1992 Ladbrokes boss Berjis Daver totally outsmarts the BGRB when setting up the Greyhound Racing Trust to administer all monies collected as a result of Norman Lamont’s recent budget instructions. Although the BGRB initially refuse to acknowledge Daver’s plan, the Trust, with 10 directors split between representatives of bookmaking and greyhound racing is the perfect precursor to the future BGRF.
1987 GRA Ltd is taken over by Wembley in a reverse takeover – basically, GRA keeps the company name with Wembley, under chairman Brian Wolfson, owning 51% of the shares. The GRA is valued at £68.5m (around £239m today).
1971 Fastest semi-final winner Dear Advice is withdrawn from the Edinburgh Cup Final after failing a pre-race chromatography test. A subsequent test proves negative. Owner Ernie Wood threatens to sue the track.
1965 Three top Irish open racers head the prices at Aldridges Sales. Litter brothers Scarnagh Walsh and Scarnagh Brae, who both contested the Easter Cup are sold as a pair for 1,375gns. Ulster St. Leger winner Shanes Venture makes 400gns. Brae goes on to run second in the 1966 Gold Collar.
1988 A confidential report shows that Leeds Council have been unable to find another greyhound promoter prepared to take over the Elland Road site. The council have continuously blocked the efforts of Ladbrokes to develop the site for warehousing.
1992 Portsmouth GM Bill Francis announces that the track’s ground breaking ‘Five Good Things For A Fiver’ deal has attracted its 5000th customer (at an average of 500 customers per week). The deal is the basis of the future ‘Six Pac’ deal.
Frances Chandler with Ccesarewitch and St Leger winner Magourna Reject.
1953 The Cesarewitch Final at West Ham has drawn together last month’s Oaks winner, Lizette (Master Captain-Dorothy Ann, Jan’51) and the recent St Leger winner Magourna Reject (Astras Son-Saucy Jane). They are the only two that figure in the betting, as they go 1-4 Magourna Reject (Astras Son-Saucy Jane). They are the only two that figure in the betting, as they go 1-4 Magourna Reject and 9-2 Lizette. They then bet 100-7, 25-1 and 50-1 twice. Mrs C H Chandler’s Magourna Reject, trained at Walthamstow by Paddy Reilly, has the race in the bag from the off. He beats Lizette, as he did in the St Leger final, easily by three and a quarter lengths in 33.24 for the 600 yard classic. It is some 25 spots outside the track record he set in the first round when winning by nineteen and a half lengths.
1970 October 26. After the closure of The Greyhound Express in 1969, some of the ex-staff get together to publish “The Greyhound”, covering all the NGRC tracks. It is a compact paper which gives an excellent results service, plus reports. But because of costs it folds seven months later.
1955 Ex Wandsworth grader Moyshna Queen is starring alongside comedian Frankie Howerd in a new film called Jumping For Joy. Queen plays the part of Lindy Lou and qualified for the part due to her ability as a hurdler.
1972 The closure of Rayleigh officially makes 1972 the worst ever year for the greyhound industry. Within the previous six months, the industry has lost West Ham, Henlow, Glasgow White City and Carnytyne. There are now only 45 tracks racing under NGRC rules. Rayleigh promoter Tom Stanley admits that a lucrative offer for the 12 acre Essex site, was simply too good to refuse.
1987 Two of Romford’s most successful owners, Paul and Vi Wheeler die in tragic circumstances. The Orpington based couple, whose dogs included Essex Vase and Gold Collar winner Wheelers Tory, were left without electricity following freak weather. They went to bed with a paraffin heater in their bedroom and died of carbon dioxide poisoning.
1999 There is a remarkable win for Tarn Bay Flash (Airmount Grand-Highmoor Mist) in the Irish Grand National Final. Trained by Dolores Ruth, on behalf of regular trainer June McCombe, the five year old clocked a brilliant 29.38 for the Shelbourne hurdle trip. Amazingly, it was his third attempt at landing the race having previously finished down the field and second in previous years.
1934 Mick The Cavalier (Mick The Miller-Toftwood Misery) owned by Mrs Arundel H Kempton and trained by Sidney Orton at Wimbledon wins the second running of The British Breeders Produce Stakes at Catford, having last month won The British National Produce Stakes at London White City.
1976 Ka Boom wins the Whitbread Challenge at Henlow. Her 30.14 is a new track record. She later becomes Dam Of The Year with offspring including Scottish Derby winner Special Account.
2018 Ten months after breaking a hock in a no-trial at Doncaster, Roxholme Nidge returns to go unbeaten through the Steel City Cup. Assistant trainer Mark Keightley credits the return on Craig Morris who refused to give up and persevered galloping the dog after looking far from fluent in his early work. Six days later, the kennel stakes the next Cat One in the calendar with Roxholme Poppy successful in the Doncaster St.Leger.
1983 The Sporting Press is not printed for the first time in its 50 year history due to an industrial dispute.
1969 GRA’s experiment of offering free entry one night a week to the popular enclosures at Harringay and White City is off to a good start. Despite a tube strike, the Harringay attendance was up 80%, at White City it was up 110%.
1948 Abilene announce that there are so many dogs booked for the forthcoming national coursing meeting that many courses will have to be staged under lights. The hares are being trained to identify the escapes under the artificial lights.
1998 Charlie Lister is delighted by the latest arrival in the kennel who clocks a sub track record 27.48 on his first look at Belle Vue. The British reared pup is called Rapid Ranger.
1982 Following requests from the local owners association, Brighton begin an experiment whereby all grades races are subject to a public trap draw. Racing manager Jim Layton lets it be known that he opposes the idea on the basis of fairness and clean racing.
1973 Thirteen years afters its inauguration in 1964, the Spanish Derby in Madrid is won by an English trained runner. Joe Pickering of London White City, sends Ross Royal to take the 150,000 pesetas final over 425 metres. The ex-Clapton racer, running from trap two beat three Spanish trained greyhounds, with the other two English trainers bringing up the rear.
2009 Suspended Sittingbourne attempt to convince BAGS of the quality of their betting market by inviting Gary Wiltshire to rejoin the track’s betting ring.
1986 Trainer Charlie Lister is cautioned following an evening raid by NGRC stewards. According to the official report, “it appeared that two greyhounds had been removed from the kennel while Lister was absent.” At the time of visit, the stipendiary steward had not been able to gain access to the kennel because Lister’s father was unavailable and his wife did not know where to find the keys to the kennel.
1996 Belle Vue trainer John Walton announces his departure from the sport and cites ‘insufficient financial returns’ as his reason for leaving. Within two weeks he has changed his mind. Within another week, racing manager Ian Travis announces that he is to leave the sport ‘to spend more time with his family’. It later emerges that he has been dismissed. He is to be replaced by Lee McAlpine. In the meantime, assistant Kevin Spellman hands in his notice and Ken Bebbington agrees to join the trainers lists.
1983 Maidstone trainer F Knowles is warned off sine die following the withdrawal of Like Her from a race by the track vet. He reported that the bitch appeared un-coordinated and lethargic. A urine test taken was discovered to have been human urine. Knowles had already relinquished his licence prior to the enquiry.
2008 Ex Romford graders Fuzzy Bear and Daisyfield Jesie, re-homed with UKIP MP Bob Spink are jointly named as Westminster Dog of the Year.
1969 The last meeting is held at Aberdeen, the most northerly of the NGRC tracks. Reasons for closing are given as falling attendances and rising costs. It was a small track with a 344 yard circumference, standard distance 400 yards, with sprints over 230 yards and six-bend races over 570 yards, racing to an Inside Sumner Hare. All the greyhounds are Company owned.
1975 GRA are quick to assure owners and customers that their tracks are safe despite the suspension of their shares on the stock market. The company face difficulties in paying the interest on their loans following the collapse of the property market and devaluation of their assets which include 12 tracks and two golf centres.
1983 The first Bramich hare to arrive in Europe is installed at Dunmore.
2007 – 25th Racing returns to Hull after a 15 month break with a sell-out first nights. The new promoter is Dave Marshall with Shawn Renilson as operations manager and Mick Smith as racing manager.
Future Cutlet
1940 Future Cutlet, winner of the 1931 Cesarewitch and Laurels, the 1932 Cesarewitch and the 1933 Derby, all in England, has died aged 12 years. Sired by Mutton Cutlet-Wary Guide, the brindle dog whelped in April 1929, was purchased b y Mr V A Evershed for £600, and was trained at Wembley by Sidney Probert. In his racing career Future Cutlet won over £6,000 in prize money, which would be the equivalent of around £497,000 today. Throughout his career, he was only out of the first three places once. After finishing runner up by a neck to Wild Woolley in the 1932 Derby, Future Cutlet became the oldest greyhound at four years and two months to win the event, when he beat Beef Cutlet by a short head in the 1933 final. He was retired to stud but was generally reckoned to be a huge disappointment.
2005 The BGRB announces that from 2006, the annual owners award will be decided on a points basis. Meanwhile, the tracks promoters decide that they will not support a Racecourse of the Year award.
1996 Figures issued by Shelbourne Park revealed that in the first seven months of the year they shelled out IR£302,000 on advertising compared to £12,000 the previous year. During that period, attendances doubled.
2018 In a three-month study at Kinsley, promoter John Curran determines that economic euthanasia for greyhounds, even those with severe injuries is unnecessary if connections are given financial support to cover veterinary costs. During the trial period, nine greyhounds were deemed by the track vet to be ‘likely’ to be put to sleep due to their injuries. All nine were saved. Within days, the GBGB announce the launch of their Injury Recovery Scheme which will contribute 50% of the veterinary costs for career ending orthopaedic injuries (up to a maximum of £400).
1986 Just 24 hours after Westmead Call (Whisper Wishes-Westmead Tania) had broken the Henlow 484m track record in the Bedfordshire Derby Final, litter sister Westmead Move broke the Walthamstow 640m clock when landing the Grand Prix decider. Exactly one week later litter brothers Olivers Wish and Westmead Wish finished 1-2 in the Manchester Puppy Cup.
1965 The English (Wimbledon) and Irish Puppy Derby winners are run on the same night. The Irish version goes to the unbeaten Prince Of Roses (4-6f) owned by Manchester based Ernie Wood. The English version goes to Morden Mist, bred by Pam Heasman and sold as a pup for £30.
1975 Champion stayer Glin Bidge (pictured), who has run up 15 straight wins, has damaged a toe in his off hind, and will be off he track for at least a month.
1996 Property company NHP Homes Ltd announce that they have the option to buy Hackney Stadium but greyhound racing will not be in their plans.
2018 Former Crayford runner Jaytee Milan wins the European Derby at Isazeg in Hungary. The consolation went to former Central Park runner Kentish Dream who had previously won the Czech Derby and European Championship Finals.
2005 The BGRB announces the appointment of training co-ordinator David Parker.
1983 The biggest greyhound around is Duke Of Abbey, a fawn and white giant, who has just won a £1,000 coursing stake in Ireland and weighs no less than 100lbs (45.4kg). Sired by Ballyglass Rusty, who himself weighed 86lbs, out of Easter Eathy, he is the heaviest courser since Master Myles (Flying Merry-Better Get On) at 94lbs, who won the Clonmel Derby in 1978.
2007 Patrick Flynn is to take over as the Harolds Cross boss following the retirement of Pat O’Donovan.
1977 Bord na gCon’s annual report of 1976 showed a 21% increase in prize money over 1975. Attendances fell by 5% to 1,020,492 with an average attendance for each meeting at a little over 500.
1996 Romford trainers: Tony Dennis, Linda Jones, Ken Linzell, Maggie Lucas, Kim Marlow, David Mullins, Peter Payne, Peter Rich, Ernie Wiley. Hove trainers: Colin Barwick, Brian Clemenson, Maria Collins, Gordon Hodson, Derek Knight, Tony Lucas, Bill Masters, John Rouse Terry Townsend, Doreen Walsh, Bob Young
2015 A study by STRI endorses the necessity of deep harrowing
2009 Greyhound racing’s authorities were broadly in support of DEFRA’s response to a consultation over greyhound racing. There were 2,451 submissions received. Among the key points, DEFRA saw no reason to extend their planned new regulations to pups or trainers kennels. It also rejected plans for six feet high racing kennels (to allow access for cleaning) that would have almost certainly involved the closure of several stadia. Not such good news for greyhound folk was the instance that all greyhounds would need to be micro-chipped. Welfarists expressed their disapproval of the DEFRA response.
2009 Flying Winner is retired after failing to overcome a series of niggling injuries. During her career, she broke eight track records and started favourite in every one of her 32 British opens. She would go on to be a hugely successful dam throwing the likes of Mr Chow (Regency), Afewdollarsmore (Stayers Classic), Calzaghe Lily (dht Grand Prix), Dashing Star (Kent Cesarewitch), Old Refrain (dam of Savana Winner, Stardom) and Volcano (dam of Space Jet, Savana Volcano, Savana Eruption, Antigua Lava).
FLYING WINNER with trainer Chris Lund (left) and joint owner Grant Devenish following her marathon win on Springbok night. Wimbledon 10.2.09 Pic Steve Nash
