Reigning champion Bockos out of Irish Derby after gallops injury
RUMOURS late on Thursday about the well-being of 2024 BOYLE Sports Irish Derby champion Bockos Diamond proved well founded when it was announced on Friday morning that he is out of this year's Classic.
Graham Holland's superstar is reported to have suffered an injury on the gallops at home and his absence will leave T5 vacant in heat three of the third round at Shelbourne Park on Saturday where he had been set for a stellar clash with kennelmate Cheap Sandwiches and UK raider Proper Heiress.
Bockos Diamond withdrawal now confirmed with the Shelbourne Park racing office. He galloped very well on Tuesday but came off sore on Thursday. Not thought to be serious but, sadly, his bid for an historic Derby double is no more.
— Ian Fortune (@IanFortune) September 5, 2025
Trainer Holland told the Racing Post: "Of course it's a massive disappointment for everyone. He won his heat well on Friday and came out of the race in great shape.
"He tore up the gallop at home on Tuesday, but when we gave him what would have been his last bit of work on Thursday he went lame three-quarters of the way up the gallop.
"I knew straight away he wasn't right. He's strained a muscle and while it's treatable and not serious, you wouldn't want to run him under the circumstances."
In the absence of Bockos Diamond, Holland's Bombay Pat has been promoted to 5/2 outright favourite by the sponsor with Cheap Sandwiches and Proper Heiress also clipped.
BOYLE Sports (Irish Derby): 5/2 Bombay Pat, 4 Cheap Sandwiches, 6 Proper Heiress, 14 De Lahdedah, 16 Ballinabola Joe, 20 Glengar Silent, 25 Ballymac Stud, Callaway Five, Magical Mag, Shanahee Boomer, The Other Wild, 33 bar (e-w 1/4 1,2,3,4).