*BoyleSports confirm a new 3 year extension of their sponsorship of the Irish Greyhound Derby at Shelbourne Park. Their three-year €1M commitment takes the total sponsored prizefund beyond €3M over 10 years. Pictured are Leon Blanche, Head of Communications at BoyleSports, Frank Nyhan Chairman of Rásaíocht Con Éireann / Greyhound Racing Ireland and the reigning BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby champion Newinn Taylor with Timmy Holland, Assistant Trainer.
BoyleSports have renewed its sponsorship of the Irish Greyhound Derby as part of a three-year €1m deal.
Viewed as the most prestigious race on the Irish greyhound calendar, the Irish Greyhound Derby will be continued to be sponsored by BoyleSports, taking its association with the event to ten years. The value of this sponsorship is expected to exceed €3m.
Ballymac Ariel trained by Liam Dowlng is the early favourite with 2020 Juvenile Derby and recent Select Stakes champion Skywalker Barry, Con & Annie Kirby Memorial finalist Explosive Boy, 2020 Juvenile Derby finalist Knight Tornado and Broadstrand Ryan hoping to upset the odds. The 2021 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby was launched at Ireland’s premier greyhound stadium, Shelbourne Park on Monday 31st May under the watchful eye of champion greyhound himself Newinn Taylor and Timmy Holland, son of 2020 Derby-winning trainer Graham.
BoyleSports will also be sponsoring the Champion Stakes at Shelbourne Park from 2021-2023. Run over 550 yards, the event traditionally attracts big names.
Chief Executive Officer of BoyleSports, Conor Gray said they were “privileged” to extend their long-term relationship with the Irish Greyhound Derby. “Obviously, the pandemic has had a devastating impact on all sports, including greyhound racing. So we are especially delighted that we can throw our weight behind the sector, that it will know it has a supportive friend in BoyleSports for the foreseeable future”.
Delight was expressed by CEO of Rásaíocht Con Éireann, Ger Dollard with the extension to the partnership. “It is a hugely positive announcement for the industry guaranteeing a very substantial prize fund for this prestigious competition up to 2023. The Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby is an eagerly anticipated competition with worldwide interest. We very much look forward to hearing the ‘Derby roar’ back at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium in September”.
