Shelbourne Park in Dublin plays host to many of Ireland’s biggest and best greyhound races, including the Irish Greyhound Derby, the Champion Stakes, Easter Cup and Grand National.
However, the next prestigious race on the calendar is the Irish Oaks. The 525-yard race is set to take place at the venue on June 19th and if you’re looking for tips for greyhound racing, last year’s winner Ballymac Beanie is the current favourite to win the race back-to-back at 3/1.
So, as the countdown to see whether or not the Declan Byrne-trained dog can defend her crown begins, let’s take a look at the last four winners of the race. Read on to find out more!
2020 – Ballymac Beanie
Ballymac Beanie etched her name into the history books last year with a win in the Irish Oaks. The bitch broke out of Trap 2 extremely well, instantly firing into the lead. It was an advantage she maintained for the remainder of the race, as she crossed the line in first with a time of 28.18. Droopys Curio came home in second, followed by Ballymac Juliet in third. It was a first Oaks triumph for trainer Byrne.
“She’s a dream bitch,” the Irish trainer said afterwards. “From the day we got her, she’s been fantastic.”
2019 – Killmacdonagh
4/1 shot Killmacdonagh was the winner of the €25,000 race in 2019. The Kieran Lynch-trained dog had its work cut out to beat the odds-on favourite Ballymac Arminta, who made a great start from Trap 3. However, it was Killmacdonagh and No Recollection who were neck-and-neck for the first half of the race. But Lynch’s bitch started opening up a gap and she streaked clear around the final bend and went on to win the race well clear of No Recollection and Clona Dream.
“She’s a fantastic bitch,” Lynch said. “She was well drawn tonight, so she took her chances.
“We needed a little bit of luck and she got the luck. It’s absolutely fantastic. I’m over the moon.”
2018 – Jaytee Jordan
Jaytee Jordan delivered a second Oaks triumph for Irish trainer Paul Hennessy in 2018. The 7/2 shot was quick out of Trap 2 and almost instantly found herself over a length clear of the chasing pack. Jaytee Jordan’s lead was four and a half lengths by the back turn. However, Droopys Loom (6/1) would have made the leader’s connections sweat as she closed the gap around the final bend and down the home straight. In the end, Jaytee Jordan narrowly squeezed over the line with a time of 28.47, ending Hennessy’s two-decade wait for a second victory in the Oaks.
2017 – Forest Natalee
Cabra Angel, the 5/2 joint favourite, was the fastest out of the traps. But not for long, as Forest Natalee (3/1) took control of the lead by the first bend. The Martin Lanney-trained bitch had gained a four-length lead off the second bend and was looking good value for victory. She started to tire on the hard ground as she raced around the final turn for home. However, she held off the late challenge of Tibet to win by a length.
