Bockos strikes Irish Derby gold as Holland extends his own record
BOCKOS GOLD credited trainer Graham Holland with an incredible record-extending sixth win in the Classic when navigating his way to victory in the €125,000 final of the 2026 BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby over 550 yards at Shelbourne Park.
The 8/1 chance was perhaps just best away from trap five but edged left and it was 8/11 favourite Bouncing Monarch, bidding to complete an unbeaten record in the event, who made the first bend ahead.
However, it was not a comfortable lead by any means with Sleight Of Hand challenging strongly on his inside and the duo disputed until having a coming together near halfway which completely changed the complexion of the race.
Bockos Gold in third was able to sidestep the drama and hit the front soon afterwards, from which point the outcome was never really in any doubt.
Powering home, the Jolly Good Syndicate-owned dog scored by four lengths from Sleight Of Hand in clocking 29.05sec - the fastest time of the competition - with Bouncing Monarch two lengths back in third just a short-head in front of Wi Can James.
Holland, who also landed the Consolation with Low Profile as part of a treble on the night completed by Riverside Rex, said afterwards: "The one and two got in each other's way a little bit, they put us massively in the race.
"He's grown into a stronger dog and we were hoping to do a lot of work late on then, all of a sudden, that leaves us in front by the third bend and the rest is history. It's lovely to be there again."
It was Holland's third successive victory in the Irish Derby following on from Bockos Diamond in 2024 and Cheap Sandwiches last year with earlier successes for Rural Hawaii (2016), Lenson Bocko (2019) and Newinn Taylor (2020).
Liam Dowling sent out the 1-2 in the €7,500 final of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate with Ballymac Setanta leading home kennelmate Ballymac Deniro in 29.15sec, while there was a 14/1 surprise in the €3,000 final of Boylesports Best Odds Guaranteed SSO 350 with victory going to Ger Holian's Vernon Mist in 18.39sec.
