1978 Breeders Forum members are given a demonstration of ear marking by vet Bruce Prole. The NGRC have told breeders that they intend to impose ear-marking on British bred pups for the first time. The introduction is beset with early problems. First, the equipment is ineffective with many earmarks disappearing. Secondly, the early marking takes places alongside the outbreak of parvovirus leading many breeders to mistakenly blame the branding for a bout of puppy deaths.
2005 Belle Vue introduce a new standard distance of 470m after surveyors reveal that the old 465 was incorrect. The sprint (260m-from 237m) and six bend (670m from 647m) are changed due to re-locating the starting traps and a new 590m trip is introduced.
1997 Within a month of Irish stud keepers forcing the Irish Coursing Club to reduce advertising rates in the Sporting Press, the ICC hike mating registration fees by a third to £12
1991 Movements: Frank Baldwin takes over as racing manager at Perry Barr, Roy Dwight is sacked as racing manager at Crayford, Freda Greenacre joins Wembley from Hackney, Brian Clemenson joins Hackney from Canterbury. And the NGRC introduce the Open Race Planning Committee.
1972 August 12 After breaking a hock in last year’s Derby Consolation Final, A Mobley’s Clohast Rebel (Good Brandy-Clohast Pride) returns to London White City in a 725 yard open, where in a useful field including Westmead County, Rebel leads from the third and wins easily by 8 3/4 lengths in 40.56.
1935 Mr I Collins ‘beige’ dog Creamery Border who won the Scurry Gold Cup at Clapton in 1933, and was runner up in the 1934 final is still running well though nearly five years old. The October ‘30 whelp by Birder Line-Cook, makes light of his veteran status by taking the final of the Chelsea Cup over 500 yards at Stamford Bridge. What’s more, he sets a national track record of 28.01 when flying from the traps and leading all the way. The 3-1 second favourite won by nine lengths, and Wembley trainer, A Callanan and the owner were presented with the £100 and trophy by Miss Peggy O’Neill, famous music hall star and heroine of the popular song “Peg O My Heart”.
2006 The NGRC announce that two runners tested positive during the William Hill Derby. The Mike Pomfret trained Irish entry Longrange Jo tested positive for anti-inflammatory Meloxicam while Sheffied runner Ice And Lemon showed traces of painkiller Flunixin.
1944 Despite World War II Wembley’s Summer Cup brings together the best 525 yarders around for the £155 (and silver trophy) final. The up and coming star from Stan Martin’s kennels at Wimbledon, Ballyhennessy Seal (Lone Seal-Can Glory, Apr 42) wins the final from the 15-8 favourite Model Dasher in a good time of 29.29.
1993 The Greyhound, a glossy monthly magazine closes in its first year of trading.
2001 The Racing Post announce that in future, runners in their Juvenile race will be decided by a points scoring process based on race wins £1,000-10pts, £2,000-15pts, £5,000-15pts, £10,000-30pts plus bonuses for category one and two positions.
1994 Swindon call a no-race when only five dogs finish (and start) in a graded race. One of the runners had gone lame on parade and been withdrawn by the vet, but no one told the punters of bookies who continued to bet on a full field.
2001 Kinsley welcome the Australian cricket team midway through the Ashes campaign. A good night is had by all with Shane Warne picking two winners from three bets with all winnings going to charity.
1971 August 30-31 After the Bank Holiday 12-race meeting thieves break into Harringay’s strongroom, which also holds the previous Friday’s takings, and get away with £35,000. The well organised gang by-pass the security patrol with dogs, plus the alarm system, and burn through the strongroom door with an oxyacetylene cutter.
2006 The reigning Marathon Greyhound of the Year Star Of Dromin (Band Of Stars-Blondie White) is retired after coming into season. A winner of 30 of her 49 races, she retired as the Stow record holder over 640m, 840m and 880m
STAR OF DROMIN after winning the Coral Gold Vase winner with trainer Mark Wallis and owner Ken East pic Steve Nash
