1951 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 1951 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 26th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.^[1]

1951 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
← 1950 1952 →

= Roll of honour

Major Winners
Award	Name of Winner
1951 English Greyhound Derby	Ballylanigan Tanist [2][3]
1951 Irish Greyhound Derby	Carmodys Tanist [4][5]
1951 Scottish Greyhound Derby	Rushton Smutty [6]
1951 Welsh Greyhound Derby	Ballylanigan Tanist [7]
Greyhound of the Year	Rushton Smutty [8]

Summary

The annual totalisator was £65,548,855, a fifth consecutive drop since 1946 but considerably more stable than the significant decreases experienced during 1950.^[9] Once again the blame was directed towards the government and their tax policies of 10% tote tax and an additional 45% entertainment tax. Two tracks closed claiming that they could not continue to trade under the current taxation. In January Tamworth Greyhound Stadium and in May White City Stadium (Newcastle), the latter closed after the Managing Director Mr Whatley reported unmanageable figures. The tote receipts were £75,000 of which £47,000 was taken out by taxation. Restrictions on gambling were very much still considered by the government to be in the interests of the general public.^[10][11]

A record 140 entries were received at the initial stage of the 1951 English Greyhound Derby, Ballylanigan Tanist would go on to win the event.^[12][13]

Competitions

The first annual competition between tracks was held, called the News of the World National Intertrack championship. Owlerton provided a major shock when winning the competition.^[14][10]

The Welsh Greyhound Derby attracted many stars, with the newly crowned Derby champion Ballylanigan Tanist winning the final by six and a half-lengths from a line-up that included two other Derby finalists in Black Mire (who broke a toe while leading)^[15] and Rushton Smutty, in addition to Quare Customer and Derryboy Blackbird. Just one week later the final of the Scottish Greyhound Derby resulted in Rushton Smutty battling hard to defeat Ballylanigan Tanist by just three quarters.^[16] The Scurry Gold Cup final went to Defence Leader and featured an appearance by Ballycurren Garrett; the favourite Junes Idol finished a disappointing fifth.

The Laurels and St Leger were next up, with both carrying increased winner's prizes (£1,000) for the St Leger and (£875) for the Wimbledon Stadium event, constituting the second and third best sums on offer behind the Derby. Black Mire stepped up in distance for the St Leger and ran out an easy winner. The anticipated match up against Drastic O'Leer in the final failed to come to fruition, after the latter was withdrawn from the final. Earlier in the year Drastic O'Leer had won nine races in a row before losing in the Longcross Cup final.^{[16] [10]} Ballylanigan Tanist further enhanced his reputation adding the Laurels trophy to his winning record.^[17] A newcomer Magourna Reject won the Trafalgar Cup^[18] and was described as the fastest ever puppy.^[19]

Walthamstow Stadium also increased the Grand Prix event to £750 and an extraordinary competition took place after the track record was broken four times. In the heats Ballyoulster Deemster recorded 29.76, followed by Rushton Smutty in 29.74. In the second round Olivers Lad was timed at 29.73 and during the semi-finals Rushton Smutty broke the record again with a 29.70 run before winning the final (his 16 win from his last 18 starts). Scurry champion Defence Leader finished runner up.^{[16] [17] [10]}

News

Trainer Stan Biss retired and his kennels were taken over by a Pam Heasman and Jimmy Jowett joined Warrington. Biss died the following year, after suffering a stroke.^[14]

Hurdle racing finally allowed races with six greyhounds after being sanctioned by the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) with plans to hold the first six runner Grand National the following year, this would be the first time since 1927 that this was allowed.^[10]

At the famous Aldridge's sales the greyhounds of Frank Davis came up for sale, Red Wind was bought for a record 610 guineas by Arthur Roberts of Torquay. This was followed by 1948 Irish Greyhound Derby champion Western Post, who was led from the bench unsold. Roberts's plans for Red Wind were probably flapping (independent racing) because the greyhound could not race under NGRC rules.^{[7] [20]}

Ireland

Spanish Chestnut was mated with Ballyseedy Memory and in August whelped a large litter of nine, one of the litter was named Spanish Battleship. The fawn brindle dog was reared by Sheila O'Connor sister of Tim O'Connor.^[4]

Principal UK races

Grand National, White City (May 19 525y h, £300) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st XPDNC Les Parry 11-4jf 29.80 1 2nd Devil O'Leer Norman Merchant 11-4jf 29.94 2 3rd Q Majesty Jerry Hannafin 10-1 29.95 5 4th Blossom of Annagura Jack Sherry 7-2 30.05 4 5th Cooleen Flyer Tom Reilly 3-1 00.00 3

Gold Collar, Catford (Jun 2, 440y, £600) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Loyal Accomplice Tom Reilly 4-5f 25.63 6 2nd Pluckanes Belle J Mullins 7-1 25.81 3 3rd Cregglow Prince Norman Merchant 100-8 25.99 2 4th Shannon Cherry Paddy Power 6-1 30.43 5 5th Cool and Shaggy H Copsey 8-1 30.75 1 6th Beaded Blew Mrs F Stow 11-2 30.78 4

Welsh Derby, Arms Park (Jul 7, 525y £500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Ballylanigan Tanist Leslie Reynolds 1-1f 29.95 2 2nd Derryboy Blackbird Jack Harvey 11-2 30.47 6 3rd Rushton Smutty Frank Johnson 8-1 30.48 3 4th Quare Customer Leslie Reynolds 10-1 30.72 4 5th Black Mire Jack Toseland 3-1 30.74 5 6th Behattan Mars Bob Burls 66-1 31.42 1

Scottish Greyhound Derby, Carntyne (Jul 14, 525y, £250) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Rushton Smutty Frank Johnson 9-4 29.08 1 2nd Ballylanigan Tanist Leslie Reynolds 1-1f 29.14 3 3rd Oozoo Jimmy Jowett 4-1 29.26 4 4th Aughaway W McLean 100-8 29.42 2 5th Ballylig Bolt 25-1 29.90 6 6th Mad Companion II Bob Burls 100-8 30.14 5

Scurry Gold Cup, Clapton (Jul 28, 400y £500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Defence Leader William Mills 4-1 22.99 2 2nd Mushera Silver L Gould 100-8 22.15 3 3rd Ballycurreen Garrett Jack Harvey 10-3 22.47 5 4th Ballyard Dick 8-1 22.53 1 5th Junes Idol Bert Stephens 6-4f 22.57 6 6th Kilcolman Rover Paddy McEllistrim 9-2 22.93 4

Laurels, Wimbledon (Aug 24, 500y, £875) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Ballylanigan Tanist Leslie Reynolds 8-11f 28.37 2 2nd Ryton Basher Stan Martin 5-2 28.53 4 3rd Q Majesty Jerry Hannafin 25-1 28.85 1 4th Palm Beach Stan Martin 10-1 28.86 6 5th Magna Hasty Stan Martin 100-6 28.87 5 6th Junes Idol Bert Stephens 10-1 28.93 3

St Leger, Wembley (Sep 17, 700y, £1,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Black Mire [15] Jack Toseland 2-1 40.19 3 2nd Rapid Choice Paddy McEvoy 8-13f 40.83 2 3rd Pass on Express Tom Lightfoot 8-1 41.15 1 4th Beautys Prince Jeremiah O'Hea 100-7 41.35 5 5th Britannias Contest W Major 20-1 41.55 4 6th Drastic O'Leer Dave Geggus 6

Oaks, White City (Sep 29, 525y, £500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Ballinasloe Mona Jack Harvey 6-4f 29.28 2 2nd Well Harmonized T Cracknell 3-1 29.42 6 3rd Crooked Road Girl Mrs F Stow 9-4 29.45 1 4th The Author Reg 'String' Marsh 100-6 29.61 5 5th Luciole 8-1 29.75 3 6th Welsh Flower 100-8 29.89 4

The Grand Prix Walthamstow (Oct 13, 525y, £750) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Rushton Smutty Frank Johnson 4-6f 29.80 6 2nd Defence Leader William Mills 33-1 30.00 4 3rd Derryboy Blackbird Jack Harvey 7-2 30.03 2 4th Murex of Munster William Mills 5-1 30.15 1 5th Olivers Lad Jack Brennan 100-7 30.31 3 6th Mad Companion II Bob Burls 10-1 30.55 5

Cesarewitch, West Ham (Oct 19, 600y, £600) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Prisona Luath Bob Burls 10-11f 33.77 6 2nd Mad Miller Leslie Reynolds 10-1 33.87 4 3rd Elegant Derry Clare Orton 10-1 33.99 1 4th Black Mire Jack Toseland 10-3 34.13 5 5th Well Harmonized T Cracknell 33-1 34.43 2 6th Camel Back Tom Lightfoot 4-1 34.44 3

Totalisator Returns

Extended content

The totalisator returns declared to the licensing authorities for the year 1951 are listed below. Tracks that did not have a totalisator in operation are not listed.[9][21] Stadium Turnover £ London (White City) 5,040,288 London (Harringay) 3,582,599 London (Wembley) 3,128,916 London (Wimbledon) 3,023,620 London (Walthamstow) 2,572,369 London (Wandsworth) 1,903,075 London (West Ham) 1,858,773 London (Clapton) 1,857,766 London (Stamford Bridge) 1,856,630 Manchester (Belle Vue) 1,781,666 London (Park Royal) 1,758,552 London (Catford) 1,636,336 London (Hackney) 1,361,304 London (New Cross) 1,308,561 London (Hendon) 1,161,486 Manchester (White City) 989,987 Glasgow (Shawfield) 930,462 Brighton & Hove 916,691 London (Charlton) 894,514 Romford 834,363 Edinburgh (Powderhall) 834,071 Crayford & Bexleyheath 818,141 Manchester (Salford) 773,779 Birmingham (Perry Barr, old) 753,626 Birmingham (Hall Green) 748,401 London (Dagenham) 688,266 Newcastle (Brough Park) 674,125 Cardiff (Arms Park) 646,953 Sheffield (Owlerton) 616,609 Glasgow (White City) 612,372 Gateshead 591,662 Wolverhampton (Monmore) 574,776 Newcastle (Gosforth) 572,036 Bristol (Eastville) 556,036 Liverpool (Seaforth) 550,360 Birmingham (Kings Heath) 549,601 Southend-on-Sea 546,599 Stadium Turnover £ Southampton 536,760 Bradford (Greenfield) 536,055 Glasgow (Albion) 495,479 Coventry (Lythalls Lane) 487,123 Glasgow (Carntyne) 469,228 Leeds (Elland Road) 462,038 Sheffield (Darnall) 446,264 Slough 439,041 Liverpool (White City) 434,780 Blackpool (St Anne's) 434,632 Ramsgate (Dumpton Park) 417,126 Willenhall 407,581 South Shields 399,107 Liverpool (Stanley) 386,195 Bolton 378,406 Leicester (Blackbird Rd) 356,788 Middlesbrough 347,278 Reading (Oxford Road) 345,567 Sheffield (Hyde Park) 337,049 Chester 321,549 Rochester & Chatham 307,743 Derby 307,359 Hull (Old Craven Park) 306,344 Portsmouth 305,157 Gloucester & Cheltenham 303,743 Ashington (Co Durham) 300,743 Bradford (City) 292,650 Plymouth 284,989 Blackburn 280,038 Preston 252,657 Aberdeen 245,965 Nottingham (White City) 242,846 Stoke-on-Trent (Cobridge) 236,011 West Hartlepool 233,123 Glasgow (Firhill) 224,331 Exeter (County Ground) 223,303 Newport 218,157 Stadium Turnover £ Warrington 213,891 Stoke-on-Trent (Hanley) 209,438 Doncaster (Spotbrough) 197,719 Keighley 197,719 Stanley (Co Durham) 192,496 Yarmouth 185,502 Norwich (City) 182,145 Luton 178,767 Bristol (Knowle) 170,649 Oxford 152,996 Norwich (Boundary Park) 150,925 Sunderland 146,205 Cradley Heath 135,836 Houghton-le-Spring 135,649 Ipswich 134,409 St Helens 132,202 Rochdale 131,204 Wallyford (East Lothian) 117,721 Oldham 113,168 Stockport (Hazel Grove) 97,286 Peterborough 94,376 Ayr (Tams Brig) 89,618 Wigan (Poolstock) 81,250 Easington (Co Durham) 72,017 Wakefield 65,940 Stockton-on-Tees (Belle Vue) 65,669 Wigan (Woodhouse) 65,151 Spennymoor (Co Durham) 54,008 Rotherham 48,004 Workington 38,420 Northampton 38,304 Durham City 37,991 Coundon (Co Durham) 31,500 Pelaw Grange (Co Durham) 25,802 Barry 25,054 Belmont (Co Durham) 14,920 Irvine (Townhead) 6,306

References

1. Fry, Paul (1995). The Official NGRC Greyhound Racing Yearbook. Ringpress Books. ISBN 186054-010-4.
2. Dack, Barrie (1990). Greyhound Derby, the first 60 years. Ringpress Books. pp. 92–93. ISBN 0-948955-36-8.
3. ""Sports in Brief." Times [London, England] 2 July 1951". The Times.
4. Comyn, John. 50 Years of Greyhound Racing in Ireland. Aherlow Publishers Ltd.
5. Fortune, Michael. Irish Greyhound Derby 1932-1981. Victory Irish Promotions Ltd.
6. Hobbs, Jonathan (2007). Greyhound Annual 2008, pages 153-154. Raceform. ISBN 978-1-905153-53-4.
7. Genders, Roy (1975). The Greyhound and Racing Greyhound. Page Brothers (Norwich). ISBN 0-85020-0474.
8. "Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When 1952) February edition". Greyhound Star.
9. Particulars of Licensed tracks, table 1 Licensed Dog Racecourses. Licensing Authorities. 1951.
10. Genders, Roy (1990). NGRC book of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 0-7207-1804-X.
11. ""G.R.A. Trust." Times, 3 Aug. 1951, p. 8". The Times. 3 August 1951. p. 8.
12. ""Sports in Brief." Times, 2 July 1951, p. 3". The Times. 2 July 1951. p. 3.
13. "1951". Greyhound Data.
14. Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 07207-1106-1.
15. "Remember When - September 1951". Greyhound Star. 30 September 2018.
16. Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
17. Barnes/Sellers, Julia/John (1992). Ladbrokes Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-22-8.
18. "Greyhound Winners, hints". Daily Express. 2 November 1951. Retrieved 22 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
19. "Harringay selections". Holloway Press. 23 November 1951. Retrieved 22 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
20. "Greyhound Star (Remember When - January 1951)". Greyhound Star. 26 January 2019.
21. "1951 Tote Totals, increase at 28 tracks". Vol. 7, no. 33. Greyhound Owner and Breeder. 18 September 1952.