The 2011 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during August and September with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 10 September 2011.
The winner Razldazl George won €120,000 and was trained by Dolores Ruth, owned by the Dazzling Syndicate and bred by Dolores Ruth. The race was sponsored by the Ladbrokes.
Final result At Shelbourne, 10 September (over 550 yards): PositionWinnerBreedingTrapSectionalSPTimeTrainer1st Razldazl George Kinloch Brae - Razldazl Pearl 43.55 5-2 30.02 Dolores Ruth2nd Dream Walker Black Shaw - Madam Hero 23.62 10-1 30.03 Tom O'Neill3rd Krug Ninety Five Droopys Maldini - Frontier Music 53.56 8-1 30.27 Fraser Black4th Rockchase Bullet Westmead Hawk - Droopys Bubble 6 3.51 2-1f 30.63 Ronny Wuyts5th Razldazl Bugatti Brett Lee - Razldazl Pearl 1 3.51 7-2 30.65 Dolores Ruth6th Rockview Head Head Bound - Three Star Gem 3 3.62 7-1 30.71 Peter Cronin
Distances short-head, 3, 4½, neck, ¾ (lengths)
Competition Report The 2010 Irish Greyhound Derby champion Tyrur McGuigan returned to defend his title and was a first round winner. The fastest round one winner was Razldazl George in 29.38. In round two Razldazl George went fastest again 29.54 and in the third round Tyrur McGuigan won his third consecutive race in 29.83 as did Razldazl George and Razldazl Bugatti. 2010 finalist Barefoot Bullet failed to get to round three and the only British challenge came to end when Nick Savva's greyhounds were eliminated.
There were shocks in the quarter-finals starting with defending champion Tyrur McGuigan who finished last in his heat after finishing lame and was retired to stud. Makeshift, Razldazl Jayfkay, Melodys Royal and Tyrur Big Mike all failed to make the semi-finals. Heat winners were Dream Walker, Croom Star, Rockchase Bullet and Krug Ninety Five.
Rockchase Bullet claimed the first semi-final from Razldazl George and Rockview Head in 29.67 whilst Razldazl Bugatti beat veteran campaigner Krug Ninety Five and Dream Walker in the second semi recording 29.99.
In the final Razldazl Bugatti moved off and bumped Rockchase Bullet when both were well placed. This left Razldazl George to take up the running and hold off a late challenge from Dream Walker.
Quarter finals
Heat 1 (Aug 27)PosName SP Time 1st Dream Walker 7-1 29.872nd Razldazl Bugatti 7-4 29.893rd Hey Gringo 16-1 29.914th Melodys Royal 5-4f 29.985th Ballymac Mitsy 7-1 30.156th Nikitas Scut 12-1 30.22
Heat 2 (Aug 27)PosName SP Time 1st Croom Star 8-1 29.992nd Droopys Twirl 5-2 30.063rd Piercestown Sand 7-1 30.164th Kingo 10-1 30.305th Ohio Rumble 8-1 30.316th Tyrur McGuigan 1-1f 30.80
Heat 3 (Aug 27)PosName SP Time 1st Rockchase Bullet 6-1 29.802nd Razldazl George 9-4 30.113rd Coolykereen Imp 7-1 30.174th Makeshift 7-4f 30.185th Pepsi Billy 5-1 30.356th Airforce Roger 10-1 30.49
Heat 4 (Aug 27)PosName SP Time 1st Krug Ninety Five 9-1 30.012nd Rafas Wee Pet 12-1 30.083rd Rockview Head 7-2 30.324th Tyrur Big Mike 9-4 30.535th Shelbourne Geoff 7-1 30.606th Razldazl Jayfkay 6-4f 30.66
Semi finals
First Semi-final (Sep 3)PosName of Greyhound SP Time 1st Rockchase Bullet 3-1 29.672nd Razldazl George 9-10f 29.843rd Rockview Head 10-1 29.864th Droopys Twirl 5-1 29.935th Rafas Wee Pet 16-1 30.986th Hey Gringo 16-1 30.99
Second Semi-final (Sep 3)PosName of Greyhound SP Time 1st Razldazl Bugatti 6-4f 29.992nd Krug Ninety Five 10-1 30.043rd Dream Walker 100-30 30.154th Piercestown Sand 9-2 30.225th Croom Star 7-1 30.506th Coolykereen Imp 4-1 30.53
See also 2011 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
References