1950 English Laurels winner Good Worker wins twice in three days after making his debut at Sydney’s Harold Park.
1995 Bord na Con announce that they will fight a court case concerning the positive test (Flunixin) returned by Irish Derby winner Joyful Tidings. Connections of Michaels Machine and Emmett Robert, second and third in the decider, have indicated their aim of seeking a disqualification of the winner. Faced with a string of complaints over various decisions, Kevin Heffernan resigns from his position as chairman.
2010 Former ICC secretary Jerry Desmond (67) is drowned while on holiday in Portugal..
1997 Bord na Con concede that they have paid out Ir£50,000 to Jimmy O’Connor, the owner of Derby runner-up Michaels Machine. They have also paid out a 20-1 ante post bet. Meanwhile, Joe McCarthy, a Cork based solicitor and owner of third placed Emmett Robert, will claim IR£4,000, the difference in prize money between the second and third placed dog.
1950 The Irish Coursing Club announce a trial whereby greyhound’s identity books will be retained by the track or coursing club and not the owner – as happens in Britain.
1997 Tralee Crazy, handled by head man Phil Bradley, while trainer Nick Savva is in Australia, wins the St. Leger final at Wembley. The 16-1 ante post chance led early to clock 39.41 for the 655 metres. Defending champ Spring Rose (1-2f) finished lame in fifth place. She is retired after winning 31 of her 50 races almost £25K in prize money. She won two Grand Prix and twice broke the Stow 640m click with a best of 39.05.
1968 The National Greyhound Track Coursing Stakes at Huntingdon is won by Gallant Kilcox trained by Harringay’s Jimmy Singleton. The runner-up Paradise Prairie is trained by brother Randy (White City).
1979 Brighton introduce a new event, the Watneys Southern Derby – worth £2,000 to the winner.
1997 Sittingbourne re-opens some 18 months after going bust. The new promoter is Roger Cearns. The following night Rye House re-open seven months after closure for refurbishment.
1963 An American horserace course see a massive increase in tote betting when they target female punters are the afternoon meeting. Every losing tote ticket can be exchanged for trading (‘Green Shield’) stamps.
1997 Following a review by vet John Crittall, the BGRB decide that mandatory inoculation must continue to be given annually. This follows national publicity suggesting that they could be repeated less frequently and were merely a money making exercise for the vets.
1950 The News of the World announce plans to sponsor a national inter-track event with a prize pool of £6,000 (the equivalent of £214,000). The NGRC expect around 70 of their tracks will want to participate.
1950 Rushton Smutty becomes the fifth dog to win the dream juvenile double of Trafalgar Cup and Puppy Derby.
1975 Hackney make major changes to their open race card as they switch the 1,000 guineas from a sprint to a 484 metre event. It will be followed by a new competition over the 523 metres, the William Hill Lead. Rye House respond to the loss of the two bend Guineas by promising trainers a new sprint event – the Sovereign Stakes.
1963 Britain’s best known greyhound journalist Charlie Hawkins dies following a short illness. Hawkins was the inspiration behind a number of racing initiatives including the Gymcrack and Anglo-Irish International. He was best know though as the public face of greyhound racing’s drive against discriminatory tote tax. He coined the phrase – later adopted by comedian Sid James – “diabolical liberty”. Bookmakers Joe Coral and William Hill both issued lengthy tributes to Hawkins’ ability and drive.
1979 Bitches occupy three of the top four slots on the open race prize money table. Derby and Eclipse winner Sarahs Bunny has netted a little over £22,000. Leger winner Kilmagoura Mist is next with just over £11K, followed by top dog and Grand Prix winner Frame That and Gold Collar winner Gay Flash.
1976 Leading Wembley open racer Knockrour Bank is flown to the USA to compete in the Hollywood International which is due to be staged in February.
1995 The NGRC reveal they are considering the future of pre-race chromatography following seven positives in more meeting at Catford. All the dogs were well beaten in two races where there was substantial off-course betting in forecast doubles. All seven Catford runners had passed the pre-race screening. Police interview a kennelhand over the incident who was subsequently sacked. Chromotography and post race testing accounts for 23% of all BGRB expenditure. (Greyhound Star had been lobbying for the abolition of ‘chromo’ for more than a decade).
