| Class | Category 2 |
|---|---|
| Location | Various |
| Inaugurated | 1937 |
| Final run | 2023 |
| Race information | |
| Surface | Sand |
| Qualification | Hurdlers only |
The Springbok was a greyhound racing hurdle competition last held at Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium in 2023.
The event was inaugurated in 1937 [1] at the White City Stadium in London. The origins of the race came from a contingent of greyhounds that included Hawtrey, Raven Arms and Bobby Sparks that travelled to South Africa in the winter of 1936/1937 as a series of race tests for the country. In return the South African Greyhound Racing Association gifted a trophy to the Greyhound Racing Association and a perpetual award for a new race was created. [2]
The event was held at White City until its closure in 1985 when it switched to Wimbledon Stadium. The event is the leading competition for novice hurdlers. [3] [4]
In 2017 the race switched to Central Park Stadium in Sittingbourne following the closure of Wimbledon Stadium. The relocation of the competition to Central Park continued a family legacy for the Cearns family who had been connected with the race when it was first held in 1937. [5] In 2023, the race was held at Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium while track renovation was taking place at Central Park [6] but Central Park did not continue hurdle racing when the new track was completed. [7]
| Year | Winner | Breeding | Trainer | Time (sec) | SP | Notes/ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 | Curious Jester | Sidney Orton (Wimbledon) | 30.98 | 7/4f | [8] | |
| 1938 | Bantown Banner | Eric Hiscock (Harringay) | 30.85 | 5/4f | ||
| 1939 | Corporal of Waterhall | Paddy Fortune (Wimbledon) | 30.42 | 3/1 | ||
| 1946 | Alvaston Commando | Bill Cowell (Coventry) | 32.33 | 7/4f | ||
| 1947 | Kids Delight | Albert Jonas (Stamford Bridge) | 32.55 | 3/1 | ||
| 1948 | Neff | Miss J Griffiths (Walthamstow) | 30.97 | 4/7f | ||
| 1949 | Mighty Maharatta | Jerry Hannafin (Wimbledon) | 30.94 | 5/4f | ||
| 1950 | Sunny Abbey | Jerry Hannafin (Wimbledon) | 30.26 | 9/4 | ||
| 1951 | Devil O'Leer | Bahs Choice – Baytown Nightingale | Norman Merchant (Private) | 31.03 | 3/1 | |
| 1952 | Wild Der | Border Keeper – Gilmours Glory | Paddy McEllistrim (Wimbledon) | 30.32 | 15/8 | |
| 1953 | Oriel Idol | Shaggy Lad – Rushton Curly | Dal Hawkesley (West Ham) | 30.20 | 5/2 | |
| 1954 | Ventry Record | Record Choice – Anvil Block | Henry Parsons (Crayford) | 33.60 | 8/1 | |
| 1955 | Riot O'Leer | Despot O'Leer – Magic Blissful | Jack Chadwick (Private) | 32.66 | 7/2 | |
| 1956 | Harlington Harrier | Dal Hawkesley (West Ham) | 32.80 | 7/1 | ||
| 1957 | Racing Max | Ballybeg Surprise – Racing Fool | Reg Bosley (Hackney) | 32.92 | 6/1 | |
| 1958 | Highway Tim | Magourna Reject – Hunston Bell | Mrs Rosealie Beba (Private) | 32.25 | 5/1 | |
| 1959 | Downside | Barrowside – Celtic Beauty | Jack Harvey (Wembley) | 32.24 | 9/4 | |
| 1960 | Shannon Dasher | Prince of Bermuda – Shannon Drive | Jimmy Maw (Private) | 32.15 | 7/2 | |
| 1961 | Ballydrislane Customer | Quare Customer – Cold Lady | George Waterman (Wimbledon) | 31.78 | ||
| 1962 | Barrel Kissane | Champion Prince - Yoblstrap | Barney O'Connor (Walthamstow) | 31.47 | 2/1 | [9] |
| 1963 | Longstreet | Barrowside – Sallyscross Lady | Jack Harvey (Wembley) | 31.88 | ||
| 1964 | The Grange Destiny | The Grand Fire - Delienne | George Waterman (Wimbledon) | 31.98 | 7/4 | |
| 1965 | Darn Hall | Crazy Parachute - Penicola | Bob Burls (Wembley) | 32.33 | ||
| 1966 | Husky Breeze | Pigalle Wonder – Jet Dancer | John Bassett (Private) | 32.20 | ||
| 1967 | High St Boy | Champion Tipp – Fire Siren | Colin McNally (Perry Barr) | 31.50 | ||
| 1968 | Haydens Star | Fairys Chum – Haydens Fire | Nora Gleeson (Private) | 31.60 | 6/1 | |
| 1969 | Happy Harry | Crazy Society – Hiver Swanky | Phil Rees Sr. (Wimbledon) | 31.92 | 7/4 | |
| 1970 | Bawnies Rocket | Come On Bawnie – Toor Lassie | Phil Rees Sr. (Wimbledon) | 31.86 | 2/1 | |
| 1971 | Ragtime | Super Orange – Maggie From Cork | John Coleman (Wembley) | 32.10 | 5/4f | |
| 1972 | Jacks Ship | Rocket Ship – Amelia’s Pet | Bob Burls (Wembley) | 32.16 | 11/10f | |
| 1973 | Killone Flash | Forward Flash – Dancing Barrier | Randy Singleton (White City - London) | 31.53 | 9/2 | |
| 1974 | Weston Pete | Monalee Champion – New Kashmir | Colin West (White City - London) | 32.04 | 2/1 | |
| 1975 | Ashgrove Road | Spectre II – Ashgrove Star | Paddy McEvoy (Wimbledon) | 31.51 | 9/2 | |
| 1976 | Stuart Captain | Ramdeen Stuart – Here For You | John Coleman (Wembley) | 30.70 | 2/1f | |
| 1977 | Autumn Groves | Itsachampion – Green Line | Frank Melville (Harringay) | 31.31 | 9/4 | |
| 1978 | Super Hunter | Gaultier Fox – Fire Hunter | Phil Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) | 30.47 | 8/15f | |
| 1979 | Westmead Manor | Mels Pupil – Westmead Silver | Natalie Savva (Private) | 31.28 | 6/4 | |
| 1980 | Bobcol | Westpark Mint – Black Katty | Norah McEllistrim (Wimbledon) | 31.17 | 2/1 | |
| 1981 | Clashing Ash | Clashing – Ballycline Sara | Phil Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) | 30.57 | 6-/1 | |
| 1983 | Space Top | Crazy Top – My Little Cugeen | Paddy Hancox (Perry Barr) | 31.94 | 5/1 | |
| 1984 | Scarcely Unknown | Hunday Dook – Speech Mistress | Derek Knight (Hove) | 30.69 | 6/4f | |
| 1985 | Knight of Raft | Paradise Spectre – Lady Raft | Norah McEllistrim (Wimbledon) | 28.65 | 8/11f | |
| 1986 | Raffles Nitespot | Yankee Express – Raffles Bridge | Linda Mullins (Harringay) | 28.59 | 5/1 | |
| 1987 | Lemon Yachtsman | Lindas Champion – Lemon Pearl | Philip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) | 28.36 | 7/2 | |
| 1988 | Skyline Prince | Sheskin Rocket – Apache Laura | David Kinchett (Wimbledon) | 28.59 | 5/1 | |
| 1989 | Lemon Chip | Sinbad – Lemon Lisa | Philip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) | 28.87 | 6/1 | |
| 1990 | Ranger Supreme | Citizen Supreme – White Ranger | Norah McEllistrim (Wimbledon) | 28.80 | 5/4f | |
| 1991 | Fennessys Gold | Soda Fountain – Fast Mission | Ray Peacock (Catford) | 28.41 | 5/1 | |
| 1992 | Double Rock | Printers Present – Dolores Daughter | Philip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) | 28.62 | 25/1 | |
| 1993 | Arfur Daley | Pond Mirage – Blue Mint II | Bert Meadows (Oxford) | 27.80 | 3/1 | Track record [10] |
| 1994 | Avoid The Rush | Manorville Star – Smokey Snowdrop | Bernie Doyle (Private) | 29.44 | 7/2 | [11] |
| 1995 | Arrogant Prince | Ballinderry Flash - Proverbia | Tom Foster (Wimbledon) | 28.35 | 7/4jf | [12] |
| 1996 | Colorado Joker | Green Gorse – Denver Minnie | Philip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) | 28.32 | 4/1 | |
| 1997 | Simon Simon | Murlens Abbey – Lovely Lovely | Gary Baggs (Walthamstow) | 28.21 | 5/1 | |
| 1998 | Frisco Sir | Flashy Sir – Forever Roving | Ray Peacock (Wimbledon) | 28.05 | 3/1 | |
| 1999 | Ballinabola Gale | Batties Whisper – Ballinaboola Lil | Jason Foster (Catford) | 28.11 | 1/1f | |
| 2000 | Lenson Eddie | Perfect Whisper – Culbidagh Rose | Ray Peacock (Wimbledon) | 28.70 | 8/13f | [13] |
| 2001 | Rossa Ranger | Come On Ranger – Emmerdale Pine | John Counsell (Private) | 28.92 | 1/1f | [14] |
| 2002 | Opus Joe | Roanokee - Glin Abbey Sharp | Pat Thompson (Crayford) | 28.51 | 7/4 | [15] |
| 2003 | Deep Sensation | Spiral Nikita – Sensational | Jim Reynolds (Walthamstow) | 28.51 | 3/1jf | [16] |
| 2004 | Farloe Chinook | Thorgil Tex – Seanos Peer | Maxine Locke (Wimbledon) | 29.23 | 20/1 | [17] |
| 2005 | Druids Mickey Jo | Top Honcho – Druids Villa | Seamus Cahill (Wimbledon) | 28.14 | 8/13f | [18] |
| 2006 | Kaysers Hill | Roanokee – Aghadown Phantom | Tom Foster (Private) | 28.61 | 6/4f | [19] |
| 2007 | Blackmagic Jamie | Daves Mentor – Glown Mist | Ernest Gaskin Jr. (Walthamstow) | 28.62 | 8/1 | [20] |
| 2008 | Hotdog Jack | Droopys Vieri – Hare Star | Seamus Cahill (Wimbledon) | 28.38 | 1/2f | [21] |
| 2009 | Bomber Bailey | Confident Choice-Garry Special | Mark Wallis (Harlow) | 27.96 | 6/1 | [22] |
| 2010 | Royal Honcho | Honcho Classic-Prina Donna | Seamus Cahill (Hove) | 28.59 | 5/4f | [23] |
| 2011 | Clonkeen Theo | Top Honcho-Good Luck | Jason Foster (Wimbledon) | 29.47 | 8/1 | |
| 2012 | Westmead Melanie | Droopys Maldini – Mega Delight | Nick Savva (Private) | 29.59 | 10/11f | [25] |
| 2013 | Westmead Meteor | Droopys Vieri – Westmead Olivia | Ricky Holloway (Wimbledon) | 29.38 | 9/4f | [26] |
| 2014 | Cornamaddy Jumbo | Ardkill Jamie – Cornamaddy Maid | Mark Wallis (Yarmouth) | 29.45 | 11/8f | [27] |
| 2015 | Reculver Ozzie | Farley Turbo – Lemon Bolt | Barry O'Sullivan (Crayford) | 30.05 | 8/11f | [28] |
| 2016 | Ballymac Manix | Ballymac Vic – Moyar Kite | Seamus Cahill (Hove) | 29.11 | 2/1 | [29] |
| 2017 | Yassoo Martin | Blackstone Gene – Droopys Quinta | George Andreas (Central Park) | 29.88 | 8/1 | [30] |
| 2018 | Lenson Wilson | Scolari Me Daddy – Killduff Kerry | Ricky Holloway (Central Park) | 29.63 | 4/9f | [31] |
| 2019 | Burgess Brandy | Vans Escalade – Borna Helena | Ricky Holloway (Central Park) | 29.67 | 9/4 | [32] |
| 2020 | Burgess Doc | Droopys Jet – Badminton Maid | Lee Field (Monmore) | 30.06 | 6/4f | [33] [34] |
| 2021 | Droopys Rex | Duke Special – Droopys Start | David Mullins (Romford) | 29.94 | 7/2 | [35] |
| 2022 | Lenson Doolin | Azza Azza Azza – The Other Tessa | Ricky Holloway (Private) | 29.39 | 1/4f | [36] |
| 2023 | Droopys Chaser | Laughil Blake – Droopys Zero | Paul Young (Romford) | 29.67 | 2/1f | [37] |