February
• Hove trainer Ken Tester hangs up his leads at the age of 77.
• Meanwhile Towcester dig up the old ‘eight dog’ track and replace it with a new narrower circuit.
• GBGB advertise for the newly created role of homing coordinator
• Shelbourne Park received only 30 entries for the planned 48 runner Easter Cup
• ARC announce that they are the new owners of Nottingham Stadium.
• Skilful Sandie, a joint ante post favourite delivers a first Cat One of the year for Patrick Janssens. Her winning time in the final is the fastest of the year. – Following the race Sandie’s trainer reveals he almost turned her away.
• Crack sprinter Salacres Punch dies after succumbing to canine haemorrhagic pneumonia
• Greyhound racing lost a great former trainer with the death, following a long illness, of Ernie Gaskin (86).
• A letter from Rita Williams warns of the dangers of badly re-homed dogs.
• GBGB reveal details of the new kennel standards – as agreed with DEFRA.