IRISH GREYHOUND REVIEW ANNUAL VOLUME 45 ON SALE NOW....

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{TAKEN FROM THE RACING POST WEBSITE}


YOU always know Christmas is around the corner when The Pogues’ Fairytale of New York is being played on the radio, and Margaret Walsh rings to say the Irish Greyhound Review has been published! It is Volume 45, a tradition in the sport – and there is always relief in her voice, writes Jim Cremin.

A key role for the Racing Post (and other media) comes in reporting major wins. Owners, trainers, everyone connected with a big-race victory can turn to the paper a day or so later and take pride in seeing ‘their’ story with a picture.

Walsh’s Annual pulls that together for the previous 12 months – in Ireland but also the United Kingdom.

Colleague Phil Donaldson ably covers the latter scene, obviously with emphasis on Romeo Magico’s Towcester Derby triumph.

If you have won anything significant, this is your chance to relive the moment. The Annual is absolutely packed with pictures from Imelda Grauer and Steve Nash.

This edition includes what seems numerous photos of one person – trainer Jennifer O’Donnell. She enjoyed an incredible spell with earlier victories of Scooby Prince and Scooby Duchess before landing the 2022 BoyleSports Derby with Born Warrior, a dog she bred, reared and schooled herself and whose stunning early gave him such a vital edge.

In his 18-start career so far, he has never been out of the first three – 11 wins, five seconds, two thirds. Greyhound racing was built on such incredible consistency, and when he retires to stud he will be a popular choice.

A page ad in the Review explains a short-term and limited launch of a number of straws for breeding, but O’Donnell’s real focus is “getting back to reality” – preparing him for Shelbourne’s Winter Racing Festival next month and then a lead up to a Derby defence next year.

Grauer’s superb cover picture captures the delighted scene immediately after the win, and reminds that O’Donnell is part of true greyhound racing royalty given her parents are Matt and Frances, plus Dolores Ruth is her auntie.

O’Donnell is the Review’s 2022 Personality of the Year. She is also part of the dog’s ‘Whatever-You-Like’ ownership syndicate.


Frank Nyhan, chairman of Greyhound Racing Ireland, in his overall assessment of the year, notes just how important it is to encourage such syndicates. His term of office will end in September 2023.

It is a period of transition with a new CEO about to be appointed to work alongside Leon Blanche, who starts as commercial director in January. Nyhan, who steered the sport through the pandemic, points out: “We have to make it pay – the long-term aim is to reduce our dependency on the Horse and Greyhound Fund.”

Blanche’s current firm, BoyleSports, make Sinn Fein 1-12 to secure the most seats in the next Irish General Election with the party’s leader, Mary Lou McDonald, a 2-7 chance to become Taoiseach. That election is expected in 2025 – with a searching new scrutiny on greyhound racing seemingly forecast.

As it stands Charlie McConalogue, the current Minister of Agriculture, pledges continued government support and, in his foreword, particularly highlights the “critical importance” of greyhound traceability.

He also recorded his pleasure that the Derby final was back on terrestrial TV, made a priority by Nyhan.

There are several other enjoyable pieces that include features on Derek Frehill, GRI’s first director of racing, and trainer Thomas Buggy.

Walsh, as publisher, must be congratulated for keeping the flame alive. She admits in her main editorial to getting “the fright of my life . . . all the prices had gone through the roof in production costs, for paper, for printing, for postage and all the things needed to produce the annual . . . nothing is easy these days.”

She concludes by asking everyone to “keep doing what you are doing – even better if that is possible, but we are getting there.”

She calls for optimism and patience, and Walsh herself has certainly led the way.

The Irish Greyhound Review is on sale in shops in Ireland (also UK greyhound supply stores), retailing at €20.00 (€25.00 incl p&p; stg £25.00 incl £5 p&p) from P.O. Box 7993, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Tel: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]