The 1981 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 55th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.[1]
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1981 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year |
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More information Major Winners, Award ...
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The National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) released the annual returns, with totalisator turnover down 10%, at £72,950,373 and attendances down 10%, recorded at 4,943,396 from 5291 meetings. Attendances had decreased significantly for the second year running, although party due to 200 less meetings it was a worrying time for the industry. Track tote retention remained 17% and government tote tax 4%.[7]
Decoy Boom, a fawn bitch was voted Greyhound of the Year.[8] She won the BBC TV Trophy, GRA Stakes, Scottish Marathon, Stow Marathon and Longcross Cup.[9]
Tim Hale and Derek Bowman replaced Racing Manager Harry Bridger at Leeds; the track owners Ladbrokes later announced the site would be used for industrial development in the near future.[10] [9]
Towards the end of the year the country suffered terrible weather and the majority of the horse racing fixtures were cancelled. This meant that extra afternoon race meetings were organised to help the betting shops. Extra fixtures were organised by Hackney, Bristol, Monmore, Cambridge, Romford and Crayford. This provided an opportunity for tracks to negotiate a better deal for the future to combat the drop in attendances blamed on the betting shops, however they failed to do so preferring to take short term cash benefits instead.[10] [9] [12]
The Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) announced that they had repaid two thirds of their debt. The business was doing well from its greyhound racing income which begged the question as to how the company allowed themselves to get into such debt in the first place.[10] [9]
Leading trainer Pat Mullins died in March after collapsing whilst working at his kennels in Manningtree. He had suffered a heart attack the previous year and had been warned by doctors to avoid stress. His wife Linda Mullins would take over the kennels.[10] [9] [12] The leading independent trainer Charlie Lister took out an NGRC licence and would soon gain some success, his first breakthrough was with Swift Band, who won the 1981 East Anglian Derby.[13]
Marbella Sky won the Scottish Greyhound Derby at Shawfield Stadium, and later finished runner up in the Edinburgh Cup at Powderhall Stadium. The greyhound (still a puppy) faced an exciting future but was then stolen from the Wakefield kennels of his trainer Ray Andrews. He was never recovered.[14]
A new major event was inaugurated at Wembley called the Blue Riband and would replace the long running Wembley Spring Cup which had been one of the first major competitions in the greyhound racing calendar. The Grand National at White City went to Bobcol trained by Norah McEllistrim; the black dog had already won the Springbok crown the previous year. The hurdler went on to score a hat-trick when travelling to Powderhall and winning the Scottish Grand National.[15][16]
Lauries Panther, a black and white dog, whelped in April, 1980 by Shamrock Sailor out of Lady Lucy, was owned by Laurie James and trained at Romford by Terry Duggan and appeared on the racing scene in the Bobby Jack Puppy Cup run at Wimbledon Stadium in November, followed by the Christmas Puppy Cup at Romford. He performed well and would be aimed at the Pall Mall Stakes the following year.[15] [16] [17]
Oran Jack twice broke the Irish national 550 yards record on his way to winning the Irish St Leger at Limerick. The fawn dog trained by husband and wife team Michael and Rose Grealish recorded 30.20 and 30.16 in the second round and semi finals respectively, before winning the final.[18]
More information BBC TV Trophy, Perry Barr (Mar 18, 830m, £2,000), Pos ...
BBC TV Trophy, Perry Barr (Mar 18, 830m, £2,000) |
Pos |
Name of Greyhound |
Trainer |
SP |
Time |
Trap |
1st |
Decoy Boom | Joe Cobbold | 54.27 | 7-4f | 5 |
2nd |
Laugh Lines | | 54.31 | 16-1 | 3 |
3rd |
Pineapple Choice | Paul Smith | 54.67 | 4-1 | 4 |
4th |
Salina | George Lang | 54.87 | 3-1 | 2 |
5th |
Westmead Light | Natalie Savva | 54.88 | 7-2 | 1 |
6th |
Corboy Champion | George Curtis | 55.16 | 20-1 | 6 |
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Grand National, White City (April 4 500m h, £4,000) |
Pos |
Name of Greyhound |
Trainer |
SP |
Time |
Trap |
1st |
Bobcol | Norah McEllistrim | 1-2f | 30.64 | 1 |
2nd |
Westmead Prince | Natalie Savva | 10-1 | 30.84 | 3 |
3rd |
Dine Out | Paddy McEvoy | 11-4 | 30.88 | 2 |
4th |
Breakaway Slave | | 50-1 | 31.18 | 6 |
5th |
Weston Whisky | | 10-1 | 31.30 | 5 |
6th |
Westlands Steve | Gunner Smith | 10-1 | 31.44 | 3 |
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More information Laurels, Wimbledon (May 22, 460m, £5,000), Pos ...
Laurels, Wimbledon (May 22, 460m, £5,000) |
Pos |
Name of Greyhound |
Trainer |
SP |
Time |
Trap |
1st |
Echo Spark | Joe Cobbold | 5-1 | 27.84 | 6 |
2nd |
Upland Tiger | George Curtis | 4-9f | 27.85 | 1 |
3rd |
Over the River | Tom Reilly | 10-1 | 27.97 | 2 |
4th |
Johnnys Brandy | | 66-1 | 28.31 | 4 |
5th |
Lancia Q | Paddy McEvoy | 8-1 | 28.45 | 3 |
6th |
Radio Skinomage | Jack Coker | 25-1 | 28.51 | 5 |
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Scurry Gold Cup, Slough (Jul 18, 442m, £5,000) |
Pos |
Name of Greyhound |
Trainer |
SP |
Time |
Trap |
1st |
Longcross Smokey | Phil Rees Jr. | 5-1 | 27.17 | 6 |
2nd |
Emerald Freedom | Charlie Coyle | 9-2 | 27.21 | 1 |
3rd |
Bright Tiger | Les Stiles | 10-1 | 27.29 | 2 |
4th |
Lancia Q | Paddy McEvoy | 1-1f | 27.31 | 5 |
5th |
Sawyers King | Arthur Hitch | 10-1 | 27.55 | 4 |
6th |
Express Work | Hazel Walden | 33-1 | 27.79 | 3 |
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More information Harp Lager Scottish Derby, Shawfield (Aug 8, 500m, £3,000), Pos ...
Harp Lager Scottish Derby, Shawfield (Aug 8, 500m, £3,000) |
Pos |
Name of Greyhound |
Trainer |
SP |
Time |
Trap |
1st |
Marbella Sky [19] | Ray Andrews | 12-1 | 30.66 | 3 |
2nd |
Dysart Ends | Stewart Loan | 20-1 | 30.88 | 2 |
3rd |
Zippi Boy | Bill Gray | 7-2 | 30.92 | 4 |
4th |
Heres Gay | Gordon Hodson | 5-2 | 30.98 | 1 |
5th |
Solos Style | | 10-1 | 31.14 | 5 |
6th |
Decoy Ranger | Joe Cobbold | 11-10f | 31.18 | 6 |
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St Leger, Wembley (Aug 28, 655m, £6,000) |
Pos |
Name of Greyhound |
Trainer |
SP |
Time |
Trap |
1st |
Fox Watch | Mrs Jill Holt | 5-2jf | 40.17 | 4 |
2nd |
Alfa My Son | Leon Steed | 5-2jf | 40.27 | 6 |
3rd |
Ballybeg Bob | David Oswald | 8-1 | 40.31 | 2 |
4th |
Johnny Bristol | Peter Payne | 7-1 | 40.37 | 3 |
5th |
Safe Landing | Tom Foster | 12-1 | 40.40 | 1 |
6th |
Longcross Smokey | Phil Rees Jr. | 7-2 | 40.42 | 5 |
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More information Gold Collar, Catford (Sep 19, 555m, £5,000), Pos ...
Gold Collar, Catford (Sep 19, 555m, £5,000) |
Pos |
Name of Greyhound |
Trainer |
SP |
Time |
Trap |
1st |
Laughing Sam | Mrs Pat Goode | 4-1 | 35.50 | 6 |
2nd |
Geekay Patch | G Kenny-Derby | 13-8f | 35.51 | 3 |
3rd |
Crack On | | 50-1 | 35.77 | 2 |
4th |
Sport Promoter | Linda Mullins | 4-1 | 35.80 | 5 |
5th |
Ballybeg Bob | David Oswald | 3-1 | 35.83 | 4 |
6th |
Rathduff Solara | Tony Dennis | 5-1 | 35.87 | 1 |
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Cesarewitch, Belle Vue (Oct 3, 815m, £4,000) |
Pos |
Name of Greyhound |
Trainer |
SP |
Time |
Trap |
1st |
Kinda Friendly | Ernie Gaskin Sr. | 7-4f | 52.68 | 6 |
2nd |
McElm Pride | Miss S Phillips | 5-2 | 53.20 | 3 |
3rd |
Nails United | Smith | 12-1 | 53.44 | 5 |
4th |
Rolstone Rose | Mary Baber | 7-2 | 53.68 | 1 |
5th |
Newlands Honour | | 33-1 | 53.72 | 4 |
6th |
Rambling Bridie | Tony Jowett | 5-1 | 53.73 | 2 |
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More information The Grand Prix, Walthamstow (Oct 17, 640m, £5,500), Pos ...
The Grand Prix, Walthamstow (Oct 17, 640m, £5,500) |
Pos |
Name of Greyhound |
Trainer |
SP |
Time |
Trap |
1st |
Rathduff Solara | Tony Dennis | 2-1jf | 40.71 | 6 |
2nd |
Relkcom | Johnny Faint | 2-1jf | 40.81 | 5 |
3rd |
Emerald Freedom | Charlie Coyle | 5-1 | 40.82 | 1 |
4th |
Ballybeg Bob | David Oswald | 9-2 | 41.22 | 2 |
5th |
Korchnoi | Bill Horton | 6-1 | 41.24 | 3 |
6th |
Burgess Gift | | 40-1 | 41.46 | 4 |
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Oaks, Harringay (Oct 30, 475m, £3,000) |
Pos |
Name of Greyhound |
Trainer |
SP |
Time |
Trap |
1st |
Thanet Princess | Dick Hawkes | 11-2 | 28.82 | 3 |
2nd |
Toker Gannet | T Nicholls | 7-2 | 28.90 | 4 |
3rd |
Sundridge Bet-U | Tony Dennis | 4-1 | 29.02 | 5 |
4th |
Decoy Villa | Joe Cobbold | 15-8f | 29.08 | 1 |
5th |
Oakfield Tracey | Rita Hayward | 16-1 | 29.48 | 6 |
6th |
Sailor May | Eric Pateman | 4-1 | 30.02 | 2 |
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Principal Irish finals
More information Easter Cup Shelbourne (525y), Pos ...
Easter Cup Shelbourne (525y) |
Pos |
Name of Greyhound |
Time |
Trap |
Trainer |
1st |
Murrays Mixture | 29.15 | | Francie Murray |
2nd |
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3rd |
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4th |
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5th |
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6th |
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Purina National Produce Clonmel (525y £6,250) |
Pos |
Name of Greyhound |
Time |
Trap |
Trainer |
1st |
Calandra Champ | 29.66 | | Francie Murray |
2nd |
Pure Hardship | 29.68 | | |
3rd |
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4th |
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5th |
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6th |
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More information Shelbourne 600 Shelbourne (600y), Pos ...
Shelbourne 600 Shelbourne (600y) |
Pos |
Name of Greyhound |
Time |
Trap |
Trainer |
1st |
Macintosh Mentor | 33.78 | | Mullen |
2nd |
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3rd |
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4th |
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5th |
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6th |
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Smithwicks St Leger Limerick (10 October, 550y, £7,500) |
Pos |
Name of Greyhound |
Time |
Trap |
Trainer |
1st |
Oran Jack | 30.62 | 2 | Rose Grealish |
2nd |
Sharps Express | 30.83 | 5 | Matt O'Donnell |
3rd |
Murlens Blond | 31.04 | 1 | Paddy Keane |
4th |
Caoilte | 31.18 | 3 | Simpson |
u |
Carless Sonny | | 4 | John Hayes |
u |
Killimy Ivy | | 6 | Matt O'Donnell |
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More information Lyon Industrial Estates Oaks Shelbourne (525y £11,300), Pos ...
Lyon Industrial Estates Oaks Shelbourne (525y £11,300) |
Pos |
Name of Greyhound |
Time |
Trap |
Trainer |
1st |
Claremount May | 29.52 | | Niall Maher |
2nd |
Thornbrae Lass | 29.62 | | |
3rd |
Our Tallyho | 29.67 | | |
u |
Joebe | | | |
u |
Kasco Lady | | | |
u |
Blue Rum | | | Michael Byrne |
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More information Cashman Laurels Cork (29 Aug, 525y £7,500), Pos ...
Cashman Laurels Cork (29 Aug, 525y £7,500) |
Pos |
Name of Greyhound |
Time |
Trap |
Trainer |
1st |
Knockeen Master | 29.50 | 3 | Christy O'Callaghan |
2nd |
Millbowe Sam | 29.60 | 2 | Murray |
3rd |
Free To All | | 4 | Boyle |
u |
Kilmagoura Mist | | 1 | Hickey |
u |
Ahaveen Katie | | 5 | Curtin |
u |
Ocean Jerome | | 6 | Hayes |
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Burmah Puppy Derby Harolds Cross (Sep, 525y) |
Pos |
Name of Greyhound |
Time |
Trap |
Trainer |
1st |
Greenwood Robic | 29.82 | | Tom Lynch |
2nd |
Stradey Park | 30.10 | | Cecil Todd |
3rd |
Bright Pin | | | |
4th |
Oyster Cracker | | | |
u |
Cooladine Super | | | |
u |
Ballywilliam Star | | | |
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More information Extended content, Stadium ...
Extended content |
The totalisator returns declared to the National Greyhound Racing Club for the year 1981 are listed below.[20]
Stadium |
Turnover £ |
London (Walthamstow) | 8,053,327 |
London (White City) | 7,880,545 |
London (Wimbledon) | 5,779,087 |
London (Harringay) | 4,070,119 |
Romford | 3,603,654 |
Brighton & Hove | 3,602,521 |
London (Catford) | 3,362,440 |
London (Wembley) | 3,108,983 |
Slough | 3,047,136 |
Manchester (Belle Vue) | 2,425,326 |
Birmingham (Hall Green) | 2,253,573 |
Crayford & Bexleyheath | 2,036,679 |
Edinburgh (Powderhall) | 1,972,105 |
Newcastle (Brough Park) | 1,444,716 |
Birmingham (Perry Barr, old) | 1,407,054 |
Sheffield (Owlerton) | 1,405,848 |
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Stadium |
Turnover £ |
Southend-on-Sea | 1,398,628 |
Glasgow (Shawfield) | 1,393,818 |
Leeds | 1,126,619 |
Wolverhampton (Monmore) | 1,109,007 |
London (Hackney) | 941,982 |
Yarmouth | 844,127 |
Ramsgate | 840,013 |
Gloucester & Cheltenham | 824,159 |
Portsmouth | 805,085 |
Derby | 751,876 |
Bristol | 696,632 |
Oxford | 518,221 |
Milton Keynes | 507,891 |
Newcastle (Gosforth) | 507,474 |
Nottingham | 490,251 |
Ipswich | 463,919 |
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Stadium |
Turnover £ |
Poole | 450,595 |
Reading | 423,842 |
Middlesbrough | 404,421 |
Hull (Old Craven Park) | 383,348 |
Cradley Heath | 375,280 |
Henlow (Bedfordshire) | 332,928 |
Leicester | 309,996 |
Cambridge | 307,163 |
Rye House | 300,976 |
Coventry | 274,602 |
Swindon | 260,091 |
Manchester (White City) | 225,933 |
Maidstone | 110,142 |
Chesterton | 94,243 |
Norton Canes | 20,000 |
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Fry, Paul (1995). The Official NGRC Greyhound Racing Yearbook. Ringpress Books. ISBN 186054-010-4. Dack, Barrie (1990). Greyhound Derby, the first 60 years, pages 172/173/174/175. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-36-8. Fortune, Michael. The 75 Years History of the Irish Greyhound Derby 1932-2006. Irish Greyhound Review. ISSN 0332-3536. Fortune, Michael. Irish Greyhound Derby 1932-1981. Victory Irish Promotions Ltd.
NGRC calendar. National Greyhound Racing Club. January 1982.
Genders, Roy (1990). NGRC book of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 0-7207-1804-X. Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5. Barnes, Julia (1991). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, Vol Two. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-61-9. Barnes/Sellers, Julia/John (1992). Ladbrokes Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-22-8. "Irish Greyhound Review". Vol. 4. Victory Irish Promotions Ltd. 1982. p. 87.
Totalisator returns of National Greyhound Racing Club Licensed tracks. National Greyhound Racing Club. 1981.