Laurels (Irish greyhound race)

For other uses, see Laurels (disambiguation).
Irish Laurels
2005 finalist Vancouver Sparky
ClassFeature
LocationCurraheen Park
Inaugurated1944
SponsorBar One Racing
Race information
Distance525 yards
SurfaceSand
Purse€30,000 (winner)

The Laurels is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium located in Bishopstown, west of Cork, County Cork, Ireland.[1]

It was hosted by the old Cork Greyhound Stadium from 1944 to 1999[2] but inevitably continued to be held at the new track after it opened.

It is a prestigious event targeted by many of Ireland's leading greyhounds and is an integral part of the Irish greyhound racing calendar.[3]

Clonbrien Hero, trained by Graham Holland and owned by Ms. Kay Murphy of Athlacca, County Limerick set a new record for the final of the Laurels (at Curraheen Park) when he won by three lengths in a time of 28.00 on 22 July 2017.[4]

Venues and distances

  • 1944–1960 (Cork, Western Road, 500 yards)
  • 1961–1999 (Cork, Western Road, 525 yards)
  • 2000–present (Cork, Curraheen Park, 525 yards)

Sponsors

  • 1979–1981 (Cashmans)
  • 1985–1986 (Joe Donnelly)
  • 1987–1991 (Kantoher Co-op)
  • 1992–1992 (Michael McCarthy)
  • 1993–1994 (Michael Crowley)
  • 1995–2003 (Co-op Superstores)
  • 2004–2009 (Cashmans Bookmakers)
  • 2010–2011 (Pat Hennerty Sales)
  • 2012–2014 (Connolly's Red Mills)
  • 2015–2019 (Irish Independent)
  • 2023–2025 (Bar One Racing)

Past winners

[5]

Year Winner Breeding Time (Sec) Trainer SP Notes
1944 Robeen Printer Printer – Deoc Deireannach 28.98
1945 Munster Hotel Highland Rum – Ballinspittle 29.20
1946 Ballinrea Express Rebel Express – Champion Queen 28.80
1947 Careless Border Ruby Border – Volcut 28.80
1948 Double Shadow Dark Shadow – Grosvenors Lady 28.33
1949 Spanish Chestnut Rebel Abbey – Cordal Moonlight 28.55
1950 Spanish Chestnut Rebel Abbey – Cordal Moonlight 28.70
1951 Knockrour Favourite Bellas Prince – Favourite Tip 28.85 Jack Lynch
1952 Tragumna Dasher Dark Shadow – Bran Cream 28.70
1953 Templenoe Rebel Ballymac Ball – Templenoe Medora 28.55
1954 Come on Bella Lucky Tanist – Knockrour Bella 28.90
1955 Spanish Battleship Spanish Chestnut – Ballyseedy Memory 28.35 Tom Lynch
1956 Rather Grand The Grand Champion – Ashbrook Gift 29.00 7-1 [6]
1957 Kilcasey Streak 28.80
1958 Brook Prancer Glittering Look – Shaggy Dancer 28.43
1959 Celbridge Chance Eridanus – Avril 28.50
1960 Last Lap The Grand Champion – Dooniskey Lass 28.15
1961 Round Tower Rose Champion Prince – Knockdrina Rose 29.80
1962 Dark Baby Knockrour Again – Ronnoc Miss 29.40 Track record
1963 Powerstown Proper Hi There – Faoide 29.75
1964 Tanyard Heather Oregon Prince – Clonbanin Chariot 29.20 P Cashman
1965 Boro Parachute Crazy Parachute – Anjone 29.60
1966 Westpark Ash Hi There – Westpark Ballet 29.40
1967 Philotimo Booked Out – Pride of Corrin 29.65 C Kelleher
1968 Flaming King Market Green – Maglin Lady 29.25 S Moran
1969 Skipping Tim Myross Again – Right On Time 29.50 Dave Cashman [7]
1970 Gabriel Boy Yanka Boy – Gabriel Star 29.25 Ger McKenna
1971 Ivy Hall Flash Proud Lincoln – Ivy Hall Rose 29.15 Paddy Keane
1972 Dublin Eily Maryville Hi – Right Champion 29.70 J Buckley
1973 Kilbracken Style Kilbelin Style – Maggie Ann 29.10 Paddy Keane
1974 Silent Thought Ivy Hall Flash – Oulartwick Jane 29.50 Paddy Keane 2/1 [8]
1975 Moonshine Bandit Yanka Boy – Westpark Roma 29.30 Christy O'Callaghan
1976 Nameless Star Ritas Choice – Itsastar 29.30 Ger McKenna
1977 Ashleigh Honour Kudas Honour – Miss Ashleigh 29.15 Dave Cashman
1978 Knockrour Girl Bright Lad – Knockrour Last 29.40 Denis Lynch
1979 Knockrour Slave Sole Aim – Knockrour Exile 29.45 Ger McKenna
1980 Knockrour Slave Sole Aim – Knockrour Exile 29.00 Ger McKenna Track record
1981 Knockeen Master Laurdella Fun – Knockeen Guest 29.50 Christy O'Callaghan
1982 The Stranger Dark Mercury – Lovely Blend 28.95 Christy O'Callaghan Track record[9]
1983 Back Garden Knockrour Slave – Sweeping Billy 29.66 Ger McKenna
1984 Rugged Mick Ceili Band – Blueberry Pet 29.09 Ger McKenna 5/4f [10]
1985 Follow A Star Under Par – Float A Loan 29.42 Ger McKenna 10/1
1986 Big Oran Oran Jack – Big Deposit 29.78 Ann Wade 3/1 [11]
1987 Yellow Bud Yellow Ese – Budweiser 29.28 Donal O'Regan 10/1 [12]
1988 Odell King Sail On II – Odell Tansy 28.98 Ned Power 7/2 [13]
1989 Airmount Grand Daleys Gold – Airmount Jewel 28.82 Gerald Kiely 4/7f Track record in final, sf and 2nd Rd[14]
1990 Adraville Bridge Im Slippy – Milltown Gem 28.78 Mossy O'Connor 9/4jf Track record[15]
1991 Terrydrum Tico Tico – Gentle Sarah 28.86 Davy Lennon 2/1f
1992 Market Rascal Coral Town – Twins Petra 29.58 [16]
1993 Lisglass Lass Quare Rocket – Machern 28.97 Francie Murray [17]
1994 Clounmellane Oak Ravage Again – Rosehip Joy 29.44 John Lynch 6/1 [18]
1995 Standard Image Murlens Slippy – Simply Elite 29.04 Christy O'Callaghan 5/1 [19]
1996 Deerfield Bypass Daleys Gold – Black Adraville 29.12 Ger McKenna 7/2 [20]
1997 Mr Pickwick Trade Union – Terrys Whisper 29.16 Paul Hennessy 1/2f
1998 Mr Pickwick Trade Union – Terrys Whisper 29.29 Paul Hennessy 4/5f
1999 Lumber Boss Batties Rocket – The Other Joy 29.42 Frances O'Donnell 5/1 dead-heat
1999 Tigers Eye Coalbrook Tiger – Swift Comment 29.42 Nicky Turner 10/1 dead-heat
2000 Barefoot Ridge Some Picture – Cailin Dilis 28.69 Paul Hennessy 6/1
2001 Sonic Flight Frightful Flash – Westmead Flight 28.41 Dolores Ruth 4/1 [21]
2002 Annual Award Smooth Rumble – Heres Steppie 28.33 Eddie Wade 7/1
2003 Nikita Billie Split the Bill – Nikita Doll 28.34 Jack Walsh 9/2
2004 Boherduff Light He Knows – Travelling Light 28.14 Owen McKenna 2/1jf [22]
2005 Tyrur Ted Top Honcho – Watch the Market 28.33 PJ Fahy 4/6f [23]
2006 Ardkill Jamie Top Savings – Fast Issue 28.35 Paul Hennessy 5/2 [24]
2007 Catunda Harry Elite State – Your So Vain 28.18 Owen McKenna 5/4f [25]
2008 Cashen Legend Balintore Brave – Fergus Gold 28.74 Chris Houilhan 14/1 [26]
2009 Sevenheads Bay Ballymac Maeve – Travara Daisy 28.50 Graham Holland 4/1 [27]
2010 Tyrur Enda Razldazl Billy – Regards To Alice 28.42 PJ Fahy 4/6f [28]
2011 Razldazl Rioga Brett Lee – Razldazl Pearl 28.32 Dolores Ruth 7/2 [29]
2012 Knockglass Billy Ballymac Maeve – Knockglass Lady 28.30 Graham Holland 2/1f [30]
2013 Lassa Expedition Crash –Lassa Experience 28.39 Rachel Wheeler 3/1 [31]
2014 Vimmerby Winetavern Oscar – Wee Rose Garden 28.56 John Kavanagh 3/1 [32]
2015 Midtown Raffa Kinloch Brae – Raffa Baby 28.31 Maurice O'Connor 2/1f [33]
2016 Skywalker Manner Leeview Jet – Jibberish 28.29 Graham Holland 5/1 [34]
2017 Clonbrien Hero Razldazl Jayfkay – Trout or Salmon 28.00 Graham Holland 5/2 Curraheen Park final record[4]
2018 Rockybay Foley Sparta Maestro – Ironically 28.37 Kieran Lynch 4/5f [35]
2019 Rockybay Foley Sparta Maestro – Ironically 28.57 Kieran Lynch 7/4f [36]
2020 Runninta Seeya Laughil Blake – Droopys Harbour 28.48 John Linehan - No SP due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions[37]
2021 One Time Only Droopys Sydney – Mags Image 28.17 Thomas O'Donovan 3/1 [38]
2022 Good Cody Definate Opinion – Soho Ark 28.20 Patrick Guilfoyle 5/1 [39]
2023 High Trend Droopys Sydney – Beaming Smasher 28.31 Graham Holland 8/1 [40]
2024 Crafty Shivoo Droopys Sydney – Ballymac Sanjose 28.52 Patrick Norris 1/1f [41]
2025 Magical on Fire Ballymac Cashout – Burgess Sarah 27.93 Patrick Guilfoyle 13/2 [42]

References

  1. ^ Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing, page 285. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 07207-1106-1.
  2. ^ Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, page 322. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
  3. ^ "Feature Events" (PDF). Irish Greyhound Board. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 November 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  4. ^ a b "2017 Result". Irish Greyhound Board.
  5. ^ Hobbs, Jonathan (2007). Greyhound Annual 2008, page 170. Raceform. ISBN 978-1-905153-53-4.
  6. ^ "Greyhound Star (Remember When November 1956)". Greyhound Star. 25 November 2018.
  7. ^ "Greyhound Star (Remember When - April)". Greyhound Star. 14 April 2019.
  8. ^ "Charles takes the Laurels". Sunday Independent. 8 September 1974. p. 28 – via British Newspaper Archives.
  9. ^ "Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When 1982) September edition". Greyhound Star.
  10. ^ "Cork Laurels result". Belfast News-Letter. 30 July 1984. p. 11. Retrieved 15 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. ^ "Big Oran takes Laurels". Sunday Independent. 27 July 1986. p. 24 – via British Newspaper Archives.
  12. ^ "Cork". Sunday Independent. 19 July 1987. p. 28 – via British Newspaper Archives.
  13. ^ "More power to Odell King". Sunday Independent. 17 July 1988. p. 28 – via British Newspaper Archives.
  14. ^ "Airmount to win Laurels". Evening Herald. 15 July 1989. p. 34 – via British Newspaper Archives.
  15. ^ "Great Laurels vixtoey for Adraville Bridge". Kerryman. 20 July 1990. p. 18 – via British Newspaper Archives.
  16. ^ "Greyhound Scene". Kerryman. 17 July 1992. Retrieved 5 August 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  17. ^ "All Those Aprils". Vol. 16, no. 4. Greyhound Star. 4 April 1998.
  18. ^ "John Horgan has 13 pups out of Laurels winner Clounmellane Oak". Kerryman. 15 July 1994. p. 22 – via British Newspaper Archives.
  19. ^ "Laurels go to O'Callaghan". Irish Independent. 10 July 1995. p. 35 – via British Newspaper Archives.
  20. ^ "No Bypassing Deerfield". Irish Independent. 8 July 1996. p. 26 – via British Newspaper Archives.
  21. ^ "Remember When – October". Greyhound Star. 27 October 2017.
  22. ^ "Cashmans Irish Laurels 2004". Greyhound Data. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  23. ^ "Cashmans Bookmakers Irish Laurels Final 2005". Greyhound Data. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  24. ^ "Cashmans Bookmakers Irish Laurels Final 2006". Greyhound Data. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  25. ^ "The Cashmans Bookmakers Irish Laurels Final 2007". Greyhound Data. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  26. ^ "2008 Cashmans Bookmakers Irish Laurels Final". Greyhound Data. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  27. ^ "2009 Cashmans Bookmakers Irish Laurels Final". Greyhound Data. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  28. ^ "The Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels Final 2010". Greyhound Data. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  29. ^ "The Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels Final 2011". Greyhound Data. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  30. ^ "The Connolly's Red Mills Irish Laurels Final 2012". Greyhound Data. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  31. ^ "The Connolly's Red Mills Irish Laurels Final 2013". Greyhound Data. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  32. ^ "The Connolly's Red Mills Irish Laurels Final 2014". Greyhound Data. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  33. ^ "2015 Result". Irish Greyhound Board.
  34. ^ "2016 Result". Irish Greyhound Board.
  35. ^ "Laurels final meeting". Irish Greyhound Board.
  36. ^ "2019 Laurels final". Irish Greyhound Board.
  37. ^ "The 2020 Irish Greyhound Laurels Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  38. ^ "The 2021 Irish Greyhound Laurels Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  39. ^ "The 2022 Irish Greyhound Laurels Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  40. ^ "The 2023 Bar One Racing Irish Laurels Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  41. ^ "2024 BarOne Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  42. ^ "Magical On Fire conjures dramatic Irish Greyhound Laurels victory". Irish Examiner. 9 November 2025. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
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