2011 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
The 2011 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 86th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Taylors Sky claimed the headlines during the year with his 2011 English Greyhound Derby triumph[ 1] but Blonde Snapper also impressed by virtue of winning the William Hill Classic and Eden Star arrived on the scene with his Puppy Derby , the Romford Puppy Cup and Laurels victories. The Scottish Greyhound Derby went to Charlie Lister for the sixth time, with the greyhound Taylors Cruise, and he also won his third trainers championship .[ 2]
Charlie Lister was rewarded for his services to greyhound racing when being honoured with an O.B.E in the New Year Honours . He became the first ever trainer to be recognised and ended 2011 with six English Derbies, six Scottish Derbies, 46 major competitions, four trainer of the year awards and five trainers championship wins.[ 3]
Hopes were still high that Walthamstow Stadium could be saved, Henlow Stadium owner Bob Morton pledged to keep it alive and provide 500 jobs. However the longer it remained unused as a greyhound track the less likely it would return. Towards the end of the year plans were released by developer London and Quadrant to build 294 homes on the site which created an added supporter in favour of saving the stadium in the form of the newly formed residents association. The iconic entrance sign to the stadium would continue to be seen regardless of the outcome because it was giving a listed building status.[ 4]
Newbridge in County Kildare suffered a closure in March but was soon purchased by Morgan & Franklin Consortium headed by Managing Director, David Morgan. Morgan had worked at a senior level with Bord na gCon in the past and was also the stadium director for Semple Stadium a hurling venue. The consortium included Peter Franklin, former head of marketing at the Bord Na gCon.[ 5]
Independent stadium Ayr (Whitletts at Voluntary Park) closed after the local council had health and safety concerns.[ 6]
BAGS (Bookmakers’ Afternoon Greyhound Service) and S.I.S introduced a track championship in which Monmore won the final on home turf.[ 7]
The Northern Irish Derby was introduced and carried a £25,000 prize, the richest ever held in Northern Ireland. The event was to be held at Drumbo Park .[ 8] There was a dead heat in the Cesarewitch between Farloe Kraven and Westmead Palace.
A series of owner’s bonus series races were introduced by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, the governing body. Hall Green trainer Mark Barlow relinquished his licence after being suspended for six months by the GBGB; the prominent trainer took the decision because he felt the suspension over one of his greyhounds vomiting on course was unjust. Long serving Romford trainer Peter Payne retired after ill health. 2010 greyhound of the year Jimmy Lollie won the Festival Flyer at Sunderland and Coral Sprint at Hove before finally being retired in October after 125 races. Chris Allsopp of Monmore was trainer of the year.[ 9]
Principal UK finals [ edit ]
Ladbrokes Golden Jacket , Crayford (Feb 26, 714m, £15,000)[ 12]
Pos
Name of Greyhound
Trainer
SP
Time
Trap
1st
Bush Paddy
Kelly Findlay
9-2
47.39
1
2nd
Swabys Onenut
Paul Young
2-1f
47.81
6
3rd
Lottes Girl
Kevin Hutton
5-1
48.21
4
4th
Group Skater
Paul Hennessy
4-1
48.29
5
5th
Lorrys Options
Dean Childs
4-1
48.55
3
6th
Rancey Beauty
Paul Garland
14-1
48.83
2
Bettor.com Scottish Derby , Shawfield (Apr 16, 480m, £25,000)
Pos
Name of Greyhound
Trainer
SP
Time
Trap
1st
Taylors Cruise
Charlie Lister OBE
6-4f
29.26
1
2nd
Pablo Supreme
Owen McKenna
7-2
29.38
5
3rd
Farloe Force
Owen McKenna
4-1
29.48
4
4th
Beaming Dilemma
Pat Buckley
3-1
29.64
3
5th
Bubby Razldazl
Paul Young
4-1
29.66
2
N/R
Westmead Grant [ 13]
Chris Allsopp
disq+
6
+ disqualified in semi finals
Blue Square TV Trophy , Sittingbourne (May 4, 893m, £6,000)
Pos
Name of Greyhound
Trainer
SP
Time
Trap
1st
Knockies Hannah
John Mullins
7-4
57.30
1
2nd
Minnies Penske
Tony Collett
6-4f
57.35
5
3rd
Slick Sapphire
Keith Allsop
11-2
57.58
3
4th
Aero Gaga
Paul Young
12-1
57.97
4
5th
Killishin Masai
Chris Kyme
4-1
58.00
2
6th
Ministry Magpie
Lorraine Sams
N/R
lame
6
William Hill Grand Prix , Sunderland (Jul 14, 640m, £15,000)
Pos
Name of Greyhound
Trainer
SP
Time
Trap
1st
Blonde Fletch
Mark Wallis
7-4f
39.45
3
2nd
Bower Hawk
Pat Rosney
8-1
39.47
4
3rd
Nyla Fantasy
Michael Walsh
2-1
39.67
1
4th
Droopys Hester
Jimmy Wright
8-1
39.71
5
5th
Droopys Luisao
Jimmy Wright
5-2
39.72
6
6th
Melview Ace
Gordon Thompson
16-1
39.82
2
William Hill Classic , Sunderland (Jul 14, 450m, £25,000)
Pos
Name of Greyhound
Trainer
SP
Time
Trap
1st
Blonde Snapper
Mark Wallis
5-2
26.59+
4
2nd
Lampard
Jimmy Little
6-1
26.67
5
3rd
Jordansoilutions
Charlie Lister OBE
14-1
27.03
2
4th
Magna Buddy
Jimmy Wright
6-4f
27.20
3
5th
Westmead Guru
Kelly Findlay
4-1
27.44
1
6th
Skywalker Gold
Ted Soppitt
11-2
27.57
6
+ Track record
Primus Saver Grand National , Wimbledon (Aug 30, 480mH, £7,500)
Pos
Name of Greyhound
Trainer
SP
Time
Trap
1st
Victoria Falls
Richard Rees
25-1
29.80
2
2nd
Clonkeen Theo
Jason Foster
9-1
29.81
4
3rd
Swift Defender
Barry O'Sullivan
12-1
29.94
1
4th
Farloe Skywalker
Matt Dartnall
2-1jf
30.20
5
5th
Forest Rico
Derek Knight
7-2
30.24
3
6th
Blackhall Prince
Chris Kyme
2-1jf
30.56
6
East Anglian Derby , Yarmouth (Sep 15, 462m, £12,000)
Pos
Name of Greyhound
Trainer
SP
Time
Trap
1st
Ballymac Ace
Chris Allsopp
7-2
27.89
3
2nd
Taylors Cruise
Charlie Lister OBE
9-4
27.95
1
3rd
Rookery Pedro
Mark Wallis
8-1
28.13
6
4th
Yahoo Jamie
Charlie Lister OBE
5-4f
28.16
5
5th
Romeo Reason
Liz McNair
6-1
28.30
4
6th
Holycross Prince
John Mullins
12-1
28.35
2
William Hill St Leger , Wimbledon (Oct 4, 687m, £6,000)
Pos
Name of Greyhound
Trainer
SP
Time
Trap
1st
Aero Majestic
Mark Wallis
11-4
41.62
2
2nd
Capoley Ash
Barrie Draper
3-1
41.80
4
3rd
Curragh Kewell
Charles Fanous
6-1
42.02
1
4th
Blue Bee
Matt Dartnall
2-1f
42.02
3
4th
Penskey Rain
Kevin Hutton
16-1
42.12
6
6th
Darts Wizard
Philip Simmonds
8-1
42.27
5
Betfair Laurels , Belle Vue (Nov 8, 470m, £6,000)
Pos
Name of Greyhound
Trainer
SP
Time
Trap
1st
Eden Star
Barrie Draper
4-9f
27.27
3
2nd
Longwood Fantasy
Stuart Mason
12-1
27.37
4
3rd
Tudor Prince
Harry Williams
4-1
27.43
1
4th
Onceo Black
Julie Bateson
13-2
27.83
6
5th
Whitefort Mac
Kim Billingham
14-1
27.91
5
6th
Onyougojoe
George Oswald
25-1
27.99
2
Principal Irish finals [ edit ]
College Causeway/Killahan Phanter Easter Cup , Shelbourne (Apr 16, 550y, €25,000)
Pos
Name of Greyhound
Trainer
SP
Time
Trap
1st
Makeshift
Dolores Ruth
2-1f
29.59
2
2nd
Razldazl George
Dolores Ruth
3-1
29.60
3
3rd
Slippery Bob
Larry Dunne
4-1
30.05
1
4th
Broadstrand Lad
John Linehan
4-1
30.16
5
5th
Cian Abbey
Paul Sharkey
8-1
30.30
6
6th
Hello Ringo
Paul Hennessy
40-1
30.32
4
Red Mills Produce , Clonmel (May 1, 525y, €24,500)
Pos
Name of Greyhound
Trainer
SP
Time
Trap
1st
Whiteys Hawk
Declan Byrne
7-1
28.38
2
2nd
Uncle Eoin
James Robinson
7-4f
28.48
6
3rd
St Louis Charlie
Jerry Griffin
3-1
28.66
3
4th
Bit View Micko
Philip Dillon
8-1
28.69
1
5th
Broadstrand Dan
Vincent O'Donovan
4-1
29.22
4
6th
Colourful Bolt
Mick Delahunty
5-2
29.71
5
Bettor.com Northern Irish Derby , Drumbo Park (June 25, 550y, €25,000)
Pos
Name of Greyhound
Trainer
SP
Time
Trap
1st
Loughview Gem
Francis O'Brien
5-1
29.56
3
2nd
Star Head
Brian Macklin
14-1
29.77
2
3rd
Leeview Jet
Graham Holland
1-2f
29.84
1
4th
Rafas Wee Pet
Ronnie McKeown
10-1
29.85
4
5th
Cian Abbey
Paul Sharkey
6-1
30.02
6
6th
Elwick Bolero
Jimmy Brown
6-1
30.23
56
Sporting Press Oaks , Shelbourne (Jun 25, 525y, €25,000)
Pos
Name of Greyhound
Trainer
SP
Time
Trap
1st
Droopys Twirl
John Linehan
2-1
28.42
3
2nd
Mozzletoff
Marie Gilbert
6-4f
28.43
6
3rd
Maggies Whistle
Colin Adamson
10-1
28.59
1
4th
Mutual Decision
John McGee
5-1
29.11
2
5th
Jimney Cricket
Michael Mulleady
33-1
29.23
5
6th
Cool It Baby
Trevor Cummins
4-1
31.63
4
Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger , Limerick (Jul 2, 550y, €25,000)
Pos
Name of Greyhound
Trainer
SP
Time
Trap
1st
What A Tornado
Paul Hennessy
7-4f
29.58
2
2nd
Varra Captain
Maura Casey
5-1
29.61
4
3rd
Shelbourne Geoff
Brian King
5-1
29.62
6
4th
Hey Gringo
Peter Cronin
10-1
29.73
1
5th
Judicial Academy
Michael O'Donovan
2-1
29.76
5
6th
Inislosky Magoo
Mary Crotty
12-1
29.80
3
Townviewfoods.com Champion Stakes , Shelbourne (Jul 23, 550y, €20,000)
Pos
Name of Greyhound
Trainer
SP
Time
Trap
1st
Uncle Eoin
James Robinson
6-1
29.81
6
2nd
Razldazl Jayfkay
Dolores Ruth
2-1jf
29.89
5
3rd
Tyrur Domingo
Conor Fahy
5-1
30.01
1
4th
Kingo
Dolores Ruth
12-1
30.07
4
5th
Broadstrand Lad
John Linehan
2-1jf
30.19
2
6th
Colorful Champ
Paul Hennessy
6-1
30.31
3
HX Bookmakers Puppy Derby , Harolds Cross (Oct 7, 525y, €25,000)
Pos
Name of Greyhound
Trainer
SP
Time
Trap
1st
Sparta Maestro
Philip Gough
5-4f
28.59
5
2nd
Callums Flash
John Kiely
6-1
28.67
6
3rd
Ruthless Man
John McGee
11-1
28.99
4
4th
Swift Marathon
Seamus Graham
6-4
29.02
2
5th
Incitatus
Pat Buckley
16-1
29.34
3
6th
Movealong Dash
William Barry
5-1
29.78
1
Pat Hennerty Sales Laurels , Cork (Oct 22, 525y, €30,000)
Pos
Name of Greyhound
Trainer
SP
Time
Trap
1st
Razldazl Rioga
Dolores Ruth
7-2
28.32
6
2nd
Beaming Dilemma
Pat Buckley
6-1
28.67
2
3rd
Varra Captain
Owen McKenna
13-1
28.84
4
4th
Deerfield Music
Maurice O'Connor
6-4f
28.95
1
5th
Leeview Jet
Graham Holland
2-1
29.05
3
N/R
St Louis Charlie
Jerry Griffin
lame
5
UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Years
Years
UK & Irish greyhound competitions
English competitions
Current competitions
Former competitions
Irish competitions
Current competitions
Former competitions
Current greyhound stadiums in Great Britain licensed by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain
Licensed stadiums
English greyhound tracks
Unlicensed tracks (independent / flapping)
Greyhound stadiums in Ireland
Current (Republic of Ireland) Current (Northern Ireland) Former (Republic of Ireland) Former (Northern Ireland)
Scottish greyhound tracks
Unlicensed tracks (independent/flapping)