Properly produced TV can do a lot for Irish racing

We’re still in the exploratory zone for what television can do for Irish Greyhound racing, but Tuesday night’s programme from Wimbledon, which aired on Sky Sports, was another good example of how high-quality racing and a good production can showcase much of what’s great about the sport.

Irish interest and the English Derby aside, I don’t tend to spend much time on British greyhound racing – there’s more than enough at home – but it’s hard not to be drawn to night’s like Tuesday, when the Puppy Derby and the Leger feature on an extended programme.

It was great to see Lenson Sanchez, trained in Ireland by Pat Buckley for English owner Len Ponder, run out a very impressive winner of the puppy final. The Leger, run over 687 metres, went to Roxholme Dream in good style. English support of the Night of Stars is crucial to its existence and survival, and it’d be great to see this bitch travel for the 750.