MARK WALLIS has vowed to return to Shelbourne Park for another crack at the Irish Derby after his kennel star Proper Heiress finished fourth in the BoyleSports-backed showpiece at a packed Dublin venue on Saturday.

A first Irish Derby entry for the 15-time champion trainer, Wallis was proud of the campaign of his Proper Heiress who was a rare UK-trained finalist in the famous race having been promoted into the final on a disqualification before crossing the line behind Graham Holland’s champion and hot favourite Cheap Sandwiches, Paul Hennessy’s 40-1 chance Barefoot On Song and Pat Buckley’s fast-finishing Glengar Silent.

“It was a great occasion and certainly gave me the taste of wanting more,” he said. “The semi-final was a tough race for him. He had an impossible draw then really and, although we got a second chance in the final, it was probably a race too far. Derbys are not meant to be easy and this whole operation has been tough for the staff, but Sid (Huett) and Daniel (Wallis) did a great job.

“They took turns staying with Harry at Brendan Matthews’ place. I’ve got to thank the Matthews family, Damien and Plunkett especially, for their help They’ve got great facilities, let the boys have the run of the place, and we shall be back!”

Winner of last year’s Coral Olympic, Proper Heiress has enjoyed a superb 2025 with Category One victories in the Ladbrokes Winter Derby at Monmore, Arc Kent Plate at Central Park and the Coral Sussex Cup at Hove, as well as the Time Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile Championship at Towcester. The September 2022 son of Droopys Sydney is a leading contender for Greyhound of the Year honours.

“He’s had a brilliant year and getting to an Irish Derby final is another real achievement,” added Wallis of the MWD Partnership-owned runner. “He’ll have a decent break now and we’ll bring him back for the (Premier Greyhound Racing) Eclipse in November and possibly back to defend his (Coral) Olympic title at Hove.

“He’ll be too old for Shelbourne next year but hopefully we can have another go with something else. We know what’s needed and can plan a campaign perhaps with that race in mind solely after the English Derby presumably.

“You get a sense of what it takes to win an Irish Derby and it’s great to go against the best of the Irish. Someone told me that every trainer in the final on Saturday had won a Derby, whether it be Irish or English, and that experience clearly counts for a lot.

“Congratulations to Graham and Nicky (Holland) and the family. Cheap Sandwiches was definitely a worthy winner of the Irish Derby when you think what he’d achieved already in two other Derby finals, finishing second at Shelbourne last year, of course. 

“Thankyou to Shelbourne for their hospitality and to the sponsors for their support. It was a great experience for us all at Imperial Kennels and everyone played their part whether in Ireland or holding the fort at home. It was a great team effort.”