2008 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2008 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 83rd year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

2008 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
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Summary

The premier competitions were won by Loyal Honcho (2008 English Greyhound Derby)^[1][2] and Shelbourne Aston (2008 Irish Greyhound Derby) respectively.^[3][4] However their achievements were overshadowed by the closure of the sports leading stadium Walthamstow.The shareholders sold up and the track closed in August despite assurances from the owners in December 2007 that no deal had been made to sell the track. The track had been opened in 1933 by William Chandler and was still owned by the Chandler family but the directors of Walthamstow Stadium Limited agreed to the sale of the Company’s freehold property to a development consortium led by Yoo Capital and K W Linfoot plc.^[5] Formal contracts were exchanged and the final race was held on Saturday 16 August. The closure left some of the best trainers in the country pondering their futures.

Racing Manager Chris Page joined Harlow Stadium along with five trainers, John Coleman, Mark Wallis Mick Puzey, Graham Sharp and Kelly Mullins but Puzey soon relinquishes his licence.^[6] John Sherry and Dick Hawkes retired, Paul Rich who had only just taken his father's (Peter Rich) licence in February left the sport while Seamus Cahill joined Hove and Paul Garland returned to Wimbledon. Stacey Baggs relinquished her licence to work for Ricky Holloway and her father Gary Baggs (a very successful trainer) died later that year in October.^[7]

Tracks

There was a major blow when Reading in Bennet Road closed after 33 years. The council did not renew the track's lease and the site would be redeveloped despite promises from the BS Group/Gaming International to build a new modern Reading stadium. Similar BS Group plans had failed to materialise at Bristol and Milton Keynes previously.^[8]

Portsmouth city council announced that the long-term lease was nearing its end and they were considering selling the Portsmouth Stadium site for redevelopment. Leaseholders GRA allowed the track to be taken under lease by a new company registered in March 2008, called PGS Ltd headed by Portsmouth general manager Eric Graham, who would pay £1,000 per year as a peppercorn rent.^[9]

Competitions

The IbetX Scottish Greyhound Derby started in horrendous weather and the track ran 170 slow, only three heats were completed before the meeting was abandoned. This meant that some greyhounds would have to run four times in nine days leading to withdrawals headed by Charlie Lister's team that included Clash Harmonica and Farloe Reason. Heat eight would result in a remarkable two dog heat. However the competition saw superb semi-finals with Paul Hennessy’s Tyrur Kieran breaking the track record when beating Loyal Honcho in 28.69. He went on to win a very strong final that included Derby finalist Loyal Honcho and Laurels champion Kylegrove Top.^[10]

News

Leading marathon runner Spiridon Louis retired in May after reaching the Dorando Marathon final. Sprinter Horseshoe Ping made the Scurry Gold Cup final again in addition to the Guys and Dolls final and won the National Sprint at Nottingham. Lenson Joker, a white and brindle dog picked up the Cesarewitch trophy before winning the William Hill Grand Prix and Champion Stakes unbeaten. He would be voted Greyhound of the Year.^[11]

In December Irish Derby finalist Ballymac Ruso trained by Matt Dartnall recorded the fastest ever time for 480 metres (27.79 at Monmore) and Mark Wallis ended the year with the trainer's title, a remarkable achievement bearing in mind the upheaval caused when he lost his Walthamstow contract.^[12]

Former Wimbledon trainer Sydney 'Clare' Orton died on 11 May.

The Bord na gCon announced a 6% increase in prize money.^[13]

Roll of honour

Major Winners
Award	Name of Winner
2008 English Greyhound Derby	Loyal Honcho
2008 Irish Greyhound Derby	Shelbourne Aston
Greyhound Trainer of the Year	Mark Wallis
Greyhound of the Year	Lenson Joker
Irish Dog and Bitch of the Year	Shelbourne Aston / Oran Majestic

Betfair Trainers Championship, Wimbledon (Mar 18)[14] Pos Name of Trainer Points 1st Seamus Cahill 49 2nd Charlie Lister 43 3rd John Mullins 34 4th Barrie Draper 30 5th Elaine Parker 27 6th Mark Wallis 25

Principal UK finals

IbetX Scottish Derby, Shawfield (Apr 12, 480m, £25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Tyrur Kieran Paul Hennessy 6-4jf 29.02 1 2nd Bubbly Totti Ted Soppitt 4-1 29.28 6 3rd Loyal Honcho Seamus Graham 6-4jf 29.60 5 4th Pond Gallileo Harry Williams 16-1 29.64 3 5th Kylegrove Top Julie Bateson 12-1 29.74 2 6th Killough Tale Graeme Frew 8-1 29.96 4

Stan James Grand National, Wimbledon (Apr 15, 480mH, £7,500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Kildare Lark Jason Foster 7-4f 28.63 3 2nd Eye On the Flame Mark Wallis 6-1 28.66 5 3rd Call Again Seamus Cahill 8-1 28.72 6 4th Be All David Mullins 5-1 28.73 1 5th Smooth Turbo Jason Foster 9-4 28.74 2 6th Morell Warrior Lorraine Sams 8-1 28.79 4

William Hill Cesarewitch, Oxford (Jun 10, 645m, £5,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Lenson Joker Tony Collett 10-11f 39.22 4 2nd Primitive Way David Pruhs 9-4 39.68 1 3rd Coolanga Flyer Mark Wallis 20-1 39.73 2 4th Directors Chair Mark Wallis 7-2 39.93 3 5th Vatican Fyne Pat Rosney 16-1 40.05 5 6th Swift Stirling Tony Magnasco 28-1 40.15 6

Showsec Scurry Cup, Perry Barr (June 19, 275m, £8,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Boherbradda Mac Harry Williams 7-4F 15.95 4 2nd Blonde Jet Maria Dennis 3-1 16.06 2 3rd Horseshoe Ping Jim Reynolds 3-1 16.07 5 4th Ibetx Dot Com Tony Lucas 7-1 16.27 6 5th Beardys Robbie Peter Witchell 12-1 16.41 1 6th Swift Sapphire Pat Rosney 4-1 16.49 3

William Hill Classic, Sunderland (Jul 10, 450m, £40,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Lenson Express Tony Collett 3-1 27.14 1 2nd Bower Keane Kelly Macari 6-1 27.32 4 3rd Droopys Sheehy Elaine Parker 6-1 27.40 2 4th Droopys Wells Liz McNair 14-1 27.63 6 5th Kilkenny Lonjack Seamus Cahill 5-1 27.80 5 6th Me Buddy Matt Dartnall 1-1f 27.82 3

William Hill Grand Prix, Sunderland (Jul 10, 640m, £20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Lenson Joker Tony Collett 4-6f 39.29 2 2nd Romeo Turbo David Firmager 8-1 39.64 4 3rd Coolavanny Pius Elaine Parker 25-1 40.05 3 4th Bubbly Totti Ted Soppitt 5-2 40.22 6 5th Blonde Buzz John Mullins 20-1 40.27 1 6th Westmead Tina Nick Savva 8-1 40.33 5

Totesport Gold Collar, Belle Vue (Aug 28, 590m, £10,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Barnfield Loreto Pat Rosney 5-2 35.21 3 2nd Salacres Chief Laurence Tuffin 11-10f 35.29 2 3rd Romeo Turbo David Firmager 4-1 35.33 5 4th Swift Denn Joy Andrews 20-1 35.53 6 5th Charlies Dream Otto Kueres 14-1 35.67 1 6th Southwind Harry Kim Billingham 4-1 35.79 4

William Hill TV Trophy, Doncaster (June 24, 868m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Flying Winner Chris Lund 1-2f 55.82+ 1 2nd Swift Blackfoot Charlie Lister 40-1 56.64 5 3rd Midway Skipper Henry Chalkley 5-1 56.68 2 4th Swift Jade Darryl Porter 5-1 56.90 3 5th Swift Ninja Michael Harris 6-1 57.08 6 6th Bubbly Kate Paul Young 20-1 57.12 4 + Track record

Betfred Laurels, Belle Vue (Oct 7, 470m, £10,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Boherna Best Barrie Draper 11-4 27.90 4 2nd Farley Magic Barrie Draper 10-1 28.08 3 3rd Centaur Marine Chris Allsopp 9-2 28.14 6 4th Boherna On Air Barrie Draper 1-1f 28.18 1 5th Prodigious Elaine Parker 9-2 28.28 2 N/R Cortsway Giants Ron Nelson 5

William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (Oct 28, 668m, £13,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Bubbly Totti Ted Soppitt 1-4F 41.06 6 2nd Midway Skipper Henry Chalkley 7-1 41.30 5 3rd Lenson Earl Tony Collett 8-1 41.88 1 4th Lavenders Grant Paul Young 50-1 41.98 4 5th Go Big Hitter Laurence Tuffin 25-1 42.17 2 6th Droopys Arsene Pat Curtin, Ire 12-1 42.21 3

William Hill Oaks, Wimbledon (Dec 16, 480m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Meenala Amy Kim Billingham 10-1 28.99 2 2nd Ravello Drive Philip Rees Jr. 3-1 29.02 5 3rd Droopys Quinta Seamus Cahill 5-2 29.14 1 4th Steady Scholes Mark Grady 14-1 29.15 3 5th Dangerous Lady David Mullins 5-4f 29.29 6 6th Adamant Mojo Andy Heyes 14-1 29.57 4

Principal Irish finals

BCR Print Easter Cup, Shelbourne (Apr 19, 550y, €50,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Tyrur Kenny Paul Hennessy 2-1 29.91 3 2nd Advantage Johnny Owen McKenna 5-1 30.03 6 3rd College Causeway Pat Buckley 7-4f 30.15 4 4th Caz Diamond Pat Curtin, Ire 9-2 30.19 5 5th Plough Lane Seamus Graham 9-1 30.31 2 N/R Firshill Boy Paul Hennessy 1

Red Mills Produce, Clonmel (May 4, 525y, €30,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Knowsley Jake Bernadette Connolly 3-1 28.65 2 2nd Lemon Zamora Martin Leahy 3-1 28.89 1 3rd Boherash Goithe Joan Hanrahan 16-1 29.07 4 4th Borna Alley Ruari Dwan 5-2f 29.21 6 5th Iguazu Falls Aidan Roche 3-1 29.24 3 6th Compass Honey Stephen Wadsworth 10-1 29.35 5

Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger, Limerick (Jun 14, 550y, €35,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Boherash Goithe Joan Hanrahan 14-1 29.71 6 2nd Goldmine Emre Alan Higgins 5-1 29.85 2 3rd Graigues Shadow Jim Morrissey 2-1 30.09 1 4th Jaxerback John McGee Sr. 6-1 30.16 5 5th Shaneboy Maria Michael Kiely 6-1 30.30 4 6th Line of Fire Owen McKenna 7-4f 30.44 3

Sporting Press Oaks, Shelbourne (Jun 21, 525y, €35,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Oran Majestic John McGee Sr. 11-10f 29.02 6 2nd Forest Baby Francie Murray 4-1 29.18 3 3rd Parnell Daisy James O’Connor 7-1 29.19 2 4th Wilcos Sonia Shane Murphy 12-1 29.22 1 5th Priceless Pearl Paul Hennessy 6-1 29.26 4 6th Martinstown Mist Rory McConnell 10-1 29.34 5

Boylesports Champion Stakes, Shelbourne (Jul 26, 550y, €40,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Shelbourne Aston Pat Curtin, Ire 10-1 29.71 4 2nd Killahan Phanter Pat Buckley 2-1f 29.77 2 3rd Advantage Johnny Owen McKenna 8-1 29.81 3 4th College Causeway Pat Buckley 5-1 29.87 5 5th Mid West Blue Michael O’Donovan 3-1 29.88 6 6th Tyrur Kenny Paul Hennessy 9-2 30.56 1

HX Bookmakers Puppy Derby, Harolds Cross (Oct 10, 525y, €35,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Droopys Noel John Linehan 11-2 28.49 3 2nd Ballymac Bondi Liam O’Rourke 5-1 28.65 5 3rd Timor Blue Jim Morrissey 1-1f 28.77 2 4th Droopys Miller Ian Reilly 5-1 28.81 4 5th Accordello Lar Kinsella 6-1 28.83 6 6th Honcho Freddie Adrian Kelly 14-1 29.31 1

Cashmans Laurels, Cork (Oct 18, 525y, €36,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Cashen Legend Chris Houlihan 14-1 28.74 6 2nd Slip The Lark Pat Buckley 5-4f 28.77 4 3rd Tyrur Laurel Pat Mullarkey 3-1 28.79 5 4th Solinus Mark Moloney 5-1 29.23 1 5th Cabra Cool Pat Buckley 6-1 29.29 2 6th Chicken Supper John Kiely 12-1 29.37 3

References

1. "2008 Greyhound Derby". Greyhoundderby.com.
2. "2008". Greyhound Data.
3. "Derby Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
4. "Irish Derby Final". Greyhound Data.
5. BBC News - Walthamstow race track to close
6. "Remember When - October 2009". Greyhound Star. 13 October 2018.
7. Hobbs, Jonathan (2008). Greyhound Annual 2008. Raceform. ISBN 978-1-905153-534.
8. "Smallmead Stadium is set to shut in October". Get Reading. 22 July 2008.
9. "Portsmouth greyhound track set to close for redevelopment". The News. 19 March 2010. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
10. "Scottish Derby final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
11. "Lenson Joker crowned 2008 Greyhound of the Year". Daily Mirror. 26 January 2009.
12. "Review Of 2008". Mark Wallis Greyhounds.
13. "Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When 2008) April edition". Greyhound Star.
14. "Trainer's Championship meeting". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.