2009 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

2009 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
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The 2009 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 84th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Roll of honour

Major Winners
Award	Name of Winner
2009 English Greyhound Derby	Kinda Ready
2009 Irish Greyhound Derby	College Causeway
Greyhound Trainer of the Year	Mark Wallis
Greyhound of the Year	Fear Zafonic
Irish Dog and Bitch of the Year	College Causeway / Skywalker Queen

Summary

The British Greyhound Racing Board and the National Greyhound Racing Club merged to form a new organisation called the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (G.B.G.B). The remit was the same in regard to rules and regulations and the promotion of the sport but there were significant changes in regard to the welfare of the greyhounds. One of the new rules brought in was the requirement for every greyhound to be microchipped and drug tested before it was even allowed to set foot on any track for a qualifying trial. The merger allowed the governing body to track every greyhound registered to race on licensed tracks and would help combat the small minority that abused welfare rules. ^[1] The new Chief Executive of the G.B.G.B would be former Olympic field hockey gold medallist Ian Taylor, well known as the goalkeeper in the famous 1988 Seoul Games. He would only stay in the position for a relatively short time however and saw the bookmakers levy decreasing; it dropped £2 million to £10 million in total, a very worrying statistic.

The industry in Ireland hit a brick wall with the Sports Minister Martin Cullen announcing a 13% funding reduction on Irish racing. Paddy Power subsequently announced they are withdrawing their Derby sponsorship. Attendances were down 12% and tote betting down 8%. ^[2]

The two leading prizes of the English Greyhound Derby and Irish Greyhound Derby went to Kinda Ready and College Causeway respectively. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

Fear Zafonic went on to win the greyhound of the year after securing the East Anglian Derby and Mark Wallis topped off a superb year with the most open races points and the trainers title for the third time. ^[6]

Tracks

Two tracks closed; on 17 June it was announced that the Boulevard in Hull would close to greyhound racing once again after less than two years trading. After going to once a week racing, promoter Dave Marshall pulled the plug on funding for the stadium and the last meeting was on 27 June. ^{[7] [8]}

Coventry closed after Boxing Day with the company going into liquidation. It closed on a sour note with the Racing Manager Russ Watkin fined £5,000 for allowing 67 races to go off before their official race time. ^[9]

Ballyskeagh in Lisburn, County Antrim, Northern Ireland reopened under a new name and would be known as Drumbo Park. It is known as the New Grosvenor Stadium during the daytime football matches and then changes to Drumbo Park for the Greyhounds in the evening. ^[10]

Competitions

The GRA made more cuts including trimming their major race fixtures. The last Gold Collar and Gorton Cup were held at Belle Vue Stadium. The Scurry Gold Cup had been switched from Perry Barr Stadium earlier in the year to Belle Vue. ^[11]

The Scottish Greyhound Derby featured five Irish hounds in the final and the event was won by Cabra Cool. On the same night as the final Greenwell River set a new track record of 28.66 in the invitation race. ^[12]

News

Geoff De Mulder, one of the all-time great trainers, died aged 79. The 'Wizard of Meriden' who had been ill for some time sent out two English Greyhound Derby winners, a Scottish Greyhound Derby, the Welsh Greyhound Derby and four consolation Derby events. He sent out 14 Derby finalists and won a whole host of other major races. ^{[13] [14]}

Track bookmaker Tony Morris stood for the last time at Wimbledon and top greyhounds Lenson Joker, Horseshoe Ping and Flying Winner were all retired, the latter had broken eight track records. ^[15]

Betfair Trainers Championship, Sheffield (Mar 17) [16] Pos Name of Trainer Points 1st Charlie Lister 66 2nd Mark Wallis 37 3rd Barrie Draper 31 4th Pat Rosney 29 4th Seamus Cahill 24 6th John Mullins 20

Principal UK finals

Stan James Grand National, Wimbledon (Apr 7, 480mH, £7,500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Hotdog Jack Seamus Cahill 2-1f 28.49 1 2nd Distant Legend Julie Power 5-1 28.63 6 3rd Nebuchadnezzar Lorraine Sams 9-2 28.77 4 4th The Other Outlaw Jason Foster 7-1 28.90 3 5th Mall Byte Lorraine Sams 8-1 29.12 5 6th Platinumlancelot Jason Foster 5-2 29.15 2

Bettor.com Scottish Derby, Shawfield (Apr 11, 480m, £25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Cabra Cool Pat Buckley 4-1 28.83 1 2nd Daleys Buzz Paul Hennessy 20-1 29.09 5 3rd Target Classic Seamus McGarry 6-1 29.11 2 4th Forest Master Fraser Black 8-1 29.17 4 5th Thurlesbeg Joker Barrie Draper 5-4f 29.23 6 6th Must Be Keano Fraser Black 11-4 29.27 3

Showsec Scurry Cup, Belle Vue (June 9, 260m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Centaur Allstar Chris Allsopp 7-4f 15.10 4 2nd Officer Donagh Chris Allsopp 11-4 15.24 6 3rd Matts Mentor David Pruhs 4-1 15.28 3 4th Ping The Lids Andy Heyes 5-1 15.36 5 5th Farloe Ferdinand Paddy Curtin UK 11-1 15.40 2 6th Jethart Jackie Julie Bateson 5-1 15.46 1

William Hill TV Trophy, Newcastle (June 24, 895m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Midway Skipper Henry Chalkley 10-1 56.22 3 2nd Bubbly Eagle Paul Young 1-2f 56.34 2 3rd Brimardon Helen Tony Collett 16-1 56.42 4 4th Vatican Iona Pat Rosney 7-1 56.45 6 5th Barnfield Broke Paul Philpott 3-1 56.48 1 6th Ardagh Charm Denis Curtin 50-1 56.86 5

William Hill Cesarwitch, Oxford (Jun 30, 645m, £5,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st He Went Whoosh Claude Gardiner 11-10f 39.56 5 2nd Melodys Comet Richard Yeates 7-2 39.59 2 3rd Bada Who Enid Gowler 7-2 39.71 1 4th Heavy Weather Paul Foster 20-1 39.90 3 5th White Blaze Paul Young 10-1 40.03 4 6th Romeo Turbo David Firmager 7-1 40.33 6

William Hill Grand Prix, Sunderland (Jul 16, 640m, £15,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Crown Rover Jimmy Wright 2-1 40.27 1 2nd Lenson Joker Tony Collett 1-1f 40.36 3 3rd Wordsandatune Paul Rutherford 10-1 40.51 2 4th Bubby Totti Ted Soppitt 4-1 40.54 6 5th Lissycasey Punch Barrie Draper 10-1 40.61 4 6th Crockenhill Kelly Macari 16-1 40.94 5

William Hill Classic, Sunderland (Jul 16, 450m, £40,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Jogadusc Ace Mark Wallis 5-1 27.83 3 2nd Blood of Kings Julie Bateson 5-2 28.13 1 3rd Mario Gomez Charlie Lister 8-1 28.18 6 4th Compass Mikey Paul Hennessy 8-1 28.34 2 5th Droopys Bogart Liz McNair 5-4f 28.39 5 6th Ping the Lids Andy Heyes 8-1 28.41 4

Totesport Gold Collar, Belle Vue (Aug 20, 590m, £10,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Southwind Harry Kim Billingham 6-1 35.21 5 2nd Hurleys Hero Jimmy Wright 9-4 35.46 4 3rd Crown Rover Jimmy Wright 5-4f 35.55 2 4th Franks Lad Paul Young 7-2 35.71 6 5th Plough Lane Julie Bateson 16-1 35.75 3 6th East County Jimmy Wright 3-1 35.81 1

Betfred Laurels, Belle Vue (Oct 6, 470m, £10,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Sunoak Crystal Julie Calvert 5-2 28.01 4 2nd Target Brett Julie Bateson 11-8f 28.27 6 3rd Iconic Blue John Davy 6-1 28.31 5 4th Ping The Lids Andy Heyes 7-2 28.53 3 5th Farloe Titan Paul Sallis 7-1 28.61 2 6th Sniper Petra Gary Carmichael 7-1 28.73 1

William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (Oct 17, 668m, £13,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Kinda Easy Mark Wallis 2-1jf 40.57 6 2nd Droopys Zach Mark Wallis 2-1jf 40.58 3 3rd Lorrys Options Dean Childs 7-2 40.98 4 4th Swift Messenger Michael Harris 25-1 41.12 1 5th Westmead Wings Nick Savva 5-1 41.14 2 6th Fraziers Clone Bill Black 8-1 41.21 5

William Hill Oaks, Wimbledon (Dec 15, 460m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Shaws Dilemma Liz McNair 5-2 28.52 2 2nd Freedom Emma Richard Yeates 7-1 28.54 3 3rd Tyrur Liz P.J. Fahy 4-5f 28.69 6 4th Little Jig Chris Allsopp 10-1 28.92 1 5th Cabra Exclusive Liz McNair 20-1 28.96 5 6th Slick Sioux Keith Allsop 7-1 29.15 4

Principal Irish finals

BCR Print Easter Cup, Shelbourne (Apr 18, 550y, €40,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Droopys Noel Pat Buckley 6-1 29.91 3 2nd Advantage Jimmy Owen McKenna 11-4f 29.97 5 3rd Oran Classic John McGee Sr. 10-3 30.21 2 4th Ballymac Under Pa Fitzgerald 3-1 30.23 1 5th Tip and Tin Joe Carey 14-1 30.29 4 6th Blackstone Gene Owen McKenna 6-1 30.45 6

Red Mills Produce, Clonmel (May 3, 525y, €30,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Duke Special Michael Delahunty 2-1f 28.40 6 2nd Carrowkeal Sam Kathleen Murphy 14-1 28.75 5 3rd Mumhan Aris Denis Fitzgerald 10-1 28.78 2 4th Cowboys Cheek Morgan McMahon 7-2 28.89 4 5th Shaneboy Lee Denis Kiely 9-4 28.96 3 6th Baby Daddy Cool Tony O'Connor 4-1 28.97 1

Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger, Limerick (Jun 13, 550y, €35,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Bar Blackstone Sean Dunphy 2-1jf 29.62 2 2nd Shaneboy Lee Denis Kiely 2-1jf 29.79 5 3rd Moveit Jamie Michael Delahunty 6-1 29.80 1 4th Chicken Supper John Kiely 5-1 30.15 4 5th Marked Urgent Paul Hennessy 8-1 30.29 3 6th Timor Blue Jim Morrissey 3-1 dnf 6

Sporting Press Oaks, Shelbourne (Jun 27, 525y, €35,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Skywalker Queen Frances O'Donnell 9-4 28.24 6 2nd Lady Glenard Michael O'Donovan 7-2 28.60 3 3rd Maireads Fantasy Fraser Black 6-4f 28.88 5 4th Another Issue Michael O'Donovan 7-1 28.91 4 5th Shades of Soul M Gilbert 16-1 29.07 1 6th Bling Bling Flo John Meehan 50-1 29.08 2

Boylesports Champion Stakes, Shelbourne (Jul 25, 550y, €40,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Fatboyz Nodrog Pat Gordon 3-1jf 29.54 4 2nd Shaneboy Lee Denis Kiely 4-1 29.58 6 3rd Faypoint Man Owen McKenna 3-1jf 29.74 1 4th Barefoot Bolt Paul Hennessy 4-1 29.98 3 5th Shelbourne Aston Pat Curtin 6-1 30.14 5 6th Barefoot Bryan Paul Hennessy 8-1 30.18 2

HX Bookmakers Puppy Derby, Harolds Cross (Oct 9, 525y, €30,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Tullymurry Act Pat Buckley 7-4 28.57 3 2nd Westmead Grant Fraser Black 6-4f 28.58 6 3rd Cornamaddy Swift Darragh Robinson 10-1 28.82 2 4th Bonville Johnny Steve Locke 66-1 29.02 4 5th Westmead Bond Fraser Black 5-1 29.04 5 6th Cornmaddy Flash Darragh Robinson 6-1 29.06 1

Cashmans Laurels, Cork (Oct 17, 525y, €35,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Sevenheads Bay Graham Holland 4-1 28.50 1 2nd Oran Classic John McGee Sr. 7-4f 28.66 4 3rd Boherna Best Owen McKenna 5-2 28.78 6 4th Tyrur Giovanni Pat Buckley 6-1 29.06 3 5th Bay City Jack Larry Harding 16-1 29.86 5 6th Forest Boss Fraser Black 5-2 32.26 2

References

1. "Rules and Regulations". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
2. "Ladbrokes to sponsor Irish Derby". Greyhound Data.
3. "2009". Greyhound Data.
4. "result". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Archived from the original on 2016-09-17. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
5. "Derby Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
6. "East Anglian Derby". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Archived from the original on 2018-10-07. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
7. "Hull to close Saturday". Racing Post . 25 June 2009. Archived from the original on 2014-05-14. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
8. "Demolition work to begin on Hull FC's Boulevard stadium". BBC News Humberside. BBC. 22 August 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
9. "GBGB Disciplinary document (PDF)". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
10. "A new era for greyhound racing as the £3m Drumbo Park opens". Belfast Telegraph.
11. "Scurry Gold Cup". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
12. "Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When 2009) April edition". Greyhound Star. 2012.
13. "Geoff De Mulder obituary". Coventry Telegraph.
14. "The Death of Geoff De Mulder". Perry Barr Retired Greyhounds Trust.
15. "Remember When - October 2009". Greyhound Star.
16. "Trainer's Championship meeting". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.