1993 In an article in the Greyhound Star Richard Conole announces that he has perfected a method for extending the life of canine semen without freezing it. He describes the process as “chilling” semen.
1931 June 6 Despite bitterly cold weather, nearly 1,000 spectators attended the first meeting at East End Park, Dunfermline. The all grass track with a trackless hare is laid around the football pitch of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, and the promoter Mr Y N Beattie, has secured a three year lease from the club. The six race card all over 480 yards and each race is worth £4 to winner with £1 to runner up. It goes off without a hitch with experienced dogs from Glasgow White City and Carntyne taking part. The opener, the Pittencrieff Stakes, was won by Mr Peter Whyte’s Sure Away who won by a length in 29.20.
2002 Sunderland are fined £600 and Harry Findlay is fined £300 following an NGRC inquiry into Occhi Gialli contesting the Regal Gold Cup Final in a non-regulation (Australian) racing muzzle.
1989 Ring Slippy earns his trainer Derek Millen a licence suspension when winning on his Canterbury debut. The son of I’m Slippy found 79 spots and was only 17 spots outside the 450 metre track record. He was backed from 5-2 to 4-6 on.
1970 After spending £10,000 at Winsford United football ground in order to accommodate greyhound racing, Edward Harris and Norman Bradbury, open for their first meeting. They are delighted when 700 patrons attend the inaugural meeting. Racing to an outside hare, the meeting goes off well and the first race honours in the 500-yard curtain raiser go to Carousel. Plans are in hand for a tote to be installed in the next few months.
1955 For the first time the English Derby will be contested by 48 all male greyhounds.
1961 June 18 The owner of English Derby semi-finalist Winter Bell (fd Champion Prince-Spanish Gardenia, Nov 58). 58 year old J L Winter, is taken ill at work and dies later. He therefore never gets to see his dog qualify for the final – without having won a round. Bell is rank outsider at 50-1 in the final a week later, but runs the race of his life. Last early on, he puts in a storming run to finish third, beaten only 11⁄4 and 11⁄4 lengths by Palms Printer 2-1 and the 6-4 favourite Oregon Prince.
1997 BS Group acquires Swindon and its 20 acre site for £1.8m. BS spokesman Stephen Rea assures racegoers that Swindon is not a replacement for the doomed Bristol. “We are committed to a new track in the city” he says.
1959 Charles Chandler, then a 20 year old medical student, enters his Light Ripple (fwb The Grand Champion-Ash Gift, May 57) in the English Derby. Trained at Walthamstow by Barney O’Connor, she is quoted at 100-1 in the ante-post lists, but is not selected for the final 48 runners.
1964 June 11 The 1963 English Derby winner Lucky Boy Boy makes his debut over 760 yards at his home track Clapton. But as 4-5 favourite, he is well beaten fourth, eight lengths behind Bammy Bamford’s privately-trained, Boothroyden Larry, who wins in a new track record of 44.35.
1972 White City announce a major clampdown on security following the theft of Mister Rhythm from the racing paddock. The Freddie Warrell owned dog had just been eliminated from the Derby. Two men and a greyhound were later seen nearby getting into a taxi which took them to Waterloo Station.
2004 Brian Clemenson wins his third consecutive trainer’s championship meeting which was staged at Coventry. He finished seven points clear of John Mullins
