Irish Greyhound Derby Betting: Our total overview

On the rest of this page we will take you through everything you need to know about the best Irish Greyhound Derby betting sites, including the offers you can expect to see, the prices of the odds, the history of the event and some other interesting facts and info. Read on to find out more now!

Irish Greyhound Derby Betting Offers & Promotions

As the Irish Greyhound Derby is such a huge event, betting sites naturally try and entice first-time bettors with massive promotions. As a result, you can find lots of great deals for an event such as this. This can include money-back deals if your greyhound comes second, hugely enhanced odds, payouts for third place, or even money-back as a free bet if the favourite ends up winning. It is also worth bearing in mind that most bookmakers offer best odds guaranteed, meaning that if the starting price of your greyhound changes and you win your bet, then you will be paid out on that higher price. Before deciding on which operator to place a bet with on this event, take a long look across all the options to find a welcome deal which you think is the right one for you. As there are many rounds to the Derby, the event comes with a lot of opportunities to win big on the dogs.

Irish Greyhound Derby Odds Prices

Due to the Irish Greyhound Derby’s massive popularity bookmakers will drastically slash the odds prices in order to entice first-time bettors. Additionally, as it is an event that takes place over several rounds, antepost bets are extremely popular here. Odds for wagers before the event has even started can go up to a whopping 500-1, while favourites can remain extremely high at around 14-1 to win outright. As so many people are interested in an event such as this, smart bettors can find their way through the deluge in order to back a greyhound they perceive has real value. Odds for the final Irish greyhound derby race itself usually vary from around 80-85%, making it a much better investment than the average race. When taking a look for the best odds prices, it is worth surveying all the bookmakers we mention on this site to find the best deal for you.

Some Interesting Facts

The Irish greyhound derby is run over 550 yards, and has done so ever since 1985, where it was run over 525 yards. The average race usually takes around 30 or so seconds, with no greyhound, as of yet, being able to complete the race in under 29 seconds. The prize money for the winner is a huge €125,000, making it the biggest jackpot in UK and Ireland after the English Greyhound Derby. Runners-up don’t fare badly either, with the second-placed dog getting €22,500, no.3 winning €12,500 and numbers four, five and six being awarded €7500 each. This means that the total winnings for the one race add up to an awesome €185,000. The race usually takes place on a sandy surface, and while the derby is itself open to all types of grade of dogs, it is usually only A grade dogs that make it to the final.

Race Information:

First held:	1928	Shelbourne Park: race location Spanish Battleship, famous greyhound
Distance:	550 yards
Number of rounds:	6
Grades:	Group 1
Date Held:	September
Prize Money:	€125,000

The prize money wasn’t always so high. The first official race in 1932 – the previous four were not organised by the Irish racing authorities – gave a grand total of £200 to the winner. This would be the equivalent of £12,740 today. By 1936, the winner, Minstrel Rover, won £320. Unlike the English Greyhound Derby, the event continued to take place throughout the Second World War as Ireland was not directly implicated by it. However, much like how the English Derby sees many trainers, breeders, owners and greyhounds from Ireland feature in the event, the same crossover works (to a much lesser extent) here, with plenty of English competitors taking part in the races. Three English trainers have won the event – John Bassett, David Geggus and Nick Savva – while UK breeders showed some great success in the 90s – winning the event three times.

Spanish Battleship

When it comes to the greatest Irish greyhound derby dogs, none come close to Spanish Battleship, who won three times between 1953 and ’55. Not only this, but the greyhound – his name a portmanteau of sires Spanish Chestnut and Ballyseedy Memory – managed to win a startling 80 out of 90 times throughout its career. The dog raced for over three seasons, taking in nearly every track in Ireland, usually journeying back and forth via train. In addition to the three derbies the dog won two McCalmont Cups, the Irish Laurels, the Tiperrary Cup, two Easter Cups and Corn an Tostal. But it was at Sherbourne Park where he had his biggest success, handled by the legendary Tom Lynch and owned by the great Tim (Chubb O’Connor). Spanish Battleship has been well commemorated in Irish popular culture, and is featured in Alice Taylor’s best-selling 1990 novel Quench The Lamp.

Historical Info

The first race was held at the now defunct Harold’s Cross – which closed in 2017 – in 1928. Yet it really found its home in Shelbourne Park in 1932, where Guideless Joe took a winning lead in the final straight and somehow held off Malhoe Man for the win. The race has also been held at Markets Field Greyhound Stadium (closed 2009) and Cork Greyhound Stadium (closed 2000) hosted the event once each in 1932 and 1942 respectively. As previously noted, Spanish Battleship was the only dog to win the race three times, while Little Chummie also managed to win twice between 1930 and 1931.

The race has always been known for its big surprises. 2016 is a great example, whereby the favourite, Sonic – with odds of EVENS – managed to finish in third place behind the 4/1 Rural Hawaii, who led from the off, and the 7/1 rated Holycross Leah. Likewise in 2015, the second favourite Ballymac Matt – with odds of 3/1 – managed to pip Farloe Blitz – again with odds at EVENS – at the post to ensure a much-deserved victory. The sponsor of the event is the Irish bookmaker BoyleSports, who have had the honour of sponsoring the event ever since 2014. Close to celebrating its 90th year, the time has never been better to have a bet on the Irish Greyhound Derby!