1985 December 11 Ballyregan Bob (Ballyheigue Moon-Evening Daisy) wins the John Power Showdown at Wembley to equal the 11 year old British record of 20 straight wins held by Westpark Mustard. In the four runner event, Bob (4-9f) sets a new 710m track record of 42.73 when beating Glenowen Queen and Track Man by 113⁄4 lengths. They dead heated for second as second favourite Scurlogue Champ stops chasing at the second bend.
1991 GRA increase the retention on forecast, trio and jackpot pools from 171⁄2 to 20 per cent. Win and place dividends are unaltered.
1974 After 24 years as a trainer at Brighton, Fred Lugg retires. Perhaps two of the best greyhounds he trained were prolific open race winner Hurst Wickham and Bargain Hunter, who held Brighton’s 525 yard track record.
1970 The 1968 Irish Laurels winner Flaming King has been sold by Miss Pauline Wallis to Jack Mullan and will stand at stud at his kennels in Newry, Co Down. Flaming King (Market Green-Maglin Lady, Apr’66) holds the unique record of having raced in England, Ireland, Spain and America, where at Flagler, Miami, he recorded an eight wins in a row sequence.
1995 Ballyskeagh defy the Irish Coursing Club ruling by planning a race meeting for Boxing Day. But sub zero temperatures scupper the plan.
1999 First bend trouble marred the $100,000 TOPGUN invitation at The Meadows in Melbourne. Mint Magic came home a ten length winner with the Pat Dalton owned Sweeping Storm running on for second. Europe’s other entry Daydreambeliever was knocked over at the first bend.
1988 December 7. Derby hold their last meeting. The stadium has been sold by owner Terry Corden to a mystery buyer. Built on the site of a former prison, it was a tight little track with a circumference of 344 metres and an inside hare. The very last race – a 420 metre handicap – is won by On Sunday (w bd d On Spec-Lady Sunday, Mar’86). The 11-10 favourite running off scratch wins by a head in 26.39.
1976 The Winter Trophy final at Hall Green over 663 metres has drawn together a grand line up of top class stayers including Manderlay King, Westmead Satin, Picture Parade and El Leyano. Victory goes to Joe De Mulder’s Manderlay King, trained by his son Geoff at Hall Green. The 11-10fav takes the lead at half way to beat Westmead Satin and Picture Parade by 21⁄4 and 13⁄4 lengths in 41.73.
2001 A gamble on Ask Shane in an open at Reading comes unstuck when stewards void the race. The Arthur Hitch trained dog crossed the line in front, but the fourth placed Batsford Bloom had raced in a top coat.
1973 Catford are to replace their plasticised green sand to the natural type because the plasticised sand needs undersoil heating to maintain it in top condition.
1967 Voting for Irish Track Greyhound of the Year will be close. Just two outstanding candidates have emerged, Yanka Boy and Russian Gun. Yanka Boy has two classics to his credit, the Cesarewitch and St Leger plus the Midland Puppy Stake, whereas Russian Gun won the Irish Derby. So in a hard one to call for the sports editors, but in the end they decide on Mr M Loughnane’s Yanka Boy.
