Kilkenny still with hopes as 96 greyhounds remain in the race for the 2019 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby.
Plenty of greyhounds with Kilkenny connections remain in with a chance of capturing the €140,000 winners’ prize in the 2019 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby ahead of this weekend’s second round action.
The Irish Greyhound Derby is the most prestigious race in the Irish greyhound calendar and boasts a prize-fund of over €300,000.
Friday and Saturday saw 156 greyhounds whittled down to 96, with Jaytee Taylor, trained by Gowran’s Paul Hennessey, winning the eighth heat of the first round in a time of 29.82 seconds. Taylor is one of six greyhounds left for Paul Hennessey, with Mooncoin handler Peter Cronin also having three hopes left, including Sophies Man, who won his heat in an impressive 29.65.
96 greyhounds in total will compete in the second round of the competition, which takes place in Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium this weekend.
Racing Manager with the Leinster Racing Office, Derek Frehill, commented: “The first round heats of the 2019 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby produced the high quality track action that greyhound racing fans around the world wait all year to see. It was great to see such a healthy crowd present here in Shelbourne Park. We’re sure the second round will provide the same this weekend. I have no doubt the excitement will only increase as the climax of the competition draws ever closer on September 21st. I want to wish the best of luck to all still involved.”
Payments will be staggered for heat winners with larger rewards for greyhounds winning later rounds, particularly quarter and semi-finals, following on from last year’s increase in this area.
The final of the 2019 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby will be held on Saturday, September 21st, at Shelbourne Park.
Key event dates:
First Round – Friday, August 16th & Saturday, August 17th
Second Round – Friday, August 23rd & Saturday, August 24th
Third Round – Saturday, August 31st
Quarter Finals – Saturday, September 7th
Semi Finals – Saturday, September 14th
Final – Saturday, September 21st