1978 The first round of the English Derby takes a new format with all 19 first round heats being held between the GRA’s twelve stadia.
1969 Joe Fitzpatrick, a former commandant in the Irish army, but best known to British trainers as a greyhound agent, is appointed the new head of the Irish Coursing Club.
1955 A bookmaker who sued GRA for running a ‘closed shop’ in the big ring at Harringay Stadium wins his case. GRA had argued that there were insufficient punters for the number of bookmakers. They were fined £25 on two separate related charges.
2012 Ladbrokes open their book for their Blue Riband at Hall Green. Jaytee Pedro is 3-1 favourite but the event will be won by his kennelmate Young Sid, available at 10s.
1949 Taunton announce that they have received a full entry of 64 runners for the inaugural running of the American Derby. There are two English entries, Oaks winner Night Breeze and Baytown Whitethorn.
2014 Crayford GM Barry Stanton (62) announces that he will retire at the end of June having spent two decades at the track.
1957 Bishopstown Belle, reckoned to be the smallest runner in training wins her first three races at Norwich after joining from Clapton where he lowest winning weight was 42lb (19 kg).
2014 Shelbourne Park return no starting prices on a Wednesday night meeting when Ted Hegarty is the only bookmaker standing.
1978 Tell You What’s status as the country’s supreme marathoner is over. Attempting to land the 1,068m Stayers Plaque for the third time, she is beaten more than 10 lengths by the pretender to the throne, the 2-5f Go Ahead Girl (Monalee Champion-Glance Ahead, Apr 74).
1996 Sweden’s racing authorities announce a large increase in meetings the previous year with 134 race days.
2014 8-1 outsider King Dec wins the Pinpoint Arc final at Swindon in 28.57 for Liz McNair. They crossed the line (with ante post prices): King Dec (25-1), Islas Scolari (50-1), Zero Two (20-1), All About Ya (33-1), Sidaz Harris (50-1). NR Benkaat Nero (50-1).
1985 1000gns Shelbourne Sales purchase Kylemore Champ (Linda’s Champion-Airglooney Lass) wins the £2,250 Silver Collar at Walthamstow for trainer Terry Duggan.
1955 Ballinclea Dancer sets a new Irish sales record when sold at Shelbrourne Park sales for 2,500 guineas. Equivalent today of £77K. Dancer is the Harolds Cross sprint track record holder and the fastest dog in the current year over the Shelbourne 525 course.
2013 A change in the rules of racing makes it mandatory for greyhounds who have trialled or raced to be given a minimum of 15 minutes back in their racing kennel before they can leave the stadium. Another change extends the period between a new arrival’s final trial and first race from a maximum of 21 days to 22 days.
1999 Palace Issue (2-5f) finishes lame (gracilis) in the heats of the Regency. It is only his second defeat in his last 20 races.
2012 Harlow attached Chris Mosdall is to join Wimbledon following Norah McEllistrim’s move to Hove. The McEllistrim family have had runners at the track since the first meeting in 1928.
1955 Wimbledon break an agreement with the NGRC when they publish details of a local enquiry prior to the outcome being announced by the governing body.
1970 Of the 162 entries in the Produce Stakes at Clonmel, few are more interesting than Monalee Pride, bought with his littermates for a combined £4,000 by Chicago based Dave Cahill. Pride will fail at Davis Road but will bounce back to win the Irish Derby.
1983 Peter Billingham’s Angelas Girl (Pat Seamur-Millbrook Fairy) broke the Monmore 815m and the 900m track records within the space of five days.
1999 Seamus Brennan’s 6-1 ante post chance Spring Raider wins the Golden Sprint at Romford.
