Donal dreaming of Derby glory with the first dog he has owned

The history of the Irish Derby is laden with fairytales and invariably one or two such stories emerge each year as we approach the final.

For instance, this year Donal Ross is enjoying the time of his life with the first greyhound he ever owned. The man from Dunmanway has been a leading light in the trotting racing scene in West Cork for many years, collecting most of the Grand Prix events available to be won in that time.

But he admits to “always being interested in the dogs through a late uncle and I had decided it was time to get involved. One night I met Tom O’Donovan in the local pub and I put my name down for two pups. So, I got a dog and a bitch off Free Kewell’s next litter to Westmead Hawk and that was the start”.