St Leger Rd 2 extra split times

With the split clock being a bit temperamental on the opening night, the few figures we had to hand from last week could not be applied with confidence so we had to wait until Saturday's second round heats to go all nerdy on the Leger!

I would estimate the track to have been on the slow side by about 30 spots so some of the split times are quite impressive. Clearly the figures would make Clonbrien Hero a worthy favourite at this point as the fastest runner to the third bend and his finishing split too compares very well, especially as he is likely to be in front most of the time!

The likes of Priceless Rum and Jaytee Dutch are going to be difficult to eliminate with impressive finishing times that you may expect to see at 525 but which are superb for the Leger trip, however, clearly both will have to turn closer to put these finishing kicks to winning effect.

Heat 4 on Saturday was a high class affair where all were staying on well and with Cabaye and Brae in particular being capable of a sharp run to the third bend, they must remain of interest for outright contention. Jaytee Denver clearly stays very strongly but he must show more in the opening half of his races going forward.

Anyway, use the figures in conjunction with the race card when studying up for the quarter-finals and we will try to establish some trends after this week's action.

ST LEGER RD 2	Opening 325 Yards	Closing 225
HEAT 1 – 29.89
COOLAVANNY MASON	17.50	12.39
PRICELESS RUM	18.06 ckd	12.18
CHAWKE IT DOWN	17.50	12.79
HEAT 2 – 29.92
GULLEEN BILLY	17.48	12.44
SONIC	17.53 ckd	12.49
BEARA GIG	17.90 ckd	12.44 ckd
HEAT 3 – 30.11
CAHIR CASTLE	17.80	12.31
GARRYVOE BOBBY	17.81	12.47 ckd
HOVEX MICK	17.85 bmp	12.31
HEAT 4 – 29.96
DROOPYS CABAYE	17.60	12.36
JAYTEE DENVER	17.91	12.26
SWITHINS BRAE	17.76 ckd	12.33
HEAT 5 – 30.01
JAYTEE YANKEE	17.56	12.45
BLACK EYED PEPPA	17.78 ckd	12.35
FALCON BAY	17.70	12.48
HEAT 6 – 29.72
CLONBRIEN HERO	17.38	12.34
JAYTEE DUTCH	17.94 ran wide	12.16
ARCLIGHT BOLT	17.70	12.46
HEAT 7 – 30.16
KNOCKNACREE SKY	17.70 ckd	12.46
DRIVE ON TIPP	17.79 crd/bmp	12.36
HEWHODARESWINS	17.69	12.85 ckd
HEAT 8 – 30.18
BALLYBOUGH DAD	17.75 ckd	12.43
MISTY SUPREME	17.65	12.56
AWAY JET	17.86	12.60

Increased welfare powers authorised to Irish Greyhound Board

Wednesday is World Animal Day 2017.

Increased welfare powers authorised to Irish Greyhound Board to  coincide with World Animal Day 2017

‘IGB is pro-welfare and pro-racing’

Two Welfare Officers of the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) have received approval from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to be authorised officers under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. The IGB believes this will greatly enhance its ability to ensure the highest welfare standards across the industry and highlights its welfare commitment ahead of World Animal Day 2017, which is celebrated on Wednesday 4 October 2017.

Welfare officers Michael Falvey and Enda McCabe will be appointed ‘Authorised Officers’ under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. This authorisation provides increased legal powers.  Under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011, Welfare Officers were already authorised to inspect kennels, seize evidence, issue welfare notices and fines, and seek prosecutions in the District Court. The extra authority afforded under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 will allow for a greyhound to be seized (where health or welfare is compromised) and for increased penalties before the Circuit Court.

Speaking at the announcement, IGB Welfare Manager Barry Coleman commented “The IGB does not tolerate poor welfare standards or mistreatment of greyhounds in any shape or form. Any member of the public can contact the IGB as all reports are fully investigated. The IGB cooperates with the ISPCA and An Garda Síochana where appropriate in these investigations. Today’s announcement will act as a strong deterrent to a very small minority who fail to care for greyhounds adequately. I would like to remind Greyhound owners of their obligations to notify the Irish Coursing Club in writing of the sale/purchase/transfer/death of a greyhound within 14 days. Sanctions will be imposed on those found to be in breach of legislation or welfare standards.”

Under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011, IGB Welfare Officers completed 571 inspections of kennels in 2016; this resulted in 34 full investigations and 20 sanctions being issued. Furthermore in 2016, two Welfare Notices were issued; follow-up inspections of the premises in question determined that the Welfare Notices were complied with.

Ger Dollard CEO of the IGB added “The IGB will continue to work closely with the Department of Agriculture to address welfare issues. The granting of increased powers to IGB is a further demonstration of the importance that the Government attaches to greyhound welfare. The IGB is pro-welfare and pro-racing; there is no place within our industry for the minority who mistreat greyhounds through poor welfare or use of prohibited substances.  I wish to commend all of our Welfare Officers who work very hard to ensure excellent welfare standards exist across our industry.”

The two Welfare Officers will now have the same legal powers as ISPCA inspectors and will now have authority to: use reasonable force to enter a property (other than a private dwelling), use reasonable force to enter a vehicle to rescue an animal, issue Welfare Notices (instructing owners to improve conditions or welfare), seize a greyhound or other property or evidence relating to an offence, request and by law, an animal owner must give such assistance or information to an authorised officer as may reasonably be required.

Penalties under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 include fines up to up to €5,000 or €250,000 on indictment (i.e. in higher court), imprisonment of six months or up to five years or a ban from buying, owning or caring for an animal for any period, including life.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Andrew Doyle TD added “My Department and the Irish Greyhound Board have signed a formal service agreement under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides for named IGB officers to be appointed authorised officers under the Animal Health & Welfare Act. This gives the IGB greater powers and responsibility in particular to address any welfare issues arising amongst greyhounds. While excellent work continues to be done by the IGB in the welfare sphere, this will allow them to act more quickly and effectively in ensuring the welfare of greyhounds.”

Separately, the IGB have proposed a new traceability measure in new legislation currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The robust traceability measure would require that all racing greyhounds to be registered in a new database and for owners to report on significant life events which the IGB believe would be a significant step forward in ensuring greater welfare and accountability. This traceability measure has been proposed by the IGB into the Greyhound Industry Bill 2017 which is under pre-legislative scrutiny.

MISSION OF WORLD ANIMAL DAY 2017 ‘To raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe. Building the celebration of World Animal Day unites the animal welfare movement, mobilising it into a global force to make the world a better place for all animals.  It's celebrated in different ways in every country, irrespective of nationality, religion, faith or political ideology.  Through increased awareness and education we can create a world where animals are always recognised as sentient beings and full regard is always paid to their welfare.’

2017 Kerry AgriBusiness Irish St Leger Draw

Kerry Agribusiness Irish St. Leger Dates:

First Round – Saturday 7 October

Second Round – 14 October

Quarter Final – 21 October

Semi-Final – 28 October

Final – 4 November

About the Irish St. Leger

The Irish St. Leger was first run in the Market’s Field in 1944, and was won by No Relation, owned by Mr. T. Rea, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, in a time of 31.48. Run over 550 yards, the event is one of the most prestigious in the Irish Greyhound Racing calendar.

This is the eighth running of the event in the Greenpark location, following the opening of Limerick Greyhound Stadium at the site in 2010.

Kerry Agribusiness have sponsored the event since 2002, when they took over title sponsorship following their acquisition of Golden Vale, who had sponsored the event from 1991 to 2001.

A total prizefund of €60,000 is on offer, with the winner to receive €25,000 plus a commemorative trophy.

Heat 1	Heat 2
1. Coolavanny Mason	1.Vardy
2. Jaytee Denver	2.Lybes Destiny
3. Hewhodareswins (M)	3.Faithful Linda
4. Ballybough Dad (W)	4.Kingdom King
5. Kylehill Mozart (W)	5.Arclight Bolt
6. Misty Supreme (W)	6. O’Garney Brandy
Heat 3	Heat 4
1.Priceless Rum	1.Chalk It Down
2. Jaytee Charlie	2. Hovex Mick
3. Ballyhale Blaze	3. Cahir Castle
4. Typical Ash (M)	4. Garryvoe Bobby
5. Clonbrien Hero (M)	5. Shiner
6. Hardy Tom (W)	6. Jaytee Yankee
Heat 5	Heat 6
1.Paradise Summer	1. Obair Deanta
2.Oakfront Oreo	2.Native Chimes
3.Dumas	3. Knocknacree Sky
4.SendIit Dacula	4. Sonic (W)
5.Lolos Frampton	5.Beara Gig (W)
6. Bailey’s Prince	6.Jaytee Barracuda (W)
Heat 7	Heat 8
1.Swithin’s Brae	1.Black Eye Peppa
2.Lassa Exquisite	2.Chilmark Chaser
3.Callaway Colgan	3.Gulleen Billy
4.Falcon Bay	4.Away Jet
5.Ballymac Sarahjo	5.Hawkeye Joe (W)
6.Killeacle Wayne (W)	6.Droopy’s Cabaye (W)
Heat 9	Heat 10
1.Dignified	1.Concrete Jungle
2. Iceroad Convoy	2.Drive on Tipp
3.Clona Kid	3.Callaway Bosco
4.Clonleigh Brave (W)	4.Jaytee Dutch
5.Liscahane Ted (W)	5.Barefoot Painter
6.Buttsy’s Boy (W)	6. Brandyandbaileys

First four in each heat plus eight fastest fifths qualify for second round on Saturday 14 October.

Greyhound Derby Winning Trainer honoured at Rhode N.S. Co Offaly

Pupils welcome Good News and two retired greyhounds

Pat Guilfoyle, winning trainer of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby 2017, attended a special ceremony this morning (Monday 2 October) celebrating his achievement before a packed crowd of parents, pupils and fellow teachers at Scoil Mhuire Naofa, Co. Offaly. 

A special plaque was unveiled on the wall to honour Pat’s achievement as he showcased Good News and two retired greyhounds, Jack (black greyhound) and Saorla (fawn greyhound) before the excited primary school students.

Trainer of the winning greyhound Good News, Pat Guilfoyle is brother to Sandra Guilfoyle, co-owner with Mary Kennedy of the competition’s top dog. Good News was the hot favourite on Derby night and failed to disappoint, having stormed out of the traps from the start. Good News set a new final record, completing in 29.37 seconds over the 550 yards.

Both the Guilfoyle and Kennedy families took home the €150,000 first place prize and have been celebrating amongst their communities since.

Pat Guilfoyle worked as a primary school teacher at Rhode N.S. for six years until June 2017 and was well known as a greyhound racing enthusiast among teachers and pupils.  Scoil Mhuire Naofa is no stranger to racing success having honoured past pupil Pat Smullen in June 2016.  Pat Smullen attended Scoil Mhuire Naofa from 1981 to 1989 was the winning jockey in the Epsom Derby on Saturday 4th June 2016 with Harzand.

Speaking at the ceremony, Pat Guilfoyle commented “I am overwhelmed by the welcome I have received here at Scoil Mhuire Naofa today and I want to thank my former colleagues for their kind wishes. Winning the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby was a dream come true for me and my family. I would advise all pupils to focus on their goals and work hard for them – anything is possible. Greyhound racing has strong roots in the Midland counties and I am truly humbled by today’s support.”

School Principal Mary Bray added “Scoil Mhuire Naofa are delighted to welcome back a former colleague and showcase his achievement. Pat Guilfoyle was an excellent teacher throughout his six years here. Pat is remembered as a keen greyhound racing enthusiast and now serves as a strong ambassador to our pupils and community.”

Ger Dollard, CEO of the Irish Greyhound Board commented “I wish to congratulate Pat Guilfoyle on his major success at the industry's showpiece event, the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby 2017. Pat is a shining example of the greyhound industry at its best. The Guilfoyle family’s success is a measure of the passion and commitment that exists in the Irish Greyhound sector.”

‘Age Aware’ wagering at racing venues

Racing venues will continue to be family friendly as ‘Age Aware’ adopted

Ireland’s horse and greyhound racing stadiums will implement an ‘Age Aware’ wagering initiative by Sunday 1 October 2017 but the entertainment offering to families will be unaffected according to Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB). 

From October 2017, all Tote wagering staff will adhere to a strict policy to ensure no individual(s) under the age of 18 can place a bet by checking photo identification. The underage measure proposed in new legislation, has been supported by HRI and the IGB as part of the industry’s commitment to responsible wagering.

IGB Tote staff has received extensive training in adopting a ‘Think 21’ approach, information posters have been placed on display in venues, customer logs and mystery shopper visits will be used to ensure compliance.

Head of Tote & IT with the IGB, Joe Lewins commented “The IGB recognises the importance of responsible wagering for all our customers and the Age Aware initiative reflects our approach. Working with HRI, we will have this operational from 1 October 2017 because we recognise that it is the right thing to do. Our venues together with HRI will still offer excellent entertainment and value for all the family - live racing and excellent facilities.”

2017 Kerry Agri-Business Irish St Leger

As readers will know, https://grgracing.blogspot.ie/ delivers the most in depth coverage of the major events at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and will again be your one-stop-shop for coverage of all relevant news in the build up and throughout the upcoming 2017 Kerry Agri-Business Irish St Leger, the final classic of the season.

Details:-

2017 Kerry Agribusiness Irish St. Leger launched at Limerick Greyhound Stadium

Opening rounds begin Saturday 7  October
Prize fund of over €60,000 on offer

Final on Saturday 4 November

Limerick Greyhound Stadium proudly welcomed long-term sponsors, Kerry Agribusiness, this week as they launched the 2017 Kerry Agribusiness Irish St. Leger. The event, which is one of Ireland’s major Classic Greyhound Racing events, carries a total prize fund of over €60,000.
Seventy-two greyhounds are expected to compete in the opening rounds of the competition on Saturday 7 October. The racing action will continue over five weeks, culminating in the Final on Saturday 4 November.

Speaking about the event, Frank Hayes, Director of Corporate Affairs, Kerry Group said: "Kerry Group is pleased to sponsor the 2017 Kerry Agribusiness Irish St. Leger. Limerick Greyhound Stadium provides an impressive venue and we look forward to many enjoyable race evenings over the next number of weeks in the run up to the final of the 2017 Kerry Agribusiness Irish St. Leger on November 4."

Phil Meaney, Chairman of the Irish Greyhound Board, added “The Irish St. Leger has always proved popular with race-goers in the Mid-West and beyond. As a long-term sponsor of the Classic, we are thankful for the continued support of Kerry Agribusiness. I look forward to the opening rounds on the 7 October, and another exciting competition.”

The trap draw for the opening rounds will be made on Tuesday 3 October at Limerick Greyhound Stadium. The stadium restaurant and admission packages are available to book now for all stages of the competition, including the Final.

This is the 16th running of the event with Kerry Agribusiness as title sponsors. The Classic has been running since 1944 in Limerick, and is run over a distance of 550yds.