1991 Two years after scrapping ‘classics’ in favour of ‘group’ races, the NGRC announce that in 1992 the major events will be known as ‘Category 1’ competitions and there are 39 planned for the year. Among those that have since disappeared (for one reason or another) are: the Northumberland Gold Cup and All England Champion Hurdle, All England Marathon (Brough Park), Kent St Leger (Ramsgate), William Hill Guineas (Hackney), Fosters Gold Cup (Wimbledon), Wingspare Stayers (Hove), Tennents Ten Thousand (Sheffield) the Grand Prix and Circuit (Stow) and the Reading Masters.
1980 Following extensive clinical trials, the Ministry of Agriculture grant the first license for a vaccine for a new disease which has killed tens of thousands of dogs in the previous two year, parvovirus.
1994 Canterbury racing manager David Day reports trainer Barry Silkman to the NGRC after alleging Silkman threatened to “punch my head in” if his dog was hurt in a graded race at the track.
1948 ‘Flip’ meetings – are springing up throughout the country. They are staged on temporary venues and are limited to eight meetings in a year. Greyhound Owner’s regular columnist Bywayman gives his verdict on them: “I am not an antagonist of flipping races, although I would not like to see them become a permanent feature of the sport. People who like the orderliness of licensed (by local authorities) meetings and are dismayed by greyhounds running incognito, should not forget that flips help to encourage ownership of greyhounds. Some of these flipping meetings take place far away from better organised racing. I have heard from a Devon correspondent about the flip which was held in that county this month. Here are some incidents at the meeting he went to. The first race was started before the hare passed the traps so that the hare chased the dog. The dogs were put back in the box immediately they were caught. When the second race winner was declared, bookmakers alleged that the dog was a ringer, a bitch having run at the track the previous week in the same name. A woman owner who had loaned the management the hare wheel tried to take it home but was restrained after several attempts. A dispute about the decision of the next race broke out and an owner hit the judge. A punter altered the result and the judge agreed to let that stand. After the next result was declared, a bookmaker, in disagreement with the verdict, took the number from the frame and threw it as far as he could. Policemen arrived for the last race in response to a message from the judge that he was in danger of being molested again.”
1998 Rapid Journey becomes the first Aussie racer to land four group one events. Having already won the Adelaide Cup, Perth Cup and Golden Easter Egg, the son of Amerigo Man took his career earnings to $338,000 when he grabbed the National Sprint Championship at Cannington.
1998 Jane Carruthers’ Rapid Journey set a new Australian prize money record of $530,000 when capturing the TOPGUN International at Sandown Park. Irish entry Remels Black finished last in the same race. The UK contingent at the race included the BGRB Chief Exec Geoffrey (rear, centre) and the late Terry Corden (right)
1961 Jimmy Rimmer is appointed as the new trainer at Wembley where he will replace the recently deceased Lesley Reynolds and departed Jim Syder. The current handlers are Ronnie Melville, Bob Burls and Jack Harvey. A kennelboy to his uncle Ted Wilkinson at Belle Vue in 1926, Jimmy was only 16 when he was handed his first trainer’s licence at Bradford. He later moved to Eastville, Reading, Slough and Clapton. Jimmy, following on from brother Jack, has been the Waterloo Cup slipper for the past 21 years. Within days Wembley take the training strength back to five with the appointment of Cork man and former Burls head lad, Jack Kinsley.
2017 A clearly irritated John Curran issues a statement explaining the reasons for his resignation from the GBGB’s Racing Committee
1991 September 21: Mildenhall becomes Britain’s newest NGRC track. Dick Partridge is the promoter and Colin Ayres is racing manager.
1981 Middlesbrough, the last remaining track running with only stadium owned greyhounds, announce plans to recruit outside trainers. The initiative was introduced by the stadium’s new general manager, Mike Middle.
1951 The ICC’s Coursing and Racing Calendar is to be replaced by a new publication, The Sporting Press. The new publication will also be the official organ of the Irish Kennel Club and will carry sections on show dogs and horses.
2016 Veteran Ascot Woodie who had been sent to John Mullins to end his career running in graded races at Yarmouth is an 8-1 chance when landing the Coral Champion Stakes at Romford.
2017 Greyhound racing is mourning the death of Doreen Cobbold, aged 85.
With husband Joe, the Cobbolds produced a British breeding dynasty in early 1980s. Carrot farmer Joe finished champion trainer in 1980, largely through the Decoy runners that they bred and reared themselves from their base near Lakenheath in Suffolk.
Doreen, who owned many of the dogs in her maiden name of ‘Maud’ shared Joe’s enthusiasm for the sport and the pair continued to attend Mildenhall until Joe’s death.
The Cobbolds had six childen, Yvonne, Linda, Diane, Mark, and two who made their name as trainers, Kevin, and oldest son Trevor who sadly passed away aged just 43 in 1993. It was said by the family that Joe never recovered from Trevor’s death.
Mark’s wife Toni said: “Doreen had been suffering for dementia for some time, and although she eventually died of renal failure, in the final few weeks her memory returned and she was back to her old self. We have been going through the memorabilia and there are tons of it, trophies, jackets and so much more. Both Doreen and Joe were absolutely immersed in greyhounds.”
1998 Monmore failed to declare an SP on an S1 graded race when only one bookie was prepared to lay all six dogs. The remainder were all betting without the 1-6fav Clacton Black.
1961 Following the broken hock of his Derby winner Palms Printer just a few days earlier, Plaistow greengrocer Alf Heale buys Sallys Nigger for 950 guineas at Shelbourne Sales. The son of Hi There and Sallys Gossip eventually gets a name change to Printers Prince. He will go on to become a great sire with progeny that include Newdown Heather, Yellow Printer and Cricket Bunny. The runner-up in the sales trial is Powerstown Prospect who is bought by Londoner Harry Goodyear for 400 guineas. A year on, Prospect win the English St Leger and finishes runner-up in the English Derby.
2015 With eight meetings gone, Ladbrokes are delighted with their experiment of broadcasting Irish greyhound meetings into their UK shops. Spokesman Richard Brankley said: “There is clearly a market for the product on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings and the 10-race meetings from Cork, Mullingar and Youghal have been well received. They are betting to a market of around 131/132 per cent and we would expect that to come down as the market grows in confidence.”
1948 Despite being 270 miles away, Newcastle Brough Park blame a fixture clash with Wembley’s Stewards Cup for their failure to fill the All England Cup. Brough were looking for a minimum of 25 entries but received 19, five of whom were later withdrawn.
1995 The last 20 litters apparently sired by top Victorian sire Chariot Supreme are being DNA tested after two breeders issue writs on stud keeper Kevin Richards claiming the pups are by two of the kennels other sires Wary Suspect and Pure Talent.
1977 September 17. Top East Anglian open racer Keslake Devon (Black Banjo-Devon Pilgrim, Sep 75) is stolen from Albert Harwood’s kennel in Norwich. The dog, who was never recovered, had won the East Anglian Derby consolation final a few hours earlier in 28.23 for Yarmouth’s 462 metres – one spot faster that the final winner Westmead Dance (Mels Pupil-Cricket Dance, Apr 75). She had become the first greyhound to break the 28.00 earlier in the event with a 27.99 track record.
1969 GRA announce a startling experiment – to employ contract trainers. Thus far, all their trainers are paid employees who are based at the GRA’s own kennel complexes. No decision has been made on which track should be used for the experiment though Slough seems the most likely.
2002 Oxford owner Stuart Locke-Hart is appointed as a BGRB director representing owners following the resignation of Terry Coveney. Arthur Hammond is the other owner’s representative.
1981 British bred pup Gigolo Diomedes causes a massive shock when winning the £3,000 Anglo-Irish International at White City. He beats the red hot Irish favourite Cooladine Super by three quarters of a length. Fellow Brits Kris Is Back and Longcross Smokey finish third and sixth respectively. But that would pale into insignificance for the return leg at Shelbourne Park where the Irish field comprised recent Irish Leger winner Oran Jack, beaten Derby favourite Calandra Champ and Derby consolation winner I’m Lovely. The result was a 1-2-3 for the British breds with Diomedes leading home top pup Special Account and Duke Of Hazzard.
1958 Wembey racing manager John Joliffe found himself answering questions about a recent doping incident when the BBC cameras arrived at the track to film the St Leger Final. To make matters worse, favourite Multiforboro finishes last – though he is later found to be lame. The final goes to 4-1 chance Barrys Prince. Owner Noel Purvis is not at the track and Epsom trainer Snowy Parker collects the trophy on his behalf. “The best BBC greyhound broadcast ever” features marathon and hurdle opens plus a match race won by Pigalle Wonder from Just Fame.
2004 The Racing Post announces its ‘improved’, ‘streamlined’ BAGS coverage – a move that effectively removes full form from the regular paper and puts it into the ‘betting shop’ version, which can only be purchased in addition to the regular paper. There is uproar from punters and the original service is practically resumed within months.
2017 Tynwald Baz, runner-up the previous year, wins an emotional Steel City Cup Final for the Corden Family. Baz’s owner, Terry Corden had died earlier in the year.
Betfred’s Mark Pearson (second left) presents the Steel City Cup trophies to Tynwald Baz’s trainer Laurence Tuffin and Rachel Corden (on behalf of owner, her late father Terry). Kennelhand Arlene McCartan is on right. Sheffield 5th September 2017.
Photo: © Steve Nash
1934 September 7 Despite a downpour two hours before the first race, the first meeting is held at Waterford. A big crowd turns out to welcome in the new track at Kilcohan Park. W Kirby is Racing Manager, M McSweeney is the starter, M F Hayes is the judge, T P Power is the Managing Director and Timekeeper. A six-race meeting goes off without a hitch, and the first race is won by N Keane’s 4-5 favourite Red Rogue in 31.60.
1973 Following a string of positive tests, the NGRC issue “advice” to trainers not to use medicaments and tonics within seven days of a race or trial.
2013 Clive Feltham reveals that NAMA will listen to bids for Hall Green and Belle Vue. It later transpires that deals for both were already at an advanced stage and only six weeks away from completion.
1998 Wimbledon trainer Mary Harding resigns claiming that it is impossible to continue for financial reasons.
1950 Yarmouth racing manager Ernie Wedon reports healthy entries for the East Anglian Derby from owners having their holidays in the district. One runner, in a supporting race is White Nigger. The dog had been registered as dead by owner Frank Davis during his trial over the famous Waggles/Red Wind ringer case. The track continue to advertise for their regular Monday night opens, entry fee £5 (today’s equiv £210), winners collect £30 (£1,261). Opens are staged over 300 and 500 yards flat and 500 yards hurdles.
2005 He Said So and Droopys Maldini, first and second in the Irish Derby Final are retired to stud.
1973 NGRC stewards announce the biggest ever shake up in their rules as they announce a new scheme to encourage independent tracks to sign up. It will be called permit racing. Among those keen to join are Cambridge, Rye House and Halifax. Henlow’s Sid Smith wants no part of it.
2012 Crayford trainer Ian Stevens’ kennel is placed into a five day quarantine following the unexpected death of grader Fitz Peggy. An autopsy reveals the bitch died of Canine Haemorrhagic Pneumonia.
1948 Derby winner Priceless Border is given a tent all to himself when going on show at the Southport Agricultural Show. It proved a lucrative day as he later covered a locally owned bitch earning a stud fee of £75.
2001 Irish greyhound racing complies with a national day of mourning following the ‘9-11’ terror attack on New York. In the UK, tracks hold a three minute silence.
1970 An 18 month old unraced Surrey born pup is 12-1 when beaten on her open race debut at Brighton. She is also well beaten in subsequent races at Wolverhampton and Wimbledon before finally breaking her duck when winning a bitch puppy open in 28.15 for Wimbledon’s 500 yards. Few punters would have suspected that in the next 11 months, the 9-2 chance would win the Sporting Life Juvenile, English Derby, St Leger, Essex Vase and both the Wimbledon and Wembley Spring Cups. Her name is Dolores Rocket.
1935 Wembley’s local paper tells the story of an unemployed upholsterer who pawned his watch for five shillings and within a week has won £1,500 punting at his local track. (roughly equivalent to £127,500 today). He duly buys a new sports car, an £80 radiogram and hands over £800 for safe keeping to the bank manager. “I think its mostly luck” he says, “Not all though, some of it was brain work. In any case I’m not frittering the money away.”
1923 September 21 The birth day of the legend that was George Curtis (pictured with the great Ballyregan Bob)
1970 One of the most successful owner-trainer combinations in the sport appears to have come to an end. Paddy Coughlan has parted company with Sir Thomas Houston-Boswell and is leaving his 20 acre Heath Grange complex in Surrey. Coughlan denies a fall out, though there is speculation over a rift following the defeat of Houston-Boswell’s Right O’Myross in the final of the Welsh Derby, which was won by the Con O’Sullivan owned kennelmate Super Gamble. Indeed, Irish Produce Stakes winner Right O’Myross has proved a major disappointment since arriving in England and has been schooled over hurdles.
2005 Belle Vue vet Diane Hodson removed nine dogs from race and trial commitments due to their being infected with fleas.
1951 Drastic O Leer, rated one of the great post war stayers is retired from racing in dramatic circumstances. From a brilliant litter, the Dave Geggus trained bitch came to attention when breaking the Southend 700 yard record in only her second ever race. The English bred went unbeaten through the Bristol Produce Stakes and was made favourite for the 1949 St Leger but was withdrawn lame. She returned to win the Key and Stayers Plaque and lower her Southend clock plus the 725 yard record at White City. The daughter of Bahs Prince and Baytown Nightingale missed the 1950 Leger due to a seasonal lay-off but then broke records at Brighton, Walthamstow and Clapton. In 1951 She finally had her chance to contest the Leger, won her first heat and was 4-11f to win her semi. The brindle went visibly lame at the third bend but showed great courage to hold on to win the race. Unfortunately, she had to be carried off the track and withdrawn from the final with a broken bone in her wrist. Wembley announce that connections will receive the engraved medallion for reaching the final. It went to eight length winner Black Mire, owned by Northern Ireland’s Jack McAllister and trained by Toseland at Perry Barr. However, following the final, journalist Leo Wilson causes a storm over the running of the race. Wilson’s assertion is based on the fact that the Wembley management tried and discarded automatic starts. It employs two starters who have made it known that they have very different views on where the hare should be before they release the traps. The senior starter, Mr Dyer, believes in a ‘long hare’. During the heats and semis, the usually quick starting Black Mire, who was runner-up when favourite in the English Derby final, trapped last. However, for the final, starter Dyer was on holiday and colleague Mr Brooker was in charge. He believes in a ‘short hare’ and Black Mire trapped clear in the final and was never challenged.
1994 The Walthamstow racing office draft local H3 grader Left Early into an H2 race when one of the intended runners is reported lame. The substitute, who had started as a 100-1 in the lower grade, finished fifth against the faster dogs after returning at 500-1.
2007 Blonde Dino sets a new national record for 480 metres when clocking 27.81 at Monmore.
1969 Nick and Natalie Savva achieve their first success as breeders when Westmead Villa, one of three members of a Maryville Hi and Picano, wins the British Breeders Stakes at Catford. Villa (8-1), is trained by John Horsfall, Natalie trains Westmeads Hi and King who finish second and fifth respectively.
2007 Pat Whelan, the owner or Staplers Jo, Larkhill Jo, and breeder of the ‘Larkhill’ prefix, dies following a long battle with cancer aged 73.
2014 Hair samples from two greyhounds trained by disgraced trainer Chris Mosdall are found to contain Cyclizine, a drug used in travel sickness tablets. The former Wimbeldon trainer was caught in a TV sting operation boasting of ‘stopping’ dogs.
1981 Leeds trainer Charlie Lister lands his biggest race to date since joining the NGRC ranks when Swift Band wins the £2,500 East Anglian Derby. The fawn easily beat favourite Sancos Fawn in 28.33 for Yarmouth’s 462 metres.
1994 Derby winner Whisper Wishes (pictured here with trainer Charlie Coyle) died aged 13. The Aug ’81 whelp won the ’83 Select Stakes for Jill Holt but then joined Charlie Coyle for whom he won the final Derby at White City. His first ever litter was incredible including Olivers Wish, Westmead Wish and Westmead Move. His stud fee rose rapidly, soon standing at a record £800 and more fine hounds followed: Dempseys Whisper, Westmead Claim, Yale Princess, Hymenstown Wish, Carrigeen Zig, Gunboat Jeff, Lyons Dean, Bold Rabbit, Stouke Whisper and Grove Whisper . . He eventually landed the open race sire’s title in three consecutive years.
