The Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby was launched yesterday at Shelbourne Park in Dublin. This is the second year of a three year deal for the Irish owned bookmakers and this years race will be seen by more people than ever before with a new deal to show the later stages from the quarter finals on Racing Post Greyhound TV, carried as a channel on the Sky platform.
The total prize fund for this year’s renewal is €240,000, with a little over half of that going to the winner.
It is one of the most prestigious and valuable races not only in Ireland but on a global scale and will one again attract a large overseas entry.
The appeal of the race is spread across the country with trial races being completed at each of 18 tracks across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The first round will then be run starting on Thursday, August 13th and the final will take place on Saturday, September 19th. That will, as it has for many years, be televised live on RTÉ television. This year’s race will take place on the weekend of the All Ireland Football Final.
“The continued support of BoyleSports for our blue riband event is a marvellous vote of confidence in the sport of greyhound racing,” said Phil Meaney, Chairman of the Irish Greyhound Racing Board.
“Their involvement has helped us to ensure that the legacy of Ireland hosting the most exciting greyhound race in the world continues.”
“Last year was a fantastic success for our inaugural sponsorship of this prestigious race,” added John Boyle, Managing Director of BoyleSports.
“Greyhound racing is ingrained in our sporting history and BoyleSports are proud to give our support to the great tradition of The Derby”.
