1999 There is a massive outcry following an apparent sabotage of the Sunderland racing surface resulting in eight consecutive races being won by trap six runners. During the sequence, where the inside of the track was running far slower than the outside, the tractor and its back-up both broke down. The SPs of the winners, in race order were : 4-1, 9-2, 4-1, 5-2, evens, 4-5f, 5-4f and 4-5f. The trap six runner in the ninth race went off at 1-2f and finished fifth Bookmaker Fred Done claims to have lost £35,000 on the meeting. Police are called in and track staff are suspended. Within a week, Sunderland has its BAGS contract suspended. At a BAGS meeting earlier in the year, Sunderland had a similar problem with inside runners when ten trap ones won.
1967 A lucky punter from Kensington, who wishes to remain anonymous, scoops the Quinella Pool at London White City, when he wins £6,920.14s plus a Jaguar car worth £2,250. He stakes £190 and has just two tickets out of 23 for the final leg.
MICKS LOTTO – pic Steve Nash
1999 Outstanding pup Micks Lotto dies in mysterious circumstances of a broken neck after winning a heat of the Peterborough Puppy Derby. Earlier in his career, and at 2-7f, he had beaten litter brother Rackethall Jet by almost four lengths in the Wimbledon Puppy Derby Final. He had recorded 27.49. Jet, generally rated as several lengths inferior to Lotto, later went on to run second in the English Derby and win a Select Stakes.
1970 The BBC have told the NGRC that due to outside broadcasting commitments, and re-planning of sports coverage, they have no plans to broadcast the Television Trophy next year. The event has been shown live since 1958. When asked the reason for the boycott a spokesman said: “The lighting is not good enough for colour television”.
JIM WOODS
2001 Jim Woods celebrates his 20th year as Monmore racing manager and is given a two week holiday in Ireland by Ladbrokes.
1945 The first running of the Grand Prix at Walthamstow sees Magic Bohemian (bk w d Jesmond Cutlet-Magic Pool, Jun 43), trained at Wembley by Lesley Reynolds, go unbeaten through three rounds. The 10-11 favourite takes the £500 final over 525 yards by two lengths in 30.05. Walthamstow call it their “Classic”, but it is not granted classic status until 1971.
1993 Michaels Machine set a new Enniscorthy track record of 28.92 when beating wonderpup Droopys Sandy in the final of the Champion Puppy Stakes.
1974 At Shelbourne Park the Carrolls Challenge Match over 600 yards sees Westpark Mustard’s 20 wins in a row sequence come to an end She is well beaten by the fast-starting Tommy Astaire 3-1, who beats the evens favourite by 51⁄2 lengths in 33.31 and picks up a £1,500 prize. Westpark Mustard is odds on favourite to win the BBC Television Trophy outright, but she is withdrawn from her heat at Perry Barr. Also in this heat is Eainne. Her trainer Jim Irving, who died on November 9 aged 70, has had his kennels taken over by his head girl, Bridie Gavin. The NGRC granted an immediate licence so that Eainne can run in the heats. Unfortunately for her it is a tough draw, with Lizzies Girl, the 1973 winner, plus Westbrook Quinn, Pitmans Brief and Silver Sceptre, who finished in that order in the Cesarewitch final at Belle Vue in September. The TV Trophy final at London White City on has a great line up. Trap 1 Streaky Sheila 4-7, 2 Pitmans Brief 7-2, 3 Silver Sceptre 12-1, 4 Stage Box 16-1, 5 Harmless Gossip 16-1, 6 Gay Knight 16-1. The race goes to A Katz’s Stage Box (f d Waryville Hi-Trojan Silver, Apr 72), who is trained at Bletchley by Nick Savva, in 51.75 for the 880yds.
1989 One of the sports great trainers, Adam Jackson dies of cancer at the age of 60. After overcoming polio, which left him with a permanent limp, Adam left Ireland to joined Paddy McEvoy’s kennels at Clapton in 1953. He was given his first trainer’s job at Slough in 1959. He then moved back to Clapton in 1963, to train many great greyhounds, including Patricias Hope, who won the Triple Crown English, Welsh and Scottish Derby finals in 1972. Adam (2nd left), pictured at the 1985 Trainers Championship meeting with George Curtis, Natalie Savva and Ken Linzell.
