2010 The BGRB announce that the anticipated Fund income for the year will be down an estimated £1.5m to £8.5m The industry had already been bracing itself for reductions from the previous years of: 2009-£10m, 2008-£12m (which would be the equivalent of £15.8m today).

1981 A new book on dogs, ‘The British Dog. Its History From Earliest Times’ is published with a sizeable section on ‘Vertragus’ the ancient breed from which modern greyhounds are said to have evolved. The book relates the story of St Patrick, who supposedly owned several of this breed. There is also a reference to the Commons in 1389 where an MP complains that the ownership of greyhounds, previously only fit for gentlefolk, had spread to “craftsman, servants, labourers and grooms.”

1991 Phil Bradley, former headman to Natalie Savva, had his licence withdrawn by the NGRC following a time finding incident with Powderhall grader Daffodil Sam and the subsequent withdrawal of another five runners. In a series of separate enquiries Swaffham racing manager Tom Smith was commended for his investigative skills following a series of kennel checks. Smith visited three local kennels and discovered that greyhounds were either not present or were being handled by people previously warned off by the Club.

1970 Spotted Rory clocks the fastest time of the day at Hackney Sales and is sold for £500 after winning his trial in 30.80 on heavy going. The dog goes on to win over £2,000 in prize money during the year including the St Leger. The following year he wins another seven opens including the Catford Cup where he sets new figures for the 570 yards.

1947 1947 Bristol’s Eastville Stadium reported a reduction in their racing strength under the single line ‘Departures – Mountford Quiver – escaped from kennels’. Despite a widespread search, including the offer of a substantial reward, there was no sign of the young bitch for 16 days. She then returned to the stadium kennels of her own accord, in good health, despite one of the worst winters in years, but presumably bored with a diet of free range rabbits.

2010 Ricky Holloway, the head of the SOS campain, announces that he is to cease being an owner and trainer from the end of the month. He states “The GBGB just showed a total lack of respect for owners and trainer.”

1975 Tommy Baldwin, the former Perry Barr trainer, dies after a long illness. He was 77. A trainer of many open race winners, two of his best were Red Tan, who won the Cesarewitch at West Ham, and prolific open race winner over all distances, Model Dasher.

1993 The NGRC reveal that a confirmatory chromotography test taken from Ballinderry Gown gave a negative result. Gown had been withdrawn from the Oaks heats by the Wimbledon stewards after failing the first test.

1961 Former Walthamstow minor open racer Which Chariot changes hands for a “Mile Bush Pride type of price” after winning a number of races for trainer Frank Schock. Bred by Paddy Quealy from Lismore, Chariot eventually goes to stud and later appears as the great grand sire of top Aussie sires like Chief Dingaan and Temlee.

2007 Yarmouth grader Cloncunny Lark sets a record of seven consecutive graded wins at the track.

2008 Ballymac Under, the wildcard selection for the Racing Post Juvenile, wins lands the £4,000 first prize from Farloes Hurricane and Reason. Matt Dartnall’s fawn is made 7-1 favourite for the English Derby by sponsors Blue Square.

1964 Liverpool tracks Seaforth and White City are to re-join the National Greyhound Racing Society and run under NGRC rules. Their first step is to introduce new, five-dog, starting traps. They currently stage four-dog races. The two venues are also unusual in one other respect, all three trainers and 10 kennel staff are female.

1985 Eleven years after the introduction of the permit scheme, the NGRC announce plans to extend it. The new scheme will allow ‘full’ NGRC tracks to stage permit meetings in addition to their regular meetings. In addition, permit trainers will be able to run their dogs in open races at all tracks.

1972 Bernard Cousins, an Oxford owner-trainer since 1939 is killed in a road accident on his return from trials. Two of his greyhounds also die.

2010 Sponsors William Hill have Eye Onthe Storm as ante post favourite for the English Derby at 12-1 jut ahead of Irish pair Newlawn Class and Tullymurry Act

1969 Track records: Brighton 525y-Kans (28.71), 725y-Russian Tip (40.43), 880y-Spectre II (50.09), Charlton 415y-Carry On Oregon (23.36), 600yds-Crazy Paving (34.34), Mothel Duchess-775y (45.87), Hall Green 525y-Kilbeg Kuda (28.75), 700y-The Grand Canoe (39.42), 880y-The Cherry Tree (51.46), Harringay 525y-Yellow Printer (28.60), 525yH Tonys Friend (29.58), 700y-Westpark Quail (39.69), 900y-Poor Mick (52.84), Belle Vue 525y Rushton Spot (27.73), 700y-Mighty Kern (40.07), 880y-Meteoric (50.94), Perry Barr 525y-Discretions (29.24), 700y-Brandy Soda (39.90), Romford 460y-Yellow Dew/ Westpark Jupiter (25.51), 650yds Shamrock Clipper/ Cullen Era (36.42), Walthamstow 500y Westpark (27.60), 525y-Some Cheatha (28.95), 700yds Hong Kong Bay (39.91), White City 525y Yellow Printer (28.30), 550y-Monalee Champion (29.82), 525yH Lucky Orange (29.34), 725y-Hiver Whitenose (40.50), 880y-Poor Mick (49.83), 1025y-Greenville Fauna (58.60), Wimbledon 500y-Shady Parachute (27.57), 700y-Hurry On Cleo (39.58), 880y-Greenville Fauna (51.04).

Owner Pauline O’Donnell with her Harringay and White City track record breaker Yellow Printer