Oaks (English greyhound race)

Last updated

Oaks
1959 Gurteen Scamp Oaks.jpg
1959 winner Gurteen Scamp
ClassGroup 1 and Original Classic
Location Dunstall Park
Inaugurated1927
SponsorPremier Greyhound Racing
Race information
Distance480 metres
SurfaceSand
QualificationBitches only
Purse£20,000 (winner)

The Oaks is an original classic greyhound racing competition.

Contents

History

It was first run at White City Stadium from 1927 [1] until 1958, [2] [3] and gained classic status in September 1939, becoming the seventh classic race but due to the war it was suspended until 1945. [4] The race was held at Harringay Stadium from 1959 until 1987 and then to Wimbledon Stadium in 1988 until 2012. [5] [6]

In 2013 the Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) decided to move the event to sister track Belle Vue Stadium and just five years later, during 2018, it switched to Towcester following the decision by GRA to reduce their major race schedule. [7] A sixth change of venue was necessary in 2018 following the sudden closure of Towcester, leading owner John Turner stepped in to save the event with a late scheduling being organised in December at Swindon Stadium. [8]

In 2021, the race was switched from Swindon to Perry Barr due to the ongoing saga surrounding Swindon's redevelopment. [9] The event stayed at Perry Barr and with the introduction of new sponsors in the form of Premier Greyhound Racing the prize money pot was increased significantly for the 2022 edition.

As from 2025 the event will be held in Wolverhampton. [10]

Venues and distances

Sponsors

Ravenswood Flo, 2018 winner RavenswoodFlo.jpg
Ravenswood Flo, 2018 winner

Past winners

YearWinnerBreedingTrainerTime (sec) SP Notes
1927 Three of SpadesMutts Brother - ElnoraSid Jennings (Harringay)29.965/1
1928 MoselleLax Law - Fly AgainJimmy Quinn (Private)30.501/2f
1929 Bewitching EveBeaded Rock - Oriental ActionRichard Cooper (Clapton)30.333/1 [11]
1930 Faithful KittyMutton Cutlet - Old Bridge Lass Stan Biss (West Ham)30.024/6f [12]
1931 DrizzleDe Novo - Edna BestHarry Woolner (White City)30.004/6f
1932 Queen of the SuirMutton Cutlet - Burette Stan Biss (West Ham)30.899/4
1933 Queen of the SuirMutton Cutlet - Burette Stan Biss (West Ham)30.232/5f
1934 Gallant Ruth Mick the Miller - Melksham DamselHarry Buck (Harringay)30.2210/11f
1935 KitshineMacoma - Pleasant NoteArthur'Doc'Callanan (Wembley)30.1211/2
1936 Genial RadianceJohnny Peters - ReymerstonAustin Hiscock (Belle Vue)29.864/6f
1937 Brave QueenDeemster - Burette Stan Biss (West Ham)29.624/9f
1938 Quarter DayLawyers Fee - House KeeperJoe Harmon (Wimbledon)29.494/5f
1945 Prancing KittyTanist - Be Careful KittyPaddy Fortune (Wimbledon)29.5413/8
1946 Dumbles MaidToward Point - Flash And Flare Stan Biss (Clapton)29.4213/8 [13]
1947 Rio CeprettaFlying Dart - Rio Czarina Stan Biss (Clapton)29.326/5f
1948 Night BreezeMad Tanist - Charity Maid Stan Biss (Clapton)29.194/1
1949 Still DriftingShannon Shore - Bilting AntointetteSidney Probert (Wembley)29.4811/2
1950 Caledonian FaithTrain - Caledonian DesireArthur Mountfield (Private)29.628/1
1951 Ballinasloe MonaRimmells Black - Girlie O'Connor Jack Harvey (Wembley)29.286/4f
1952 Flos PetTerrible Rebel - Drapers AssistantPaddy Fortune (Wimbledon)29.608/1dead-heat
1952 Monachdy GirlieLocal Interprize - Golden Gleam Jimmy Jowett (Clapton)29.6010/1dead-heat
1953 LizetteMaster Captain - Dorothy AnnPaddy Fortune (Wimbledon)29.186/4f
1954 Ashcott WinsomeChittering Choice - Winsome ComplexionBert Heyes (White City)29.39100/6
1955 LizetteMaster Captain - Dorothy Ann Jack Harvey (Wembley)29.526/4 [14]
1956 First But LastCheerful Chariot - Here At Last Jack Harvey (Wembley)29.082/7f
1957 Dark RosePolonius - ExhibitionistW.G.Brown (Private)29.024/6f
1958 AntarcticaFire Prince - Spitland Joy Jimmy Jowett (Clapton)29.127/2
1959 Gurteen ScampHi There – Dunmore ClaudiaGeorge Waterman (Wimbledon)29.9011/2
1960 Wheatfield CountessHi There - Wheatfield SatelliteStan Martin (Wimbledon)29.335/4f
1961 Ballinasloe BlondieNorthern King - Ballinasloe Chicken Jack Harvey (Wembley)29.582/7f
1962 Ballinasloe BlondieNorthern King - Ballinasloe Chicken Jack Harvey (Wembley)29.681/2f [15]
1963 Cranog BetKnock Hill Chieftain - Don't Bet Phil Rees Sr. (Private)29.317/2 [16]
1964 Cranog BetKnock Hill Chieftain - Don't Bet Phil Rees Sr. (Private)29.024/9fequalled track record [17]
1965 MarjoneCrazy Parachute - Anjone Mick O'Toole (Ireland)29.374/1
1966 Merry EmblemPrinters Prince - One For The MajorMatt Bruton (Ireland)29.587/4
1967 SolerinaCrazy Parachute - Primrose PrincessJanice Thistleton (Catford)29.5012/1
1968 Shady ParachuteCrazy Parachute - Shady Contempora Phil Rees Sr. (Wimbledon)29.381/2f
1969 Shady BraceletPrinters Prince - Shady CrocusPeter Collett (Private)28.637/4f
1970 Perth PatMaryville Hi - Hiver SwankyJim Morgan (Oxford)28.8113/8f
1971 Short CakeThe Grand Silver - She Is LandingDavid Geggus (Walthamstow)28.985/1
1972 Decimal QueenDusty Trail - Roamin BeautyMick Hawkins (Private)28.606/4f
1973 Miss RossMyross Again - Rich Life Tom Johnston Jr. (Wembley)28.638/1
1974 Lady DevineSupreme Fun - Funny FlashSid Ryall (Wembley)28.763/1
1975 Pineapple GrandThe Grand Silver - Pineapple BabyFrank Baldwin (Perry Barr)28.858/11f
1976 Ballinderry MothKilbelin Style - Skipping ChickBarney O'Connor (Walthamstow)28.604/6f [18]
1977 Switch OffWestpark Mint - Kudas PinchJim Singleton (Harringay)28.696/4f
1978 Kilmagoura MistYanka Boy - Kilmagoura Fair Tom Johnston Jr. (Wembley)28.5510/1
1979 Sunny IntervalItsachampion - Cloheadon PussyPhilip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon)28.7712/1
1980 Devilish DoloresItsachampion - Dancing Dolores Ernie Gaskin Sr. (Private)28.7220/1
1981 Thanet PrincessInstant Gambler - Isle Of ThanetDick Hawkes (Walthamstow)28.8211/2
1982 Duchess of AvonBallintee Star - Quarry Blaze Adam Jackson (Wembley)28.721/1f
1983 Major GroveKnockrour Tiger - Sandras MelodyEric Pateman (Wimbledon)28.596/1
1984 Sandy SallySand Man - Ballyderg MothJack Coker (Milton Keynes)28.699/2
1985 Spiral SuperCooladine Super - Spiral Mint George Curtis (Brighton)28.5710/11f
1986 Sullane PrincessOran Jack - Muileann AmerePeter Payne (Romford)28.7920/1
1987 Lucky EmpressCitizen Supreme - Dark EmpressAllen Briggs (Private)28.432/1
1988 Wendys DreamTamarac - Up Town GirlTommy Foster (Wimbledon)28.814/5f
1989 Nice and LovelyPlunket Tim - Luisa DaniellaDerek Tidswell (Private)29.029/4
1990 Liberal GirlEasy And Slow - Ballinvard RoseDerek Knight (Brighton)28.955/1
1991 Simple TrendMoral Support - Woodside Breeze Ernie Gaskin Sr. (Walthamstow)29.062/1f
1992 Skelligs SmurfSkelligs Tiger - Speedy SmurfBob Gilling (Reading)29.7111/8f
1993 Pearls GirlFlashy Sir - Desert PearlSam Sykes (Wimbledon)28.558/11f
1994 Westmead ChickI'm Slippy - Westmead Move Nick Savva (Walthamstow)28.608/11f [19]
1995 Saddlers ReturnApril Trio - Velvet Coat Ernie Gaskin Sr. (Walthamstow)28.763/1
1996 Annies BulletSlippys Quest - O'Hickey Kylie Nick Savva (Walthamstow)28.767/4jf
1997 Flashy GetMurlens Slippy - Flashy Fiona Ernie Gaskin Sr. (Walthamstow)28.7514/1 [20]
1998 Sarah DeeArrigle Buddy - Castlegannon Pop Nick Savva (Walthamstow)28.826/4f [21]
1999 SpringtimeVintage Prince - MeantimeGer Watson (Ireland)28.974/9f
2000 Ragga JujuJustright Melody - Cent Her ForwardJoanne Page (Milton Keynes)29.297/1
2001 TalktothehandTop Honcho - Merry BluebellJimmy Gibson (Belle Vue)29.066/4jf
2002 Purley QueenFrisby Flashing - Traceys WhisperNorah McEllistrim (Wimbledon)29.148/1
2003 Cooly PanteraSpiral Nikita - Direen Havana Brian Clemenson (Hove)29.1811/8f
2004 TidyplayroomSmooth Rumble - Toss StellaDerek Knight (Hove)29.275/–1
2005 Droopys StaceyDroopys Kewell – Droopy RobertaIan Reilly (Ireland)29.104/6f [22]
2006 Dilemmas FlightDroopys Vieri – Early Flight Nick Savva (Private)28.967/1 [23]
2007 Blonde JeannieDaves Mentor – Easy and BreezyJohn Mullins (Private)28.762/1 [24]
2008 Meenala AmyDroopys Shearer – Lassana JennyKim Billingham (Monmore)28.9910/1 [25]
2009 Shaws Dilemma [26] Droopys Vieri – Saffron BorderLiz McNair (Private)28.525/2
2010 Freedom EmmaBrett Lee – Miss FrecklesRichard Yeates (Oxford)28.685/2 [27]
2011 Silverview PerkyHead Bound - Owens Rover Charlie Lister OBE (Private)28.401/1f [28]
2012 Droopys HopeAce Hi Rumble – Droopys DarjinaLiz McNair (Private)28.832/1 [29]
2013 Droopys DanneelRumble Impact – Droopys Bubble Kevin Hutton (Swindon) 27.977/4f
2014 Cashen MaureenCashen Legend – Leigh Fantastic Mark Wallis (Towcester) 27.994/6f [30]
2015 Domino StormMakeshift – Swift Erin Mark Wallis (Towcester) 27.595/2 [31]
2016 Forest TwilightAce Hi Rumble - Forest MayHayley Keightley (Private)27.796/4f [32]
2017 WuheidaHead Bound - Droopys ThrillPhil Simmonds (Romford) 28.7411/4 [33]
2018 Ravenswood Flo Laughil Blake - Ravenswood May Kevin Hutton (Monmore) 3/1 [34]
2019 Bull Run ByteRomeo Recruit –Tullowmac Java Kevin Hutton (Monmore) 28.297/4 [35]
2020 Ballymac TrendBallymac Best – Motobar AbigailAngie Kibble (Swindon) 28.4125/1 [36]
2021 Billys DivaGood News – Jaytee SaharaMarie Kennedy (Ireland)28.882/1f [37]
2022 Slick SakinaDroopys Sydney – Droopys Ring Patrick Janssens (Towcester)27.8511/8fTrack record [38]
2023 No RushKing Elvis – Vahsel BayCarol Weatherall (Monmore)28.1815/8f [39]
2024 Druids Say GoDroopys Sydney – Druids DianaPatrick Janssens (Towcester)27.824/11f [40]

References

  1. "Greyhound Racing" . West London Observer. 14 October 1927. Retrieved 28 October 2023 via British Newspaper Archive.
  2. Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, pages 171-174. Ringpress Books. ISBN   0-948955-15-5.
  3. "Home". thedogs.co.uk.
  4. "Remember When - September 1939". Greyhound Star. 2012.
  5. Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN   07207-1106-1.
  6. Hobbs, Jonathan (2007). Greyhound Annual 2008, pages 142-144. Raceform. ISBN   978-1-905153-53-4.
  7. "Towcester gets the Oaks, Leger Stays at the Barr". Greyhound Star. 23 July 2018.
  8. "Oaks to be run in December". Greyhound Star. 8 November 2018.
  9. "ARC takes Oaks to Perry Barr". Greyhound Star. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  10. "English Greyhound Derby, St Leger and Oaks dates for 2025 announced". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  11. "Birmingham Dog's win" . Birmingham Daily Gazette. 30 August 1929. Retrieved 30 November 2024 via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. "The Greyhound Oaks" . The Scotsman. 11 August 1930. Retrieved 30 November 2024 via British Newspaper Archive.
  13. "Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When) September edition". Greyhound Star. 2015.
  14. "Remember When - October 1955". Greyhound Star. 7 October 2018.
  15. "Remember When - July 1962". Greyhound Star | News from the Greyhound Industry. Greyhound Star. 28 July 2018.
  16. "Remember When July". Greyhound Star. 28 July 2019.
  17. "Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When) July edition". Greyhound Star. 2012.
  18. "Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When 1976) November edition". Greyhound Star. 2012.
  19. Fry, Paul (1995). The Official NGRC Greyhound Racing Yearbook. Ringpress Books. p. 38. ISBN   186054-010-4.
  20. "That's Four Ernie". Vol. 16, no. 1. Greyhound Star. January 1998.
  21. "Remember When December". Greyhound Star. 6 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  22. "2005 Result". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.[ permanent dead link ]
  23. "2006 Result". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  24. "2007 Result". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  25. "2008 Result". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  26. "2009 Result". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.[ permanent dead link ]
  27. "2010 Result". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  28. "2011 Result". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  29. "2012 Result". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  30. "2014 final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  31. "2015 Result". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  32. "2016 RPGTV final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  33. "2017 Oaks". GBGB.
  34. "2018 English Oaks Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  35. "2019 English Oaks Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  36. "The Property192 Oaks 2020 Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  37. "28 October Race meeting". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  38. "Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  39. "Perry Barr, Saturday 28 October". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  40. "Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks Final 2024". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 27 October 2024.