal McGhee 3/1
2019 Ardnasool Jet[60] Droopys Jet – Kilara Jade 20.97 Cathal McGhee 6/4f
2020 Grangeview Ten[61] Zero Ten – Portumna West 20.88 Patrick Guilfoyle 5/4jf
2021 Good Cody[62] Definate Opinion – Soho Ark 20.86 John Kennedy Jr. No SP No SP due to COVID-19
2022 Hawkfield Ozark[63] Laughil Blake – Brownstown Tango 20.89 Keeley McGee No SP
2023 Carrick Aldo[64] Droopys Sydney – Minnies Hazel 20.80 David Murray No SP
2024 Broadstrand Syd[65] Droopys Sydney – Droopys Alice 20.67 John A. Linehan No SP

References

edit
  1. ^ Genders, Roy (1990). NGRC book of Greyhound Racing, page 246. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 0-7207-1804-X.
  2. ^ "Feature Events" (PDF). Irish Greyhound Board. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 November 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  3. ^ "Irish Classic Events". Irish Independent. 5 May 1932. Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ Barnes, Julia (1991). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, page 326. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-61-9.
  5. ^ Hobbs, Jonathan (2007). Greyhound Annual 2008, page 173. Raceform. ISBN 978-1-905153-53-4.
  6. ^ "Guinness sponsor £1,000 race". Belfast News-Letter. 23 July 1965. Retrieved 12 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "Guideless Joe Again". Irish Independent. 14 November 1938. Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ^ "Irish National Sprint". Belfast News-Letter. 14 November 1938. Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. ^ "Irish National Sprint". Belfast News-Letter. 12 June 1939. Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. ^ "The Irish National Sprint Final". Belfast Telegraph. 15 July 1940. Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. ^ "Dog Classics Postponed". Belfast Telegraph. 30 May 1941. Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. ^ "Fair Mistress Again". Irish Independent. 30 May 1942. Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  13. ^ "Larne greyhound sets up notable record". Larne Times. 9 September 1943. Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  14. ^ "Irish National Sprint Final". Belfast Telegraph. 17 September 1945. Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  15. ^ "Count Lally won I.N.S. Final". Belfast Telegraph. 17 September 1945. Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  16. ^ "Greyhound Racing". Irish Independent. 4 September 1950. Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  17. ^ "Dunmore Winners". Northern Whig. 31 August 1953. Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  18. ^ "Dublin dog impresses with sprint win". Belfast Telegraph. 29 August 1960. Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  19. ^ "Melody Wonder is Jack's joy". Belfast Telegraph. 2 September 1963. Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  20. ^ "Square Express napped". Belfast Telegraph. 20 September 1969. Retrieved 12 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  21. ^ "Fair Moordyke is Dunmore nap". Belfast Telegraph. 14 September 1970. Retrieved 12 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  22. ^ "Another Mullan triumph". Belfast News-Letter. 9 September 1974. Retrieved 12 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  23. ^ "Brendan Matthews Q&A". Greyhound Star. May 2020.
  24. ^ "Triumph for Land Power". Belfast News-Letter. 29 August 1977. Retrieved 12 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  25. ^ "Noble Brigg is some pup". Belfast Telegraph. 28 August 1978. Retrieved 12 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  26. ^ "La Cosa Nostra calls the shots". Belfast Telegraph. 27 August 1979. Retrieved 12 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  27. ^ "Blue Train's trap to line sprint win". Belfast News-Letter. 1 September 1980. Retrieved 12 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  28. ^ "Greyhound Star (Remember When - April)". Greyhound Star. 7 April 2019.
  29. ^ "Otago wins a real thriller". Belfast News-Letter. 23 August 1982. Retrieved 12 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  30. ^ "Greyhounds". Belfast News-Letter. 22 August 1983. Retrieved 12 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  31. ^ "Bookmakers barracked by Major". Belfast News-Letter. 27 August 1984. Retrieved 12 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  32. ^ "Greyhound jackpot". Belfast News-Letter. 26 August 1985. Retrieved 12 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  33. ^ "Sprint to victory for Oran Flash". Belfast News-Letter. 21 August 1987. Retrieved 12 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  34. ^ "Greyhound returns". Belfast News-Letter. 26 August 1988. Retrieved 12 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  35. ^ "Mac's Sprint Classic!". Belfast News-Letter. 21 August 1989. Retrieved 12 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  36. ^ "Follow My Leaders". Sunday Life. 19 August 1990. Retrieved 12 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  37. ^ "Last night's greyhound results". Sunday Life. 18 August 1991. Retrieved 5 August 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  38. ^ "Boyne battles to win". Sunday Life. 23 August 1992. Retrieved 5 August 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  39. ^ "Shy and Mighty". Sunday Life. 29 August 1993. Retrieved 5 August 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  40. ^ "Phantom sprints away with trophy". Ireland's Saturday Night. 27 August 1994. Retrieved 5 August 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  41. ^ "Murray earns his reward at Dunmore". Irish Independent. 21 August 1995. Retrieved 5 August 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  42. ^ "2001 Irish Sprint Cup Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  43. ^ "2002 Irish Sprint Cup Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  44. ^ "2004 Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  45. ^ "2005 Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  46. ^ "2006 Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  47. ^ "2007 Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  48. ^ "2008 Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  49. ^ "Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup Final (Grade : S0)". Irish Greyhound Board.
  50. ^ "2010 Bar One Irish Sprint Cup Open". Irish Greyhound Board.
  51. ^ "2011 Bar One Irish Sprint Cup Open". Irish Greyhound Board.
  52. ^ "2012 Bar One Irish Sprint Cup Open". Irish Greyhound Board.
  53. ^ "2013 Bar One Irish Sprint Cup Open". Irish Greyhound Board.
  54. ^ "2014 Bar One Irish Sprint Cup Open". Irish Greyhound Board.
  55. ^ "2015 Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup Open". Irish Greyhound Board.
  56. ^ "2016 final Result". Irish Greyhound Board.
  57. ^ "2017 Irish Sprint Cup final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  58. ^ "2018 Bar One Irish Sprint Cup". Irish Greyhound Board.
  59. ^ "Donegal owned greyhound Ardnasool Jet wins Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk". Donegal Democrat. 20 August 2018.
  60. ^ "2019 Bar One Irish Sprint Cup Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  61. ^ "2020 Bar One Irish Sprint Cup". Irish Greyhound Board.
  62. ^ "2021 Bar One Irish Sprint Cup". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  63. ^ "2022 Bar One Irish Sprint Cup". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  64. ^ "Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup Open 400". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  65. ^ "Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup Open 400 Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 17 August 2024.