Spanish Battleship facts for kids

Spanish Battleship was a famous male greyhound born in August 1951. He had a beautiful fawn color with brindle markings. People remember him as one of the greatest racing greyhounds in Ireland's history. He lived until July 1962, reaching 10 years old.

Meet Spanish Battleship: A Racing Legend

Early Days of a Champion

Spanish Battleship was born in August 1951. He was one of seven puppies in his litter. Sheila O’Connor, whose brother Chubb O'Connor owned the dog, helped raise him.

He almost left Ireland! A small accident, where he was bitten by a pig, kept him from being sold to the UK. This meant he stayed in Ireland to get better. This turned out to be a lucky event for Irish racing!

Amazing Racing Journey

1953: Starting His Career

In 1953, Spanish Battleship entered the St Leger race in Limerick. He won one race, called a "heat," but didn't make it past the second round. His owner, Chubb O'Connor, still saw his potential.

O'Connor then asked trainer Tom Lynch in Dublin to train the dog. Spanish Battleship was soon ready for the 1953 Irish Greyhound Derby. This big race was held at Harolds Cross, where he had already raced well. He won the Derby, starting his journey to become a racing superstar.

After the Derby, he raced in three more big competitions. These were the Laurels, the McCalmont Cup, and the McAlinden Cup. Amazingly, he won all nine qualifying races for these events. However, he didn't win any of the final races. Even so, it was a very successful year for the young greyhound.

1954: Making History

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

Luckily, he recovered in time for the Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park. He was a top favorite to win again. Another strong dog, Leafy Ash, set a fast time in an early race. But the next evening, Spanish Battleship broke the track record! He ran an incredible 28.50 seconds. Everyone in Ireland thought he was sure to win.

He won his second-round race easily. Then, in the semi-finals, he equaled his own track record! The final race seemed like it would be simple for him, and it was. Spanish Battleship became the first greyhound ever to win the Irish Derby twice! Even though he started a bit slowly, he used his amazing speed to win by three lengths.

Before 1954 ended, he won the Tipperary Cup. He set two more track records during that competition. He also won the McCalmont Cup again. It was a truly amazing year for him.

1955: A True Icon

Spanish Battleship started 1955 just like the year before. He won the Easter Cup again. However, he lost in the Tostal Cup. In July, he aimed for his third Irish Derby title in a row. He was four years old and still in great shape.

Some people worried that younger dogs might beat him. These worries grew when Crostys Bell caught him just before the finish line in a first-round race. His trainer, Tom Lynch, had other dogs in the race too. Two of them, Imperial Toast and Dancing Jester, tied for first place in that round.

Makra Bibs, who had beaten Spanish Battleship in the Tostal Cup, ran the fastest time in the first round. Because there were fewer entries this year, there was a break before the semi-finals. Tom Lynch gave Spanish Battleship a practice run, which seemed to help. In the semi-finals, he won his race easily. He beat Mile Bush Champion by three lengths. Makra Bibs did not make it to the final.

The Harolds Cross stadium was packed with people wanting to see the final. Spanish Battleship was the favorite to win. He started the race perfectly, jumping out of the traps first. He stretched his lead to a three-length victory over Crostys Bell.

Ireland celebrated their amazing greyhound. He became a national hero! Before he retired, he broke another track record. This happened at Cork Greyhound Stadium when he won the Laurels race. He then won the McCalmont Cup again. He also ran in a few special exhibition races.

His owners turned down a huge offer of £15,000 from a group in London. This was a massive amount of money back in 1955!

In December, he traveled to England for the only time in his career. He raced at White City against two other famous dogs. By then, he was older, and his rivals had the advantage of racing on their home track. He 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 father future racing greyhounds.

He passed away in July 1962. He was at the kennels of his owner, O'Connor, in Kilorgan.