Local businessman wants to buy Guinness Trophy to keep it in Cork

The Gain Cup 2016 is dominating proceedings at Curraheen Park at the moment and, keeping up the tradition of the Guinness Trophy, which it has replaced, it is a very competitive stake.

Earlier in the week I got a call from an interested party, concerned about the Guinness Trophy - the cup itself - and where it is or where it may have gone to.

For those who may not have seen it, it is a sight to behold, an imposing piece of silverware, much bigger than anything presented in Irish greyhound racing.

It has been associated with the Guinness Trophy competition since its inception more than 50 years ago, and is almost iconic in Cork.

The person who inquired about it is concerned it will be lost to the county and lost to the greyhound industry.

There was some talk about doubts over the ownership of the trophy, but if it is in the possession of Guinness or Diageo this person would be interested in purchasing it with the sole intention of keeping it in the county, in the sport, and, importantly, renewing its associating with Curraheen Park through another major competition.

The enquirer, a successful businessman who has been long associated with and a generous sponsor at Curraheen, is aware of the original cost of the trophy at the time of its purchase (I believe it to be around £3,000) and also not in the dark about the current market value, which he is willing to pay to secure it.

This is a very generous and equally genuine offer from a man with the best interests of the sport locally at heart. If the owner feels a sale is possible, he would be more than willing to open discussions. Contacting Curraheen Park should get the ball rolling.

Getting back to the on-track action at Curraheen, the Greyhound and Pet World Supersprint is on the horizon, with the first round of the €3,500-to-the-winner event due to take place on Saturday fortnight, February 20.

The Con and Annie Kirby Memorial, at Limerick, is a little further down the line but there is a qualifier at Curraheen on the same night the sprint starts.

It’s worth €400 and a trophy to the winner, and is a one-off race.

There still hasn’t been an official announcement regarding the live pictures from Youghal, Mullingar and Tralee, but there is no obvious reason for concern.

The Ts are being crossed and Is dotted and hopefully that announcement will be forthcoming.

The racing hasn’t been live in the shops in the past few weeks but is expected to return next Tuesday, with Tralee the first to be shown on SIS.

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The three-day National Coursing Meeting at Powerstown Park was a particularly successful one for county Kerry owners and trainers, and the victorious raiders will be on parade at Tralee track next weekend, Friday February 12, when the GMHD Juvenile Classic gets underway.

Derby winner Coolavanny Bingo, trained by Noel Browne, Oaks heroine Graceandglamour, trained by John Flynn, Champion Bitch Stake winner Tobar Na Molt, from the kennel of Jonathan Best, and Con Guiney’s Kitty Butler winner Manley girl will all be paraded during the evening’s action.

The coursing meeting was also a particularly good one for sire Razor Ashmore, who was responsible for the Derby and Oaks winners.

It’s a second Derby winner for the former Brendan Matthews-trained, Joe O’Connor-owned Ashmore View-Razor Lady whelp, who won the classic himself in 2008.

Thomas The Tank provided the first victory, when winning in 2013, and he is full brother to Coolavanny Bingo.

However fantastic the achievement of Razor Ashmore, it’s quite an amazing accomplishment by their dam, Newinn All In (Judicial Affair – Flashy Beau).

Not only has she produced two Derby winners, she also bred this year’s Champion Bitch Stake winner, Tobar Na Molt (by Mafi Magic), and had a quarter-finalist in the Oaks (Newinn Rose).

Newinn Wonder, from the same litter as Thomas The Tank, won the Irish Cup in 2014, while Portane All In (by Mafi Magic) had to be withdrawn from the final of the Derby in 2015. Surely one of the most successful brood-bitches for a very long time - if not for all time.

Sunday’s final day of the National Meeting was very well attended, but there was some disappointment regarding the size of the crowd on Friday.

Short-odds players felt the action was down on previous years, despite the results going very much in favour of punters, highlighted by the fact three of the four top competitions were won by the greyhound which was favourite prior to the semi-finals – the Derby being the exception, as Coolavanny Bingo was second in the market, behind True North.

It would seem likely the meeting will start on a Saturday and finish on Monday in 2017, though an official decision is yet to be made.

The figure for monies raised at benefit nights at the Irish Greyhound Board tracks in 2015 was revealed this week, and it exceeded €5million.

These fundraisers, for schools, clubs, healthcare charities and community projects, are regular events at most stadia, and Curraheen Park and Tralee seem particularly popular on an on-going basis.

Among the highlights of 2015 was a fundraiser at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium in Tralee, which raised €75,000 to help a County Kerry man return home from hospital following a serious accident.

Colin Walsh, IGB Director of Commercial Operations, said: “The concept is a tried and tested one, which has proven to be of great value to schools, clubs and charitable organisations in need of a financial boost.

“Our staff have many years of experience organising and supporting these events, with many now much-anticipated annual occasions.”