1997 Middle seeding is introduced for the first time – the first middle seed, Roses Randy wins a Harlow open by six lengths.
1936 January 21 King George V dies. On January 22, the standing committee of the National Greyhound Racing Club, sends telegrams to all tracks and coursing clubs, racing under NGRC rates, stating that all meetings are suspended until after the state funeral on Tuesday 27.
1959 Retired hurdler Overleigh Headline was being walked through the streets of Chelsea by 12 year old Valerie Emmett when he heard the recorded fanfare used to announce the runners at nearby Stamford Bridge. He slipped his lead, disappeared in the direction of the track and was finally cornered in the racing paddock.
1981 Ireland’s biggest circuit Dunmore introduce a new marathon distance of 1,005 yards – over six bends.
2004 Dunroe Joe starts as 5-1 ante post favourite for the Springbok. Eventual winner Farloe Chinook was chalked up at 20-1.
1962 Thomas Stenning Bookmakers issue the year’s first ante post priced on the English Derby little knowing of the twists and turns to come. There are three 10-1 joint favourites, Printers Present, Sallys Chat and Buffalo Bill. However, Present loses form and switches to six bends. By April, he is a 20-1 shot. By that stage, Buffalo Bill had broken a hock and Sallys Chat had been found dead in his kennel. Meanwhile, Paddy Dunphy’s The Grand Canal starts the year at 12s. He drifts to 25-1 before trialling at White City is a phenomenal 28.70 and is installed at 10-1 joint ante post favourite with Westpark. Canal is then beaten in special charity race at White City by (1961 Irish Derby winner) Chieftains Guest who becomes the new English Derby favourite (7-1). Guest suffers the same hoodoo when he bruises a toe in his final preparation trial and is withdrawn on the day of the first round. However The Grand Canal eventually adds the English Derby to his wins in the Gimcrack, the Anglo-Irish and the Easter Cup.
1994 Following a massive cost saving exercise by Wembley, Hazel Dickson hands in her notice. She reckons the cuts will cost her £50K per year. The plans include a 25% drop in prize money, the loss of one of the track’s three weekly meetings, the scrapping of all trainers bonuses and contracts. However, following the decision to maintain the third meeting, Ms Dickson opts to join fellow handlers and sign three-monthly contracts. The exception is Terry Dartnall who transfers to Wimbledon.
1978 The British Greyhound Racing Federation are attempting to railroad the registration of British bred greyhounds by producing their own stud book. The National Coursing Club advise all owners to continue to register new litters with them. They even consider a merger with the Irish Stud Book.
2003 Belle Vue belatedly announce a stewards inquiry into the running of the debutante Valentia. The Tom Adamson trained bitch drifted from 4-1 to 10-1 but won well finding a calculated 48 spots. Several off-course layers report heavy business on the three year old bitch.
2000 Paddy Power announce that they will be the new sponsors of the Irish Derby following the signing of a three year deal.
