Race of Champions (Irish greyhounds)

Race of Champions
Slippy Cian
ClassFeature
LocationKingdom Greyhound Stadium
Inaugurated2008
SponsorDenis Murphy
Race information
Distance550 yards
SurfaceSand
Purse€15,000 (winner)

The Race of Champions is a greyhound racing competition held annually at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland.[1]

Race history

It was inaugurated in 2008 and therefore is a relatively new event but due to the significant winners prize money on offer stands as a feature event in the Irish racing calendar.[2] The event offers one of the richest prizes for a one-off race.[3] In 2019, the competition was sponsored by Navillus and previous to that was sponsored by Boylesports and served as a major fundraiser for the Kerry GAA training fund, while showcasing how the greyhound industry plays a pivotal role in the local community.[4]

The event has been won a record five times by Graham Holland.

Venues and distances

  • 2008-present (Tralee 550y)

Sponsors

  • 2008–2011 (Paddy O'Sullivan)
  • 2012–2012 (Betdaq)
  • 2013–2017 (Boylesports)
  • 2018–2018 (Kerry G.A.A Supporters)
  • 2019–2019 (Navillus)
  • 2021–2021 (S.I.S)
  • 2022–2025 (Denis Murphy)

Past winners

Year Winner Breeding Trainer SP Time (sec) Notes/ref
2008 Melodys Pat Larkhill Jo – Urla Melody Pa Fitzgerald 3/1 29.62 Track record[5]
2009 Cash Dream Crash – A Little Slow Gerry Holian 6/1 30.49 [6]
2010 Beaming Dilemma Brett Lee – Beaming Heart Pat Buckley 8/1 29.66 [7]
2011 Deerfield Music Ace Hi Rumble – Droopys Bolero Maurice (Mossy) O’Connor 6/4f 29.52 Track record[8]
2012 Razldazl Rioga Brett Lee – Razldazl Pearl Dolores Ruth 9/4f 29.58 [9]
2013 Farloe Trent Hondo Black – Final Pearl Pat Buckley 6/1 29.43 Track record[10]
2014 Sidarian Blaze Kinloch Brae – Silverhill Tina Graham Holland 5/2 29.57 [11]
2015 Rural Hawaii Head Bound – Duck Fat Graham Holland 6/1 29.52 [12]
2016 Paradise Maverick Royal Impact – Paradise Alanna Pat Buckley 4/1 29.61 [13]
2017 Killinan Rosie Brett Lee – Killinan Baby Pat Buckley 7/1 29.62 [14]
2018 Clonbrien Hero Razldazl Jayfkay – Trout or Salmon Graham Holland 5/2 29.99 [15]
2019 Slippy Cian Crash – Global Liberty Graham Holland 2/1 29.60 [16]
2020 cancelled due to COVID-19
2021 Explosive Boy Good News – Delightful Girl Patrick Guilfoyle No SP 29.36 No SP due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions[17]
2022 Bockos Budsit Laughil Blake – Matts Monica Graham Holland 9/2 29.43 [18]
2023 Ballinabola Ed Confident Rankin – Dolls Lady Pat Buckley 1/1f 29.23 [19]
2024 Coolavanny Otto Droopys Sydney – Westwind Jet Pat Buckley 11/2 29.38 [20]
2025 Seven Beach Pestana – Whitings Gift Jennifer O'Donnell 13/8f 29.09 Track record[21]

References

  1. ^ "Race of Champions". Irish Greyhound Board.
  2. ^ "Feature Events" (PDF). Irish Greyhound Board. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 November 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  3. ^ "Race of Champions at Tralee to be south's richest ever one-off". Racing Post.
  4. ^ "Boylesports Race of Champions". Irish Greyhound Board.
  5. ^ "Paddy O'Sullivan "Spring Twilight" Race of Champions". Irish Greyhound Board.
  6. ^ "Lynch Family "Paddy O'Sullivan" Race of Champions". Irish Greyhound Board.
  7. ^ "Paddy O Sullivan Race of Champions Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  8. ^ "Paddy O Sullivan Race of Champions Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  9. ^ "Betdaq Race of Champions Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  10. ^ "Boylesports.com Race Of Champions Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  11. ^ "Boylesports.com Race of Champions Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  12. ^ "2015 Boylesports Race of Champions Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  13. ^ "2016 Result". Irish Greyhound Board.
  14. ^ "Race of Champions". Irish Greyhound Board.
  15. ^ "race of Champions race meeting". Irish Greyhound Board.
  16. ^ "Navillus Race Of Champions Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  17. ^ "SIS Race Of Champions Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  18. ^ "Callaway Rambler@Stud Race Of Champions". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  19. ^ "Callaway Rambler@Stud Race Of Champions". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  20. ^ "English owners win €15,000 Race of Champions purse as Pat Buckley-trained Coolavanny Otto beats favourite Dashing Toro in final". The Irish Independent. 16 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  21. ^ "2025 Callaway Pro Am @Stud Race of Champions Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
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