1953 Irish Greyhound Derby

The 1953 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Harold's Cross Stadium in Dublin on 7 August 1953. [1]

1953 Irish Greyhound Derby
VenueHarold's Cross Stadium
LocationDublin
End date7 August
Total prize money£500 (winner)

The winner Spanish Battleship won £500 and was trained by Tom Lynch and owned by Tim 'Chubb' O'Connor.[2]

Final result

At Harold's Cross, 7 August (over 525 yards):

Position Name of Greyhound Breeding Trap SP Time Trainer
1st Spanish BattleshipSpanish Chestnut - Ballyseedy Memory12-1f29.78Tom Lynch
2nd Smokey GlenFair Moving - Joanna Verge23-129.84Gay McKenna
3rd Bob Vistableunknown45-130.20
4th Shilling ShyBaytown Cuckoo - Fly's Daughter63-130.23
5th Maestrounknown310-1Harry Barry
6th Rathealty ViewCoshel View - Castle Mary510-1Robert Richardson

Distances

¾, 4½, neck (lengths)

Competition Report

Tim 'Chubb' O'Connor had taken charge of a litter in Ireland sired by Spanish Chestnut (the half-brother of 1949 Irish Greyhound Derby champion Spanish Lad). One of the litter Spanish Battleship was entered for the St Leger at Limerick but after winning a heat he failed to progress from the second round. O'Connor felt that he had gone well enough and phoned Tom Lynch in Dublin and asked him to train the dog for forthcoming Derby. The Derby was due to be held at Harolds Cross where regular racegoers had already seen Spanish Battleship perform well there.[3]

In the first round he won in 29.84 before winning his semi-final in 30.04. The Irish public took a liking to the greyhound and he was sent off 2-1 favourite for the final.[4] The fawn brindle made his trademark exit from the traps by going into an early lead but was challenged by Gay McKenna's Smokey Glen for much of the race. Spanish Battleship stayed on gamely to take the final win in 29.78. Tom Lynch had deservedly won Ireland's premier race for the first time and Spanish Battleship was on his way to becoming the greatest greyhound in the history of Irish racing.[4]

See Also

1953 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

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References
  1. Genders, Roy (1990). NGRC book of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. p. 261. ISBN 0-7207-1804-X.
  2. Comyn, John. 50 Years of Greyhound Racing in Ireland. Aherlow Publishers Ltd.
  3. Fortune, Michael. Irish Greyhound Derby 1932–1981. Victory Irish Promotions Ltd.
  4. Fortune, Michael. The 75 Years History of the Irish Greyhound Derby. Irish Greyhound Review. ISSN 0709-0609.
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