Bockos Diamond was crowned the 2024 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Champion at Shelbourne Park, completing an unbeaten run throughout the toughest greyhound competition and brought his tally of wins on Saturday night to 15 in a row!

“The Diamond” truly sparkled and was simply sublime from trap six to claim the glory. He produced an excellent 16.85 sectional to the third bend before going on to win by a length in 29.25 from kennelmate Cheap Sandwiches, giving the team an amazing 1-2!

Breaking smartly from six, but taking a step to his right, he soon corrected himself. Cheap Sandwiches also came away racing but Callaway Knegare was perhaps the fastest into stride. After a few strides, the race moved down a predictable path. Showing exceptional early speed, Bockos Diamond accelerated his way to the front. Cheap Sandwiches was right on his heels into the bend but Bockos Diamond was out in front and flying.

Cutting the bend, just over a length in front, Bockos Diamond set about putting the result beyond doubt. Showing electric pace and running an incredible second corner, he would increase his advantage to three lengths as they entered the back straight. And still he piled on the pressure. Cheap Sandwiches had just enough of an advantage to cut off Callaway Knegare at the second turn but neither were close enough to worry the favourite. By halfway, Bockos Diamond had three and a half lengths to spare and still displayed no signs of relenting.

Cheap Sandwiches wasn’t done with yet, however. Four lengths down at the third turn, he began to stay on strongly in second. Callaway Knegare also began to close but destiny was on the side of Bockos Diamond. Despite the attrocious weather conditions, the connections and fans in the crowd roared him home as he crossed the line a length clear of Cheap Sandwiches in 29.25. Although less than three lengths separated the first five home, Bockos Diamond was always in control as he earned his place in history.

This is an historic fourth Irish Greyhound Derby win for team and sees us become only the third trainer in the almost 100-year history of the Irish Greyhound Derby to win the accolade an incredible 4 times. We join some of the greatest trainers ever, Tom Lynch (who completed his last win in 1967) and Gay McKenna (in 1972).

Diamond really was sensational throughout the competition, he broke the track record in the third-round clocking 28.94 and equalled that record in the semi-finals. He is arguably one of the best greyhounds we have ever seen at the kennels and on the track. He now boasts an amazing career record of sixteen wins from seventeen career starts!

Sarah Kinsella, spokesperson for Greyhound Racing Ireland, said: “Bockos Diamond was a deserving winner of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby. Congratulations to Graham Holland, his team, and the owners. It was a special evening for our sport with thousands of racegoers visiting the newly refurbished Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium and the weather didn’t dampen our spirits. Roll on the Winter Racing Festival next month and 2025!”