1992 April 3 Paddy Keane, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest Irish trainers ever, died from a massive heart attack at his home in Kildare. His winners included English (Faithful Hope) and Irish (Pampered Rover) Derby winners. He also formed part of what was reckoned to be the greatest collection of track trainers ever assembled during his days at Clapton where he trained alongside Jimmy Jowett, Phil Rees, Paddy McEvoy, Adam Jackson, John Bassett and Stan Gudgin.
1994 The NGRC and Ladbrokes are in dispute over the imposition of a new £114 per race special licence fee for BAGS racing. Tom Kelly of BAGS confirms that NGRC membership is not mandatory for a BAGS contract.
1971 Benbradagh Luck (Own Pride-Gentle Star, Nov 68) sets Dunmore alight when breaking the 435 yards track record in the Spring Cup Final. Later in the year the same dog won the Irish National Spring in 23.74.
2006 A new racing paper The Sportsman goes on sale for the first time. It goes into administration within four months.
1960 It is announced that Al Burnett the comedian and nightclub owner (and owner of Derby winner Pigalle Wonder) is to appear in the forthcoming Royal Variety Performance on a bill headed by Sammy Davies jnr.
1994 Three youths were dragged from the track and arrested after attempting to sabotage the BBC TV Trophy Final at Sunderland. The ringleader Diane Selvanayagan receives a 10 day jail sentence.
1952 April 14, Wentworth Park in New South Wales, Australia, celebrate their Silver Jubilee meeting. A crowd of more than 12,000 turn out for the 10-race card, which includes a parade of ex-track champions including Chief Havoc (wfd Trion-Thelmas Mate, Sep 44) who in his racing career of 35 races, won 26 times and in one spell of 13 races broke 12 track records. All the winning owners on the night received a canteen of cutlery. The two big races – both worth £125 to the winner, £52 to second and £31 to third.
1962 In the Grand National final at London White City, the 9-4 favourite Corsican Reward is a very lucky winner. He misses the break, makes a poor jump at the first and is many lengths behind in last place. But at the third hurdle the long-time leader Stanbrook Rob falls badly and impedes the others so much that Corsican Reward seizes his chance to come through the melee, take the lead and go on to win in a moderate 30.15. By comparison, an hour earlier a GRA Kennel Sweepstake over the same course and distance is won by Odiles Lawyer in 29.80.
2000 Liam McCormack’s Moyne Rebel broke the Thurles 525 track record for the third time when winning the Produce Stakes Final. His seven length win in 28.80 meant he had taken 22 spots off of the previous best.
1968 The Annual Greyhound Dinner Dance at the Dorchester Hotel is held, with tickets priced at £4/10/- (£4.50).
2003 Open racer Top General is stolen following a burglary on trainer Graham Calverts home and kennel. The dog is recovered a few days later.
1996 Milton Keynes racing manager Dave Beckett is suspended from duties and then resigns. Within a month the 49 year old son of the track’s founder Bob Beckett has taken his own life. Bizarrely, Dave Beckett’s long time assistant Derek Smales had died of natural caused only a week earlier.
