Spanish Battleship facts for kids

Spanish Battleship was a famous male greyhound born in August 1951. He had beautiful fawn and brindle fur. People remember him as one of Ireland's greatest ever racing greyhounds. He won the important Irish Greyhound Derby three times! He lived until July 1962, reaching 10 years old.

Early life of Spanish Battleship

Spanish Battleship was born in August 1951. He was one of seven puppies in his litter. His owner, Tim 'Chubb' O'Connor, had leased a female dog named Ballyseedy Memory. He wanted her to have puppies with Spanish Chestnut. Spanish Chestnut was related to Spanish Lad, a champion from 1949.

After the puppies were born, Sheila O’Connor, Tim's sister, helped raise them. Spanish Battleship almost got sold to the UK. However, he was bitten by a pig and had to stay in Ireland to get better. This accident kept him in Ireland, where he became a racing legend.

Racing career highlights

Spanish Battleship had an amazing career. He became known for his speed and determination.

1953 racing season

Spanish Battleship first entered the St Leger race in Limerick in 1953. He won an early race, but did not make it past the second round. Even so, his owner, Tim O'Connor, saw his potential. He asked trainer Tom Lynch in Dublin to train the dog.

The next big race was the 1953 Irish Greyhound Derby at Harolds Cross. Spanish Battleship had already raced well there. He went on to win the Derby, starting his journey to become a top greyhound. After the Derby, he entered three more big races: the Laurels, the McCalmont Cup, and the McAlinden Cup. He won all nine qualifying races for these events. However, he did not win any of the finals. Still, it was a very successful year for him.

1954 racing season

In 1954, Spanish Battleship won the Tostal Cup at Harolds Cross. He also won the Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park. Later, he got injured during the Callanan Cup final. His team worried he might not be ready to defend his Irish Derby title.

Luckily, Spanish Battleship recovered in time for the Derby at Shelbourne Park. He was a top favorite to win. Another fast dog, Leafy Ash, set a quick time of 29.93 seconds in an early race. The next evening, Spanish Battleship ran even faster. He broke the track record with an amazing time of 28.50 seconds! The Irish newspapers said he was sure to win. He won his second-round race and then equaled his own track record in the semi-finals.

The final race seemed easy for him, and it was. Spanish Battleship made history by becoming the first greyhound to win the Irish Derby twice! He started a bit slowly but quickly gained speed. He won by three lengths in 29.64 seconds. Before the year ended, he also won the Tipperary Cup. He set two new track records during that competition. He also won the McCalmont Cup again.

1955 racing season

Spanish Battleship started 1955 by winning the Easter Cup once more. However, he lost in the Tostal Cup. In July, he aimed for his third straight Irish Derby title. Even at four years old, he was still in great shape. But some people worried that younger dogs might beat him. These worries grew when Crostys Bell beat him in a first-round race.

His trainer, Tom Lynch, had other dogs in the race. Two of them, Imperial Toast and Dancing Jester, tied in their first-round race. Makra Bibs, who had beaten Spanish Battleship in the Tostal Cup, ran the fastest time of 29.68 seconds. This year, there were only 36 dogs entered, so there was a break before the semi-finals. Lynch gave Spanish Battleship an extra practice run. This seemed to help a lot. In the semi-finals, he won his race by three lengths against Mile Bush Champion. Makra Bibs did not make it to the final.

The Harolds Cross stadium was packed with fans wanting to see the final. Spanish Battleship was the favorite to win. He started quickly from the traps and won by three lengths over Crostys Bell. Ireland celebrated its best greyhound ever, and he became a national hero. Before he retired, he broke the track record at Cork Greyhound Stadium while winning the Laurels. He then won another McCalmont Cup. He also ran in a few special exhibition races. A group from London offered £15,000 to buy him, which was a huge amount of money in 1955, but his owners said no.

In December 1955, he traveled to England for the only time. He went to White City Greyhounds for a special race against Duet Leader and Hi There. By then, his age was starting to show. His rivals also had the advantage of racing on their home track. Spanish Battleship finished last in that race. After this, Tom Lynch and Tim O'Connor decided to retire him from racing. He then became a stud dog, meaning he would be used for breeding.

Spanish Battleship passed away in July 1962. He was at Tim O'Connor's kennels in Kilorgan.

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