2021 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year | |
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The 2021 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 96th year of greyhound racing in the Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Greyhound racing in Ireland. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Major Winners | |
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Award | Name of Winner |
2021 English Greyhound Derby | Thorn Falcon |
2021 Irish Greyhound Derby | Susie Sapphire |
Greyhound Trainer of the Year | Mark Wallis |
UK Greyhound of the Year | Signet Ace |
Irish Greyhound of the Year | Susie Sapphire |
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The main news throughout the year was the announcement of a five-year deal between Entain and ARC for a new joint venture of live broadcast rights from 1 January 2024 until 31 December 2029. The deal was described in some news articles as revamping and revitalising greyhound racing's wider betting appeal but in truth the deal although inevitable (a bookmaker owned industry had been predicted 20 years previously) was potentially a serious problem for a third of the industry. The deal in detail meant that the Entain/Ladbrokes Coral owned tracks (Crayford, Hove, Monmore and Romford) and the ARC tracks (Newcastle, Nottingham, Perry Barr and Sunderland) would form eight of the tracks with broadcast rights and they would likely be joined by two to four more tracks. This would mean that a further six to eight tracks would be financially unstable with no broadcast rights and would face an uncertain future. [6] [7] [8] Shortly after the announcement Central Park Stadium was acquired by ARC, leaving Doncaster, Harlow, Henlow, Kinsley, Sheffield, Pelaw Grange, Shawfield, Swindon, Towcester and Yarmouth battling for rights before 2024. [9]
The major disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic continued with racing remaining behind closed doors until the return of crowds was allowed on 17 May. The Derby returned to Towcester Greyhound Stadium following two years at Nottingham. [10] The 2021 English Greyhound Derby was won by Thorn Falcon for Belgian born Patrick Janssens, thwarting an Irish attempt at a third consecutive success. [11]
Just one week after being named the 2020 Greyhound of the Year Aayamza Royale broke the 900 metres track record at Monmore, recording 55.95 seconds. [12] In May 2021 Kevin Hutton returned to train out of Towcester following its reopening [13] and later in September 2021, won his fourth trainers championship (the first as the rebranded Judgement Night). [14]
Towcester and Henlow owner Kevin Boothby announced his intention to re-open Oxford Stadium and Mildenhall Stadium (the latter would be known as Suffolk Downs) with renovation work beginning on the tracks in July, which continued until the end of the year. Originally he had hoped to open both tracks before Christmas but this did not materialise. [15]
The Oaks was switched from Swindon to Perry Barr due to the ongoing saga surrounding Swindon's redevelopment. [16]
Mark Wallis extended his Greyhound Trainer of the Year record to twelve titles. [17]
The Champion Stakes was positioned in the racing calendar just before the Irish Derby and would give a great indication as to the form heading into the event. De Machine won the final, which contained six serious contenders for the Derby. Susie Sapphire was arguably the star in Ireland, after winning the Oaks she went unbeaten throughout the 2021 Irish Greyhound Derby and duly won the Irish greyhound of the year. [18] Others that had a great year were Good Cody, Priceless Jet and Explosive Boy; Cody won the Sprint Cup and Kingdom Derby as well as reaching the Produce final; Priceless Jet was a St Leger and Champions Stakes finalist and won the Corn Cuchulainn; Explosive Boy reached the Irish Derby and Kirby finals and won the Produce.
Havana Class won the first Laurels to be staged at Perry Barr in April and shortly afterwards trainer Ricky Holloway won his fourth Grand National, this time with Meenagh Maverick. In May, Aayamza Royale became the fourth greyhound to win the TV Trophy twice, also setting a record of fours wins for trainer Mark Wallis in the process. Royale broke the track record to complete a memorable feat. [19] In July, Aayamza Royale continued her stunning form by winning the £10,000 Regency.
Aayamza Royale was the leading contender to become the first greyhound since Westmead Hawk to win Greyhound of the Year for two consecutive years. She would be challenged by Space Jet (a newcomer that won the St Leger in a track record time), Thorn Falcon (the Derby champion), Signet Ace and Salacres Pippy. The award went to Signet Ace, who had claimed the Winter Derby, Eclipse and Select Stakes.
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Competition | Date | Venue | Winning Greyhound | Winning Trainer | Time | SP | Notes |
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Coral Essex Vase | 22 Jan | Romford | Antigua Romeo | Mark Wallis (Henlow) | 34.66 | 8-1 | [26] |
TRC Health & Hygiene Blue Riband | 6 Feb | Towcester | Kilara Lion | Patrick Janssens (Central Park) | 29.73 | 11-8f | [27] |
Ladbrokes Puppy Derby | 27 Feb | Monmore | Jaguar Macie | Graham Rankin (Pelaw Grange) | 28.04 | 9-2 | [28] |
Ladbrokes Winter Derby | 27 Feb | Monmore | Signet Ace | Kevin Hutton (Monmore) | 28.08 | 6-1 | [29] |
Coral Golden Sprint | 19 Mar | Romford | Bockos Jon Jo | Patrick Janssens (Towcester) | 23.77 | 10-11f | [30] |
BGBF British Breeders Stakes | 22 Mar | Nottingham | King Louis | Liz McNair (Private) | 29.63 | 9-2 | [31] |
Northern Puppy Derby | 31 Mar | Newcastle | Jaguar Macie | Graham Rankin (Pelaw Grange) | 28.52 | 13-8f | [32] |
Cearnsport Springbok | 4 Apr | Central Park | Droopys Rex | David Mullins (Romford) | 29.94 | 7-2 | [33] |
TRC Health & Hygiene Northamptonshire Sprint | 13 Apr | Towcester | Bockos Jon Jo | Patrick Janssens (Towcester) | 16.10 | 1-2f | [34] |
Arena Racing Company Grand Prix | 20 Apr | Sunderland | Coolavanny Bani | Angela Harrison (Newcastle) | 39.21 | 7-2 | [35] |
RPGTV Juvenile | 20 Apr | Towcester | Ballymac Trend | Kevin Boon (Towcester) | 29.62 | 7-1 | [36] |
KAB Maiden Derby | 18 May | Towcester | Thorn Falcon | Patrick Janssens (Towcester) | 29.24 | 10-11f | [37] |
Arena Racing Company Northern Flat | 19 May | Newcastle | Pacemaker Ted | Tom Heilbron (Newcastle) | 28.37 | 9-4f | [38] |
George Ing St Leger | 29 May | Yarmouth | Blue Tick George | Jim Daly (Crayford) | 40.31 | 11-10jf | [39] |
Ladbrokes Kent St Leger | 26 Jun | Crayford | Bo Shine Bullet | Mark Wallis (Henlow) | 45.55 | 1-1f | [40] |
Ladbrokes Guys and Dolls | 26 Jun | Crayford | Punk Rock Doll | Stuart Maplesden (Hove) | 23.00 | 4–1 | [40] |
Ladbrokes Kent Vase | 26 Jun | Crayford | Ballynabee Jet | Samantha West (Hove) | 34.03 | 100–30 | [40] |
Stadium Bookmakers Juvenile Classic | 20 Jul | Towcester | Brookside Richie | David Mullins (Romford) | 29.48 | 11–10f | |
Coral Regency | 31 Jul | Hove | Aayamza Royale | Mark Wallis (Henlow) | 41.56 | 11–4 | [41] |
Coral Sussex Cup | 31 Jul | Hove | Drumcrow Brent | Mark Wallis (Henlow) | 29.89 | 5–1 | [41] |
Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic | 21 Aug | Monmore | Coolavanny Bani | Angela Harrison (Newcastle) | 37.87 | 4–1 | [42] |
Ladbrokes Gold Cup | 21 Aug | Monmore | Minglers Popeye | Stuart Tighe (Newcastle) | 28.45 | 11–2 | [42] |
Stadium Bookmakers Marathon Trophy | 22 Aug | Towcester | Savana Volcano | Diane Henry (Towcester) | 58.27 | 2–1 | [43] |
ARC Puppy Classic | 30 Aug | Nottingham | Bubbly Apache | Paul Young (Romford) | 29.53 | 2–1 | [44] |
Select Stakes | 30 Aug | Nottingham | Signet Ace | Kevin Hutton (Towcester) | 29.72 | 9/4f | [45] |
Gain Nutrition 3 Steps to Victory | 7 Sep | Sheffield | Savana Eruption | Diane Henry (Towcester) | 39.14 | 15–8f | [46] |
75th Produce Stakes | 19 Sep | Swindon | Pocket Lola | Seamus Cahill (Brighton) | 28.15 | 5–6f | [47] |
Coral Romford Puppy Cup | 24 Sep | Romford | Brookside Richie | David Mullins (Romford) | 23.68 | 1–3f | [48] |
Stadium Bookmakers Empress Stakes | 26 Sep | Towcester | Coolavanny Aunty | Angela Harrison (Newcastle) | 29.34 | 13–8f | [49] |
M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup | 30 Sep | Perry Barr | Candy Man | Carol Weatherall (Sheffield) | 28.10 | 5–1 | [50] |
Property 192 Graders Derby | 10 Oct | Towcester | Deanridge Awesom | Allison Kelly-Pilgrim (Crayford) | 29.57 | 4–6f | |
BGBF Puppy Cup | 17 Oct | Towcester | Moments of Magic | Kevin Hutton (Towcester) | 27.62 | 11–2 | [51] |
Kent Derby | 17 Oct | Central Park | Galaxy Freedom | Stuart Maplesden (Hove) | 29.26 | 28–1 | [52] |
Coral Champion Stakes | 22 Oct | Romford | Night Time Danny | Steve Rayner (Henlow) | 34.94 | 3–1 | [53] |
1st Containers Marathon Trophy | 24 Oct | Towcester | Space Jet | Matt Dartnall (Central Park) | 56.67 | 7–4f | [54] |
Scurry Gold Cup | 28 Oct | Perry Barr | Crossfield Dusty | Patrick Janssens (Towcester) | 16.26 | 10/11f | [23] |
Bresbet Steel City Cup | 30 Oct | Sheffield | Forest Gold | Kevin Hutton (Towcester) | 28.71 | 3/1 | [55] |
Stadium Bookmakers Hunt Cup | 14 Nov | Towcester | Salacres Pippy | Peter Harnden (Towcester) | 42.90 | 9/4 | Track record [56] |
ARC Classic | 18 Nov | Sunderland | Narcos The Great | George Cunningham (Private) | 26.84 | 13/2 | [57] |
Ladbrokes Kent Rosebowl | 27 Nov | Crayford | Icaals Rocco | John Mullins (Towcester) | 23.38 | 8/1 | [58] |
Ladbrokes Gold Collar | 27 Nov | Crayford | Warzone Tom | Liz McNair (Private) | 33.58 | 4/6f | [59] |
Eclipse | 6 Dec | Nottingham | Signet Ace | Kevin Hutton (Towcester) | 29.41 | 11/10f | [60] |
Coral Olympic | 18 Dec | Hove | Prince of Troy | David Mullins (Romford) | 30.21 | 25/1 | [61] |
Coral Brighton Belle | 18 Dec | Hove | Lights Out | Kevin Hutton (Towcester) | 30.28 | 9/4 | [62] |
The Puppy Derby | 19 Dec | Towcester | Make Noise | Seamus Cahill (Hove) | 29.71 | 15/8 | [63] |
ARC Champion Hurdle | 19 Dec | Central Park | Toolmaker Daddy | Ricky Holloway (Private) | 30.26 | 11/1 | [64] |
ARC National Sprint | 20 Dec | Nottingham | Crossfield Dusty | Patrick Janssens (Towcester) | 17.65 | 8/11f | [65] |
BGBF British Bred Derby | 21 Dec | Sheffield | Fabulous Azurra | Patrick Janssens (Towcester) | 28.73 | 5/2 | [66] |
All England Cup | 28 Dec | Newcastle | Moanteen Mikey | Angela Harrison (Newcastle) | 28.72 | 11/4f | [67] |
Coronation Cup | cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic |
Competition | Date | Venue | Winning Greyhound | Winning Trainer | Time | SP | Notes |
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Shelbourne 600 | 2 Jan | Shelbourne | Ballymac Kingdom | Liam Dowling | 32.30 | No SP | NO SP due to COVID-19 [68] |
Best Car Parks Gold Cup | 6 Feb | Shelbourne | Inforapenny | Kieran Lynch | 28.97 | 5-1 | [69] |
Greyhound & Petworld Juvenile Classic | 12 Mar | Tralee | Singalong Sally | Pat Buckley | 28.58 | No SP | No SP due to COVID-19 [70] |
Ballymac Anton at Stud McCalmont Cup | 26 Mar | Kilkenny | Dark Devil | Martin (Murt) Leahy | 28.86 | No SP | No SP due to COVID-19 [71] |
Waterford Select Stakes | 20 Apr | Waterford | Skywalker Barry | Mark O'Donovan | 28.14 | No SP | No SP due to COVID-19 [72] |
SIS Irish Cesarewitch | 16 May | Mullingar | Amazing Alice | Patrick Guilfoyle | 33.20 | 9-4 | [73] |
SIS Race of Champions | 19 Jun | Tralee | Explosive Boy | Patrick Guilfoyle | 29.36 | No SP | NO SP due to COVID-19 [74] |
Corn Cuchulainn | 17 Jul | Shelbourne | Priceless Jet | Paul Hennessy | 41.39 | 9-4f | [75] |
Champion 550 | 17 Jul | Shelbourne | Deadly Destroyer | Karol Ramsbottom | 29.36 | 4/1 | [75] |
Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup | 7 Aug | Thurles | Freedom Epic | Kathleen Pomfret | 29.02 | No SP | NO SP due to COVID-19 [76] |
Kingdom Derby | 21 Dec | Tralee | Good Cody | Patrick Guilfoyle | 28.25 | 9/4 | [77] |
Dundalk International | cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic |
Romford Greyhound Stadium, referred to as Coral Romford Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located in Romford town centre in the London Borough of Havering in east London which is owned and operated by the Ladbrokes Coral group. The stadium has a capacity for over 1,700 people.
Perry Barr Stadium (also known as Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium and previously as Alexander Sports Ground(s)) is a greyhound racing and motorcycle speedway stadium on Aldridge Road in Perry Barr, Birmingham, England. The track is operated by the Arena Racing Company (ARC), who lease it from owners the National Asset Management Agency. Racing takes place every Saturday evening, in addition to their four ARC fixtures.
Nottingham Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track and stadium on the outskirts of Nottingham, England.
Newcastle Stadium is a greyhound racing and former motorcycle speedway stadium, located on The Fossway, Byker, Newcastle. Racing at the stadium takes place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The circumference of the track is 415 metres. Until mid-2022, speedway racing took place from March to October.
Crayford Stadium is a greyhound racing stadium located in the London Borough of Bexley in England. The stadium, which has featured races since 1986, has private suites, a restaurant and a number of bars.
Monmore Green Stadium is a greyhound racing and former motorcycle speedway stadium located in Wolverhampton. The stadium has private suites, a restaurant and a number of bars. The venue is owned and operated by the Ladbrokes Coral group.
Towcester Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located within Towcester Racecourse at Towcester in Northamptonshire, England. It has been the home of the English Greyhound Derby since 2021, having previously hosted the event from 2017 to 2018.
The Monmore Puppy Derby also known as the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby for sponsorship purposes, is a greyhound competition held at Monmore Green Stadium. It was inaugurated in 1943 and was has also been known as the Midland Puppy Championship, the Midland Puppy Derby and the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby.
The Television Trophy is a greyhound racing competition held annually. It was inaugurated in 1952 and shown on the BBC. A different venue was chosen each year over the marathon distance of the relevant track. The competition consisted of heats and a final one week later.
The Champion Stakes is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Romford Greyhound Stadium in East London, England.
The 2016 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 91st year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland and commenced with the category 2 Coronation Cup at Romford Greyhound Stadium which was shown live on Sky Sports. The final event was the Olympic at Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium.
The 2017 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 92nd year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 2018 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 93rd year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 2011 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 86th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Kevin Richard Hutton is an English greyhound trainer. He is a four times United Kingdom champion Champion Trainer and 2018 Derby winning trainer.
The 2020 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year is the 95th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Patrick Jozef Anna Janssens is a Belgian born greyhound trainer. He has won the English Greyhound Derby and has been British champion trainer.
The 2022 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 97th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 2023 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 98th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 2024 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year is the 99th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.