English Derby successes are like the proverbial buses, wait years for one then two arrive!! Gaytime Nemo was more than sensational on the night, when it mattered most, to give the team our second successive victory in this prestigious event, while also providing his owner/ breeder Brendan O’Connell with his greatest night in the sport!

Flashing from trap two, Nemo hit the ground running, within a matter of strides he was in full control of the race, leading a whole host of the sports elite stars, into the opening bend. A length clear into the turn, he ran a wonderful bend to increase his lead. Romeo Command rubbed shoulders with Cochise but turned a clear second. For the briefest of moments, their supporters would have felt optimistic but Gaytime Nemo was impassable.

Increasing his advantage to halfway, gliding along the far side, he had three lengths in hand to the third turn. Only back from a bad injury a few weeks prior, he was clear at the third turn in an English Derby decider and showing absolutely no signs of easing up.

Maintaining a relentless gallop, Nemo increased his lead up the home straight to run out a brilliant winner of the 2023 Star Sports/ TRC English Greyhound Derby, crossing the line three and a half lengths in front in 28.89.

It just wasn’t to be for Swords Rex and Clona Duke on the evening, who eventually finished fourth and fifth respectively, but who have both been sensational on their way to the Final in recent weeks.

Brendan O’Connell was joyous on the presentation, draped in their Inniscarra GAA Club colours, and joined by his mother Stephanie and sister Deirdre. The victory of Gaytime Nemo was a result of many, many years of hard work. To land a Derby, with a home bred greyhound, is the stuff of dreams and one the O’Connell family can be hugely proud of and enjoy for many many years!