Susie Sapphire became the first bitch to win the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby in 22 years at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.
It was one of the most impressive victories in recent years as she entered the back straight with six lengths in hand on Singalong Sally and continued to hold a commanding lead to the penultimate corner.
The runner up did close around the final two bends and continued to gallop on well but there was no catching one of the youngest winners in the history of the race. She will not turn two years of age until next month.
As she had done in both the Puppy Oaks and Irish Oaks finals, she produced her very best run on the night that mattered.
In victory, she became the first bitch to record the Oaks / Derby double, the first greyhound to go unbeaten through the Derby since College Causeway in 2009, the youngest winner since Tina Marina in 1996 and the second-youngest winner of all time.
For owner and breeder Peter Comerford, it was a very special night, his greatest in the sport, while it was clear from trainer Owen McKenna that this meant the world.
BoyleSports signed a three-year renewal of their support for the most prestigious race on the Irish calendar in May of this year. The company will have put €3 million into the race by the time the 2023 renewal is run in 2023.
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