The 2000 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during August and September with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 2 September 2000.
The winner Judicial Pride won £60,000 and was trained by Michael O'Donovan, owned by Pat Daly and bred by Michael Walsh. The race was sponsored for the first time by Paddy Power.
Final result At Shelbourne, 2 September (over 550 yards): PositionWinnerBreedingTrapSPTimeTrainer1st Judicial Pride Thorgil Tex - Dons Pride 2 6-4f 29.68 Michael O'Donovan2nd Rapid Ranger Come on Ranger - Rapid Vienna 5 7-4 29.89 Charlie Lister (England)3rd Miss Tetley Staplers Jo - Much Better 6 12-1 29.94 Fraser Black4th Ballyhoe Cyclone Lassa Java - Picture Palace 3 33-1 30.22 Mal Thomas5th Golfing Lad Polnoon Chief - Roses Jewel 4 33-1 30.36 Fraser Black6th Currie Kid Spiral Nikita - Westmead Spirit 1 6-1 30.54 Seamus Graham
Distances 2½, ¾, 3½, 1¾, 2¼ (lengths)
Competition Report The 2000 English Greyhound Derby champion Rapid Ranger only just managed to take his place in the first round after the ferry transporting him was late, as a consequence the ante-post favourite only just qualified for the next round after finishing third in his heat. The fastest winner of the first round was Joannestown Cash in 29.92.
In the second round Rapid Ranger bounced back to form recording 29.97, a time nearly matched by English Derby semi-finalist Judicial Pride in 29.98. Greenfield Deal now with Matt Travers recorded 30.13, as did Killiney Kingdom.
In the opening quarter-final Greenfield Deal was fast away from the traps and broke the track record time by finishing in 29.74 (15 spots (0.15 sec) inside Frisby Flashing's former record). Official Leader claimed the second heat before Currie Kid won heat three which contained Rapid Ranger and defending champion Spring Time, the latter failed to progress. Judicial Pride completed the quarter-final winners.
Rapid Ranger came good again in the semi-finals catching leader Currie Kid in 29.94, with Miss Tetley taking third place. In the second semi final Judicial Pride was away fast, easing to a seven and a quarter length win and another new track record time of 29.66. Golfing Lad and Ballyhone Cyclone were a distant second and third and Greenfield Deal not only lost his short lived record but failed to make the final.
Judicial Pride did everything right in the final, taking an early lead and then helped by the slow start of Currie Kid on his inside. The fawn dog then completed his unbeaten Derby campaign by crossing the line in a very fast 29.68, Rapid Ranger had a poor trap five draw and ran on well to take the runner-up spot.
Quarter finals
Heat 1 (Aug 19)PosName SP Time 1st Greenfield Deal 4-1 29.742nd Ballyhoe Cyclone 10-1 29.983rd Killiney Kingdom 5-1 30.584th Concorde Direct 1-1f 00.005th Fat Boy Slim 7-1 00.006th Three Jacks 25-1 00.00
Heat 2 (Aug 19)PosName SP Time 1st Official Leader 14-1 30.102nd Golfing Lad 7-1 30.203rd Johannestown Cash 7-4f 30.384th Lemon Ralph 3-1 30.405th Lenson Returns 5-2 30.456th Quanns Bridge 8-1 31.22
Heat 3 (Aug 19)PosName SP Time 1st Currie Kid 3-1 30.222nd Wings of Speed 10-1 30.243rd Rapid Ranger 11-10f 30.254th Shanless Park 6-1 30.425th Spring Time 10-1 30.706th New One 33-1 30.77
Heat 4 (Aug 19)PosName SP Time 1st Judicial Pride 7-2 30.062nd Marinas Tina 6-4f 30.083rd Miss Tetley 7-1 30.134th Mr Bozz 7-2 30.155th Billionaire 8-1 30.336th Compsey Tribunal 33-1 30.54
Semi finals
First Semi-final (Aug 26)PosName of Greyhound SP Time 1st Rapid Ranger 2-1f 29.942nd Currie Kid 3-1 30.083rd Miss Tetley 8-1 30.134th Johannestown Cash 4-1 30.205th Official Leader 8-1 30.316th Killiney Kingdom 16-1 30.31
Second Semi-final (Aug 26)PosName of Greyhound SP Time 1st Judicial Pride 5-2jf 29.662nd Golfing Lad 20-1 30.183rd Ballyhoe Cyclone 20-1 30.294th Marinas Tina 5-2jf 30.305th Greenfield Deal 3-1 30.446th Wings of Speed 8-1 30.51
See also 2000 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
References