One of training’s national treasures departs the industry later this month after falling in love with the industry more than six decades ago. Bubbly West Country trainer Jo Burridge will not be renewing her licence in January.
Her introduction to racing took place at a track that has long since been lost to the builders.
She said: “I started going racing with my mum at Southampton back in about 1960. When I first met (future husband) Gary, he had no interest. So one night I told him I was going to Poole dogs, if he didn’t fancy it, he should go to a pub and I’d meet him afterwards. He decided to come after all, won a few bob on the night and it was all downhill from there.”
In no time the couple had become dog owners at local flaps Weymouth and Yeovil. They then switched to Poole, under the previous management. When it closed, they moved to Portsmouth, but when Poole re-opened, they returned to Wimborne Road.
The kennel had plenty of success on the south coast over the years. There were a string of Dorset Classics, Super Paws and Golden Muzzles, Trafalgar and Hunt Cups and hundreds of open race winners.
Blakes World retired with two Golden Muzzles, one Dorset Classic and a Portsmouth track record that was still intact when the venue closed.
The closest they came to a Derby was a semi final for Penare Ballygate, though pride of place on the Burridge Roll of Honour though was the 1998 Reading Masters win for You Will Call.
Jo said: “It was a fabulous night. We were celebrating after the race when Mark Sullivan of The Sporting Life pulled me up about a quote I made saying it was the best feeling in the world. He said, ‘Best than sex?’. I said ‘yes’, and that was the headline on the next day’s paper. I did have to apologise to Gary.”
Sadly, Gary died suddenly from an aortic aneurysm in March 2003 leaving Jo bereft but with many fabulous memories of their time together, much of which was spent at greyhound tracks.
So which were the favourites?
Jo said: “I always loved White City, we had dogs there with Randy Singleton. Wimbledon was great fun too, at least until they switched sides. There was a brilliant atmosphere in the big grandstand. But I loved other places too. Reading was nothing special to look at, but there were some proper greyhound people there and a great atmosphere. And I always loved going to Oxford.
“I always preferred Poole to Portsmouth but it was still good to run a few there, particularly to give the dogs a switch to the inside hare. There is no variety for the dogs these days which is a shame.”
Favourite racing manager?
“Easy one, Bob Rowe. I thought he was an exceptional grader and also a man of outstanding integrity who would stand his ground when he had to. When Gary died, Bob wrote me a long beautiful letter, I have never forgotten it.”
Now 86, Jo regularly had a full kennel of 38 runners at Poole but has trimmed her Swindon kennel strength to just three runners who will all be retired later this month.
So how does she feel about severing her connection with greyhound racing after all this time?
Jo said: “I’ve seen the best times in greyhound racing – some wonderful times – but I don’t see them coming back.”
So have you fallen out of love with the game?
Jo said: “Let’s put it this way, I’m not enjoying it as much as I should.”
