Media, News
Join Interchem and Precision Microbes at the Pavilion Area, Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium for a talk on “Why all health begins in the gut in racing greyhounds”. Taking place on Saturday 24th June with the speaker on the night, Tommy Heffernan MVB Gradcert DHH, Veterinary Consultant.
-Refreshments and food available from 6pm
-Talk 7.00pm to 7.30pm
Register your interest here: bit.ly/greyhoundguthealth
Media, Meeting Minutes, News
A meeting between The Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeder’s Federation and the Board of Rásaíocht Con Éireann took place at the Horse and Jockey at 12.30 pm on Thursday 23rd February 2023.
In attendance for The IGOBF:-
Damian Matthews, Chairman of IGOBF, Deirdre Leahy, Secretary of IGOBF and Geoff Parnaby IGOBF and Clare Hanley.
In attendance for Rásaíocht Con Éireann :-
Mr. Frank Nyham, Chairman, Mr. John Tuohey, Acting CEO, Aileen Lennon, Alex Grassick, Richie Regan, Elizabeth Gray, Patrick Flanagan, Anne Channon.
The IGOBF commended the recent very successful student nights at Shelbourne Park, Galway and Cork and praised the notable social media improvements across all the tracks.
The IGOBF informed Rásaíocht Con Éireann of meetings they were having with some senior politicians from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.
The IGOBF put forward the following issues from their members:-
The makeup of the Board of Rásaíocht Con Éireann to mirror that of H.R.I. i.e., stakeholders representative’s appointments.
The delay in the implementation of capital developments (Shelbourne Park & Kilkenny), awaiting the new 5-year plan since the sale of Harold’s Cross has led to uncertainty in the industry.
Clarity regarding the proposed new gambling legislation to our sector.
Proposed amendments to Category 2 meat thresholds must be reviewed immediately.
Financial implications to the knackeries, the farmers and the greyhound owners and breeders will be substantial in the present economic climate.
Ringfence a percentage of the Greyhound Fund for prizemoney, hence back to the grassroots of the industry, in line with HRI model.
An increase in prizemoney is a top priority to help with the cost of living crisis and Removal of vat from dog food.
Technology advances with the RCÉTS APP could be used to benefit owners, trainers, managers and transport and rehoming preparation.
An increase in private track grants/allocations.
Barking Buzz needs investment and overhaul to generate more revenue.
We are seeking to have some input and some active involvement with The New 5-year plan and the implementation of the previous 5-year plan ending 2022.
Media, News
Maggie Jean K. and Katie K. with their granddad Micheál wearing their winning rossettes for the IGOBF Junior Greyhound Owner and Breeders competition.
The girls were very excited to see their winning entries published in the Sporting Press for the IGOBF Christmas competition.
Maggie-Jean K. and Katie K. hail from
Co.Tipperary.
The girls are a great help to their grandfather who has some track and coursing greyhounds and also some retired pets and it is fantastic to see the youngsters enthusiastic and involved with our sport.
Media, News
Our upcoming AGM is planned for
Wed evening March 29th 7.30pm to 9.30pm
VENUE:- Killeshin Hotel Portlaoise R32 TYW7
Please encourage a strong attendance
Please email igobfsecretary@gmail.com regarding any issues your members would like to be addressed and they will be put forward throughout 2023. Please find attached the initial Key Issues that we will be addressing with GRI in the 1st quarter of this year.
Yours in Sport,
Damian Matthews
The IGOBF Key Issues for 2023
1. Costs and financial issues
1a. Ring Fence significant portion of the Horse and greyhound fund for prizemoney. (60%)
Prizemoney is a top priority.
1b. The feeding of Category 2 meat to all greyhounds (including racing greyhounds) should be supported by GRI and the Department of Agriculture and the current screening limits for demoxothene should not change.
1c. Private tracks
25% increase in annual funding grant for all private tracks with immediate effect to counter the inflation crisis.
1d. Freeze race entry fees at current levels.
No more additional costs on owners, trainers,transporters and especially on breeders.
Restore the breeder’s prizemoney initiative.
Restore trainer’s incentive.
Remove vat on dog food.
Streamline passport/vaccination export/transportation procedures and costs.
2. Welfare and Integrity
2a. An agreed action plan for track maintenance at every track for trials and racing. Safety must be a priority at every track with the emphasis on the surface being properly prepared,maintained and monitored.
2b. Funding for welfare,integrity and rehoming spending be ring fenced at existing levels (over €3m last year)
2c. Drug testing.
We are seeking an up-to-date evaluation of best practices, more detailed information about thresholds, more regular communication to our members about all aspects of drug testing.
We must build trust and confidence in the testing system.
3. Future planning
3a. Clear communication from GRI regarding upgrading to Shelbourne Park, Kilkenny track, Lifford and all other industry developments.
3b. An overhaul of the Barking Buzz platform.
We want new revenue streams into our sport we must consider engaging with the top betting companies and bring our live racing streaming to a global market.
3c. That the board of GRI be remodelled to resemble the HRI board with representatives of all stakeholders such as owners,breeders, trainers,sponsors,transporters, stud keepers etc.
3d. A professional articulate spokesperson delegated to deal with negative publicity, online bullying, targeting sponsors, anti-racing propaganda and we require an agreed strategy to be developed to counter those who deliberately defame/tarnish greyhound racing in the media and with politicians etc.
Our members are prepared to play our part to defend our sport and it should be a united approach.
Media, News
These are the prizewinning entries in the IGOBF sponsored Christmas Competition for our young people. The winners are published in last week’s Sporting Press (Thursday 22nd November). Thank you all for the wonderful entries. The standard was extremely high. Well done to our Junior Irish Greyhound Owners.
Christmas card verses with a greyhound theme.
Winning entries:
******
Cheers to a greyhound by the fire, warm Christmas memories, and you.
A.M. Age 6
County Kildare
*****
Christmas is coming
The bookie’s is getting fat
Please put a tenner on the
The right greyhound trap
If you haven’t got a tenner
A euro will do
If you haven’t got a euro
May God bless you!
S.G.
U14 Co Limerick
*****
Jingle bells
Jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to go
To Shelbourne park
Tonight
J.B.
U10
County Tipperary
*****
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a greyhound was stirring, not even a Mouse
The leads and covers were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The puppies were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of puppy treats danced in their heads;
And mamma in her onesie and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the kennels roof-the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of dog treats, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of dog treats he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes — how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the kennel ; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!
B.L.
U18
Co Kerry
*****
Fairytale of Shelbourne Park
It was Christmas Eve babe
In the Getting Out Stake
An old man said to me, won’t see another one
And then he sang a song
The Rare Old Mountain Dew
I turned my face away
And dreamed about Trap two
Got on a lucky one
Came in eighteen to one
I’ve got a feeling
This year’s for me and you
So happy Christmas
I love you baby
I can see a better time
When all our dreams come true
A.R.
u14
France
Art and photography winning entries:
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and best wishes for 2023!
Media, News
Up The Style, 2022 IGOBF National Puppy Final winner
Congratulations to Alan Dobbs, Patrick Dobbs, Robert Gleeson and all connections.
Deirdre Leahy, secretary of IGOBF presents trophy to Alan Dobbs, with Robert Gleeson (Trainer), Keith Duffy, Michael Dempsey, Wayne Mc Carthy GRI, John Dobbs, John Doyle (Snr), John Doyle (Jnr), Ailish Mc Cann IGOBF representative.
The National Puppy Final has been sponsored by IGOBF in 2022, 2021 AND 2020.
#GoGreyhoundRacing #ThisRunsDeep
Media, News
IGOBF in conjunction with the Sporting Press are running a Christmas competition for youngsters.
Please email a photo entry to jigoentry@gmail.com.
1. A Christmas themed photo that includes a greyhound or greyhounds.
2. A Christmas art drawing/painting or decoration that features greyhounds.
3. Best verse for a Christmas card greeting with a greyhound theme.
Beautiful Christmas Rossette Prizes for winning Junior Greyhound Owner entries.
U8,U,10, U12,U14 and U18
Send a photo of the entry to jigoentry@gmail.com.
Winning entries will also be published on The Sporting Press and the IGOBF website.
Closing date Friday 16th December at 6pm.
Winners will be published on the Sporting Press edition on December 22nd.
Media, News
REHOMING YOUR GREYHOUNDS CORRECTLY
The IGOBF would like to remind all greyhound owners that the correct way to rehome all greyhounds is by contacting the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust.
The IRGT rehoming process is currently moving smoothly with few delays.
Courtesy and respect for IRGT is of the utmost importance for the future of greyhound racing.
The IGOBF utterly condemns the very tiny minority who put their greyhounds into the dog pounds and also strongly objects to the practice whereby some owners rehome their greyhounds with Anti-Racing Establishments.
These same Anti-Racing Groups are working with Animal Rights Extremists and have been campaigning to have racing defunded and banned completely.
Many Anti-Racing Rehoming Centres in Ireland are spreading extremely negative propaganda.
We strongly advise that you NEVER place any greyhounds with Anti-Racing Rehoming Groups.
Phone IRGT to place any greyhounds you need rehomed on the waiting list and don’t forget to have the neutering, rabies vaccine,dental check and paperwork completed without delay so that the rehoming process proceeds smoothly.
***Your retired greyhound needs to have the rabies vaccine administered a minimum of 21 days before they are ready to travel.The majority of dogs are adopted overseas so the vaccination date will greatly influence how long your dog is waiting to be adopted.***
Contact
The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust
061-448089
Email
irgt@grireland.ie
Damian Matthews
IGOBF Chairman
Media, News
These are the prizewinning entries for the IGOBF sponsored Hallowe’en Competition for our young people. The winners are published in this week’s Sporting Press (Thursday 10th November) and all published entries will receive a prize in the post. Thank you all for the wonderful entries. The standard was extremely high. Well done to our Junior Irish Greyhound Owners.
Prizewinning Entries
What happens when a vampire bites a greyhound? He becomes a bloodhound.
Winning joke from Saoirse O’Donovan, Age 7.
All correspondence to jigoentry@gmail.com
Buster Draw, Media, News
Congratulations to Padjoe Dorney from Drom, Templemore in County Tipperary who had the correct winning sequence 5-4-2-1-3-6 in the IGOBF Derby Buster Draw and he wins the prize of €500.
A big thank you to everyone who bought a ticket for the Buster Draw. You’re support of the IGOBF and the work it does is really appreciated.
IGOBF BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby 2022 Buster Competition Supporters
Media, News
BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Final:
What an exciting and enjoyable BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby so far. This year, young greyhound enthusiasts had the additional excitement of following their nominated dog throughout the Derby. Over 6 weeks ago, 341 children were randomly assigned a greyhound in this year’s Derby and we are down to the final 12 nominators.
BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Semi – Final Night:
Last Saturday night, the 26 junior nominator semi finalists were invited to attend the BoyleSports Derby semi-finals with their families. The families gathered in the Derby Suite with finger food and refreshments provided by Shelbourne Park. Frank Nyhan, Chairman of Greyhound Racing Ireland and Wayne McCarthy, GRI Board Member welcomed everyone and IGOBF Chairman Damian Matthews addressed the attendees, providing words of appreciation and encouragement to all the junior nominators and their families. IGOBF Secretary Deirdre Leahy presented each junior nominator with a momento of the event, including, a rosette, certificate and medal as well as a letter of appreciation from Greyhound Racing Ireland including family passes to their local track. The lucky finalists also got to meet their nomination at the kennel area after their respective semi finals.
Unfortunately, some of the junior nominator semi-finalists couldn’t make it to Shelbourne Park on Saturday night but no doubt they were cheering on their nominated greyhound at home. For many, this was their first time at Shelbourne Park. An enjoyable night was had by all and hopefully this is the start of something special in the lives of these wonderful young greyhound enthusiasts.
Deirdre Leahy and Kevin Davies (Crafty Kokoro)
Deirdre Leahy and Conor Slevin (Cryptopunk)
Deirdre Leahy and Liam McLoughlin (Callaway Pro Am)
Deirdre Leahy, Anthony Reidy and Lacey Reidy
Sinéad O’Reilly (Coolavanny Hoffa) and Deirdre Leahy
Deirdre Leahy and Myles Kearney (Coolavanny Hoffa)
Deirdre Leahy and Rhylie McBride (Ballymac Finn)
Deirdre Leahy and Mark McDonnell (Maries Wedding)
Deirdre Leahy and Lauren Lynch (Gortkelly Nestor)
Deirdre Leahy and Lilly O’Sullivan (Gortkelly Nestor)
Peter Divilly and Kevin Davies
Peter Divilly and Kevin Davies
Rhylie McBride with Shane Dowling and Ballymac Finn
Shane Hanlon, Jennifer O’Donnell, Anthony and Lacey Reidy with Born Warrior
Mark McDonnell and Keeley McGee with Maries Wedding
Junior Nominator Semi-Finalists
Anthony Reidy with his mom Lacey
Harry, Charlie, Molly and Lilly O’Sullivan
Eimear and Sinéad O’Reilly
Bill, Anthony and Lacey Reidy
You can support this and many other IGOBF projects by purchasing a ticket for the IGOBF Buster Draw. Tickets are just €5 and the person with winning sequence of the Derby Final will win €500.
Tickets can be purchased by clicking the link below:
IGOBF Boylesports Irish Derby 2022 Buster Competition
Media, News
IGOBF Boylesports Irish Derby 2022 Buster Competition