Riverside Kennels pay tribute to their retired superstar Cheap Sandwiches
Cheap Sandwiches has been retired and will be heading to stud with time running out on returning from injury to try to defend his crown.
Sambo retires to stud
Riverside Kennels announced this week that their 2025 BOYLEsports Irish Greyhound Derby champion Cheap Sandwiches has been retired and will stand at stud.
One of the most consistent dogs seen on the track on either side of the Irish Sea in recent years, his level of form at the top level stands up to the highest of scrutiny.
The Graham Holland team paid tribute as follows:
"The time has come to hang up Sambo’s (Cheap Sandwiches) racing boots. What a star this boy has been for us. From the moment he arrived at the kennel, there was something special about him.
"A true professional in everything he did, one of the easiest greyhounds to train and the ultimate competition dog. Sambo quickly became a fan favourite. During his career, people got to see the character behind the athlete.
"Whether he was watching TV on the sofa, enjoying treats with his Labrador friend Cadbury, posing for the cameras or insisting on going straight into the house for treats after being groomed, he always made people smile.
"For much of his career, Sambo was the bridesmaid, finishing runner-up in some of the biggest races. He ran with tremendous courage behind his kennel mate and old rival Bockos Diamond in the 2024 Irish Greyhound Derby, before suffering more heartbreak in the final of the 2025 English Greyhound Derby.
"His luck finally changed when he captured the 2025 TIME Dundalk International Open at Dundalk, earning the big-race success he deserved. He then produced the performance of his life throughout the 2025 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby campaign, culminating in a magnificent victory in the final in 29.37.
"I think most greyhound enthusiasts would agree that nobody deserved to lift that Derby trophy more than Sambo that night. His final victory came in the 2025 Winter Racing Festival Championship 550 beating the exceptional Ballymac Setanta.
"Unfortunately, injuries disrupted the build-up to his 2026 English Derby campaign, where he finished fourth in the 1st round without showing his true class. The plan was always to return for another crack at the 2026 Irish Derby but sadly, injuries meant it just wasn’t to be.
"Sambo will now stand at stud at Riverside Kennels, where he has already mated his first bitch. We can’t wait to see some little Sambos inherit his incredible temperament, determination and class. His story captured the hearts of so many. He’ll forever be remembered as one of the greats and it has been an absolute privilege to train such a special greyhound. Thank you for everything, Sambo."
