2001 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

2001 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
Kinda Magic, winner of the Pall Mall Stakes
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The 2001 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 75th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland. ^[1]

Roll of honour

Major Winners
Award	Name of Winner
2001 English Greyhound Derby	Rapid Ranger [2] [3]
2001 Irish Greyhound Derby	Cool Performance [4]
2001 Scottish Greyhound Derby	Sonic Flight [5]
Greyhound Trainer of the Year	Linda Jones
Greyhound of the Year	Rapid Ranger
Irish Dog and Bitch of the Year	Late Late Show / Marinas Tina

Trainers Championship, Hove (March 29) [6]
Pos	Name of Trainer	Points
1st	Charlie Lister	54
2nd	Paul Young	41
3rd	Brian Clemenson	34
4th	John Mullins	32
5th	Linda Jones	27
6th	John McGee	20

Summary

The National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) released the annual returns, with totalisator turnover at £91,969,298 and attendances recorded at 3,887,265 from 6180 meetings. ^[7]

Rapid Ranger trained by Charlie Lister was voted Greyhound of the Year after winning his second English Greyhound Derby. The brindle dog joined an elite band of three greyhounds to win the Derby twice. ^[8] Only Mick the Miller and Patricias Hope had previously achieved the feat. ^[9]

Linda Jones won the Greyhound Trainer of the Year but it was fellow trainer John McGee Sr. that once again hit the headlines, with a controversy regarding the trainer's championship to be held at Hove. McGee qualified for the top six Trainers' Championship by virtue of finishing fifth in the 2000 standings but was upset at the fact that John Mullins was allowed to take the place of his mother Linda Mullins. John Mullins had taken control of the kennels following Linda's retirement but an angry John McGee stated "I read that it was an unanimous decision" referring to the announcement made by the Professional Greyhound Trainers' Association (PGTA), "but unanimous by who? "They should have asked the five other trainers who have qualified what they thought, not just changed the rules because they wanted John Mullins in." The anger was brought on by the fact that he had been denied an invitation to run in the 1988 championship after taking over the kennel from Fred Wiseman, who led the 1987 standings. "I was head man to Fred Wiseman, but everyone knew I was doing the dogs and we won everything that year". The Championship went ahead and was won by Charlie Lister but the controversy surrounding McGee continued, when later in the year he had a positive urine sample taken from Apple Rambler at Wimbledon. The NGRC once again withdrew his licence and he was told that no further application would be considered until January 2003. ^{[10] [11]}

Tracks

Advanced plans by the Greyhound Racing Association to open a 2,000 seater stadium at Fazakerley in the north of Liverpool failed to materialise following opposition from residents. Liverpool had lost greyhound racing in 1973 despite having four prominent profitable tracks at one stage. ^[12]

Castleford Whitwood Stadium held its final meeting in February; it had existed in spells as a licensed and independent track since 1938. ^[13]

News

Trainer Graham Holland left Oxford to join Hove and was replaced by Nick Colton. Carly Philpott took out her first licence following in the footsteps of her father Paul Philpott and Maxine Locke joined Catford. Leading owner Len Ponder moved all of his greyhounds from trainer Ray Peacock and transferred them to Seamus Cahill. ^[14]

Owen McKenna son of Ger McKenna decided to return to Ireland to train mainly for David Miles (responsible for the Reactabond prefix) in Ballyclerihan. Despite having a contract at Wimbledon, McKenna had expressed concerns over lack of races and poor prize money. ^[14]

Competitions

The Nick Savva trained Sonic Flight won a strong Scottish Greyhound Derby, a competition that saw the shock disqualification in the first round of prolific open race winner El Boss, who was subsequently retired. ^[11] Sonic Flight also won the Select Stakes and Irish Laurels.

The veteran Palace Issue now trained by John Mullins retired after failing to win the Golden Jacket but winning 69 of his 111 races and picking up £65,000 in prize money. ^[11]

No Can Waltz enjoyed a good year, the Linda Jones trained white and brindle had finished second in the Arc final and third in the Scottish Derby and won the Test before a good Grand Prix campaign at Walthamstow Stadium came to an end losing to Slick Tom. He finished the year by reaching the St Leger final, he was arguably the best stayer ahead of Solid Magic who claimed the first Cesarewitch to be held at Oxford and the Olympic title. ^{[11] [14]}

Ireland

2001 was a vintage year for stars, in the United Kingdom Rapid Ranger had dominated the news and Sonic Flight had a great year. In Ireland Cool Performance won the Derby but he was overshadowed by two of the finalists, Late Late Show and Droopys Kewell. Late Late Show owned by Pat Kenny and duly named after the popular show The Late Late Show became the nation's favourite greyhound. ^[15] The black dog won the Easter Cup and Shelbourne 600, in addition to finishing runner-up in the Derby and being a finalist in the Champion Stakes. Droopys Kewell won three major events; the National Produce, St Leger and Champion Stakes. In any other year Droopys Kewell would have been Irish Greyhound of the Year but the accolade went to Late Late Show.

Principal UK races

Grand National, Wimbledon (Mar 28, 460m h, £7,500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Kish Jaguar Norah McEllistrim 10-1 28.60 6 2nd Opus Air Pat Thompson 6-1 28.72 5 3rd Kanturk Canon Jason Foster 12-1 28.90 1 4th Apple Rambler Linda Jones 7-4jf 29.00 2 5th Rossa Ranger John Counsell 7-4jf 29.22 3 6th Kerbal Go Free Philip Rees Jr. 50-1 29.40 4

Regal Scottish Derby, Shawfield (Apr 21, 480m, £20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Sonic Flight Nick Savva 5-4 29.19 1 2nd Droopys Vieri Paul Young 11-10f 29.47 2 3rd No Can Waltz Linda Jones 6-1 29.53 6 4th Droopys Honcho Paul Young 20-1 29.57 5 5th Harsu Super Janis Carmichael 20-1 29.59 4 6th Glengar Visit Graeme Frew 50-1 30.11 3

Scurry Gold Cup, Catford (Jun 23, 385m, £3,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Kalooki Jet Sonja Spiers 7-4jf 23.90 6 2nd Reactabond Slick Paul Young 7-4jf 24.02 2 3rd Aulton Topper Cheryl Miller 5-1 24.16 3 4th Breeze Encore Arthur Hitch 12-1 24.28 4 5th Bearas Heather Wayne Wrighting 8-1 24.40 1 6th Soul Pretender Liz Redpath 7-1 24.46 5

Reading Masters, Reading (Jul 8, 465m, £20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Marshals June Richard Stiles 11-4 27.99 3 2nd Top Jock Seamus Cahill 15-2 28.09 4 3rd Pinewood Blue Linda Jones 9-4jf 28.21 5 4th El Joker John McGee Sr. 20-1 28.27 6 5th Carhumore Cross Nick Savva 9-4jf 28.43 2 6th El Jolson John McGee Sr. 12-1 28.49 1

Gold Collar, Catford (Sep 15, 555m, £7,500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Haughty Ted Dinky Luckhurst 2-1 35.26 6 2nd Serious Dog Paul Young 9-1 35.44 4 3rd Sandyhill Dee Paul Young 12-1 35.70 2 4th Droopys Candice Brian Clemenson 12-1 35.98 5 5th Larkhill Blackie Owen McKenna 8-1 36.02 3 6th Senahel Ridge Owen McKenna 1-1f 36.14 1

Countrywide Steel & Tubes TV Trophy, Wimbledon (Oct 2, 868m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Killeacle Phoebe Brian Clemenson 1-1f 54.27 1 2nd Metric Tiger John Haynes 2-1 54.45 5 3rd Sexy Delight Charlie Lister 3-1 54.83 3 4th Xamax Xylograph Norah McEllistrim 10-1 54.95 2 5th Rosden Amy Seamus Cahill 100-1 56.11 4 6th Let Us Know Elaine Parker 20-1 57.73 6

Grand Prix, Walthamstow (Oct 6, 640m, £10,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Slick Tom Owen McKenna 9-2 40.02 3 2nd Kegans Flyer Linda Jones 5-2 40.05 5 3rd No Can Waltz Linda Jones 5-6f 40.09 4 4th Penalty Shootout John Mullins 12-1 40.15 1 5th Sandyhill Dee Paul Young 33-1 40.35 2 6th Ballyhoe Cyclone Ernie Gaskin Sr. 25-1 40.37 6

Laurels, Belle Vue (Oct 23, 465m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Pack Them In Andy Heyes 6-4f 27.55 4 2nd Magnum Tom Charlie Lister 13-2 27.83 5 3rd Codology Barrie Draper 11-4 27.89 2 4th Blues Best Mike Nicki Chambers 9-1 27.97 6 5th Vancouver Jet Linda Jones 6-1 28.13 3 6th Master Blackster Elaine Parker 8-1 28.17 1

William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (Nov 6, 660m, £12,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Frisby Folly Harry Crapper 3-1 40.74 2 2nd Droopys Rhys Ted Soppitt 8-1 40.96 1 3rd Form of Magic Brian Clemenson 7-2 41.00 3 4th Lenson Cody Brian Clemenson 20-1 41.20 4 5th No Can Waltz Linda Jones 7-4f 41.30 6 6th Kegans Flyer Linda Jones 7-1 41.42 5

RD Racing Cesarewitch, Oxford (Nov 24, 645m, £5,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Solid Magic Brian Clemenson 11-10f 39.72 6 2nd Cuba Brian Clemenson 5-4 39.86 1 3rd Broadacres Butch Graham Holland 10-1 40.06 5 4th Breaking Ball Ron Dix 40-1 40.10 3 5th Lottys Magic Brian Clemenson 8-1 40.22 4 6th Valdex Julie Curran 40-1 40.76 2

Oaks, Wimbledon (Dec 4, 480m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Talktothehand Jimmy Gibson 6-4jf 29.06 6 2nd Aegean Dream Charlie Lister 6-1 29.20 3 3rd Olyadne John Mullins 6-4jf 29.28 5 4th Druids Glory Claude Gardiner 6-1 29.30 2 5th Clefairy Doll John McGee Sr. 16-1 29.48 1 N/R El Zita John McGee Sr.

Principal Irish finals

Easter Cup Shelbourne (May 12, 525y, €31,743) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Late Late Show [16] 9-10f 28.60 6 2nd Marinas Tina 7-2 29.02 3 3rd Kishlawn Gold 75-1 29.16 2 4th Cregane Trade 6-1 29.17 5 5th Sporting Huzzar 14-1 29.19 1 6th Brother Jim 6-1 29.36 4

National Produce Thurles (May 27, 525y, €31,743) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Droopys Kewell [17] 5-2 28.95 1 2nd Paddock Magic 9-2 29.02 6 3rd Zagato 25-1 29.54 5 4th Long Valley Max 2-1f 29.96 2 5th Toms Electrabuzz 7-2 30.24 4 6th Hinton Admiral 7-2 30.45 3

Shelbourne 600 Shelbourne (Jun 19, 600y, €31,743) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Late Late Show [18] 2-7f 32.20*TR 6 2nd Cregane Trade 7-1 32.76 4 3rd Amber Joe 12-1 33.00 1 4th Articifer 16-1 33.11 3 5th Making Merry 16-1 33.16 5 6th Extra Dividend 12-1 33.86 2

St Leger Limerick (Jun 30, 550y, €31,743) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Droopys Kewell [19] 5-2 30.37 4 2nd Barefoot Ridge 5-1 30.47 2 3rd Tyrur Bello 25-1 30.68 5 4th Magna Mint 6-4f 30.86 3 5th Kildrum Black 16-1 30.93 6 6th Ormond Park 3-1 31.03 1

Oaks Shelbourne (Jul 21 525y, €31,743) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Marinas Tina [20] 4-7f 28.60 1 2nd Coolfadda Lady 7-1 28.95 5 3rd Fast Lizzy 14-1 29.16 6 4th Market Elm 20-1 29.33 2 5th You Said So 7-1 29.40 3 6th Twenty To Ten 10-1 29.46 4

Champion Stakes Shelbourne (Aug 30, 550y, €25,394) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Droopys Kewell [21] 7-4jf 30.07 6 2nd Tinys Bud 10-1 30.08 5 3rd Long Valley Max 20-1 30.10 3 4th Late Late Show 7-4jf 30.12 4 5th Droopys Vieri 3-1 30.19 1 6th Wish Kid 40-1 30.43 2

Puppy Derby Harolds Cross (Sep 28, 525y, €31,743) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Rutland Budgie [22] 5-2 28.34 2 2nd Judicial Rebel 5-2 28.65 5 3rd Airport Express 7-4f 28.71 3 4th Priceless Rebel 10-1 28.74 1 5th The Other Master 8-1 29.09 6 6th Aranock Lance 33-1 29.30 4

Laurels Cork (Oct 20, 525y, €31,743) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Sonic Flight [23] 4-1 28.41 2 2nd Micks Mystic 4-1 28.44 3 3rd Larkhill Lo 5-1 28.48 5 4th Premier County 4-1 28.62 6 5th Barefoort Joe 20-1 28.65 4 6th Long Valley Max 2-1f 28.83 1

Totalisator returns

Extended content

The totalisator returns declared to the National Greyhound Racing Club for the year 2001 are listed below. [24] Stadium Turnover £ Walthamstow 13,759,061 Wimbledon 9,388,927 Romford 7,902,983 Belle Vue 6,195,752 Brighton & Hove 5,306,629 Hall Green 5,230,576 Peterborough 4,191,293 Sheffield 3,796,116 Catford 3,756,371 Perry Barr 2,737,707 Oxford 2,596,375 Stadium Turnover £ Sunderland 2,476,715 Crayford 2,468,397 Milton Keynes 2,025,326 Nottingham 1,989,139 Yarmouth 1,951,991 Shawfield 1,808,404 Poole 1,785,626 Monmore 1,709,821 Portsmouth 1,653,280 Swindon 1,573,085 Brough Park 1,528,081 Stadium Turnover £ Sittingbourne 1,398,496 Reading 1,131,332 Harlow 891,481 Kinsley 756,527 Stainforth 730,441 Hull 464,525 Mildenhall 306,889 Henlow 259,952 Rye House 198,000

References

1. Hobbs, Jonathan (2008). Greyhound Annual 2008. Raceform. ISBN   978-1-905153-534.
2. "2001". Greyhound Data.
3. Hobbs, Jonathan (2007). Greyhound Annual 2008, page 91. Raceform. ISBN   978-1-905153-53-4.
4. Fortune, Michael. The 75 Years History of the Irish Greyhound Derby 1932-2006. Irish Greyhound Review. ISSN   0332-3536.
5. Hobbs, Jonathan (2007). Greyhound Annual 2008, pages 153-154. Raceform. ISBN   978-1-905153-53-4.
6. "Remember When - March 2001". Greyhound Star. 24 March 2019.
7. NGRC calendar. National Greyhound Racing Club. January 2002.
8. "Rapid Ranger Hall of Fame". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
9. Dack, Barrie (1990). Greyhound Derby, the first 60 years, pages 143/144/145/146/147. Ringpress Books. ISBN   0-948955-36-8.
10. "LEADING greyhound trainer John McGee Snr, a regular plunderer of the major prizes at Oxford Stadium, loses licence". Oxford Mail. 19 January 2002.
11. Hobbs, Jonathan (2002). Greyhound Annual 2003. Raceform. ISBN   1-904317-07-3.
12. "#6m race track planned for city". Liverpool Echo. 20 November 2001.
13. "Finishing line for greyhound track". Yorkshire Evening Post.
14. Hobbs, Jonathan (2004). Greyhound Annual 2005. Raceform. ISBN   1-904317-58-8.
15. "'Late Late' greyhound Duke crosses the final finish line". Irish Independent. 18 August 2012.
16. "2001 Easter Cup Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
17. "Produce Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
18. "600 Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
19. "St Leger Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
20. "Oaks Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
21. "Champion Stakes Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
22. "Puppy Derby Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
23. "Laurels Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
24. Totalisator returns of National Greyhound Racing Club Licensed tracks. National Greyhound Racing Club. 2001.