1997 After winning two unblemished Crayford Vases, El Tenor is disqualified for fighting in the heats of the Kent St Leger. Maybe he should try hurdling. . .?
1986 October 25 After winning the inaugural running of the Champion Stakes over 503m. at Shelbourne Park, Storm Villa, hopes to top a successful season for 503 metres distance at Limerick. Trained by Matt O’Donnell the orange jacketed runner was always in command and beat Gortown Supreme by a length in 30.65. Storm Villa (Aulton Villa-Storm Island) was bred by Paddy Keane in Limerick.
2002 Sir Nicholas Hill-Norton resigns as chairman of the BGRB after 28 months in charge (22 more than the previous occupant of the chair). Hill-Norton was regarded by many in the sport as one of the least effective and most invisible chairmen of recent memory. It is rumoured that he resigned following pressure from promoters who considered he was interfering with their best interests.
1975 Champion stayer Glin Bidge, 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.
DROOPYS SURVIVOR
2001 Droopys Survivor is returned at 50-1 when winning the Romford Puppy Cup Final for Paul Young. It was the first of only three open races won by the son of Roanokee who nevertheless proved a great servant on the graded strength. He was eventually retired after running in A4 company until late 2004.
1974 In readiness for the changeover to metric distances on 1 January 1975, Brighton are changing their 525 yards standard trip to 542 yards, the equivalent of 500 metres.
1995 A huge row engulfs Bord na gCon when a leak reveals that the previous year’s Irish Derby winner Joyful Tidings had tested positive thought the result was kept secret. The story was exposed by a newpaper article.
1937 Entry Badge, the first Derby winner, dies aged 13 years. The brindle son of Jamie-Beaded Yora, was whelped in June 1924. Edwin Baxter’s greyhound was regarded as one of the pioneers of the spot, winning all his heats in the Derby in 1927, and starting a hot 1-4 favourite in the final. He was rarely beaten afterwards and after a brilliant track career he went to stud and sired some good hounds in the 30s, none of which turned out to be classic winners.
1974 The BBC announce that they will interrupt the Nine O’clock News on Monday October 28, to show live from Wembley stadium the race where Westpark Mustard (pictured) attempts to beat Mick The Miller’s record of 19 wins in a row, which she duly does at prohibitive odds of 1-14.
2002 Brough Park experience problems with their Swaffham hare when it is attacked by a tawny owl. Who says it isn’t realistic?
