1928 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

1928 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
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The 1928 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the third year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Roll of honour

Major Winners
Award	Name of Winner
1928 English Greyhound Derby	Boher Ash
1928 Irish Greyhound Derby+	Tipperary Hills
1928 Scottish Greyhound Derby	Glinger Bank
1928 Welsh Greyhound Derby	Cheerful Choice

+ unofficial National Derby

Summary

The oval track form of greyhound racing continued to rapidly grow with numerous tracks, either in the process of being constructed or opening. The Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) continued to lead the way, opening or having a financial interest in new tracks opening in Ramsgate, Cardiff, Nottingham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Brighton and Stoke-on-Trent. The GRA also moved venues in Leeds from Fullerton Park to Elland Road Greyhound Stadium which was literally next door. Other major tracks to open included three London venues; West Ham Stadium with the capacity to accommodate 100,000 spectators, Clapton Stadium designed by the famous architect Sir Owen Williams and Wimbledon Stadium which would become one of the most prominent tracks in the industry. The latter was owned by Bill (W.J) Cearns. Three tracks also opened in Wales; White City Stadium, Cardiff, White City Swansea and Cardiff Arms Park. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]}

The National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) was formed, the purpose of this organisation was to govern greyhound racing and the body would be responsible for regulation and the rules of racing that came into force on 23 April. The NGRC consisted of twelve stewards usually chosen from military or police backgrounds. The first stewards included E.A.V.Stanley, Lt General Sir Edward Bethune and Major B.D.Corbett. The rules of racing were introduced and updated annually and any track wishing to be associated with them were required to agree to the rules and apply for licences. Tracks that were not licensed were called independent or 'Flapping' tracks, the latter description was not welcomed by the independent tracks. Calendars were formulated containing information for all licensed personal and anyone falling foul of the rules was subject to investigation and punishment. A passport or official identity book for every greyhound was introduced and was a vital component to ensure the policing of greyhounds at every track. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]}

The total annual attendance across the country for 1928 increased to 13 million 695,275 from 5,656,686 (in 1927). ^[8] With the rise in popularity there was also the growth of opposition to greyhound racing. In March a decision by Salford City Council to cease permitting advertisements of greyhound races on the back of tram tickets was passed by a vote of 26 to 14.

Competitions

Six new major events were inaugurated during the year. The Cesarewitch at West Ham and St Leger at Wembley for stayers and the Scurry Gold Cup at Clapton for sprinters were introduced in London. Three national Derby competitions were started - the Scottish Greyhound Derby at Carntyne, the Welsh Derby at Welsh White City (Cardiff) and the Irish Greyhound Derby at Harolds Cross. The Welsh Derby was not considered a classic event at this stage.

Mick the Miller

The first great champion of greyhound racing emerged when on 18 April, Mick the Miller won on debut at Shelbourne Park but was overshadowed by his brother Macoma five days later. Macoma also trained by Horan broke the world record time for 500 yards beating the existing record holder Kriesler in a time of 28.80 sec. Later in the same month the pair went to Celtic Park to contest the Abercorn Cup and during a gallop Macoma caught his leg in the mesh traps breaking his hock. Mick the Miller finished third in the final but made a name for himself when equaling the world record of 28.80 at Shelbourne, a race sandwiched in between the semi and final at Celtic Park. Then Mick the Miller was struck down with distemper. There were no vaccine available and his chances of survival were slim but Arthur 'Doc' Callanan, who was the manager of Shelbourne Park as well as being a qualified veterinary surgeon on site nursed him back to health. In the August, both Mick the Miller and Macoma were put up for sale by Father Brophy. Macoma was sold for 290 guineas but Mick the Millers reserve was not met, a fortunate moment for his owner Father Brophy. ^[9]

Ireland

The Irish Derby was unofficial because Harolds Cross decided to run a 'National Derby' without consulting the Irish racing authorities. This was a practice they would continue to do until the formation of classic races in 1932. Also in Ireland it was clear that the 1926 Betting Act passed by the Oireachtas, Dáil Éireann was benefitting the Irish government with funds from the tax it received from gambling. The 5% off course tax and 2.5% on course tax also seemed to be a catalyst for new track builds in Ireland. However a proposed government amendment to tax the unregulated Irish flapping tracks was defeated 66 votes to 48. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]} In Ireland the Harolds Cross Parish Church held sermons called "The Moral Challenge of Greyhound Racing" and the "Religion and the Gambling Spirit".

1928 Unofficial Irish Derby

The winner of the 1928 Irish Greyhound Derby was Tipperary Hills. On Thursday 16 August, Tipperary Hills (Billy Quinn), Curristown (John Shannon) and Happy Man won the semi-finals. Tipperary Hills defeated PJ Graham's Battle Island by one length in 30.72 sec, Curristown defeated Gilly Gooly by two lengths in 30.95 sec and the third and final semi final was won by Happy Man (M Hammond) from False Favourite (C Forde) by four lengths in 31.10 sec.

Tracks opened

Date	Stadium/Track	Location
11 January	Monmore Green Stadium	Wolverhampton
21 January	Staines Greyhound Stadium	Staines-upon-Thames
17 March	Woodhouse Lane Stadium	Wigan
31 March	Hanley Greyhound Stadium	Stoke-on-Trent
7 April	Long Eaton Stadium	Long Eaton
7 April	Lythalls Lane Stadium	Coventry
7 April	Perry Barr Stadium	Birmingham
7 April	Clapton Stadium	London
7 April	Cardiff Arms Park	Cardiff
7 April	White City Stadium, Glasgow	Glasgow
7 April	Albion Greyhound Racecourse	Salford
7 April	Northampton Greyhound Stadium	Northampton
10 April	Harold's Cross Stadium	Dublin
14 April	Askern Greyhound Stadium	Askern
14 April	Doncaster Greyhound Track	Doncaster
17 April	South Yorkshire Sports Stadium	Wombwell
21 April	Albion Greyhound Stadium	Glasgow
23 April	Firhill Stadium	Glasgow
5 May	Beacon Park	Plymouth
12 May	Huish Athletic Ground	Yeovil
18 May	Tannadice Park	Dundee
19 May	Cleveland Park Stadium	Middlesbrough
19 May	Wimbledon Stadium	London
26 May	Ramsgate Stadium	Ramsgate
26 May	White City Stadium (Newcastle)	Newcastle upon Tyne
26 May	Leicester Stadium	Leicester
26 May	Dolphin Stadium	Slough
26 May	Field Mill	Mansfield
28 May	Pennycross Stadium	Plymouth
28 May	White City Stadium (Manchester)	Manchester
2 June	Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium	Brighton
9 June	Magnet Racecourse	Bedminster
16 June	Eastville Stadium	Bristol
23 June	Brough Park Stadium	Newcastle
23 June	Victoria Park, Bournemouth	Bournemouth
27 June	The Show Grounds Greyhound Track	Cork
30 June	Portsmouth Greyhound Track	Portsmouth
7 July	White City, Swansea Greyhound Track	Swansea
7 July	Central Park	Cowdenbeath
21 July	Exeter Greyhound Stadium	Exeter
28 July	West Ham Stadium	London
6 August	Banister Court Stadium	Southampton
6 September	Old Craven Park	Kingston upon Hull
6 September	Dunmore Stadium	Belfast
20 October	Vicarage Road	Watford

Major Competitions inaugurated

• Scottish Greyhound Derby at Carntyne Stadium
• Scurry Gold Cup at Clapton Stadium
• St Leger at Wembley Stadium
• Cesarewitch at West Ham Stadium
• Welsh Derby at White City Stadium (Cardiff)

Principal UK races

Scottish Greyhound Derby, Carntyne (Jun 30, 525y, £200) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Glinger Bank John Snowball 30.39 100-6 2 2nd Ridiculous 30.40 5-1 1 3rd Wee Murray 30.44 4-7f 4 u Loyola 100-6 3 u Rockall 5-1 5 u Monart Boy 5-1 6

Grand National, White City (Aug 18, 525y h, £700) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Cormorant Sidney Probert 4-1 31.16 1 2nd Carpio Jack Chadwick 8-11f 31.19 3 3rd Douro Leslie Reynolds 5-2 31.67 4 4th Danistol Leslie Reynolds 10-1 2

Oaks, White City (Aug 25, 525y, £700) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Moselle Jimmy Quinn 1-2f 30.50 3 2nd Sweet Bessie Harry Woolner 6-1 30.54 5 3rd Burletta Alf Mulliner 8-1 30.55 4 u Bandrol R Wilson 20-1 1 u Hantapara 2 u Bella Cutlets W Smith 6

Scurry Gold Cup, Clapton (Sep 15, 400y, £100) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Cruiseline Boy Paddy McEllistrim 4-7f 24.91 5 2nd Hilman Carr Private 10-1 24.93 4 3rd Melksham Dodger Sid Jennings 3-1 24.95 6 4th Finland Renwick 10-1 1 5th Lahard Boy Clarke 100-7 3 6th Grenogue Godfrey Hyde-Clarke 5-1 2

St Leger, Wembley (Sep 15, 700y, £650) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Burletta Alf Mulliner 5-2 41.91 3 2nd Chain Mail Jack Kennedy 10-11f 41.99 2 3rd Toftwood Millsack Harry Buck 100-6 42.03 5 u Bachelor Graham 10-1 1 u Welcome Windfall Joe Harmon 6-1 4 u Record Race Thomas Cudmore 7-1 6

Welsh Derby, White City (Cardiff) (Oct 13, 525y, £130) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Cheerful Choice Paddy Fortune (Welsh White City) 8-11f 30.73 3 2nd Jolly Roger William Baldwin (Welsh White City) 8-1 30.97 6 3rd Glenstal Rover Albert Carter (Welsh White City) 6-1 31.21 1 u Berrima Stan Biss (Wimbledon) 5-1 2 u Knight of Malta William Baldwin (Welsh White City) 25-1 4 u Spittle Rover Paddy Fortune (Welsh White City) 6-1 5

Cesarewitch, West Ham (Oct 20, 600y, £330) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Dicks Son Bill Fear 6-4jf 34.38 6 2nd Naughty Jack Horner Jim Syder Sr. 4-1 34.62 1 3rd Hertford Thomas Cudmore 6-4jf 35.10 4 u Record Race Thomas Cudmore 8-1 2 u Carberrys Chieftain 100-7 3 u Money's Worth Jimmy Lowther 100-7 5

Principal Irish finals

Grand National, Shelbourne (525 H, 14 April) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time 1st The Tanker 4-1 31. 2nd Rathmullen 10-1 u My Regret 4-1 u Beaded Shamrock 4-6f

Easter Cup, Shelbourne (525y, 16 April) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time 1st Odd Blade 1-2f 30.64 2nd Debonair 7-2 30.66 3rd Moselle u Doubtful Dick u Emerald Isle u Bluette

Key

U = unplaced

References

1. Culpepper Clarke, Carlo F (1934). Greyhound and Greyhound Racing. Methuen & Co Ltd (London).
2. Ash, edward C (1933). The Book of the Greyhound. Hutchinson & Co. Ltd (London).
3. Tarter, P Howard (1949). Greyhound Racing Encyclopedia. Fleet Publishing Company Ltd. p. 63.
4. Genders, Roy (1975). The Greyhound and Racing Greyhound. Page Brothers (Norwich). ISBN   0-85020-0474.
5. Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN   07207-1106-1.
6. Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN   0-948955-15-5.
7. Genders, Roy (1990). NGRC book of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN   0-7207-1804-X.
8. "Particulars of Licensed Tracks". Licensing Authorities. 1928.
9. Tanner, Michael (2004). The Legend of Mick the Miller: Sporting Icon of the Depression. Newbury: Highdown. ISBN   978-1-904317-67-8.