Derby champion Eddie hoping to time it right at Dundalk

Dundalk boss Martin delighted with entry for famous one-off

JIM MARTIN, Dundalk CEO, is delighted to see Lennies Eddie headline Sunday’s Time Dundalk International line-up as Paul Hennessy’s English Derby champion returns to the track where it pretty much all began for him. 

The prestigious and lucrative one-off at the border track is one of the mid-year highlights of the greyhound calendar either side of the Irish Sea and plays its part on a huge dual raceday - Ladies Day - at the venue with seven horse races followed by 12 greyhound races and entertainment throughout the day.

See dundalkstadium.com for further information.

First staged in 1968 and now worth €20,000 to the winner, previous winners of the 550yd showpiece include the likes of Mutts Silver (1976), Hit The Lid (1988), Farloe Melody (1991-92) and Definate Opinion (2010-11), both twice, Droopys Roddick (2016) and Jaytee Jet (2017).

Cheap Sandwiches won last year's Time Dundalk International before going on to win the Boylesports Irish Derby - and Dundalk boss Jim Martin is delighted to see the reigning English Derby champion in this year's contest - and there is an extra special reason why, as he explained.

“Lennies Eddie won here as a pup in just his second race," said Martin, "and I remember thinking here was a nice puppy who’d go far - although you never really know.

"What’s great is that Paul (Hennessy) is represented again in the International. He’s a great supporter of this race - and the track - and has won the International twice before, with Priceless Sky in 2013 and then Jaytee Jet in 2017.

"Pat Buckley has Singalong Polly in the race and Pat has won it three times - and he's looking to continue something of a sequence.

"He won for the first time in 2006 in Droopys Electric, and also with Droopys Roddick in 2016, so maybe he wins it in 2026, too? Of course, he also won it with Paradise Silver in 2015.

"So it's great to see Paul and Pat involved again, and we're also delighted to welcome the Kennedy family and Epic Ace line-up - he ran so well at Towcester during the English Derby and reached the Bar One Sprint Final here last year.

"Welcome to them and also Garry Dempsey with Ballymac Ralf, Michael O'Donovan's and Robert Gleeson with Toolmaker King. Robert won the International two years ago with Droopys Mandolin.

"It's a great race and tops off a fantastic day ahead here at Dundalk. Doors open at noon and all are welcome."