1962 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

1962 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
Ballinasloe Blondie won her second consecutive Oaks title
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The 1962 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 36th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland. ^[1]

Roll of honour

Major Winners
Award	Name of Winner
1962 English Greyhound Derby	The Grand Canal [2] [3]
1962 Irish Greyhound Derby	Shane's Legacy [4] [5]
1962 Scottish Greyhound Derby	Dromin Glory [6]
1962 Welsh Greyhound Derby	Summerhill Fancy [7]
Greyhound Trainer of the Year	John Haynes
Greyhound of the Year	Dromin Glory

Summary

The decrease in attendances continued as a result of the Betting and Gaming Act 1960, which contributed to more track closures. Boundary Park Stadium in the Hellesdon area of Norwich closed on 1 December 1962, to become a redeveloped site for the Eastern Electricity Company. Rochdale switched to independent status and Charlton Stadium closed after difficulties (it would re-open four years later however), in the meantime their top event the Cloth of Gold would take place at Wandsworth Stadium. ^{[7] [8]}

English Greyhound Derby finalist Dromin Glory, a brindle dog trained by John Bassett had a brilliant year winning both the Scottish Greyhound Derby and Cesarewitch at West Ham Stadium in consecutive months. This was achieved in addition to lifting the Birmingham Cup, Gymcrack and Select Stakes and was voted Greyhound of the Year. ^{[7] [8] [9]}

Competitions

The Grand National at White City was finally given recognition as a classic event; the race offered £500 for the first time in 1961 a winner's prize worthy of its status. ^[10]

The George Waterman trained brindle dog Summerhill Fancy had an excellent year, winning the Welsh Greyhound Derby, the International, the Chelsea Cup, the Flying Four and Evening Standard Trophy. ^{[8] [9]}

News

As a result of the death of Leslie Reynolds, Wembley appointed Jack Kinsley to take up the vacant range at the Wembley kennels. This in turn allowed Stan Gudgin to take over Jack Kinsley's range at Park Royal Stadium. Tom Johnston Sr. retired and his son Tom Johnston Jr. took over his range at West Ham Stadium. Johnston Sr. had won the 1928 English Greyhound Derby with Boher Ash when based in Scotland. ^[10]

Following the decision to cover all sports the Greyhound Express is renamed the Sporting and Greyhound Express. ^[11]

Francis Steward Gentle chairman of the Greyhound Racing Association and president of the NGRS died on 25 September, he leaves an estate of £181,750. ^[12]

Coronation Street featured an episode at Raikes Park Greyhound Stadium and a racing greyhound called Lucky Lolita (real name Black Star). ^[13]

Ireland

The Grand Canal, the English Derby winner and Easter Cup returned a hero when returning to Irish shores, after winning the English Derby.

1962 Irish Greyhound Derby winner Shanes Legacy was sold after the final presentation by owner Bob McCann, for £2,500 to London building contractor Bob Gough who put the greyhound with Tony Dennis. ^{[4] [10]} Dark Baby went on to win the Laurels at Cork and break the track record. ^[4]

Principal UK races

Grand National, White City (April 28 525y h, £500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Corsican Reward Gordon Hodson 9-4f 30.15 2 2nd January Prince 11-4 30.35 1 3rd Sabena's Prince Les Parry 4-1 30.36 3 4th R.S.11 George Waterman 8-1 30.66 4 5th Aughadown Dante 6-1 31.38 6 6th Stanbrook Rob 100-7 00.00 5

Gold Collar, Catford (May 19, 440y, £1,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Super Orange Pam Heasman 4-1 25.51 5 2nd Shannon Spirit Phil Rees Sr. 5-4f 25.87 3 3rd Her Brumas Barney O'Connor 12-1 25.93 4 4th Tuturama Frank Sanderson 3-1 26.01 2 5th Cassagh Major Bob Burls 12-1 26.17 6 6th Thornhill Imp 12-1 26.18 1

Welsh Derby, Arms Park (Jul 7, 525y £500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Summerhill Fancy George Waterman 3-1 29.07 1 2nd Laurdella Dancer Bob Burls 100-6 29.27 2 3rd In Town Tonight Jim Irving 6-1 29.41 4 4th Trip To Dublin Hugo Spencer 6-4f 29.61 5 5th Bell Song 20-1 29.85 3 6th Black July Harry O'Neill 5-2 29.86 6

Oaks, Harringay (Jul 9, 525y, £500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Ballinasloe Blondie [14] Jack Harvey 1-2f 29.68 5 2nd Polos Fancy 33-1 30.30 2 3rd Badge of Shamrock 9-1 31.02 3 4th Artisan Bid Len Drewery 7-1 00.00 6 5th Nans Princess 5-1 00.00 1 N/R Bell of Penzance

Scurry Gold Cup, Clapton (Jul 28, 400y £1,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Hi Darkie Ray Wilkes 6-4f 22.95 1 2nd Hey There Merry Hugo Spencer 10-3 23.13 3 3rd All There 5-1 23.39 4 4th Renmore McAll Stan Martin 16-1 23.45 2 5th Paddys Fairy 25-1 23.51 6 6th Courtly Regent Gordon Hodson 3-1 23.52 5

Laurels, Wimbledon (Aug 17, 500y, £1,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Tuturama Frank Sanderson 4-6f 27.83 1 2nd Hey There Merry Hugo Spencer 20-1 28.15 3 3rd Moyne Rocket Jack Harvey 6-1 28.55 4 4th Alvas Prince Stan Martin 100-6 28.61 5 5th Prince Rory 33-1 28.62 2 6th Dancing Point Clare Orton 4-1 28.72 6

St Leger, Wembley (Sep 3, 700y, £1,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Powerstown Prospect Ronnie Melville 8-1 40.02 3 2nd Master MacMurragh Cyril Beaumont 4-5f 40.05 2 3rd Loyal Blue 50-1 40.19 4 4th Any Harm Ronnie Melville 7-2 40.25 1 5th Hack It About Jack Harvey 11-4 40.28 5 6th Alassio Bambino Joe Pickering 66-1 40.36 6

Scottish Greyhound Derby, Carntyne (Sep 8, 525y, £750) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Dromin Glory John Bassett 4-1 29.09 3 2nd Hey There Merry Hugo Spencer 14-1 29.25 6 3rd Laurdella Dancer Bob Burls 10-1 29.41 4 4th Greenane Toast Bessie Lewis 1-1f 29.42 2 5th Tall Boy Ollie 10-1 29.58 5 6th Free Hand 4-1 29.74 1

Cesarewitch, West Ham (Oct 5, 600y, £1,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Dromin Glory John Bassett 11-10f 32.97+ 6 2nd Any Harm Ronnie Melville 5-1 33.33 4 3rd Kilcarbery Park Bill Kelly 10-1 33.45 3 4th Prairie Flash Jack Harvey 7-2 33.69 5 5th Master MacMurragh Cyril Beaumont 11-4 33.73 2 6th Knocagh Pride 10-1 33.85 1

+ Track record

Totalisator returns

Extended content

The totalisator returns declared to the licensing authorities for the year 1962 for the London area. [15] Stadium Turnover £ London (White City) 4,821,421 London (Harringay) 3,412,683 London (Walthamstow) 2,488,522 London (Wimbledon) 2,354,784 London (Clapton) 2,180,033 London (Wembley) 2,126,317 Stadium Turnover £ London (Catford) 1,732,635 London (West Ham) 1,723,914 London (Wandsworth) 1,700,422 London (Park Royal) 1,344,642 London (Stamford Bridge) 1,320,316 London (Hendon) 1,196,655 Stadium Turnover £ London (New Cross) 1,116,281 Romford 1,048,161 London (Hackney) 1,024,437 London (Charlton) 600,000 London (Dagenham) 588,425

References

1. Fry, Paul (1995). The Official NGRC Greyhound Racing Yearbook. Ringpress Books. ISBN   186054-010-4.
2. Dack, Barrie (1990). Greyhound Derby, the first 60 years, pages 112/113/114/115/116. Ringpress Books. ISBN   0-948955-36-8.
3. "1962". Greyhound Data.
4. Comyn, John. 50 Years of Greyhound Racing in Ireland. Aherlow Publishers Ltd.
5. Fortune, Michael. Irish Greyhound Derby 1932-1981. Victory Irish Promotions Ltd.
6. Hobbs, Jonathan (2007). Greyhound Annual 2008, pages 153-154. Raceform. ISBN   978-1-905153-53-4.
7. Genders, Roy (1975). The Greyhound and Racing Greyhound. Page Brothers (Norwich). ISBN   0-85020-0474.
8. Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN   07207-1106-1.
9. Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN   0-948955-15-5.
10. Genders, Roy (1990). NGRC book of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN   0-7207-1804-X.
11. "Greyhound Star (Remember When November)". Greyhound Star. 16 November 2016.
12. "Greyhound Star (Remember When - January 1963)". Greyhound Star. 20 January 2019.
13. "Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When 1962) January edition". Greyhound Star. 2018.
14. "Remember When - July 1962". Greyhound Star. 28 July 2018.
15. Particulars of Licensed tracks, table 1 Licensed Dog Racecourses. Licensing Authorities. 1962.