1946 at Harold Park, in Sydney, they are racing ten greyhounds per race, over a 500 yard course around two bends The racing jackets are coloured as follows: Trap 1 red, 2 black and white checks, 3 white, 4 green, 5 yellow, 6 brown, 7 black, 8 pink, 9 white with red spots, 10 red, white and blue. To make it harder, they draw for trap positions before racing!
1984 Sussex bred Yankee Express sets Scurry history when winning his third final in 27.03 for Slough’s 442 metres. His previous wins were in 26.94 and 27.19.
1980 In the 44th running of the Gold Crest final at Bristol, the trophy stays at home for only the second time when Mrs P Cater’s Jacks Asleep (Fast Asleep-Herons Highlight, Apr’77) trained locally by Paul Garland, takes the £2,000 final over 470 metres in 28.25.
1978 At Romford with a new outside hare, the 600 metre trip is shorted to 575 metres, The final of the Essex Vase on July 11 is won by Ken Usher’s Locally trained Bermudas Fun (w bk d Supreme Fun-Avondhu Lass, Aug’75). The 4-1 chance also sets a track record of 35.15, which Ballyregan Bob equals winning the event in 1985.
1934 July 4 At Richmond Dog Show on the Athletic Grounds, there are three classes for track and coursing greyhounds. Among those entered are the English Derby winner and runner-up, Davesland and Grey Raca. Neither of them wins but Grey Raca does get a reserve place in her class.
1965 Pat Dalton’s Lovely Chieftain (f d Knockhill Chieftain-Lovely Sister, Aug’63) trained by Ger McKenna, easily wins the final of the St Leger at Limerick by four lengths in 30.92 for the 550 yards.
1981 July 9 The new stadium in Kings Road, Cleethorpes, opens. The promoters are Spedeworth International who also promote the racing at Aldershot and Wisbech stadiums under ITPA rules. The track is all sand with an inside hare and a standard distance of 460 metres. An all-trophy meeting gets under way with a 273 metre sprint won by Liz Shaw in 17.74.
1997 Derby winning trainer Charlie Coyle (Whisper Wishes) dies aged 58.
1945 July18th After the end of the war, open racing returns to its former status at Reading. The Hunt Cup final is run with the winner’s prize back to a healthy £300 and trophy. Run over the 400 yard course, Major A E Allan’s Look Out Post (Citronwood-Jubilee Rover, Feb’42) and trained at Wembley by Jack Harvey, takes the decider in 22.14.
1957 Olive is made odds on favourite at Ashfield, but her chances seem slim when the 4-6 shot slips from the grasp of her handler as they go to traps She runs a circuit of the track on her own. While she is getting her breath back her price eases to 5-4, as the punters doubt her stamina, However she shows she has plenty in reserve and wins the race by six lengths.
1937 July 31 The £300 Irish Derby final over 525 yards at Shelbourne Park, sees the event won by an all female team when Miss N O’Bryan’s red fawn bitch Mulnessa (Slanebeg-Won But Lost) beats 6-4 favourite Western Skipper by two lengths. The 6-1 chance recorded 30.83.
1946 At Middlesex Sessions, James Edward Stevens, 54 year old, is found guilty of obtaining and trying to obtain £20, with faked forecast tickets at Wembley Stadium. He is sentenced to 18 months in prison.
1995 Two men were killed on the Stainforth car park after a fight broke out after racing.
1955 In heat two of the Scurry Gold Cup at Clapton, Jimmy Jowett’s locally trained Undertakers Assistant is in the coffin box (T4). True to the myth is baulked at the first and third, finishing last by 16 1/4 lengths.
1986 The Irish Cesarewitch over 600 yards at Navan goes to Co Meath trainer Francie Murray with Cranley Special (bd d Ders Available-Going Going, Sep’84) sweeps in front at the third bend, going on to win by four lengths in 33.12.
1974 July 13 No not an unlucky Friday, but an equally bad Saturday for owner Frank Boswall and trainer Joe Bennett. Their greyhound Soft Light (The Grand Light-Knockmoylan Kate, May’72) is stolen from a motorway service station on the M4 after finishing third to Dankie in the final of the Welsh Derby at Cardiff Arms Park. The incident happens at about 11.15 some two hours after the race, in the Leigh Delamere service station. The thieves do not bother with Black Banjo, last year’s Laurels winner, who finished second to Dankie and is 20 yards away in Barney O’Connor’s estate car. It seems they know what they want, jemmy the back door open, and are away with Soft Light in the time it takes Joe Bennett and his driver John Hart to have a cup of tea and a pie. Owner Frank Boswall circulates details of Soft Light’s ear markings and all distinguishing marks to all the independent tracks in the country and puts up a £5,000 reward. He says: “Soft Light is such a small dog, he only weighs 59-60 lbs and will immediately attract attention if he wins in fast times at independent tracks.” Soft Light, who finished fourth to Jimsun in the English Derby, is scratched from the Select Stakes at Wembley, which is run on July 23, because under NGRC rules he is required to be in his trainer’s hands for seven days before the race.
1997 BBC announce that they will no longer broadcast the TV Trophy.
1993 Mildenhall are fined £3,000 and promoter/ racing manager Denis Diffley was warned off following a string of irregularities in form at the track. BOLA had previously advised members not to pay out on bets involving a meeting on March 20 where bets were placed on a string of unnamed favourites.
