1964 May 31, George Flintham dies. He was the Aga Khan of the greyhound world and money was no object. The one prize he would dearly have loved to win, the Derby, eluded him, although he came close a number of times. The nearest was in 1953 when his Galter Cleo, the 4-5 favourite finished second to Daws Dancer by only half a length. In the other classics he had more luck, winning the Scurry Gold Cup three times, the Laurels twice, as well as the Scottish Derby, Gold Collar, Oaks, Grand Prix and Cesarewitch once each. He leaves £526,365 to his wife and family.
1996 Hackney sales had their bleakest ever day when only four of the 34 lots were sold.
2003 The betting shops introduce virtual greyhound racing with the launch of their new track Millersfield. The runners at the first meeting include a ‘runner’ called Hang Loose – whose real namesake was due to run at Monmore the following day.
1930 May 7, Tralee hold their first meeting at Oakview Park before a large crowd, despite there being a counter attraction in the town, Duffy’s Circus. The first race on the six race card is won by F O’Connor’s even money favourite Cockatoo (Loafer-Coleen Oge) by half a length in 31.77
1990 Satellite company BSB are condemned for a comedy sketch on the ‘I Love Keith Allen Show’ whereby two rottweillers are filmed chasing a dummy baby as a lure. The scene is filmed at Hackney after Crayford reverse their decision to allow filming. GM Roger Lakey is sacked for giving the original go-ahead.
1959 May 6 The second running of the BBC Television Trophy at West Ham sees last year’s winning owner A N Dupont and Wembley trainer Lesley Reynold triumph again, this time with Dont Divulge (The Grand Champion-Ennell Gale, Jan 57). Dunmore Rocco, the evens favourite, leads to half way, where Dont Divulge 5-1 takes over to win by 1 3/4 lengths from Dunmore Rocco in a new track record for the 700 yards 38.72.
1992 Norfolk police arrest a Scottish man following a race wrecking incident at Swafham. The man ran onto the track waving a towel and caused the suspension of the race. At the time, the heavily backed Scorpions Lass (1-3f from 3-1) was trailing the field. The perpetrator tried to escape but was captured and had to be protected from racegoers before police arrived.
1960 Owner Paddy Dunphy from Castlecomer rejects a bid of £2,500 for The Grand Prince, who is withdrawn lame from the Irish Produce Stakes
2006 Trainer John Coleman celebrates 40 years as a trainer with a special lunch for the greyhound press at his London club. Coleman tells many tales of his time in the industry, including:+How he used to live close to the old track in Cork where he began secretly frequenting and punting as a schoolboy. When he was promised a night out by his parents for his 15th birthday, he amazed them by asking to go to the track. Looking suitably mystified and amazed as he followed his mother through the turnstiles, he was met by a shout from a punter “Alright, Ginge? What do you fancy tonight?”+During a successful punting spell while training at Wembley, he had his betting account closed down. He mentioned his problem to local owner Bob Morton who offered the Cork man the facility of using his account with William Hill. Coleman was initially reluctant, fearing that Morton would also have his account closed by the bookie. Morton replied: “When it happens, I’ll buy you a crate of champagne.”The first punt, a £5,000 bet, was beaten, but soon the winners piled up. The most successful was Clean Winner. Spotted by Coleman as a ‘fast but jealous dog who found a bit more when he had to’, Winner completed a graded fiver-timer, heavily backed on each occasion (he later won two Suffolk Derbys). Hills duly tugged Bob Morton’s account and JC received his champers.
2002 Rapid Ranger (pictured), attempting a third English Derby victory, is retired from racing after being eliminated in his third round Derby heat. In a trouble strewn race, Ranger (6-4f), leads up but is soon overtaken by Droopys Corleone. Ranger was then hit by Priceless Rebel who was KO’d. The race was eventually won by 10-1 shot Magna Mint from Corleone. Ranger finished fourth – the third qualifying slot being taken by Allen Gift – but is given a standing ovation as he is led from the track. It is a bad night for punters – all eight favourites are beaten, six are eliminated. Trainer Paul Hennessy says: “There is not one schooling track in Ireland where that sort of trouble occurs.” After more shocks in the semis, the final produces six of the least fancied fields ever assembled. Viewed on the ante post prices they are: Crack Him Out (50-1), Windgap Java (66-1), Pilot Alert (40-1), Blue Gooner (100-1), Allen Gift (100-1) and Call Me Baby (1000-1). pic Steve Nash
