2011 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2011 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 86th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

2011 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
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Summary

Taylors Sky claimed the headlines during the year with his 2011 English Greyhound Derby triumph^[1] but Blonde Snapper also impressed by virtue of winning the William Hill Classic and Eden Star arrived on the scene with his Puppy Derby, the Romford Puppy Cup and Laurels victories. The Scottish Greyhound Derby went to Charlie Lister for the sixth time, with the greyhound Taylors Cruise, and he also won his third trainers championship.^[2]

Charlie Lister was rewarded for his services to greyhound racing when being honoured with an O.B.E in the New Year Honours. He became the first ever trainer to be recognised and ended 2011 with six English Derbies, six Scottish Derbies, 46 major competitions, four trainer of the year awards and five trainers championship wins.^[3]

Tracks

Hopes were still high that Walthamstow Stadium could be saved, Henlow Stadium owner Bob Morton pledged to keep it alive and provide 500 jobs. However the longer it remained unused as a greyhound track the less likely it would return. Towards the end of the year plans were released by developer London and Quadrant to build 294 homes on the site which created an added supporter in favour of saving the stadium in the form of the newly formed residents association. The iconic entrance sign to the stadium would continue to be seen regardless of the outcome because it was giving a listed building status.^[4]

Newbridge in County Kildare suffered a closure in March but was soon purchased by Morgan & Franklin Consortium headed by Managing Director, David Morgan. Morgan had worked at a senior level with Bord na gCon in the past and was also the stadium director for Semple Stadium a hurling venue. The consortium included Peter Franklin, former head of marketing at the Bord Na gCon.^[5]

Independent stadium Ayr (Whitletts at Voluntary Park) closed after the local council had health and safety concerns.^[6]

Competitions

BAGS (Bookmakers’ Afternoon Greyhound Service) and S.I.S introduced a track championship in which Monmore won the final on home turf.^[7]

The Northern Irish Derby was introduced and carried a £25,000 prize, the richest ever held in Northern Ireland. The event was to be held at Drumbo Park.^[8] There was a dead heat in the Cesarewitch between Farloe Kraven and Westmead Palace.

News

A series of owner’s bonus series races were introduced by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, the governing body. Hall Green trainer Mark Barlow relinquished his licence after being suspended for six months by the GBGB; the prominent trainer took the decision because he felt the suspension over one of his greyhounds vomiting on course was unjust. Long serving Romford trainer Peter Payne retired after ill health. 2010 greyhound of the year Jimmy Lollie won the Festival Flyer at Sunderland and Coral Sprint at Hove before finally being retired in October after 125 races. Chris Allsopp of Monmore was trainer of the year.^[9]

Roll of honour

Major Winners
Award	Name of Winner
2011 English Greyhound Derby	Taylors Sky
2011 Irish Greyhound Derby	Razldazl George
Greyhound Trainer of the Year	Chris Allsopp
Greyhound of the Year	Taylors Sky
Irish Dog and Bitch of the Year	Razldazl George / Droopys Twirl

Betfair Trainers Championship, Wimbledon Stadium (Mar 22)[10] Pos Name of Trainer Points 1st Charlie Lister OBE 44 2nd Chris Allsopp 40 3rd Mark Wallis 39 4th Pat Rosney 33 4th Paul Young 28 6th Seamus Cahill 24

BAGS/SIS Track Championship, Monmore (Dec 23)[11] Pos Track Points 1st Monmore 42 2nd Hall Green 37 3rd Romford 27 4th Hove 24 5th Belle Vue 24 6th Newcastle 13

Principal UK finals

Ladbrokes Golden Jacket, Crayford (Feb 26, 714m, £15,000)[12] Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Bush Paddy Kelly Findlay 9-2 47.39 1 2nd Swabys Onenut Paul Young 2-1f 47.81 6 3rd Lottes Girl Kevin Hutton 5-1 48.21 4 4th Group Skater Paul Hennessy 4-1 48.29 5 5th Lorrys Options Dean Childs 4-1 48.55 3 6th Rancey Beauty Paul Garland 14-1 48.83 2

Bettor.com Scottish Derby, Shawfield (Apr 16, 480m, £25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Taylors Cruise Charlie Lister OBE 6-4f 29.26 1 2nd Pablo Supreme Owen McKenna 7-2 29.38 5 3rd Farloe Force Owen McKenna 4-1 29.48 4 4th Beaming Dilemma Pat Buckley 3-1 29.64 3 5th Bubby Razldazl Paul Young 4-1 29.66 2 N/R Westmead Grant [13] Chris Allsopp disq+ 6 + disqualified in semi finals

Blue Square TV Trophy, Sittingbourne (May 4, 893m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Knockies Hannah John Mullins 7-4 57.30 1 2nd Minnies Penske Tony Collett 6-4f 57.35 5 3rd Slick Sapphire Keith Allsop 11-2 57.58 3 4th Aero Gaga Paul Young 12-1 57.97 4 5th Killishin Masai Chris Kyme 4-1 58.00 2 6th Ministry Magpie Lorraine Sams N/R lame 6

William Hill Grand Prix, Sunderland (Jul 14, 640m, £15,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Blonde Fletch Mark Wallis 7-4f 39.45 3 2nd Bower Hawk Pat Rosney 8-1 39.47 4 3rd Nyla Fantasy Michael Walsh 2-1 39.67 1 4th Droopys Hester Jimmy Wright 8-1 39.71 5 5th Droopys Luisao Jimmy Wright 5-2 39.72 6 6th Melview Ace Gordon Thompson 16-1 39.82 2

William Hill Classic, Sunderland (Jul 14, 450m, £25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Blonde Snapper Mark Wallis 5-2 26.59+ 4 2nd Lampard Jimmy Little 6-1 26.67 5 3rd Jordansoilutions Charlie Lister OBE 14-1 27.03 2 4th Magna Buddy Jimmy Wright 6-4f 27.20 3 5th Westmead Guru Kelly Findlay 4-1 27.44 1 6th Skywalker Gold Ted Soppitt 11-2 27.57 6 + Track record

Primus Saver Grand National, Wimbledon (Aug 30, 480mH, £7,500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Victoria Falls Richard Rees 25-1 29.80 2 2nd Clonkeen Theo Jason Foster 9-1 29.81 4 3rd Swift Defender Barry O'Sullivan 12-1 29.94 1 4th Farloe Skywalker Matt Dartnall 2-1jf 30.20 5 5th Forest Rico Derek Knight 7-2 30.24 3 6th Blackhall Prince Chris Kyme 2-1jf 30.56 6

East Anglian Derby, Yarmouth (Sep 15, 462m, £12,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Ballymac Ace Chris Allsopp 7-2 27.89 3 2nd Taylors Cruise Charlie Lister OBE 9-4 27.95 1 3rd Rookery Pedro Mark Wallis 8-1 28.13 6 4th Yahoo Jamie Charlie Lister OBE 5-4f 28.16 5 5th Romeo Reason Liz McNair 6-1 28.30 4 6th Holycross Prince John Mullins 12-1 28.35 2

William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (Oct 4, 687m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Aero Majestic Mark Wallis 11-4 41.62 2 2nd Capoley Ash Barrie Draper 3-1 41.80 4 3rd Curragh Kewell Charles Fanous 6-1 42.02 1 4th Blue Bee Matt Dartnall 2-1f 42.02 3 4th Penskey Rain Kevin Hutton 16-1 42.12 6 6th Darts Wizard Philip Simmonds 8-1 42.27 5

Betfair Laurels, Belle Vue (Nov 8, 470m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Eden Star Barrie Draper 4-9f 27.27 3 2nd Longwood Fantasy Stuart Mason 12-1 27.37 4 3rd Tudor Prince Harry Williams 4-1 27.43 1 4th Onceo Black Julie Bateson 13-2 27.83 6 5th Whitefort Mac Kim Billingham 14-1 27.91 5 6th Onyougojoe George Oswald 25-1 27.99 2

William Hill Oaks, Wimbledon (Dec 8, 480m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Silverview Perky Charlie Lister OBE 1-1f 28.40 5 2nd Droopys Aretha Seamus Cahill 40-1 28.90 3 3rd Boher Princess Charlie Lister OBE 8-1 28.93 1 4th Thurlesbeg Bound Seamus Cahill 12-1 29.09 6 5th Spinkys Nod John Gammon 2-1 29.10 2 6th Droopys Lona Dean Childs 8-1 29.16 4

Principal Irish finals

College Causeway/Killahan Phanter Easter Cup, Shelbourne (Apr 16, 550y, €25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Makeshift Dolores Ruth 2-1f 29.59 2 2nd Razldazl George Dolores Ruth 3-1 29.60 3 3rd Slippery Bob Larry Dunne 4-1 30.05 1 4th Broadstrand Lad John Linehan 4-1 30.16 5 5th Cian Abbey Paul Sharkey 8-1 30.30 6 6th Hello Ringo Paul Hennessy 40-1 30.32 4

Red Mills Produce, Clonmel (May 1, 525y, €24,500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Whiteys Hawk Declan Byrne 7-1 28.38 2 2nd Uncle Eoin James Robinson 7-4f 28.48 6 3rd St Louis Charlie Jerry Griffin 3-1 28.66 3 4th Bit View Micko Philip Dillon 8-1 28.69 1 5th Broadstrand Dan Vincent O'Donovan 4-1 29.22 4 6th Colourful Bolt Mick Delahunty 5-2 29.71 5

Bettor.com Northern Irish Derby, Drumbo Park (June 25, 550y, €25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Loughview Gem Francis O'Brien 5-1 29.56 3 2nd Star Head Brian Macklin 14-1 29.77 2 3rd Leeview Jet Graham Holland 1-2f 29.84 1 4th Rafas Wee Pet Ronnie McKeown 10-1 29.85 4 5th Cian Abbey Paul Sharkey 6-1 30.02 6 6th Elwick Bolero Jimmy Brown 6-1 30.23 56

Sporting Press Oaks, Shelbourne (Jun 25, 525y, €25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Droopys Twirl John Linehan 2-1 28.42 3 2nd Mozzletoff Marie Gilbert 6-4f 28.43 6 3rd Maggies Whistle Colin Adamson 10-1 28.59 1 4th Mutual Decision John McGee 5-1 29.11 2 5th Jimney Cricket Michael Mulleady 33-1 29.23 5 6th Cool It Baby Trevor Cummins 4-1 31.63 4

Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger, Limerick (Jul 2, 550y, €25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st What A Tornado Paul Hennessy 7-4f 29.58 2 2nd Varra Captain Maura Casey 5-1 29.61 4 3rd Shelbourne Geoff Brian King 5-1 29.62 6 4th Hey Gringo Peter Cronin 10-1 29.73 1 5th Judicial Academy Michael O'Donovan 2-1 29.76 5 6th Inislosky Magoo Mary Crotty 12-1 29.80 3

Townviewfoods.com Champion Stakes, Shelbourne (Jul 23, 550y, €20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Uncle Eoin James Robinson 6-1 29.81 6 2nd Razldazl Jayfkay Dolores Ruth 2-1jf 29.89 5 3rd Tyrur Domingo Conor Fahy 5-1 30.01 1 4th Kingo Dolores Ruth 12-1 30.07 4 5th Broadstrand Lad John Linehan 2-1jf 30.19 2 6th Colorful Champ Paul Hennessy 6-1 30.31 3

HX Bookmakers Puppy Derby, Harolds Cross (Oct 7, 525y, €25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Sparta Maestro Philip Gough 5-4f 28.59 5 2nd Callums Flash John Kiely 6-1 28.67 6 3rd Ruthless Man John McGee 11-1 28.99 4 4th Swift Marathon Seamus Graham 6-4 29.02 2 5th Incitatus Pat Buckley 16-1 29.34 3 6th Movealong Dash William Barry 5-1 29.78 1

Pat Hennerty Sales Laurels, Cork (Oct 22, 525y, €30,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Razldazl Rioga Dolores Ruth 7-2 28.32 6 2nd Beaming Dilemma Pat Buckley 6-1 28.67 2 3rd Varra Captain Owen McKenna 13-1 28.84 4 4th Deerfield Music Maurice O'Connor 6-4f 28.95 1 5th Leeview Jet Graham Holland 2-1 29.05 3 N/R St Louis Charlie Jerry Griffin lame 5

References

1. "result". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Archived from the original on 2016-09-17. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
2. "Trainer's Championship meeting". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Archived from the original on 2018-01-09. Retrieved 2018-01-02.
3. "Greyhound trainer Charlie Lister appointed OBE". BBC News. Greyhound Board of Great Britain. 31 December 2011.
4. "Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium flats plan approved". BBC News. 9 May 2012.
5. "Speaking Notes". agriculture.gov.ie. Archived from the original on 2017-11-18. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
6. "Club info". Whitletts Victoria Football Club.
7. "BAGS Championship". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Archived from the original on 2018-01-09. Retrieved 2018-01-02.
8. Racing Post
9. "Remember When - November". Greyhound Star. 3 November 2019.
10. "Greyhound trainer Charlie Lister appointed OBE". BBC News. Greyhound Board of Great Britain. 31 December 2011.
11. "BAGS Championship". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Archived from the original on 2018-01-09. Retrieved 2018-01-02.
12. "Golden Jacket final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
13. "Greyhound Star (Remember When - April)". Greyhound Star. 14 April 2019.