Best Greyhound Racing Trainers Ireland
There are more than 200 greyhound trainers in Ireland involved with dog racing, and some are regarded among the greatest names in the sport. Seasoned pros in this sphere will tell you that greyhound trainers play a huge role in the outcome of the races. We've gathered a bunch of information about the various greyhound trainers in Ireland to help you fill out your bet slip at LeoVegas.
Top Irish Greyhound Trainers
Without further ado, let’s go through some of the best greyhound racing trainers in Ireland. You don’t need to just take our word for it: if you search Irish greyhound trainers, the names below are likely to be among the first that pop-up. Then, next time you place your bets on the races, you might notice some of these legendary greyhound racing trainers from Ireland listed alongside the dogs.
Graham Holland
You can’t discuss the best greyhound racing trainers in Ireland without mentioning Graham Holland. The three-time Irish derby winner and recent English Derby winner is one of the most revered trainers in the sport. Holland has been plying his trade since the age of 16, and has picked up major racing wins in some of the most prestigious races in the UK and Ireland. In 2022, he finally achieved his ambition of winning the English Derby with Romeo Magico.
Check out our best British greyhound trainers guide too!
Patrick Guilfoyle
Patrick Guilfoyle is another huge name on the greyhound training circuit, with a whopping 947 first-place finishes throughout his career. In the first half of 2023 alone, he won 24 out of his 74 entries. Guilfoyle has been in the game since 2003 when he gained his licence, but he decided to take a step back from the sport in 2016.
After bouncing back in the years that followed that hiatus, it’s clear that his training style is still among the greatest in the business. He picked up the award for Trainer of the Year at the Irish Greyhound Board Awards and is known for building strength and stamina in his dogs.
Liam Dowling
Liam Dowling is a renowned greyhound breeder known for being outspoken about the sport. Dowling had recorded 5461 race entries by mid-2023, with 1330 of those ending in winning positions. That incredible track record was backed up by 1041 second-place and 959 third-place finishes as well. If you see one of Dowling’s dogs in a race, you can guarantee that it has a good chance of placing. Dowling’s training style involves learning about the individual needs of his dogs and creating bespoke plans for each of them. Some of his best-known canines include Ballymac Matt and Ballymac Anton.
Kieran Lynch
Kieran Lynch is a name that often crops up when considering who the best greyhound trainers in Ireland are. He’s picked up trophies in all of the major races and even managed to win back-to-back Laurels titles in 2018 and 2019. Bettors may remember the legendary dog, Rockybay Foley, who achieved that feat. The trainer based in County Cork is one who other greyhound experts enjoy learning from, thanks to his deep understanding of the sport and eagerness to constantly improve his methods.
Pat Buckley
County Cork is a hotspot for top trainers, with Pat Buckley another world-famous name from the region. One of the English Derby and Irish St. Leger winner’s most famous dogs was Droopys Verve, who earned the top honours in the sport in 2018. There was also Lenson Blinder, the legendary dog that claimed a stunning Irish St. Leger win in 2019. Buckley is known for focusing his work on young dogs and developing them at the right time. He gets the best out of every dog in his care, understanding their specific and varied needs.
Other Trainers
There are plenty of other notable greyhound trainers in Ireland dog racing to watch out for, and it’s always a great idea to check the current rankings to see who’s making waves. For instance, Ian Reilly picked up a whopping €37,450 in prize money in the first half of 2023, putting him in third place in the training charts after Holland and Buckley.
Some other big names among greyhound racing trainers in the Ireland circuit include Murt Leahy, Paraic Campion, and Robert G. Gleeson. In the cutthroat world of dog training in the country, all these renowned experts help to keep others on their toes and push the overall quality of the training higher.
FAQs
If you’ve still got a few things on your mind about greyhound trainers in Ireland dog racing, check out some of the frequently asked questions below.
Q. What is the best grade in greyhound racing?
Greyhound racing is separated into different grades, with A1 being the best of the best. These dogs are the ones you’ll find with the greatest odds in the major races. Greyhounds earn a grade based on their past performances, with only a few of them reaching the ultimate A1 grade.
Q. Who is the best Irish greyhound trainer of all time?
While there are many great greyhound racing trainers in Ireland, Ger Mckenna is considered to be the best of all time. He operated at the pinnacle of the business for 40 years between 1956 and 1996 and picked up an astonishing 45 wins in major competitions in that time.
Q. What are the biggest greyhound races in Ireland?
There are loads of big greyhound races in Ireland, but some are more prestigious and important than others. The Irish Greyhound Derby is the ultimate competition, with the Laurels, the Easter Cup, and the St Leger all close behind.