1969 The NGRS announce that they will prosecute any off-course bookmakers who return forecast bets struck on evening greyhound meetings based on the track’s totalisator odds. The bookies adopt the National Sporting League’s ‘Reckoner’ guide to calculate the returns.

1959 White City stages the first ever running of the Gimcrack. Six leading owners are chosen by the press to nominate their own, or another’s owners dog for the £500 to winner invitation. The first winner of the event is Miss Cheerful, owned by former Scottish international Alex Forbes and nominated by Mrs Frances Chandler.

2001 The BGRF announce that the Retired Greyhound Trust funding for 2002 will increase from £225,000 to £500,000. Labour peer Lord Lipsey is given credit for highlighting the low original amount when heavily critical of the greyhound industry during a debate in the House of Lords. Lipsey has also agreed to become a trustee of the RGT.

1957 Owner George Flintham sets a record when Ollys Prince wins the Irish Puppy Derby, a week after the same owner had won the English (Wimbledon) Puppy Derby with Seans Pal. No owner has ever previously won both events in the same year.

1967 Paddy Sweeney is the successful owner of the £200 Puppy Oaks Final at Wimbledon thanks to 28.49 winner Wheatfield Scud. It is a decent field that includes Jim Morgan’s Hiver Whitenose (2nd) and the Phil Rees trained Cricket Dance (5th).1970 Around 110 people attended the second meeting of the Greyhound Council of Great Britain. Around 200 attend the first meeting. Paddy Sweeney is elected as president though trainers Paddy Milligan and Phil Rees decline positions on the committee.

2005 After Hall Green announce that they will stage the first round of their (36 runner) Midland St Leger on dates that clash with Monmore’s Christmas Festival 630, the Ladbrokes owned track hike their winner’s prize from £3,000 to £5,000 for two runs.

1936 Mr Cyril Keen’s Ataxy, who broke six track records, is retired to stud after contesting the White City One Thousand Guineas. Earlier in the month, the Cyril Keen owned dog had atoned for his defeat at 1-4f in the ’35 Cesarewitch with an impressive win one year on.

1969 Walthamstow introduce decimalisation to their tote machines more than a year before it is adopted nationally. The two shilling unit will now become a ‘10p unit’.

1998 Bookmaker Barry Moran quits the Belle Vue ring, citing its non-viability. It brings an end to the sport’s most historic laying family. Barry took over from father Stan, who in turn took over from his father Luke who stood at the very greyhound meeting staged in Britain at Belle Vue in 1926.

1959 Crayford pays out its biggest ever tote dividend when Toppin Lad (6-1) beat Roys The Boy (10-1). It paid £16/8/- to two shillings or 164-1.

1957 The GRA management issue their annual order for tracks to lay straw in preparation for winter going. The operation is intended to take between three/four days with each track. Every effort is made to ensure as few meetings as possible are staged on half grass/half straw surfaces.

1970 GRA are facing trial by media after increasing admission charges at their six London tracks. They have also reduced prize money at the same stadia.

1958 Connections of a young Newry based bitch puppy Racing Millie, take all the ante 4-1 available to win the all-aged Tipperary Cup. They are successful. Johnny McGee, an associate of trainer Jack Mullen said: “We won the Oaks in 1955 with Princess Bubbles. Racing Millie is a lot faster. She has already been in season an if she stays right in the meantime, it is unlikely that anything will beat her.” Millie, a daughter of ’51 Coursing Oaks winner Millies May, goes on to become a top brood throwing the like of Lucky Wonder, Wonder Valley, April Flower and April Merry.

1971 London Weekend Television announce that they are in negotiations with GRA and BAGS with a view to introducing live Saturday afternoon greyhound racing from Harringay and West Ham should horse racing be cancelled.

1957 A man walked into the Stamford Bridge racing office after an evening meeting and asked if he could send along a dog for a trial. When asked for the name of the greyhound, he replied: “I don’t know, I have only just got it.” ‘Well tell us something about the dog’ he was requested. ‘Where has it been racing?’ “Well” replied the owner, “I can’t tell you anything much. You see I only just got it from Battersea Dogs Home.”