1993 All NGRC tracks will be required to have a vet on site for all race meetings announce the Club. Until now, permit tracks could have a vet on call. The move signals Norton Canes’ return to independent racing.
1986 In very wet conditions, the final of the Puppy Derby, sponsored by Burmah Castrol at Harolds Cross over 525 yards, proves more a case of staying ability for the puppies. Dreams Of Kerry (3-1), over hauls the 2-1 favourite Jamie Harmony at the third bend to win by two lengths in a slow 29.88 and a £6,000 first prize.
1960 Jack Harvey’s beaten English Derby finalist Clonalvy Pride takes the Pall Mall Final in 30.18 for the 525 yards. The following year, he goes on to win the Laurels and St Leger before embarking on a successful stud career.
1993 Nick Savva resigns from the track standards committee – he is unhappy over the lack of commitment from the NGRC.
2001 Graham Furness, a popular member of the Belle Vue racing office for over 30 years died in hospital following a long illness.
1968 The final of the Shelbourne Leger over 550 yards and worth £600 to the winner has a strong line-up But the classy Carlow runner Clonmoney Jet (b k d Prairie Flash-Clonmoney Grand, Aug 66), owned and trained by George Kidd, wins easily in 31.31.
2001 David Neil, a kennel hand with Sonja Spiers is banned by the NGRC who claim he had attempted to bribe a member of the Catford track staff to prepare a track that would favour wide runners.
1993 Tony Meek leaves Oxford for Hall Green where he will replace the recently deceased John Malcolm.
1993 British bred Galleydown Boy (Flashy Sir-Annies Last) beats favourite Gunboat Jeff in the St Leger Final at Wembley.
1983 The Burmah-Castrol Puppy Derby worth £6,000 to the winner at Harolds Cross goes to Airmount Grand (Daleys Gold-Airmount Jewel, Oct 86). Gerry Kiely, owner, trainer and breeder, sees his charge take the lead at the fourth bend and win the 525 yarder by two lengths in 29.26.
2004 In court, Mildenhall trainer Sally Clarke was found not guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal following an incident where a dog died in a car after trialling. The NGRC had found Mrs Clarke guilty of the same offence two months earlier.
1989 The newly formed Sky TV wanted to transmit live the St Leger final from Wembley, and asked the stadium to delay the 10.07pm start by 10 minutes, as it came smack bang in the middle of their main 10 o’clock news. Wembley said no, and missed the opportunity to have the race broadcast throughout Britain and most of Europe. For the record the well fancied trio Chicita Banana, 2-1, Trans Mercedes 5-2 and Crohane Lucy 11-4, all failed through bad luck in running behind all the way winner, Manx Marajax (Easy And Slow-Darian Ivy, Feb 86). John Guilford’s brindle, trained at Belle Vue by Nigel Saunders, started at the big odds of 33-1, but only paid 23.22 to a £1 stake on the Tote. Runner-up was Chiltern Sarah at 16-1. The time for the 655 metre classic was 39.87.
