Greats from the past....the 70s

LACCA CHAMPION

This great dog, whelped in March 1976, was to win the 1978 Derby at White City and could well have emulated Mick the Miller and Patricia's Hope in winning two years in succession but for misfortune.

In the 1978 event, he was made 6-4 favourite after winning each heat and his semi-final, thus becoming only the third dog to do so in the history of the event. In the final he won from trap three by nearly two lengths from Backdeed Man in the fast time of 29.42sec to earn his owner, Mrs Peace, a cheque for £20,000.

He contested the 1979 Derby and, from more than 200 greyhounds originally entered, once again reached the final, in which he was the oldest contestant. Lack of concentration or just an off-night meant Lacca Champion was left many lengths behind in the traps and that would have been enough to stop any greyhound from even having a chance in the great race. However, he produced an astonishing burst of early pace and, by the first bend, had caught his rivals, but there was no way through and he was badly impeded and forced to check his stride, again losing valuable ground. It was always going to be a struggle from thereon but he again rallied but it was all too late and he had to settle for second best behind Sarah’s Bunny, who had led from trap to line.

A dark brindle, almost black from a distance, and known as 'Little Joe' in his kennel, Lacca Champion was expertly handled throughout his career by the late Pat Mullins – husband of legendary Linda Mullins.

He was always a difficult dog to train, taking some time each season before coming to his best. Nor did he enjoy the best of luck when running.

His sire, Itsachampion, was by Monalee Champion out of the great twice Oaks winner Cranog Bet. Monalee Champion was by Crazy Parachute out of another great dam, Sheila at Last, while the great Pigalle Wonder was a grand sire on his dam's side. His grand dam, Survival, was sired by The Grand Fire. Litter sister to Martin's Pigalle was More Wonder, grand dam of Kilmagoura Mist. Survival's litter sister was Clomoney Grand. ltsachampion also sired the white and black dog Instant Gambler, winner of the Welsh Derby and the Wood Lane Stakes in 1978 when he defeated five great greyhounds, Linacre, El Cavalier, Balliniska Band, Alfa Boy and Paradise Spectre.

He won twenty races in Britain in top class and ten in Ireland and, along with Lacca Champion, was the best greyhound of 1978.

Greats from the past...the 30s

QUARE TIMES

QUARE TIMES weighed in at 67lbs and, in the 1940s, was one of the fastest greyhounds ever to race at any track and the first to break 29sec over 525yds in a race, (Bah’s Choice had done so previously in a trial at White City). By Ballydancer, an Irish 550yds National record holder, out of the dam Quite Welcome, and whelped in 1944, he first came to prominence when finishing second to Shaggy Lad in the 1945 Irish Puppy Derby. Then, in the second round of the National Puppy Cup at Clonmel, he clocked an amazing 29.75sec to set a new track record. In the final of the 1946 Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park, he was second to the bitch Astra, having previously beaten her in the second round by six lengths. Owned, bred and trained by Mr and Mrs Quinn of Killenaule, Co. Tipperary, Quare Times was the fastest since Mr Quinn's star of earlier days, Brilliant Bob, but his early races set the pattern for his whole career. He had amazing speed but little in the way of track craft when compared with champions such as Mick the Miller, Wild Woolley, Ballynennan Moon and Monday's News. Coming to England in May 1946 after his Easter Cup run, Quare Times was placed with Sidney Orton at Wimbledon and entered for the Derby. It was in heat four of the second round that he clocked a new world record time of 28.95sec, but ran below his best in the semis and failed to make the final. In the Derby Consolation Stakes, however, he won by four lengths from Bah’s Choice in 28.82sec to improve on his own world record and ‘beat’ Monday's News who won the Derby that night. At White City, in an England v Ireland match against Bah’s Choice on Bank Holiday Monday for £500 a side, run over 550yds, Quare Times was the winner by three and a half lengths in the world’s fastest time for the distance of 30.38sec. Reportedly, Mrs Quinn was offered £10,000 for the dog but would not accept the offer and the Quinns never did part with him. Instead he was retired to stud and, although he sired few outstanding greyhounds, his mating with Negros Fire produced Quare Fire who, from a mating to The Grand Champion, produced The Grand Fire who was to have as great an influence on the dam lines of generations of greyhounds. The Grand Fire was sire of Millie Hawthorn, dam of the English Derby winner Faithful Hope, who in turn was sire of another Derby winner, John Silver.

Greats from the past....the 80s

Whisper wishes

It was to Whisper Wishes that befell the doubtful distinction of winning the last Greyhound Derby to be held at White City on 23 June 1984. A black August 1981 son of the now famous American import, Sand Man, he was bred in Ireland by Mrs G. Naylor out of her brood bitch, Micklem Drive, and came into the ownership of genial Irishman John Duffy. In 1984 Whisper Wishes had the Derby as his main objective and, under the guidance of trainer Charlie Coyle, at the time attached to the Maidstone track, ran in only seven opens that year. He won four of his five preliminary Derby heats before justifying 7-4 favouritism with a trap to line victory beating second favourite Moran’s Beef by three-quarters of a length in 29.43sec. During 1983, in different ownership, Whisper Wishes ran in only 15 races, of which he won six, including the important Courage Select Stakes at Wembley. When this very lightly-raced Derby winner returned to Ireland for stud duties, he was an almost instantaneous success and, in 1987, was chosen by the Irish Greyhound Review as Stud Dog of the Year, a title previously held by his sire Sand Man in 1983,1984 and 1986. Whisper Wishes’ legacy as a sire was nothing short of remarkable and he figures strongly in modern day breeding lines. He covered hundreds of bitches who produced thousands of winners and many champions. His greatest off-spring, a daughter, was surely Westmead Move, who was a champion on the track and quite incredible as a brood bitch. Her mother, Westmead Tania, was a champion brood bitch as well but few bitches will ever emulate Westmead Move’s record of 57 puppies, who won 277 open races, 12 of them major championships.

Greats from the past ...the 80s

Kyle jack

Michael fields dog qualified at limerick and was set up for a gamble in his debut race.He missed his break though but came through to challenge before being fought.In his following trial he broke a metacarpal bone in a foot and rated unlikely to race again.

Ten months later and after a couple of trials was entered in the Austin stacks at tralee.

Though inexperienced jack won a heat and eventually qualified for the final,he found firts bend trouble and finished down the field behind whitefield boy

He then headed for tralee and cork to take part in the paddy byrne and the laurels reaching the semi finals of both but winning the laurels consolation

Jack returned to tralee for the harp lager stake he won the first round in 29.32 but was beaten in the final by the useful spargo who clocked 29.08 in the final

At that stage with the Irish derby imminent the early paced fawn picked up a kennel cough.After much debate the field family decided to give the dog his chance

Kyle jacks consistency was the hallmark of his Irish derby form.He reached the final unbeaten he won his first round in 30.51 from whiskey pond in 2nd.then followed 2 wins in 30.66 and 30.58 over burnpark pat and a semi final victory over margaos express in 30.53 in each case it was a case of trapped and gone.

Doubts over a shoulder injury and the 48 spots he had to find on ticos semi final form saw him go off at 8/1. In the final kyle jack rockets from traps and held off murlins slippy by 3 lengths in 30.41 it was his 13th win in 23 races and he was immediately retired to stud

Greats from the past...the 40s

MONDAYS NEWS


HE may have only weighed only 64lbs but Monday’s News had the heart of a lion and was an almost instant favourite with those who saw bundle of speed go through his paces. Not since Mick the Miller had appeared on the scene almost twenty years earlier had the racing public taken to their hearts any greyhound in quite the same way. Much like Mick the Miller, he possessed superlative intelligence and never acknowledged defeat. He came on the scene at exactly the right time, just after the war ended and, with it five long years of black-out and rationing. The public were attending greyhound racing as never before or since (50 million attended the 100 tracks during 1946) and they were looking for a new star to help them forget the lean war years. That Monday's News was expected to possess speed from the traps was almost a foregone conclusion, for his sire had won the Scurry Gold Cup in 1938 and was one of the fastest ever over the shorter distance races. The same combination of sire and dam had also produced an outstanding son in Monday's Son, whelped in 1942, winner of the Scottish Derby and the St Mungo Cup and who had finished third in both the Gold Collar and Scurry Cup. Monday's Son had been raised at Killennerry, Co. Tipperary by John Maher and, when his brood bitch was ready for a second mating, he decided to take her to Orluck's Best once more. In April 1944 she had her litter and the two dog pups were raised at Maher's home until they were about nine months old. By now he had named his pups Monday's News and Monday's Times and, although he had great hopes of their emulating the Scottish Derby winner from an earlier mating, he had no hesitation in accepting the £200 offered for the two pups with a view to their racing in England. The buyer was Mr D.T. Stewart and they were left with Mr Maher until they were ready for their trials. Placed at Harringay, neither performed any better than dozens of others kennelled at the track and who took part in graded racing but, at this point, Stewart made a move he never had cause to regret. He placed the two dogs with Fred Farey, a private trainer at Shenfield in Essex. They were to bring fame and fortune to both their owner and trainer. After undergoing a number of trials during which they improved all the time, it was decided to enter the dogs for an open race at Southend. Monday’s News gave an amazing display by not only winning but also lowering the track record which had stood for many years, clocking 28.22sec for the 500yds course. It was his first race in public and he never looked back. Entered for the 1946 May Stakes at Wembley, Monday's News created a sensation by the manner in which he left the traps and led all the way to beat the world’s fastest at that time, the great Bah's Choice. There was no hesitation in entering him for the Derby but he was quoted by leading bookmakers at 200-1. He again proved himself classy enough when, in the final of the Circuit at Walthamstow he ran brilliantly, to be beaten only by a short head by Gullane Idol. The contestants for the Derby in 1946 were of outstanding quality. There was the English-bred Bah's Choice, the first to break 29sec for 525yds, and Quare Times, for whom his owners, Mr and Mrs Quinn of Co. Tipperary, had refused a staggering £10,000 before the premier event. Others taking part were the Irish Derby winner Lilac's Luck; Celtic Chief and Shannon Shore along with Plucky Hero and Dante II - all greyhounds of the highest class. After reaching the final, before which Bah's Choice and Quare Times were eliminated, Monday's News, from a none too favourable draw in trap three, came out like a rocket and, moving in to the rails at the first turn, was never headed. During the rest of the year he took part in twenty events, winning fifteen of them in one of the most successful six months’ running of any greyhound in the history of the sport. He was almost invincible and, apart from his speed from the traps, he cleverly kept himself clear of trouble. In the All England Cup at Brough Park, he took his semi-final in 29.87sec and defeated the Scottish Derby winner Latin Pearl by a short head in the final in 29.55sec, a new track record. Then he went to Perry Barr where he won his heat of the Birmingham Cup and the final by a length from the £3,000 dog, Lemon Flash, in 30.35sec. For a greyhound with so much early speed, the decision to step up to 700yds and the St Leger at Wembley was a brave one. But Monday’s News adapted well to the longer trip. He won his heat and finished second to Call Maggie in his semi-final, only to be crowded out of contention at the first turn in the final, won by Bohernagraga Boy with Dumbles Maid in second. Still in the best of form come December, Monday’s News won his heat of the Gilbert Trophy at Hackney by half a length from Col. Skookum and took the final without any real fuss. Before the year ended he had won his heat in the International at Wimbledon from Mrs Dent’s Tonycus, but suffered a rare reverse when beaten by that rival in the final. During 1946 he had won £3,636 in a year when only £1,000 was awarded to the Derby winner. He was given a well-earned rest during the first months of 1947 when the whole country was encased in snow and ice. He came back to racing in time to contest the April Stakes at Walthamstow and took up where he had left off, winning by one and a half lengths from Floating Dinghy in 30.50sec. Then he went to Catford for the Classic Gold Collar, where, for the first time, he came up against the future champion of that era, Trev’s Perfection.

Greats from the past....the 70s

DOLORES ROCKET

Described as one of the greatest bitches of all time, Dolores Rocket was one of those greyhounds that found her way into to the hearts of all who saw her in action. She was truly a superb athlete and the likes of her are rarely seen on the track. The only bitch in a litter of seven, her owners decided to sell the dogs when they were just over eight weeks old but kept the extremely well-bred Dolores Rocket with thoughts of breeding from her when her racing days were over. She stamped herself as a potential superstar when storming home in the 1970 Puppy Oaks in an exceptional time for a youngster and then went on to win the Sporting Life Puppy Stakes, where she beat off the best of the best of her generation, both male and female. She broke down in season shortly afterwards and was barely back in training again before the heats of the 1971 Derby loomed ever closer. It was touch and go whether Dolores Rocket would be forward enough to do herself justice and there were grave doubts when, although winning her heat, she was clearly below her best. The struggle to get her back to her peak continued as the event continued and she barely made it through to the final, just shading the great Sole Aim by a short head in her semi-final for the third qualifying spot. Come the final, though, owner-trainer Harry White had her spot on and she showed all her old brilliance to beat one of the greatest ever Derby fields. In the process she produced the then second fastest ever time for a Derby winner which spoke volumes about her ability. After her famous Derby victory, a decision was taken to step Dolores Rocket up to six bends and that choice brought almost immediate results, breaking track records at Romford and Wimbledon during July. All roads led to the St Leger and she became the biggest prize-winner ever in a single year when taking the famous Wembley Classic, bravely coming from off the pace to beat a greyhound called Spectre Jockey by an in the end comfortable enough length and a half. The victory also saw her become the only bitch in the history of greyhound racing to win The Derby and St Leger. She was a star in what was a vintage period with outstanding greyhounds seemingly in abundance.

click on Dolores Rocket for form and and breeding

Greats from the past....the 80s

SCURLOGUE CHAMP





He was often described as a freak, he was even swapped for a cow but Scurlogue Champ became one of the biggest attractions the sport has ever known. A real crowd pleaser who would, almost purposefully, drop himself right out of contention in the first half of his race before magically weaving his way through the field as the winning line loomed ever closer. Had he been human rather than canine, the old black rascal would have been a swashbuckling film star, a real ladies man. In the world of greyhound racing, he was very much the equivalent. A star capable of packing the grandstands of any track where he plied his craft. From the May of 1984 to the winter of 1986, Scurlogue Champ gained a huge following and he was usually afforded a football chant style of ‘Scurrrrrlogue, Scurrrrrlogue, Scurrrrrlogue . . .’ whenever he raced. Rather extraordinarily, he was a greyhound capable of making even the hardest of cynics smile with delight and wonderment when he produced one of his sometimes miraculous displays. He started life on a farm in the quiet countryside of County Wexford. Bred by Francis Kent from Levittstown, Scurlogue Champ was one of a litter of six dogs and two bitches and he acquired his name shortly after moving to the farm owned by John Byrne, which was called Scurlogue. So the Champ had a name that would go down in the history books. He suffered the indignity of being swapped for a cow when the dairy herd Byrne ran became a little depleted. Scurlogue Champ went into the care of Wexford man Jim Sutton, who reared the dog through and sent him out to win some of his early races in Ireland. He had shown enough ability at that stage of his career, though, and was sent up to the regular sales at Shelbourne Park in Dublin. His early exploits had not gone unnoticed in certain quarters in Britain and one interested party was trainer Ken Peckham, who flew to Dublin at the beginning of May 1984 where he saw Scurlogue Champ win his sales trial in impressive fashion. The bidding was brisk before the future superstar was eventually knocked down for 1500gns. to Brendan Matthews. Peckham was undeterred, though, and approached Matthews after the sale and thrashed out a deal with the Irish trainer and the Champ was on his way back to England and the start of one of greyhound racing’s most remarkable careers. There was no rest for the newcomer and he was soon busy trialing at Peterborough and Walthamstow before making his debut at White City, shortly before the track was cruelly sold to the property men. Scurlogue Champ left his mark on the great stadium, coming from off the pace to win on his British debut. It was the start of a legendary run that saw Scurlogue Champ score in 51 races from his 63 outings on this side of the Irish Sea. Remarkably, he started favourite on 60 of those occasions and, in the process, set 20 new track records over distances ranging from 663 metres at Hall Green to 888 metres at Catford. The likes of Scurlogue Champ may never come again. He was the greyhound who could be anything up to 20 lengths behind the leaders yet still have enough in reserve to sprint past them in the closing stages. A freak, perhaps, but one who will live long in the memory of the thousands who followed his progress.

Click on the following links to watch this amazing dog in action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QUJND5CSY8&mode=related&search
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nDUT3i_Q4k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBBHclrMcvs

greats from the past.....the 30s

Beef cutlet

THIS son of Mutton Cutlet-Burette was
whelped in 1930 soon after greyhound racing
had become established as a major sport in
England.
Not only was he one of the fastest and
finest dogs ever to run on the track or coursing
field, but he passed on all the outstanding
qualities of his sire to a new generation of
track greyhounds.
After reaching the last four of the National
Breeders Stakes at Powerstown in 1932, he
was purchased from JA Byrne, his breeder,
by Sir Herbert Merritt, chairman of the
Cardiff City Football Club.
The dog was a present for his daughter
Joan.
Beef Cutlet's first race was at Arms Park,
Cardiff, for the Glarmorgan Gold Cup which
he won in a track record, covering the 500
yards in 28.41.
He was first trained by John Hegarty at
the famous Waterhall Kennels.
Entered for the 1932 Laurels, he won
comfortably in 28.47sec.
The time was a world record for 500 yards
and the Laurels final was only his seventh race
on a greyhound track.
The dog was virtually unknown in
England at the time and his victory caused a
sensation.
He also took the Daily Mail Trophy. He
raced no more that year but, in May 1933,
over a specially constructed course for the
Hunt Club at Blackpool, he won by eight
lengths and covered 500 yards in 26.13 sec.
That time still stands as one as the fastest
ever for 500 yards and one which gave him
an average speed of more 40 mph.
At White City, Cardiff, which closed in
1936, he covered 525 yards in 29.52 sec a
tremendous time in those days, and then went
to White City, London, for the Derby.
In one of the greatest races ever seen,
between the three most outstanding dogs of
the era, Future Cutlet, Beef Cutlet, and Wild
Woolley, he was left in the traps and beaten
into second in a close finish with Future
Cutlet.
The previous year, Wild Woolley had won
by no more than a neck, from Future Cutlet.
In the Record Stakes at Wimbledon,
where he had won the Laurels the previous
year, Beef Cutlet reversed the Derby placings.
He beat Future Cutlet by a short head in
another thrilling race contested by five of the
best dogs in training, Beef Cutlet, Future
Cutlet, Goofy Gear, Brave Enough, and failinga

greats from the past....the 90s

Rapid Ranger

It is said that they never come back, but Rapid Ranger clearly did not hear as he became only the third greyhound in history to retain the English Derby title and even returned for one more tilt the following year. The Rapid Ranger story started in unglamourous circumstances with defeat in two graded races at Stainforth for then trainer Mike Pomfrett, but he gradually improved and scored a first open win at Nottingham en route to the Puppy Classic final there. He then made giant strides in the autumn of 1999 to become one of greyhound racing's hottest properties and Ray White stepped in to purchase him after a brilliant Sheffield win, sending him to Charlie Lister. Invited to run in the Juvenile Championship at Wimbledon the following January, he ran perfectly well in second behind Knockanroe Rover without really hinting at the love affair with Plough Lane which was to follow. His first major competition of the year was the Scottish Derby where he made it through to final and finished third to Knockeevan Star, then it was back to Wimbledon for the Derby in which he survived a 1-6 second round defeat to ultimately take the title impressively by three and a half lengths from Rackethall Jet. That form was reversed when the pair met again in the Select Stakes at Nottingham before Rapid Ranger gallantly failed to emulate Toms The Best in completing an English/Irish Derby double as he was beaten three lengths into second by Judicial Pride in the Irish final. It was nearly seven months before Lister raced the dog again and he made an encouraging comeback when second to Droopys Vieri at Hove, while that dog was again his nemesis when he went out of the Scottish Derby at the second round stage. Rapid Ranger's second English Derby campaign got off to a jittery start when he was beaten at 2-7 in the first round and he was also turned over at 1-4 in the quarters. But he safely made it through to the final and it was basically race over from the traps as he flew the boxes and was always in control, beating Sonic Flight by over three lengths - following the legendary Mick The Miller and Patricias Hope as dual Derby winners. Understandably retired after that, Lister and White had a change of heart prior to the 2002 Derby and the four and a half year old was brought back. He raised the roof with a first round win, but the curtain came down once and for all on his career when trouble saw him knocked out two rounds later.

Greats from the past.....the 90s

Toms the Best

Few Walthamstow regulars can have imagined the career that awaited Toms The Best when Nick Savva's dog was beaten in his first two graded races there in March 97, but just six months later he was halfway towards becoming the first greyhound to win both English and Irish Derbys.Bought by owner Eddie Shotton after a Shelbourne Park win, he improved apace when getting the hang of Walthamstow and was allowed to take his chance in the Derby at Wimbledon after just seven British outings.Third places in the first three rounds saw him make unspectacular progress to the quarter-finals where he produced one of the runs of the competition to win by over six lengths from the high class He Knows. But luck was against him in the semis and he went out in fourth after being continually stopped in his tracks.There was now no doubt of his ability and he enjoyed a superb summer spell which yielded wins in the Midland Gold Cup at Monmore and Sussex Cup at Hove, before he was back over to Shelbourne for the Irish Derby.Some Picture, the English Derby winner, was bidding to complete the double and both he and Toms The Best made it through to the final, although the Savva dog was still looking for his first win in the event.But it all came right on the night as he made the most of the favoured draw in six to prove too strong for gallant veteran Vintage Prince by a length in 30.09sec for the 550 yards and now it was he, rather than Some Picture, with eyes on the Derby double as Wimbledon would be his main target in 1998.A light campaign saw him take in the Blue Riband at Wembley and Scottish Derby at Shawfield prior to the big one and he reached the finals of both, going down to He Knows and Larkhill Jo (a kennelmate) respectively.So to Wimbledon where an odds-on first round reverse was the only hiccup on otherwise serene progress through to the final. And on June 27 1998, the 4-5 favourite wrote his name into the history books when leading at halfway and pulling clear to beat Tuesdays Davy by over four lengths. Just the length he was beaten by Larkhill Jo at Shawfield had prevented the 'impossible' Derby treble.

greats from the past....the 70s

master myles

The Irish love coursing dogs.

Master Myles was almost at pop star level during his short career. While other greyhounds may have won more trophies, Master Myles won more hearts with coursing fans. During his one perfect season he was never beaten and his last victory was at Ireland’s premier event – the Mulvaney Derby at Clonmel.
Master Myles came from immaculate breeding. His sire, Flying Merry had produced 1976 Derby and Irish Cup Winner, Quarrymount Riki, and his dam, Better Get One was the mother of the 1977 Derby winner, Boston Pont. Great things were expected of Master Myles and he did not disappoint. The “Big Dog” as he became known as, made his first public appearance in the 1977 Desmond Cup and he beat the field without much trouble.Master Myles definitely had pace but it was not until the Listowel Cup that Jerry O’Carroll’s puppy showed what he was really made of. Competing against the best, he looking in a different class as he ran unbeaten to the final. Rumours about The Big Dog became widespread and a record crowd saw him beat the great Cisco Wood, leaving five lengths to spare.Offer for the dog flowed in and O’Carroll turned down big money, preferring to take his chance in the Corn na Feile at Abbeyfeale. Many thousands of supporters invaded the little town on the Limerick-Kerry border and there were mass celebrations when Master Myles retained his unbeaten record. The enthusiasm was so fierce that men had to link their arms to prevent the crowd trampling O’Carroll and his dog into the mud.Attention was firmly placed upon the 1978 Mulvaney Derby and Master Myles once again gave a perfect display to win all the way through, finishing by beating Coxcomb in the final. The competition was watched by record crowds and previously unseen scenes followed the dog’s victory.News came through that the Big Dog had been sold to Captain Tim Rogers and was to be trained by Dick Ryan in his second season. Tragically Master Myles, who remained unbeaten on every outing, was never to run again. In March 1978 he suffered fatal injuries during an exercise gallop and died about ten hours later.

greats from the past... the 80s

BALLYREGAN BOB

It was a decade of mixed fortunes for greyhound but the eighties will be remembered more than anything else for the amazing world record winning sequence of 32 that Ballyregan Bob achieved through 1985-86. He was truly the greyhound who had each and every attribute of the finest of his breed. In a total of 48 races, Ballyregan Bob tasted defeat on just six occasions and produced a winning run of 32 consecutive races before connections announced his retirement from the track at the beginning of 1986. Trainer George Curtis described Ballyregan Bob as 'the perfect racing machine' and, from his early trials at home track Hove, Curtis knew he had a very special greyhound on his hands. However, his early races were far from spectacular, being soundly beaten the first four times of asking. The penny finally dropped on 25 October 1984 when he came from off the pace to win his first race in Britain. He rattled off another seven straight wins to finish the year off, including record breaking runs in the heats and final of the William Hill Lead at the now much missed Hackney Stadium. He had arrived in no uncertain style and his comeback the following year was eagerly awaited. Connections wisely laid him off for the worst of the winter months and, to many, he had lost the old sparkle when he returned to the track in March of that year. After taking a bump at the first bend in a race at Harringay, he failed to make any real impression on the leaders and was, by his standards, well beaten in fifth. That defeat was little more than a hiccup, though, and, a month later, Ballyregan Bob was to firmly establish himself as a true superstar. Representing Curtis in the Trainers' Championship meeting at Walthamstow, he produced what many say was the performance of his life. Meeting local champion Ballintubber One in the top division of the 475 metres races, Ballyregan Bob was tested to the maximum Ballintubber One took a couple of lengths out of the great Hove runner by the second bend but the speed Ballyregan Bob produced along the back stretch was nothing short of miraculous. On terms by the third bend, he was forced to work hard to get past the long time leader but superior stamina won the day and the Walthamstow faithful knew they had seen a champion in action. Ballintubber One went on to win countless races himself, which was a handsome compliment to Ballyregan Bob in itself. The last time Ballyregan Bob was to ever see the rear of another greyhound at the finish line came on 15 April 1985 when a battering at the traps saw his chance gone in a race at Wembley. Any plans to go for the Greyhound Derby were scrapped there and then and, instead, Ballyregan Bob took in the Olympic on home soil and sailed through the event unbeaten. It was the last time he was ever to race over four bends. Stepping up to six bends and Ballyregan Bob was in his element. It was the same wherever he roamed; huge crowds treated to stunning displays which, invariably, ended with wide margin wins for the ever blossoming star. The record breaking run was nearly brought to a halt on two occasions - the first at Romford where a tardy start and first bend bother saw Ballyregan Bob in a hopeless position after a couple of bends. He caused a sensation on that heady summer night in July, though, producing a stunning run which saw him get up in the very last stride to keep his growing tally of wins intact. But, perhaps, his most remarkable win came in the semi-finals of the St Leger at Wembley where severe first bend trouble saw the champion in all sorts of bother. Two of the field more or less hit the deck and Ballyregan Bob literally had to hurdle one of them or he too would have been nose diving into the sand. His litter-brother, Evening Light, had set sail for home with his illustrious brother hopelessly lengths adrift and facing almost certain defeat. The crowd was unusually hushed, a huge band of travellers followed Ballyregan Bob wherever he went and they too were starring at defeat. Murmurs of hope began to rise as Ballyregan Bob began to close the gap but he still had an awful lot to do with only two bends left to go. The murmurs became cheers as he inched ever closer, the dog seemed to sense the urgency of his task. He produced that now famous burst of speed on the run for home and was lifted over the line just in front with the roars of sheer delight ringing out from the packed grandstands. The run became all the more remarkable when, next morning, he was found badly lame and was forced out of the St Leger Final. The injury was to plague him throughout the rest of his career. It said much about the skill and dedication of George Curtis that Ballyregan Bob was to go on to beat the world record. Not only did he beat the best greyhounds in training during his career, he toppled track records where ever he went. He set three speed records at Hackney, two at Wimbledon and set new figures at another eight tracks during an incredible racing life. His crowning glory came at Hove on 9 December 1986 when he raced for the last time and for the new world record. The race, which was screened live throughout the country, soon became a formality and, come the line, Ballyregan Bob had over nine lengths to spare over his nearest rival. The national newspapers headlined with his remarkable achievement the next morning and the sport owes Ballyregan Bob much. He helped to put greyhound racing back on the map when it was so badly needed. There has never been a greyhound like him since and there may never be another. He was simply the best.

greats from the past .....the 40s

Ballymac ball

BY Lone Seal out of Raging Tornado and whelped in September 1946, Ballymac Ball was one of Lone Seal's last sons, for his sire was ten when he was born. He was endowed with the same amazing speed as his half brother Ballyhennessy Seal, who won the Derby in 1945, and his wonderful track sense was inherited from his great grand sire Glorious Event, sire of Mick the Miller and Macoma. After Mutton Cutlet, Macoma was the outstanding sire of the early years of the sport. His son Silver Seal was to sire the 1934 Derby winner Fine Jubilee, while Silver Seal's son Lone Seal was the first to sire two English Derby winners, Ballyhennessy Seal who won in 1945, and Ballymac Ball who won in 1950. Ballymac Ball was trained throughout his career by Stan Martin at Wimbledon and his first race in England was at Stamford Bridge on 14 May 1949, when he was beaten one and a half lengths by Local lnterprize. However, in the June Stakes there, he won his heat and the final by half a length from Behattan Marquis in 27.90sec which gave some idea of his potential. In his heat for the 1949 Derby, however, when quoted 1-2, he finished fifth and took no further part in the event yet, by August, was back to something like his best form. He won his heat of the Laurels, beating Eastern Madness by three lengths and setting a new fast time for the event which was also a track record at Wimbledon of 28.03sec. This he bettered in his semi-final with a time of 27.99sec, beating Trev's Jubilee by an amazing twelve lengths, with Local lnterprize a further length behind. He was the first to break 28sec at Wimbledon for 500yds. Starting at 5-4 on, he left no doubt as to his ability when winning the Laurels final by two lengths from Magna Hasty. He next contested the Thames Silver Salver at Southend, winning his heat and semi-final but, in the final, was beaten three lengths by Red Wind in 27.78sec, a new track record. Red Wind went on to win the Grand Prix a few weeks later and showed the same devastating speed. Ballymac Ball was then given a long rest and came back refreshed. On 10 December at White City he set a new record for 550yds with a time of 30.30sec when beating Good Worker and Narrogar Ann. On Boxing Day he bettered that run with a time of 30.27sec, beating Red Wind, Eastern Madness and Narrogar Ann again. With Narrogar Ann, the Derby winner of that year, he was the outstanding greyhound of 1949. The year 1950 saw him in even better form, winning his heats and the Derby final by three and a quarter lengths from Quare Customer in 28.72sec, a Derby record, with those outstanding greyhounds Drumgoon Boy, Magna Hasty and Ballyeurreen Garrett all well behind. Then, for the second successive year, he beat all-comers in the Laurels, thus crediting his owner, Mr T.F. Nicholls, with three Classics. Few other greyhounds ever accomplished this feat. The dog was four years old when he won the Derby and his second Laurels, one of the oldest ever to win these two events. Over middle distances he was supreme, one of the greatest in the history of the sport. He was retired to stud after his Laurels win in 1950. One of his best sons was Mr Noel Purvis's Barrowside, winner of the Grand National (his hurdling ability came from Macoma) and who also reached the final of the 1955 Derby. Another was the dam Dearnside, mother of the marathon star Poor Mick, the best of all long-distance dogs of the early 1960s. Yet another son was Champion Tipp, sire of Movealong Santa, who in turn was the sire of many famous greyhounds. Ballymac Ball was also sire of the bitch Cuckoo Lane, dam of Ivy Hall Rose, who in turn was dam of Ivy Hall Flash, winner of the 1971 Irish Laurels at Cork, so that at stud Ballymac Ball had a big influence on the future of track racing.

greats from the past....the 20s

mick the miller



The greyhound who became a film star and, until recently stood embalmed at the Natural History Museum before being moved to the museum at Tring where he still takes pride of place. His story is one of the most celebrated in the sport’s history but he was fortunate to even make it to the racetrack. More than 70 years after his incredible exploits in the early days of greyhound racing, Mick The Miller is, remarkably, still something of a household name. He was named after Mick Miller, who was the odd-job man at the vicarage where the dog was born and raised. One of his duties was looking after the great dog and the rest of the litter when they were puppies. Bred by a parish priest in Ireland, Mick The Miller was one of a litter of 12 and lived the usual life of a young greyhound until he was struck down by distemper, a highly contagious viral disease which primary affects dogs, shortly before his first birthday. There were no vaccines back in the 1920s and his chances of survival were slim. However, Father Brophy, who had reared him through thick and thin, refused to accept defeat and took the dog to Arthur Callanan, who was the manager of Shelbourne Park in Ireland at the time as well as being a qualified veterinary surgeon. Mick The Miller was frail but Callanan thought there may be a chance of saving him and asked Father Brophy to leave the ailing youngster with him. Days and nights were spent in caring for the pup but he was saved and, several months later and in fairly good condition, he was returned to the Priest with the advice to give the dog a lengthy spell convalescing. It was not until April 1928 that a now near two-year-old Mick The Miller made his racing debut. He won with ease and went on to compete in a total of 20 races in Ireland, winning fifteen of them and gaining himself a hefty reputation in the process. One of his litter-bothers, Macoma, was also to prove himself as one of the all time greats over hurdles. Trainer Mick Horan knew he had a real racing machine on his hands and advised Father Brophy to have a crack at the English Derby. They came to England with Mick The Miller in May 1929. His first trial at White City was a sensation and he was almost immediately put in as favourite to win the Derby, which, in those days, was restricted to 48 runners and decided over four races. There was a clamour to buy Mick the Miller immediately after the trial and Father Brophy decided there and then to auction his star on the terrace steps. He was duly knocked down for 800 guineas to a London bookmaker. It was huge amount for a greyhound at that time and was enough to be well documented in the evening papers that day. He drew a huge audience for his first race, which was the first round of the 1929 Derby and not only did he win, he smashed through the then unachievable 30 second barrier for the 525 yard strip at White City. He flew though second round and semi-finals with impressive successes and was naturally a hot favourite to land the £700 decider. He was beaten into second by Palatinus but the Gods were on his side and it was declared a no-race. He found his best form again in the re-run just half an hour later and, this time, beat Palatinus by three lengths in 29.96sec. He was, by now, something of a celebrity and was in action again just days after the first of many famous victories in Britain. The dog took up residence at the kennels of Sidney Orton, who was based at Wimbledon as Father Brophy and Mick Horan went back to Ireland considerably richer men Stepping up to 600 yards at the giant track at West Ham, he trounced his rivals by seven lengths in his heat early in the afternoon and, on the evening of the same day, took the £200 final by four lengths. He won over £1,200 in prize money in various events and match races before changing hands again for an unprecedented 2,000 guineas. An Arundel Kempton splashed out the huge amount and gave Mick The Miller to his wife as a present. 1930 proved another vintage year for Mick The Miller, winning countless races and taking the Derby again that year, going through the event as he did the previous year, with an unblemished record. A hectic schedule followed with unbeaten runs through the Cesarewitch at West Ham and the Welsh Derby at Cardiff during July. So much racing eventually took its toll and he was eliminated in the first round of the Laurels at Wimbledon the next month. A lengthy rest followed and Mick The Miller was not seen in action again until the spring of 1931where he went unbeaten through the Spring Cup at Wembley. He was then lightly raced in preparation for his third Derby attempt. Clearly beginning to feel the effects of a lengthy campaign, he had to settle for second best in the three runs leading up to the final. Come the big night, trainer Orton had his charge spot on and he ran the race of his life to land his third successive Derby. But, just as he had landed his first title, the race was cruelly taken away from him with another no-race decision. The re-run was less than an hour after the first 'race' and Mick The Miller's old legs were simply too tired to carry it off again and he was soundly beaten into fourth by Seldom Led, who had finished last in the original final. It was the twilight of Mick The Miller's career on the track but he still had a treat to serve up for his legion of fans. Well over five years old, he was entered for the St Leger at Wembley and duly went through the event unbeaten.

greats from the past the 90s

SOME PICTURE

No Hall Of Fame would be complete without the amazing exploits of Some Picture in 1997. The ultimate that can be achieved by any greyhound in modern day racing is the ‘impossible’ Derby treble. Namely the Scottish, English and Irish versions. Some Picture came within a whisker of becoming one of the most celebrated greyhound’s ever and, had he not struggled with illness in the Irish version, may well have completed what, until then, was regarded as nothing more than a wild dream. He first came to prominence at the back end of 1996 when winning the Eclipse at Nottingham in rather good style. That success was enough to gain his an invitation to the Select Stakes and he duly hacked up in the annual one-off race and was obviously out of the top drawer. However, what he achieved in 1996 paled into insignificance the following year as Some Picture confirmed himself as one of the outstanding greyhounds of the 90s. Trained by Charlie Lister, a no-nonsense northerner with a rough edge and the eye of an eagle when it comes to watching the greyhounds in his care, Some Picture’s campaign was carefully mapped out. The Regal Scottish Derby seemed a natural for this gloriously gifted animal and he breezed through the competition with hardly a blemish and was fast becoming a leading contender for the one that really mattered, the English Derby. It had not gone unnoticed by connections, however, that Regal were offering a £100,000 bonus to any greyhound that won their Scottish event and went on to take the English and Irish equivalents. Just winning the Scottish Derby would be a dream come true to most greyhound folk but Lister had an air of confidence about him when it came down to talking about Some Picture. The greyhound lived up to some very high expectations with a glorious unbeaten run in the English Derby, his performance in the final marking him as one of the all time greats. All of a sudden, the ‘impossible’ began to look more than possible and, to some, even probable. The preparation was underway for the greatest achievement in modern day greyhound racing. The Irish held Some Picture in great esteem and he was installed as one of the favourites for the biggest race on the Irish calendar. The early rounds went well and Some Picture was looking every inch capable of lifting the Triple Crown but, whether it was a change in routine, scenery, diet or a mixture of all, Some Picture was slightly off colour during the latter stages of the event. Almost miraculously, he still managed to battle his way through to the final but he was clearly not at his best and he took a whack at the start in the big final and that was to put paid to his chances. It was the end of a fantastic career and Some Picture was just one step away from becoming immortal in greyhound racing. His exploits, however, caught the eye of the national Press and he was to feature in countless articles, which compared the canine star with the best of his human counterparts

greats from the past the 70s

PATRICIA'S HOPE

For any greyhound to win a Derby is exceptional – to win three in the same year is bordering on the impossible. Patricias Hope was that exception, though. A greyhound blessed with remarkable all round pace and determination, he naturally belongs in any Hall Of Fame. He embarked on his British career at the end of 1971 where he won at the first time of asking at Clapton, the track that seemed to spawn champions during the seventies. His trainer, Adam Jackson, was one of the best of his profession and he guided Patricias Hope to eight wins from his first 13 races. Despite still being quite a novice at less than two years old, Jackson felt he was good enough to take on the best in the British Isles in the 1972 Derby. He duly made it through to that year’s final but was considered as something of a no-hoper after a couple of defeats in the event and was sent off a 7-1 chance to clinch the sport’s greatest prize. Super Rory, who had set a new world speed record in the semi-finals was sent off a warm favourite but nothing had a chance with Patricias Hope as he blasted clear from the traps and into what was to prove an unassailable lead. It was a clinical run, expertly overseen by Jackson but it was far the last that was to be seen of this special greyhound. His next target was the Welsh Derby at Cardiff, which Patricias Hope went through unbeaten and then on to Shawfield for the Scottish Derby where he was to again face Super Rory, who was once again sent off favourite in the final. This time Super Rory was the one to get the drop on his rivals and he looked the winner by halfway. However, Patricias Hope was nothing if not a battler and he gradually clawed his way back into the race to beat Priory Hi and Super Rory in a thrilling finish that saw barely a length and a half covering the three of them. Winning three Classics was a fantastic achievement by any measure but the gruelling schedule had taken its toll and Patricias Hope never quite recaptured his brilliant summertime form and the decision to retire him to stud was taken in November of that year. A brief spell in the breeding paddocks saw him cover more than 60 bitches but connections still had tremendous faith in their star and were itching to emulate the great Mick The Miller by twice winning the English Derby. Now trained by Jimmy O’Connor, Patricias Hope came back to the track in seemingly great form and again battled his way through to the Derby final. And the 1973 decider went down as one of the most exciting spectacles ever seen on a greyhound track. Patricias Hope was away like a shot but, favourite for the race, Say Little was ominously close as was Black Banjo and a bitch named Softly. In a pulsating finish, Patricias Hope refused to give way to the continued challenge of the others and held on determinedly to hold Softly by half a length with Say Little a further half length away and Black Banjo a neck back in fourth. Further stud duties followed that famous success and, a year later, connections decided to give their charge the chance to become immortal in the sport and sent him back to White City again for the 1974 running of the event. It was a dream too far and, although Patricias Hope ran with tremendous heart, he was always going to struggle to find his former glory and went out of the event in his second round heat. His story is one of the more remarkable and no greyhound since has managed to achieve the ‘impossible’ Derby double.

http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=175826

greats from the past the 80s

I'M SLIPPY

THERE have been few greyhounds to win a Classic event both in England and Ireland but I’m Slippy did just that in 1983. A white and brindle by Laurdella Fun out of Glencoe Bess and whelped in May, 1981, he was owned by J.J. Quinn of Northern Ireland and trained by Barbara Tompkins. He won his heat in the qualifying round at White City, when 220 greyhounds took part, beating On Spec, the Sheffield dog trained by Harry Crapper and whom he was to beat in the final, by three lengths in 30.43sec. In his first round heat, he beat Cricket’s Style in 29.75sec. Come the second round, he was well beaten by Game Ball, the outright favourite to win the event and who outpaced him along the back straight, but I'm Slippy set a blistering pace to win his quarter final from Speedy Hope. In his semi-final, however, he was beaten half a length by Amazing Man, with Real Miller the 33-1 outsider in third. In the other semi Game Ball took first place with Debbycot Lad and On Spec closely behind and these six outstanding greyhounds fought out the final sponsored by the Daily Mirror for a prize of £25,000. In a most exciting final, I'm Slippy, racing from trap four, led all the way but so great was the challenge from On Spec and Debbycot Lad that only two necks separated the first three who finished in that order, with Game Ball less than a length away in fourth. The time was 29.40sec and it was Barbara Tompkins’ second Derby winner. In September, the dog was back in N. Ireland to contest the Guinness National Sprint at Dunmore Park, the Irish equivalent of the Scurry Cup and, still in peak form, he showed the same devastating speed as he had at White City, being undefeated throughout the event and winning the final by four lengths from Ring Beacon in 29.30secs. I’m Slippy, his owner and trainer thus became members of a select few to win a Classic event on both sides of the Irish Sea, this being only the second occasion in the sport’s history that it had been achieved in the same year. After such a great track career, I’m Slippy went on to prove himself one of the most influential stud greyhounds of modern times and his progeny have, in turn, gone on to be champions and sires in their own right.
Breeding History

http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?d=im+slippy