Nothing Cheap about a superb final night

CHEAP SANDWICHES might be the most incongruous name ever chosen for a Derby winner, but few would dispute he is also a deserving champion who has earned his place on Shelbourne Park’s new Wall of Fame.

To have reached three Derby finals in ten months is in itself incredible. On Saturday it was time for his due reward, comfortably winning the BoyleSports Irish Derby after finishing runner-up to Bockos Diamond last year then running fourth in June to Droopys Plunge in Towcester’s English Derby.

As you emerged from the lift before racing on Saturday on the level that houses Shelbourne’s second floor suites, there was a prime space marked ‘2025 Derby winner coming soon’.

Adjacent to this, the stadium has created a new Wall of Fame which runs the length of the top floor and celebrates every previous champion. It is this, the Derby dream, which drives our sport and each winner deserves acknowledgement. Sneak a look when next there.

Anyone strolling into Shelbourne would have been blown away by the stylish design and murals in place that announce this is special. That was completed for last year’s Derby and includes the superb museum enticing visitors to embrace the sport.

Winning trainer Graham Holland, now responsible for five Irish Derby champions, is the most successful in its history. Congratulations to him, his entire family, staff and owners.

My belief is that it is attention to detail which is the secret behind his success and also that of his fellow top handlers as well as those in the horseracing world or when it comes to racecourse management in general.

That simply means hard work. Nothing comes easy.

An example of that has been the building of the new track at Dunstall Park, Wolverhampton.

It was a particular personal joy to walk the sand of its circuit which is inside the horse racecourse shortly before it staged its first meeting earlier this month.

You could see the effort which had gone into making it as inviting and safe as possible for greyhounds. It means I can’t wait to go back for the £20,000 PGR Oaks final (480m) on Friday October 24. The bitches’ Classic is due to kick off there on Friday, with the £7,500 Scurry (275m) a week later.

Folk are so sophisticated nowadays that they can be difficult to impress. I noticed a different instance last week of something that bills itself as ‘An Experience Not To Be Missed’. This was at horseracing’s Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens. If you happen to be around the Kildare area, make a point of visiting. It’s fun, includes the opportunity to ‘ride’ in a race, and is well worth the admission price.

This is an example of the competitive leisure market that greyhound racing sits in. We have to make visitors feel special and ensure standards are kept as high as possible. Shelbourne’s upgrade, museum and celebration of its Derby stars set an appropriate standard and the packed house on Saturday felt a deserved reward for Greyhound Racing Ireland and BoyleSports.

One noticed Graham and Nicky Holland as well as their family were everywhere last week, dashing to and from Shelbourne last Saturday, getting to Towcester on Sunday – and winning the bet365 Empress Stakes with Silverhill Freya – then making sure Nicky was also at Monday’s Derby lunch.

Yet this wasn’t just a duty, you could see they were savouring every moment – and through some impressive social media work communicated what a happy, friendly dog Cheap Sandwiches actually is too.

Make no mistake, behind it all has been a mountain of dedication, travel and professionalism. When you are training such an unfashionably named greyhound, a sense of humour is surely needed too.

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