Galway’s Robert and Lesley Pullen are to receive a Welfare Award at the
National Greyhound Racing Awards later this month, in recognition of their work
with retired greyhounds.
The Pullens, based in Loughrea, Co. Galway, have rehomed a number of retired greyhounds from the Irish
Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT) over the last number of years through Brigid
Frank, also based in Loughrea. They are currently fosters to a number of
retired greyhounds which are being rehomed through the IRGT.
Also receiving Welfare Awards will be Patricia Tobin (Kilfeacle, Co.
Tipperary) and Bridget Murphy (Ovens, Co. Cork).
The ‘Special Merit’ award will be jointly presented to Bob
Shanahan and Tim Keane, regular attendees at Limerick Greyhound Stadium. Bob
has been a director of the stadium and a member of the local Advisory Council,
as well as part of a number of syndicates, while Tim, also a member of the
Advisory Council, is a former chairman of the Irish Greyhound Owners and
Breeders Federation and has owned greyhounds for nearly 50 years.
2018 Irish Greyhound Derby winner Ballyanne Sim is nominated for ‘Dog
of the Year’, along with the Patrick Guilfoyle-trained Cabra Hurricane,
winner of the Night of Stars 525 race, and Slippy Cian, trained by Graham
Holland and owned by Limerick’s Full House Syndicate.
The ‘Hall of Fame’ award will be presented to Waterford’s Gerry
Kiely.
Gerard Dollard, CEO of the Irish Greyhound Board, commented: “The
National Greyhound Racing Awards are a fitting way to showcase the very best
that our sport has to offer, in both canine and human form. I wish to
congratulate all nominees for their achievements. The high standard of quality
across all categories is evidence of the commitment and passion that exists
within the Irish greyhound sector.”
The winners of the awards will be revealed at a special ceremony in the
Killashee House Hotel in Naas, Co. Kildare, on Sunday, March 24.
Tickets are €40 per person for adults and €15 per person for children
and are now on sale on www.igb.ie
Full list of nominees for the 2018 National Greyhound Racing Awards:
Dog of the Year
Ballyanne Sim
Cabra Hurricane
Slippy Cian
Bitch of The Year
Ballymac Arminta
Jaytee Jordan
Vancouver
Sprinter of the Year
Ardnasool Jet
Broadstrand Kiwi
Rossbirr Ranger
Stayer of the Year
Are Nagini
Ballykett Beauty
Javielenko
Brood Bitch of the Year
Ballydoyle Honey
Global Liberty
Sizzling Sarah
Stud Dog of the Year
Droopys Jet
Kinloch Brae
Laughill Blake
Future Star
Ballymac Anton
Killer Bee
Sliabh Liag
Special Merit Awards
Bob Shanahan
Tim Keane
Gerry Kiely
Welfare Awards
Bridget Murphy
Patricia Tobin
Lesley and Robert Pullen
