1967 January 19 Nora McEllistrim is 21 today.
1998 It appears that Ladbrokes are now Britain’s second biggest track promoter following their acquisition of Corals for £375.5M. However the sale was subsequently quashed by the Government on anti-competition grounds.
1965 Albert Mowbray, the boss of independent Chesterfield decides to sell up due to ill health. Mowbray had built the circuit in 1940 and was getting crowds of 300 through the gate. A bid of £9,000 for the track and an adjoining site is turned down at auction – the reserve was £12,000.
1976 January 7th Because of the Sex Discrimination Act, Derby announce with regret that “ladies’ admission prices will be the same as gentlemen’s”.
1968 January 18 After winning two Irish classics, the Cesarewitch and St Leger, Mick Loughanne from Roscrea, has sold his fawn champion Yanka Boy (Clonalvy Pride-Millie Hawthorn, Mar’65) for £3,200 to an anonymous buyer. He will stand at stud at Matt Costelloe’s kennels at Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary.
2003 On Line Deal wins the Racing Post Juvenile but his 28.21 fails to impress sponsors William Hill who make him a 33-1 shot for the ’03 Derby. Droopys Corleone, a 28.06 winner in a supporting open, is cut to 20s. However Top Savings rockets to the top of the betting (16-1) for the second consecutive year when winning on his return to racing at Monmore in 28.37 (-20).
1990 The Irish Greyhound Board announces that of the 103 random samples taken at Harolds Cross and Shelbourne in 1989, 13 (11.9%) tested positive.
1946 January Fog is so dense in London that at White City’s meeting on January 19, a light is attached to the hare. One Tuesday 22, the van carrying greyhounds from Northaw to White City for trials, is involved in an accident and trainers Lightfoot and Heyes are taken to the local hospital. Only one greyhound is slightly hurt.
2002 Six time champion trainer John McGee gets 2002 off to a flying start when taking the Coronation Cup with Ballyhaden Lad. pic Steve Nash John celebrated his 70th birthday last weekend -Ed
1988 A promising youngster wins his first puppy open at Monmore in 29.89. A 3-1 chance, his name is Phantom Flash.
1994 Ray Spaulding hands in his notice as Rye House racing manager. His assistant Bill Glass takes over. The track is (almost traditionally) closed through the winter for ‘improvements’. Within two months though Glass has taken over the grader’s chair at Hackney while Spalding has been appointed and sacked at Romford.
1989 January The Fosters Midland Champion Hurdle final over 484 metres at Monmore Green, drew a class line up from all over the country. The eight dog final worth £3,000 to the winner went to the Tommy Foster trained, Nifty Kid (Tubbercurry Lad-On The Beach, Mar 86). The Wimbledon trained runner at 2/1 second favourite pulled away to a 3 3/4 length win in 31.12 for owners Ron and Sam Meredith.
1946 January 12th. The first post war Longcross Cup final is held at London White City. The £160 and trophy in the final goes to Mr O Rosato’s Overtime. The Paddy Fortune Wimbledon trained 7-2 chance beats his track champion Burhill Moon (8-13 fav) by six lengths in 32.03 for the 550 yard trip.
2005 Channel 425 announce a major coup when the GRA tracks, the BS Group tracks and Walthamstow agree to allow their racing to be shown for a three month trial period. They also increase their coverage from one to two meetings per night.
1994 Northern trainer Norman Johnson, whose runners included Tromora Mayor, Toms Lodge and Mountleader Cruz dies following a four month battle with cancer. Head lad Mick Bacon takes over the kennel.
2001 Charlie Lister faces a stewards inquiry after withdrawing Romany Jo from a 620 metre open. Earlier in the meeting, two of Lister’s hounds had finished lame: Shanrahan (hock) and Go Ahead Jo (wrist). Lister is eventually fined £500
2000 Knockenroe Rover wins one of the best Racing Post Juvenile races ever. The Paul Stringer trained brindle leads home a field that includes Rapid Ranger, Kit Kat Kid, Knockeevan Star, Farloe Twin and Rackethall Jet (KO’d) in 27.84 for Wimbledon’s 460 metres. Rover (T2, rails) disputes lead at first bend with Knockeevan Star (T4), with Kit Kat Kid (T6) close up on the outside. photo Steve Nash
2005 Romford general manager Bill Hiscock leaves ‘by mutual consent’. No further details are given. Hiscock’s assistant Cathy Johnston takes over. One of her first jobs is to oversee the opening of the plush new Pavilion restaurant. Sir Trevor Brooking cuts the tape. Meanwhile at sister track Hove, Stuart Walton retires as general manager. Simon Horton takes control. Sir Trevor performs the opening ceremony for Romford’s new pavilion, joined by the track’s Kerrie Pitchley (left) and General Manager Catherine Johnston PIC STEVE NASH
