2001 Puppy Hang On Cee dies in the Rye House kennels of heat stroke. Planning permission to update the ancient range was received the following day.
1990 Ernie Gaskin jnr is taken to hospital following a knife attack. The incident occurred after a boxer dog being escorted by a young girl attacked greyhounds being walked by the Walthamstow head lad. The girl was admonished by Gaskin. However, the girl’s father made his way to the kennel and attacked Gaskin causing stomach and head injuries. He was later charged with grievous bodily harm.
1928 June 23, Bournemouth hold their first meeting at Victoria Park and what a memorable occasion it proves to be. A large crowd turn up for the six-race meetiing where bookmakers are banned and there is Tote betting only. In the fourth race, a large thrush flies straight across the track, only an inch or so from the greyhounds’ faces. The shock makes some stop to fight. The race is void and re-run. In the fifth race, a 525 yard hurdle, the greyhounds, go under the barriers, instead of over them. Another re-run. In the sixth another 525 yard hurdle, the dogs bunch at the second bend and crash into the hare rail. This is void and is not re-run due to failing light.
2006 Leading hurdler Druids Mickey Jo is retired after injuring a wrist and a gracilis muscle. The son of Top Honcho won the Racing Post Maiden Derby on the flat. Over hurdles, he broke four track records and won the Springbok and the Champion Hurdle.
1992 Ramsgate trainer Steve Gammon escaped a stewards inquiry despite the apparent open race run by his A4 grader Glengar Tulip. The fact that the runner-up also found around eight lengths first raised suspicions that all was not well. A fault was eventually found in the ray timing. A hand timing of the race set against a video recording was enough to put Gammon and Tulip in the clear.
1977 June 4, Dunmore stadium put on the richest-ever one-off race, called The Golden Jubilee Stakes over 550 yards and sponsored by Sean Graham to the tune of £3,500. First prize is £2,600, the second £500, the third £250, others £50. M aking the long trip from Limerick, Ballintee Star (w bd d Sole Aim-Goodwin Glory, Aug’74) and trained by Matt O’Donnell, just holds on by half a length in 31.16 from Linen Mill, who is three-quarters of a length in front of third-placed Anulis.
2004 In a publicity stunt to promote the fact that both horse and greyhound Derbys were to be staged on the same day, a dog v horse match was staged. Simply Fabulous beat racehorse Tiny Tim in a match race at Haydock Park.
1932 June 15, Guideless Joe breaks the National record for 400 yards at Reading, in 22.00. Two months later, he wins the Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park.
2003 Charlie Lister’s suspicion of open race trap draws was reinforced following the Derby third round draw – made by the NGRC’s Bill Chandler. Lister’s three leading Derby fancies, Top Savings, Farloe Verdict and Larkhill Bullet were drawn in the same heat. All three qualified and went on to the final though this time the stewards intervened to take the winner’s prize away from Droopys Hewitt and award it to Farloe Verdict.
1964 Owner-trainer Joe de Mulder has four runners in the English Derby, Cahara Jet, Cahara Rover, Fearless John and Sugarloaf Mouse. Cahara Rover and Sugarloaf Mouse reach the semi-finals but are eliminated.
1974 Laroline (Monalee Champion-Nelsons Farewell) wins a top quality Guinness 600 final at Shelbourne Park. The black bitch beat Rail Ship by six lengths in 33.68. They are followed over the line by Ballinattin Boy and Waverley Supreme.
1998 Nottingham catch a regular punter using a laser pen to distract dogs at the starting traps. He is barred for life.
