1981 Francie Murray lands a four-timer in the qualifying round of the Derby: Knockash Rover (29.65), Ders Available (30.24) Calandra Champ (29.65), and Hurry On Bran (29.66). Other interesting winners: Killahora Cha (29.97), Upland Tiger (29.55), Precious Time (29.42), Rahan Ship (30.13) Echo Spark (29.65) plus litter brother and sister In Flight (29.97) and Kasco Lady (29.84). Most interesting loser: Parkdown Jet, a well beaten third – but open to improvement!

1932 May 25, 1932 Omagh have their first meeting in aid of the Tyrone County Hospital, and the first race, the Sir Basil Brooke Cup, over 375 yards is won by M Smyth’s Strangeways. The 2-1 joint favourite beats Mr V C Devlin’s Dunoon, also 2-1 by half a length in a time given as “22 and 5/8.”

1959 After picking up a toe injury a month prior to the event ante post Pigalle Wonder slips from 4-1 to 6-1 to win the English Derby. Eventual winner Mile Bush Pride is the new 4-1 chance. He will be followed home in a month’s time by Snub Nose (20-1), Crazy Paracute (correct spelling 25-1), Coolkill Racket (7-1), Brians Hope (14-1) and Dancing Sheik.

1964 Romford grader Kilnaglory Ally picks up a decent graded double in double quick time. With the track short of dogs, the 460 yard grader wins on a Monday night and then again 24 hours later. Around a dozen dogs are asked to turn out twice in successive nights including 650 yard stayers..

1991 Fly Cruiser is retired to stud after his win over Big Cloud in the Guinness 600 at Shelbourne Park. Ann Power’s black clocked 33.31, having set a new track record of 33.00 in the semis.

1975 Walthamstow’s racing office react angrily when the Grand Prix only attracts 17 outside entries despite a £4,000 prize money pool. They instantly cancel all minor opens.

1959 Young Irish pup Crazy Paracute makes his British debut in a Select Trialstake at Wembley (note the spelling). He narrowly beats Snub Nose in 29.58. They will finish third and second respectively in the forthcoming English Derby Final

1985 Shawfield trainer Edna Armstrong sends out eight winners on a twelve race card.

1947 ‘Four bob’ tote units would equate to around £6 at modern day values, but pay-outs were big too. When a 6-1 chance led home a 9-2 chance in a graded race at Rochester, a winning forecast ticket paid £76-13-6 or roughly £2,360.

1984 Britain’s champion sprinter Upton Rocket wins a £3,000 match against Peaceful Bruno by three lengths at Rye House.

1958 Fodda Champion sets some unusual landmarks when winning the Scottish Grand National Final. When winning the final, he reduced his own Powderhall 500 yard track record which he had set in the heats. Jimmy Jowett’s dog had achieved exactly the same feat when winning the 1957 decider. In his most recent victory, he led home Midnight Cossack. A week earlier the pair had occupied the forecast places in the English Grand National.

1947 Charlton bookies are so annoyed when the track declare a no-race that they refuse to make a book for the re-run.

1985 Lulus Hero wins the first running of a new event, the £8,000 to winner John Power Blue Riband. The Gunner Smith trained 7-2 chance covers the Wembley 490 metres in 29.23. Runner-up Fearless Champ had set a new track record in the heats of 28.98.

1990 The NGRC abandon their track injuries survey after some tracks refused to take part.