The 1957 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Harold's Cross Stadium in Dublin on 9 August 1957.[1]
The winner Hopeful Cutlet won £500 and was trained by Jack Mullan and owned by Rostrevor veterinary surgeon Chris Farrelly.[2]
Final result
At Harold's Cross, 9 August (over 525 yards):
Position
Name of Greyhound
Breeding
Trap
SP
Time
Trainer
1st
Hopeful Cutlet
Imperial Dancer - Katie the Duck
6
7-2
29.60
Jack Mullan
2nd
The Grand Fire
The Grand Champion - Quare Fire
2
30.02
Paddy Dunphy
3rd
Country Boy
unknown
4
30.38
unplaced
Tullaherin Twinkle
unknown
5
unplaced
Romola's Dante
Ollys Pal - Im Yours
1
Doyle
unplaced
Howardstown Ranger
unknown
3
J Garfinkle
Distances
5¼, 4½ (lengths)
Competition Report
The ante-post favourite was Solar Prince who had arrived for the Derby after winning the Callanan Cup final where he beat Romola's Dante by six lengths.[3] He duly won his first round heat in the fastest first round time of 29.47. However he was withdrawn before the second round and later that evening Noisy Sam set a new track record of 29.41. The other second round winners were Hopeful Cutlet, Bugatti and Red Riot.[4]
In the first semi-final The Grand Fire sealed an easy win at odds of 4-9 in 29.58, but bruised a leg in running. The second semi-final resulted in Hopeful Cutlet beating Tullaherin Twinkle but favourite Noisy Sam stumbled badly and failed to get through to the final.[5]
In the final Hopeful Cutlet vied with Tullaherin Twinkle before taking a decisive lead and winning by three lengths. The Grand Fire was slow away and found trouble before running on well for second place.[5]