Recently I made mention of a pendulum swing back to our beautiful code in the UK and Ireland, debatable and yes I’m optimistic but way over in Australia I can only write what I’m feeling and see .
What has never changed in hound racing is the magnetism one superstar greyhound has on the public , they are extremely rare but it’s what we strive for to be part of a minor miracle, therefore crowd swelling to see the animal is superior to any marketing tool or money .
In Ireland on 23/11/2024 it happened a dog named bockos diamond made it 15 wins from 15 starts survived the gruelling series smashed the track record and then equaled it along way came out in final of Irish Derby had to cross field from 6 trap and explode one more time ,as the Shelbourne park massive crowd held its breath he seemed to miss stride ever slow slightly then took off broke their hearts again and became a legend .
5/2 on they bet and I’m not to familiar with career but some old timers are saying he’s the best ever if he makes it to English derby mid next year it will be a promotional extravaganza !!
Spanish battleship is a dog I would like to write about he is the 3rd dog of 5 of the global influence team i refer , but bockos stole some of he’s thunder I’m sure he wouldn’t mind he’d be looking down proud of he’s Irish derby triumph with a smirk saying you got two to go !
Spanish battleship was born in 1951 Killorglin one of seven the runt of litter believe it or not a fawn brindle reared by Sheila and brother Tim ‘chubbs’ O’Connor, he was publican at the pub and word got around he’d give the runt a Guinness here n there from a bottle to beef him up but it didn’t work he never grew much , bitten by a pig stopped he’s sale to the UK and he recovered in Ireland .
I’d never heard of him in Sydney until the early 2000’s so I hope my research is doing him justice he lined up weighing 60 pounds and won he’s first 2 races then 2nd in the laurels and headed to Tom Lynch near Dublin the two would combine for a memorable piece of history unbeaten as a 2 year old through he’s 1st Irish derby the pocket rocket had arrived!
Rested through the winter he returned winning Easter cup in 1954 he’s derby crown defence would move from Harold’s Cross to the famous Shelbourne park!
He broke the track record in prelims ran 29.50 he’s 2nd derby victory was in 29.64 by 3 1/4 lengths he was cracking records for fun in other regions and was touted the best ever , then won McCalmont cup by 6 lengths at Kilkenny.
Back he came again after winter break won the Easter cup1955 but now he was getting on in age and defeated in 1st round the new youngsters had ability, but he didn’t worry made he’s way through to semi finals and won by 3 lengths.
The picturesque Harold’s Cross crowd was packed in anticipation to what they could witness ,a dog win 3 Irish derby’s, well he left he’s best till last pinged the traps and they never seen him again 5/4 against 29.53 he’s fastest derby win , then he went to Cork won the laurels , Galway dead heated in track record time , then won at Kilkenny , USA wanted him offer rejected, and at 5 year old went to white city failed in a 3 dog exhibition and was retired !
The little legend died in 1962 month shy of 11th birthday at the O’Connor kennels Killorglin where he was born ,a bronze statue was erected 90 minutes away at Limerick city ,he won 26 of 36 career races 3 consecutive Irish Derby’s 2 Easter cups many other races of importance and broke numerous track records and as I say had a profound effect on the way people viewed the sport therefore he is in my top 5 of canine Global Influencers.
Special thanks to Ian fortune an authority on greyhounds in Europe , I hope sir you are watching some of the stars in Australia 🇦🇺
Saddened to hear as I write this blog that New Zealand may have called time on the majestic code as the anti’s rejoice , it reminds me of why I do this the wonderful history and memories plus the human dedication and the great champions of yesteryear will never be forgotten or erased!
Merry Xmas 🎄 to my hounfrenz we will do it again next year I’ve got infinite material to write ✍🏻 they’ll never wear us down !lots of love ❤️!!
My Houndbound life 