Healthy Thurles October Sales

Phenomenal demand for greyhounds at Thurles Sales

Total of €54,000 spent with new record average at €1,000

Signs of growing confidence within the greyhound racing sector were seen at the Thurles Sales on Tuesday (24 October) with 54 dogs sold from a total of 56 on the bench. The only two unsold were Kildubh Rocky with top bid reaching €1,400 (reserve €2,500) and Honey River unsold at €3,400 (reserve €6,000) although a sale outside the auction is expected for the latter greyhound.

The top selling dog was Sal’s Express, sold for €3,600 to Karol Ramsbottom, a Laois based trainer.

Billy O’Dwyer of the Sales & Ownership Committee commented “The Thurles Sales shows growing confidence in the market. There was phenomenal demand as there was a bid received for every dog. Bidding was very strong with the average selling price at €1,000 - this is a new record for a sales meeting in Thurles. Most buyers were looking for general graders. I believe the demand is due to a recent increase in prize money of 25% or €1.2m by Bord na gCon, along with demand for the SIS market in the UK. The overall prize money total will mean an investment of over €9 million across 16 tracks nationwide.”

Top selling greyhounds
Salls Express
€3,600
Move over Ming
€2,500
Nessas Star
€2,000
Dance Meeta
€1,900
Anamore Rusty
€1,900
Election Reward
€1,700
Move over Henry
€1,650
Vale Jogger
€1,350
Shay’s DJ
€1,350
Warrior
€1,350
She’s a Flyer
€1,200
Home town goal
€1,100
Braqcket Hall Duke
€1,100
Mind a Penny
€1,050
Boots no Bell
€1,050
Tell on Blacy
€1,000
Drynan’s Boy
€1,000
Gateman
€1,000

2016 National Greyhound Awards

Double win for Jaytee Jet at the National Greyhound Racing Awards

The National Greyhound Racing Awards were held on Sunday 22 October in the Killashee Hotel in Co. Kildare. The event was kindly sponsored by Galway Crystal in its tenth consecutive year. A previous winner of the Easter Cup and English Derby, Jaytee Jet almost stole the show after taking home the awards for Dog of the Year and Supreme Greyhound of the Year.

Witches Belle faced off strong competition from Holycross Leah and Sidarian Pearl to collect the Bitch of the Year honour for owners Liam and Edel Twomey. Airmount Tess got the award as Stayer of the Year while Ballymac Bigmike & Scarlet earned a double honour for Liam Dowling as Sprinter and Brood Bitch of the Year respectively.

The Future Star went to Droopys Wilbury and the Stud Dog award went to Droopys Scolari, over Headbound and Kinloch Brae. Francie Murray, a trainer based near Mullingar, received the Hall of Fame award. The Special Merit award honoured Jim Russell, while Tara Fitzpatrick, racing enthusiast and founder of All About Greyhounds, a Belfast re-homing agency, was the awardee for Greyhound Welfare.

Phil Meaney, Chairman of the IGB commented “I wish to congratulate all finalists and winners for their achievements. The high standard of quality across all categories is evidence of the commitment and passion that exists within the Irish Greyhound Industry. I wish to thank Minister Andrew Doyle TD for presenting the awards and for the continued support of Government for the greyhound sector.”