The 1955 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at
Harold's Cross Stadium
Harold's Cross Stadium was a greyhound racing stadium in Harold's Cross, Dublin, owned and operated by the Irish Greyhound Board.
Facilities included a grandstand restaurant, carvery, a number of bars, totalisator betting and seating.
Racin ...
in
Dublin
Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of th ...
on 12 August 1955.
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.
Spanish Battleship won a historic third consecutive title, a feat that had not been achieved before or since.
Final result
At Harold's Cross, 12 August (over 525 yards):
Distances
4, 2, 1 (lengths)
Competition Report
Spanish Battleship was a national icon by the time he lined for an attempt to win a third title. He suffered a surprise first round defeat when he was caught before the line by Crostys Bell but he still qualified for the next round by virtue of finishing second. Trainer Tom Lynch had other entries in the competition and two dead heated in the first round, they were Imperial Toast and Dancing Jester. Makra Bibs who had defeated Spanish Battleship in the Tostal Cup earlier in the year was the fastest heat winner in 29.68.
Due to there being only 36 greyhounds in the event this year there was a rest before the semi-finals got underway and Lynch gave Spanish Battleship a trial.
In the semi-finals Spanish Battleship returned to winning form by beating Mile Bush Champion by three lengths but Makra Bibs failed to make the final. A very fast time of 29.53 from Crostys Bell was good enough to take the second semi-final from Sailaway Sailor and Dancing Jester completed the round after he beat Claremont John in the third heat.
Harold's Cross stadium was overwhelmed by crowds attempting to see Spanish Battleship and they backed him into favourite at 5-4 with Crostys Bell drifting in the market at 7-4. Spanish Battleship was first away from the traps again and stretched to a three length victory from Crostys Bell to cement his place into the record books.
See also
*
1955 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
The 1955 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 30th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Roll of honour
Summary
Spanish Battleship became the greatest greyhound in Irish history by securing a third consecutive Irish ...
References
{{Irish Greyhound Derby
Greyhound Derby
Irish Greyhound Derby
The Irish Greyhound Derby held at Shelbourne Park, is the premier greyhound racing competition in Ireland.
First held at Harold's Cross in 1928, the event was unofficial until 1932 and called the National Derby. The first winner in 1928 was T ...