| 1962 Irish Greyhound Derby | |
|---|---|
| Venue | Shelbourne Park |
| Location | Dublin |
| End date | 11 August |
| Total prize money | £1,250 (winner) |
The 1962 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 11 August 1962. [1]
The winner Shane's Legacy won £1,250 and was trained, owned and bred by Bob McCann. [2]
At Shelbourne, 11 August (over 525 yards):
| Position | Name of Greyhound | Breeding | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Shane's Legacy | Knock Hill Chieftain - Betsy | 5 | 5-1 | 29.58 | Bob McCann |
| 2nd | Golden Cheers | The Grand Fire - Atomic Smart | 6 | 8-1 | 29.70 | Mrs Remy Eastwood |
| 3rd | Dark Baby | Knockrour Again - Ronnoc Miss | 2 | 3-1 | 29.73 | Dave Cashman |
| 4th | Black July | Cheeky Tippy - Maddest Lily | 4 | 5-4f | 29.85 | Harry O'Neill |
| 5th | Peculiar | unknown | 1 | 10-1 | Bill Kirwan | |
| 6th | Spider Hill | Forever Cloone - She Can Can | 3 | 20-1 | Jim Syder Jr. |
1½, neck, 1½ (lengths)
The Grand Canal was the nation's favourite greyhound following his success in the 1962 English Greyhound Derby and lifting the Easter Cup crown but he did not enter for the 1962 Irish Derby leaving the event wide open. Ireland's leading trainer Gay McKenna had failed to win the premier event but it was considered as a foregone conclusion that he eventually would. It started well for him when he sent out the fastest heat winner in Brookeville Sputnik (29.30) and other impressive heat winners included Steady the Man (29.46), Dark Baby (29.47) and Shanes Legacy (29.67). [3]
In the second round the fastest second round winner was the Belfast owned Kashmir Lad who recorded 29.30. Black July and Alpine Mac both scored wins and Steady the Man and Peculiar remained unbeaten. By the time the semi-finals arrived Black July (trained by Harry O’Neill) defeated Shanes Legacy in 29.40, Black July had performed poorly in the English Greyhound Derby but had made the Welsh Greyhound Derby final. The second semi-final went to Dark Baby from English challenger Spider Hill; the latter was trained by Jim Syder and had made the 1961 English Greyhound Derby final with Joe Pickering. The third and final semi saw Golden Cheers defeat Peculiar. [4]
Black July was hot favourite for the final which was decided at the first bend when Dark Baby slipped around the bend pursued by Shanes Legacy, Spider Hill with Black July finding significant trouble and Spider Hill knocked over and losing his jacket. Shanes Legacy caught Dark Baby to take victory with Golden Cheers finishing very well to take second place. [4]
Shanes Legacy was sold immediately after the presentation by his owner Bob McCann for £2,500 to a London building contractor named Bob Gough who then put the greyhound in England with Tony Dennis. Later in the year Dark Baby went on to win the Laurels at Cork and break the track record. The title of Derby champion still eluded Gay McKenna. [4]
The 1950 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 12 August 1950.
The 1956 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 11 August 1956.
The 1960 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 13 August 1960.
The 1964 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 8 August 1964.
The 1966 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 6 August 1966.
The 1968 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 10 August 1968.
The 1969 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Harold's Cross Stadium in Dublin on 8 August 1969.
The 1970 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 8 August 1970.
The 1971 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 7 August 1971.
The 1972 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during June and July with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 19 July 1972.
The 1973 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 28 August 1973.
The 1975 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during June and July with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 26 July 1975.
The 1976 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during June and July with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 24 July 1975.
The 1977 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 13 August 1977.
The 1978 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during June and July with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 29 July 1978.
The 1979 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during June and July with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 28 July 1979.
The 1980 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during June and July with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 26 July 1980.
The 1983 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during June and July with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 31 July 1983.
The 1984 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during August and September with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 15 September 1984.
The 1962 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 36th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.