2000 January 15. Kinsley stages its first NGRC meeting – 10 days after staging their last meeting as an independent track. The first card included 16 dogs who had previously raced at the track.
1974 January 17th Gale force winds brought chaos to greyhound tracks. At Hall Green, during the first race, debris flies across the track forcing race leader, Overend, to check and finish out of the frame. The 4th race, a 500 yard hurdle, was cancelled as wind threatens to blow the hurdles down. At Rochester, the strong winds demolished a shed containing a new generator, and part of a stand. Luckily no one was hurt.
1959 January 24th At Wandsworth the Wandle Cup final over 600 yards and worth £100 and trophy to the winner has a good line up. With heat winners Kilcasin Karmen 4-7 and Crazy Paving 5-2 chance Churchtown Boy (Imperial Dancer-Lady Aron, Jun 55) who takes the final in 38.31. In the consolation final, Kilcaskin Karmen’s half brother, Kilcaskin King, wins in the faster time of 37.90.
1999 John Haynes (left), chairman of the Greyhound Trainers Association announces the launch of the Professional Greyhound Trainers Union. The BGRB describe the move as ‘absolutely ludicrous.’
1969 The Texaco award for greyhound racing has been awarded to Tom Lynch private trainer from Blanchardstown, Dublin. The 54 year old trained Russian Gun, last year’s Irish Derby winner and was runner up in 1968 final to Yellow Printer. But he is best remembered as the handler of triple Derby winner Spanish Battleship who scored in 1953-54-55.
1976 Last year’s English Derby runner-up Sallys Cobbler, now more at home over the longer distances, proves it by taking the final of The Longcross Cup at London White City, beating a high quality line-up including, Westmead Satin, Glin Bridge and Spats. John Bassett’s privately trained runner, a 5-4 favourite, storms home in a new track record 40.85 for the 680 metre trip, shaving 16 spots off the old record. The second and third placed runners, Westmead Satin and Glin Bridge, were also inside the old record.
1997 Shelbourne’s January sale sees a talented but unlucky bitch finish third in her trial and be sold on the bench for 950 guineas. Later in the year she will set a new 550 track record on the same track – her name is Cool Panther (right).
1987 Ernie Farrant, general manager at Harringay, has died after a brief illness. He was a legend in his own right for the number of hats he wore for presentation photographs, often changing them several times during a meeting. He became general manager at Harringay in 1974, after spells at Crayford and Clapton. He instituted races named after people’s birthdays or anniversaries, and went over the top on the number of headwear changes he would make during presentations, just to confuse the photographers. His vacant post is taken up by John Blake White City London’s assistant racing manager.
1993 Sittingbourne Football Club make application to build a greyhound track in their new £6m stadium at Central Park.
1997 Britain’s most famous kennel boy finally becomes a trainer as Natalie Savva relinquishes her license and Nick takes over.
1989 Jerry Fisher (pictured left with Aglish Poacher), trainer of numerous open racers including Daleys Gold, Jo’s Gamble and Game Ball is banned by NGRC stewards after his runner Strange Island is checked at independent Aldershot track. Ron Peckover is fined £1,000 after stewards refuse to accept his explanation for the dog’s absence from his kennel on the night of the Aldershot Derby Final
2000 Ian Greaves offers three complete litters of saplings for sale in Greyhound Star. Lot 1 Top Honcho – Too Breezy will eventually feature Top Savings, Top Breeze and Jerrys Girl Lot 2 Top Honcho – Able Ivy will include Top Power and Top Role. Lot 3 Iceni Regent – Best Of Noir – will include open racers Rapid Best, Iceni Black and Best of Care
2004 The GRA share price rose £1.40 in a single day when casino giants MGM Mirage announce their intention to buy the company.
