Solo And Go wins the Kingdom Derby for Clifford brothers and syndicate

WINNER: Paudie Clifford with his greyhound Solo And Go after winning the 2025 Eric Browne Memorial Kingdom Derby Final last night in Tralee with sponsor Berkie Browne and Shane Dowling from Ballymac Kennels. Picture: ingdom Greyhound Stadium

The roar that went up at a packed Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Friday night when Solo And Go crossed the finishing line to win the Eric Browne Memorial Kingdom Derby told the real story. 

Solo And Go was touched off by a whisker after leading all the way in Irish Laurels in Cork, gained some compensation on home turf by winning €5000 winners cheque for his Kingdoms Palace Syndicate headed up by three Kerry All-Ireland medal winners, Paudie and David Clifford along 2014 All-Star Shane Enright.

The syndicate has 11 members including the sponsor of the derby, Berkie Browne. Solo And Go was quickly away from trap three but took a bump at the opening bend as the crowd held its breath. But Solo And Go was in front by the second bend with the Brendan O’Shea from the Millstreet trained Crossfield Matt a length behind by half way. Solo And Go was just over a length clear at the final bend and Crossfield Matt was closing with every stride.

Just as it appeared that it might be repeat of the Irish Laurels, Solo And Go a very intelligent tracker, saved every yard on the rails, to hold on by half a length from Crossfield Matt, with another Liam Dowling runner Ballymac Tibet a further three quarters of a length back in third.

This win has brought Solo And Go’s career earnings to €21,065 with seven wins and nine second places with his trainer Liam Dowling confirming that his next outing with be in the Gold Cup at Shelbourne Park in late January.

Paudie Clifford and the Kingdom Palace Syndicate accepting the winners trophy from sponsor Berkie Browne after Solo And Go won the 2025 Eric Browne Memorial Kingdom Derby Final last night in Tralee. Picture: Kingdom Greyhound Stadium

Speaking on behalf of the Syndicate Paudie Clifford was in high spirits. “He deserved that following his agonising defeat in the Laurels final. He is such a clever dog and unlike me, he avoids trouble, I tend to meet it head on “Paudie quipped. “It's great for the lads and we are having great fun with Solo And Go. I was feeling the pressure as Crossfield Matt began to close but I knew that we would win when he rallied again close home.” 

David was missing on the night, with syndicate member Duncan Davidson saying the lads were happy enough David was elsewhere. “There is no doubt that when David Clifford comes racing he has become a sort of a Jonah, because when he shows up Solo And Go loses but when he is not here, the dog wins so we may have to bar him from any track where Solo and Go runs,” Duncan explained, tongue and cheek.