1979 Figures reveal that White City staged the highest number of events worth £1,000 or more to the winner in 1978 with six stakes. Second was Scottish independent Ashfield with five major events worth four figures.
1947 Trials to see if it would be possible to stage racing without a hare were attempted at Crayford. The furthest that any dog raced at top speed was around 70 yards.
1985 Philip Rees lands the forecast in the 660 metre Spring Cup at Wimbledon with joint favourite Lady Opinion. The runner-up, who returned at 10-1 will do better in a considerably bigger stake in three months time. His name is Pagan Swallow.
1995 GRA announce that the ban on Ger McKenna and Matt O’Donnell from entering runners in the English Derby has been lifted.
1950 Walthamstow owner Mr M Young purchased puppy Abbey Rock to cheer up his young son who had been hit by a car and fractured a hip. The youngster was to be relayed full details of Abbey Rock’s first race to his hospital bed. Unfortunately, Abbey Rock failed to finish, he was carried off the track with a smashed shoulder.
1933 Results of a six dog trial at Caford: 1st Midland Mountain (unchallenged), 2nd Miss Areil (fought), 3rd Hopeful Helen (interfered with – DNF), 4th Sixty-Nine (fought DNF), 5th Ha (interfered with – DNF), 6th Soldier Slap (fought DNF).
1957 Trainer Sidney Orton has all six runners in an S6 graded race at Wimbledon. It goes to 11-4 second favourite Velvet Cloak who wins by four and a half lengths. The beaten favourite (evens) finishes third.
2010 March 6 Wimbledon will return to its origins as the main grandstand is used for the last time prior to operations switching to the opposite side – the original ‘main side’ during the stadium’s early years. All graded dogs will be made to trial over the new 480 metre trip. March 12 Swift Eternity becomes the first winner over the new course.
1961 Following a successful trial in Scotland, GRA order under-track heatings systems for Belle Vue, Harringay and White City.
1947 The Waterloo Cup is cancelled due to inclement weather for the first time in its history. Repeated cancellation had eventually encroached on the end of the coursing season on March 10. The only three previous cancellations were due to World War I. Many disheartened coursing followers head for the national coursing meeting at Powerstown Park in Clonmel. Their meeting is abandoned after the second day.
1986 The 150th running of the Waterloo Cup is cancelled due to prolonged frozen ground.
1985 Future English Oaks winner Spiral Super goes on the bench at Shelbourne Sales but does not reach her 3,500 guinea reserve.
1959 Members of the Cork and Limerick Owners Associations announce plans to launch a national association for Ireland. The owners are frustrated by the prolonged closure of the rural tracks due to a dispute between the newly formed Bord na gCon and the on-course bookies. The tracks have agreed to re-open for one meeting per week, despite there being no bookies in attendance.
1974 Come On Wonder is advertised for sale for £1,500 for stud duties. The litter brother of Dolores Rocket, reckoned by many to be even faster, won eight NGRC opens and broke the West Ham 550, and Crayford 700 yard track records before being disqualified for fighting and being schooled as a hurdler. Switched to the flaps, he broke track records at Chesterfield, Long Eaton, Peterborough and Spennymoor, as well as winning the Henlow Derby and Ashfield St Leger. He went to Australia where he sired a Silver Chief winner.
1947 When their usual printer were unable to produce their racecards Walthamstow staff rally round and spend the entire day printing thousands of cards by hand. The meeting is cancelled due to bad weather.
