1998 The BGRB’s national Supertrack is met with blinding apathy by many tracks with Canterbury, Sunderland and Stainforth all refusing to take part.
1960 Frank Johnson, the owner, trainer and breeder of the British bred Derby winner Rushton Mac re-applies for an NGRC licence following a five year battle with illness. His application is refused and no explanation given by the NGRC.
1986 July 26 The Laurels final at Cork, worth IR£7,750 to the winner goes for the first time to a woman trainer, Anne Wade of Cashel. Drawn trap one, her Big Oran (bk d Oran Jack-Big Deposit, Feb’84) has a clear run, coming home by four lengths in 29.78 for the 525 yard classic.
2005 Derby hero Westmead Hawk flies to Ireland for the Dundalk International. However he becomes badly distressed on the journey and is withdrawn by vet Plunkett Devlin. The race goes to Droopys Maldini in 30.02. News that the Hawk can’t fly is compounded when he can’t walk either! The black cuts his foot in the paddock and is scratched from participating in the Select.
1994 The NGRC make no order against Portsmouth despite the track allowing two litter sisters, Glown Clown and Copper Link, to race in each other’s names for over a year. It appears that the problem was caused by indistinct tattoos and no breach of integrity appears to have occurred.
2005 Treanaree Mark is backed to 2-5fav in a Sittingbourne BAGS race. The George Andreas trained dog finishes fifth. There is no stewards inquiry and bookies do not decide to withhold payment! (Steady – that’s cynical-Ed)
1996 Bord na gCon agree to pay the prize money to the Produce Stakes finalists after banks bounce the cheques issued by promoter Alan Singleton.
2002 The BGRB announce that Betfair have agreed to hand over 10 per cent of their greyhound profit as a voluntary levy.
1960 Changes in the rules of racing allow racing managers to run graded races over extended distances without having trialled over that distance provided they have at least six lines of race or trial form. Wimbledon are the first to take advantage with a graded 940 yard race for six 700 yard runners. Another change in rules will allow trainers to enter dogs for open races for the first time. Until now, entries could only be taken from owners or authorised representatives.
1973 July Wembley Racing Manager Jack Tetlow retires this month after 43 years at the stadium. He started work there as a programme seller at five shillings a night, the became a steward, kennel manager, assistant racing manager until getting the top job, Racing Manager, in 1968. Jack, who saw thousands of greyhounds in his time including Mick The Miller, rates Future Cutlet as the best he has seen.
1992 Ger McKenna is fined £100 and his runner Itsallovernow loses his £600 prize money when Bord na gCon announce that the dog tested positive for caffeine. McKenna threatens to take the Bord to court when it emerges that incorrect procedure was carried out with the sample being tested both at the Bord’s lab in Limerick and with the security seal broken, again at Trinity College in Dublin.
2001 Bob Tovey, secretary of the Yeovil & Sherborne Coursing Club launches the first drag hare coursing club on a designated 18 acre site at Wickwar in south Gloucestershire.
1950 July 22 The 18th running of the Scurry Gold Cup at Clapton over 400 yards is won for the first time by a private trainer when Gortnaglory owned by Mrs J Merchant and trained by her husband, takes the £500 classic. Gortnaglory (Glenview Shaggy-Bloods Romance, Sep’46), the 3-1 second favourite, wins in 23.47.
1960 Wimbledon kennel man Bristow (his Christian name wasn’t deemed worth reporting) was stationed on the inside of the track at the first bend when the luckless Mullabrock Prince broke a front leg. The intrepid kennel man jumped onto the track, and picked up the unfortunate hound only to be severely bitten through the hand. Screaming in agony he dropped the dog only to be attacked by outraged punters. He spent the end of the evening having his wounds tended in hospital.
1964 Westpark Quail sets a new 700 yard track record at Hall Green for trainer Noreen Collin. The big fawn records 39.59 when winning an open by just under 11 lengths. Six weeks later he was to win the Dunmore (late Sean Graham) 700.
