The 1954 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at
Shelbourne Park
Shelbourne Park is a greyhound racing stadium in the south Dublin inner city suburb of Ringsend.
Greyhound Racing
Opening
The plans to open a greyhound track in Dublin were drawn up by Paddy O’Donoghue, Jerry Collins, Patsy McAlinden and Jim ...
in
Dublin on 7 August 1954.
The winner
Spanish Battleship
Spanish Battleship (August 1951 - July 1962) was a male fawn and brindle greyhound. He is celebrated as one of Ireland's greatest racing greyhounds.
Early life
Spanish Battleship was whelped in August 1951 as part of a litter of seven. His owne ...
won £500 and was trained by Tom Lynch and owned by Tim 'Chubb' O'Connor.
Final result
At Shelbourne, 7 August (over 525 yards):
Distances
3, 4 (lengths)
Competition Report
The defending champion Spanish Battleship headed for Shelbourne Park following a rest because he had injured a leg during the 1954 Callanan Cup final.
After the first night's racing doubts surfaced that he could successfully defend his title because he had been injured and a greyhound called Leafy Ash who had finished second in the
1954 English Greyhound Derby
The 1954 Greyhound Derby took place during June with the final being held on 25 June 1954 at White City Stadium.
The winner was Pauls Fun and the winning owner Mr Thomas Henry Watford received £1,500.
Final result
At White City (over 525 ya ...
final recorded 29.93, in a first round win. However The following evening Spanish Battleship then proceeded to break the track record with a remarkable 29.50 run, which led to the Irish press stating that it was a foregone conclusion that the dog would win again. The second round win was impressive but nine spots slower than his first round win; the next best being Ollys Quare Rebel in 29.74.
In the semi-finals Spanish Battleship equalled his own track record winning eight lengths ahead of Dignity. Aughacommon Rex beat Moyola Flash and Palm's Son defeated Olly's Quare Rebel in the remaining semi-finals.
[
Spanish Battleship wrote his name into the history books as the first ever two time Irish Derby winner despite missing his break from the traps in the final. He showed enough of his renowned early pace to quickly overtake early leader Dignity and go on to win by three lengths in 29.64.][
]
See also
* 1954 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
The 1954 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 29th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Roll of honour
Summary
Spanish Battleship secured a second consecutive Irish Greyhound Derby title becoming the first greyhound ...
References
{{Irish Greyhound Derby
Greyhound Derby
Irish Greyhound Derby