1947 A notice in the Portsmouth racecard reads “Racing will be held every Wednesday and Saturday evening and will take place irrespective of weather conditions.” Patrons arriving at the track for a Saturday meeting were greeted with a notice “Meeting abandoned owing to weather conditions.”
1992 In an article in the Star, Tom Jenkins, partner in the John Power bookmaking organisation, is fiercely critical of Wembley. He believes that the stadium would operate best with seven bookies, but “they insist on 13.”
1984 Three future top class mums contest the Coronation Stakes final over 490 metres at Wembley. The 30.08 winner is Sandy Sally (future dam of the ‘Druids’) with Rhincrew Moth (Poor Sue) fourth and Loopy Lil (Spenwood Magic) in fifth
1951 Dave Geggus, former head man to Stan Biss, has been offered a trainer’s contract at Walthamstow.
2002 Telentedmrripley (Greys Statesman-Oneco Malee) is voted Captain of the 2001 All American Team (the USA equivalent of Greyhound of the Year) for the first time. He will win it again in 2002. He also wins the Rural Rube and Flashy Sir titles awarded to the best sprinter and stayer.
1971 In the 21st running of the Cearns Memorial, Sole Aim, who went on to win the Irish Derby, beat Dolores Rocket, who went on to win the English Derby. Finishing third was Cobbler, litter brother to Sole Aim, who finished fifth in the English Derby later that year.
1986 Scurlogue Champ records a mediocre 29.68 for Yarmouth’s 462 metres in his first trial back following a winter lay-off. Meanwhile great rival Ballyregan Bob, contesting his first race following a three month break, extends the British record winning sequence to 22 following a near 12 length victory over Hove’s 695 metres.
1992 Essex police decide that there is no criminal case to answer in the case of former Romford racing manager Jim Simpson (pictured) and former trainers Bill Foley and Paddy Coughlan who were sacked by the track five months earlier.
1958 Locally trained Christopher Hemley (six years and nine months old) wins the £75 to winner Sixth Veterans Championship at Wimbledon. The oldest in the field at seven years and one month old, Kensington Partridge, finishes fifth. The winner had recently been entered in a sales trial, but when the bidding only reached £30, trainer Sidney Orton persuaded his owner to withdraw the dog.
1990 The ICC announce that six of the dogs tested during the National Coursing Festival have failed dope tests.
2011 Following criticism in the press from Charlie Lister over the £100 winner’s prize money for Derby trialstakes, Wimbledon ups the money by £50. The first set of five trialstakes are duly staged on April 30, and Charlie wins them all.
1974 The Animal Welfare Trust boast that nationally, they homed 60 greyhounds during a two week spell in January.
1992 Oaks winner Nice And Lovely dies from a mystery virus in Ireland. She is only four and a half and has produced one litter.
1985 The Star’s John Kent reported the tale of a well known and successful coursing husband and wife team who were rightly proud of their meticulous planning and routine. On a coursing day, they are up early to prepare the ‘coursing bag’. ID cards – check. Red and white collar – check. Embrocation – check. Tea – check and ‘a drop of encouragement; should the dog reach the latter stages – check. They recently set off on a 70 mile trip, driving carefully and duly made plans for the dog to relieve himself halfway through the journey. It was only as they opened the van door that they realised the flaw in the plan – they had forgotten the dog!
1958 One of the great post war sires, Sandown Champion dies of a heart attack aged 10. A winner of the 1950 Irish Coursing Derby, he sired the 1953 and 1954 winners of the same event, Blarney Champion and Local Master. His track progeny included English Derby winner Pauls Fun and runner-up Galtee Cleo.
1986 More than 2,000 signatures have been collected to oppose McAlpines Construction’s recently submitted plan to build 200 houses on the site of Shawfield Stadium.
1982 Perry Barr vet Jean Jones reports early promise with her new vaccination against kennel cough.
1986 Whitwood promoter Harry Topliss puts the stadium on the market for £275,000.
