1962 Irish Greyhound Derby

The 1962 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 11 August 1962.[1]

1962 Irish Greyhound Derby
VenueShelbourne Park
LocationDublin
End date11 August
Total prize money£1,250 (winner)

The winner Shane's Legacy won £1,250 and was trained, owned and bred by Bob McCann.[2]

Final result

At Shelbourne, 11 August (over 525 yards):

Position Name of Greyhound Breeding Trap SP Time Trainer
1st Shane's LegacyKnock Hill Chieftain - Betsy55-129.58Bob McCann
2nd Golden CheersThe Grand Fire - Atomic Smart68-129.70Mrs Remy Eastwood
3rd Dark BabyKnockrour Again - Ronnoc Miss23-129.73Dave Cashman
4th Black JulyCheeky Tippy - Maddest Lily45-4f29.85Harry O'Neill
5th Peculiarunknown110-1Bill Kirwan
6th Spider HillForever Cloone - She Can Can320-1Jim Syder Jr.

Distances

1½, neck, 1½ (lengths)

Competition Report

The Grand Canal was the nation's favourite greyhound following his success in the 1962 English Greyhound Derby and lifting the Easter Cup crown but he did not enter for the 1962 Irish Derby leaving the event wide open. Ireland's leading trainer Gay McKenna had failed to win the premier event but it was considered as a foregone conclusion that he eventually would. It started well for him when he sent out the fastest heat winner in Brookeville Sputnik (29.30) and other impressive heat winners included Steady the Man (29.46), Dark Baby (29.47) and Shanes Legacy (29.67).[3]

In the second round the fastest second round winner was the Belfast owned Kashmir Lad who recorded 29.30. Black July and Alpine Mac both scored wins and Steady the Man and Peculiar remained unbeaten. By the time the semi-finals arrived Black July (trained by Harry O’Neill) defeated Shanes Legacy in 29.40, Black July had performed poorly in the English Greyhound Derby but had made the Welsh Greyhound Derby final. The second semi-final went to Dark Baby from English challenger Spider Hill; the latter was trained by Jim Syder and had made the 1961 English Greyhound Derby final with Joe Pickering. The third and final semi saw Golden Cheers defeat Peculiar.[4]

Black July was hot favourite for the final which was decided at the first bend when Dark Baby slipped around the bend pursued by Shanes Legacy, Spider Hill with Black July finding significant trouble and Spider Hill knocked over and losing his jacket. Shanes Legacy caught Dark Baby to take victory with Golden Cheers finishing very well to take second place.[4]

Shanes Legacy was sold immediately after the presentation by his owner Bob McCann for £2,500 to a London building contractor named Bob Gough who then put the greyhound in England with Tony Dennis. Later in the year Dark Baby went on to win the Laurels at Cork and break the track record. The title of Derby champion still eluded Gay McKenna.[4]

See also

References

  1. Genders, Roy (1990). NGRC book of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. p. 261. ISBN 0-7207-1804-X.
  2. Comyn, John. 50 Years of Greyhound Racing in Ireland. Aherlow Publishers Ltd.
  3. Fortune, Michael. Irish Greyhound Derby 1932–1981. Victory Irish Promotions Ltd.
  4. Fortune, Michael. The 75 Years History of the Irish Greyhound Derby. Irish Greyhound Review. ISSN 0332-3536.
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