2008 English Greyhound Derby
The 2008 Blue Square Greyhound Derby Final took place on 31 May 2008 at the prestigious Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium.
The race
It took five rounds of action to narrow down the field to the final six greyhounds that would for the final of the competition race over 480 m in a chance to win the 2008 English Greyhound Derby. After finishing second to Westmead Lord in 2007, Loyal Honcho won the 2008 title in his second attempt, dominating the final. Seamus Graham's runner, who was sent as the 5–2 joint-favourite along with fellow Irish raider Tyrur Laurel, took control of the race from the traps and pulled clear to beat Tyrur Kieran (11–4) and winner of the Scottish Greyhound Derby, by three and a half lengths in a respectable 28.60 sec (480 metres).
It was the first Irish trained success in the Derby since Ian Reilly's Droopys Scholes took the honours in 2004.
Final result
At Wimbledon (over 480 metres):
| Pos | Name | Odds | Time | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Loyal Honcho | 5/2JF | 28.60 | Seamus Graham |
| 2nd | Tyrur Kieran | 11/4 | 28.88 (3½) | Paul Hennessy |
| 3rd | Blonde Dino | 10/1 | 29.00 (1½) | John Mullins |
| 4th | Tyrur Laurel | 5/2JF | 29.45 (5½) | Paul Hennessy |
| 5th | Kryptonite | 4/1 | 29.58 (1¾) | Charlie Lister |
| 6th | Lenson Express | 20/1 | Did Not Finish | Len Ponder |