Derry dog is second fastest greyhound ever in Donegal!

Pictured above, Velvet Helsinki who won the Proud Supporters of Irish Retired Greyhound Trust SO/S1 325 at Lifford Stadium on Sunday in a blistering time of 17.35, just 0.05 of a second off the record. He is pictured here in front of the clock with joint owner Sean Melly from Derry. Photo: Johnny Killen.

A Derry owned greyhound has become the second fastest dog ever to win a race at Lifford Stadium.

When it comes to being the ‘King of Lifford’ these days then look no further than Velvet Helsinki, owned by Sean Melly and Darren Fahy.

He had a superb run to win the Proud Supporters of Irish Retired Greyhound Trust S0/S1 in 17.35.

That was the second fastest ever run over the distance and just five spots off the course record.

And Helsinki Velvet has now won three races in four starts.

The 4/6 favourite, the son of Ballymac Best and Queen Adele, was three lengths clear of Shrewd Sapphire in second. 

The course record over the sprint 325 yard distance was broken by Corbrack Prince at the gala reopening night of Lifford Stadium on April 2nd.

The previous record was held by Jamellas Phantom and dated back over 20 years to January 2003.