2018 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

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2018 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2018 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 93rd year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Quick Facts
2018 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
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Dorotas Wildcat, the English Greyhound Derby champion
 2017
2019 
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Roll of honour

More information Major Winners, Award ...
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More information Gain GTA Trainers Championship, (Towcester) (21 Apr), Pos ...
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Summary

The year revolved around two major events, the first was the ongoing battle for broadcasting rights between Satellite Information Services (SIS) and the Arena Racing Company (ARC). The second was the devastating news that Towcester racecourse, headed by Lord Hesketh[2] was put into administration. On 23 August KPMG were appointed as administrators and 134 out of 137 members of staff at the racecourse were made redundant, many having to claim statutory redundancy from the government.[3] The last greyhound meeting was on 12 August.

On 13 November it was announced by the administrators that the racecourse's assets were being sold to a company called Fermor Land LLP.[4][5] This company was formed on 18 October (26 days before the sale) and is headed by Lord Hesketh's brother-in-law Mark Westropp, a trustee of the Hesketh Family trusts.[4][6]

Dorotas Wildcat won the last Derby at Towcester and then following a rest came back to win the Eclipse in late November. The Kevin Hutton trained black dog was the first Derby champion to win a competition (post Derby) since Taylors Sky in 2011.

News

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Perspective

On 9 April bookmakers and betting exchanges informed the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport whether they were going to contribute to the British Greyhound Racing Fund. The fund which is pivotal for the welfare of greyhounds involved in Greyhound Board of Great Britain licensed racing is voluntary and based on the profits. Betfair and Sky Betting & Gaming were the high profile companies that refused to contribute which attracted criticism from the industry.[7][8] One month later on 17 May, it was announced by Culture secretary Matt Hancock that betting stakes on fixed-odds betting terminals (known as FOBTs) would be reduced to £2 maximum. Consequently income generated by betting shops could reduce, which could affect the general health of both the horse racing and greyhound racing industries and lead to an uncertain period ahead.[8][9]

Eight ex-Towcester trainers joined Henlow, including Mark Wallis and Nick Savva while Kevin Hutton joined Monmore and Patrick Janssens joined Central Park Stadium. Wallis would go on to extend his record number of wins as Greyhound Trainer of the Year by securing a tenth success and a seventh in succession despite a late challenge from Kevin Hutton.[10]

John Gilburn died after a heart attack aged 65, the Sheffield director was an extremely popular figure within the industry.[11] Former BGRB Chief Executive Geoffrey Thomas also died, he was best known for the 'New Deal', a failed attempt in 2002 to gain a better deal for the tracks from the bookmakers.[12][13]

Tracks

Mildenhall Stadium closed to greyhound racing on 15 January following the ongoing problems experienced by the track, leaving 22 registered stadia with the Greyhound Board of Great Britain. The proposed Swindon Stadium development showed no further progress in relation to a new track layout, new housing now bordered the existing track and it had now passed the three year mark since Clarke Osborne (MD) had informed the greyhound connections that work was due to start.[14]

Competitions

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Perspective

Mark Wallis won a third Trainers Championship stopping Kevin Hutton from winning a fourth consecutive title.[15] The Other Reg secured the Scottish Greyhound Derby title.[16] Hutton then made amends by winning his first Derby title with Dorotas Wildcat.[17]

As a result of the Towcester administration three major events, the ECC Timber Puppy Derby, the Oaks and the TV Trophy were left uncontested in the racing schedule. The rights for the TV Trophy held by Greyhound Board of Great Britain was rescheduled for Crayford in December. Both the Oaks and Puppy Derby received new homes in Swindon and Henlow respectively.[18]

Principal UK finals

More information Ladbrokes Golden Jacket, Crayford (27 Feb, 714m, £17,500), Pos ...
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More information John Smith's Grand National, Central Park (27 April, 480mH, £8,000), Pos ...
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More information William Hill Classic, Sunderland (18 Jul, 450m, £25,000), Pos ...
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More information GRA St Leger, Perry Barr (17 Nov, 710m, £5,500), Pos ...
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More information Conlon Family and Pin-Point Recruitment Laurels, Newcastle (13 Dec, 480m, £5,000), Pos ...
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Principal Irish finals

More information Ladbrokes Easter Cup, Shelbourne (10 Mar, 550y, €25,000), Pos ...
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More information Pos, Name of Greyhound ...
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More information EOS IT Solutions Dundalk International, Dundalk (12 Jul, 550y, €20,000), Pos ...
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More information Boylesports Champion Stakes, Shelbourne (28 July, 550y, €20,000), Pos ...
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More information Barking Buzz App Irish St Leger, Limerick (3 Nov, 550y, €25,000), Pos ...
Barking Buzz App Irish St Leger, Limerick (3 Nov, 550y, €25,000)
Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer
1st Blastoff Jet [36]55-129.65Philip Buckley
2nd Lenson Blinder46-4jf29.79Graham Holland
3rd Nice Charmer16-129.81Graham Holland
4th Clonbrien Prince36-4jf30.02Graham Holland
5th Crohane Prince212-130.02Declan Byrne
6th Urban Jet616-130.16Robert Roberts
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UK Category 1 & 2 competitions

More information Competition, Date ...
Competition Date Venue Winning Greyhound Winning Trainer Time SP Notes
Coral Coronation Cup 19 JanRomfordShotgun BulletDerek Knight (Hove)35.2510-11f[37]
Racing Post Juvenile 6 MarSheffieldBull Run ButtonBarrie Draper (Sheffield)28.869-4[38]
Cearnsport Springbok 9 MarCentral ParkLenson WilsonRicky Holloway (Central Park)29.634-9f[39]
Coral Essex Vase+ 16 MarRomfordMurrys ActKevin Boon (Yarmouth)35.342-1[40]
Coral Golden Sprint 16 MarRomfordForest ChunkKevin Hutton (Towcester) 24.0311-10f[41]
Ladbrokes Puppy Derby 21 MarMonmoreRising BrandyMatt Dartnall (Towcester) 27.827-4[42]
Astute Electronics Gold Cup 25 MarTowcesterKing TurboLiz McNair (Private) 27.927-4jf[43]
Kent Silver Salver 30 MarCentral ParkRoxholme HatHayley Keightley (Doncaster)16.361-2f[44]
Bresmed Northern Sprint 17 AprSheffieldCotton PantsMark Wallis (Towcester) 15.9810-1[45]
Golden Crest 17 AprPooleHeadford KevKevin Hutton (Towcester)26.815-2[46]
Betfred Gymcrack 22 AprKinsleyBrinkleys PoetMatt Dartnall (Towcester)26.954-7fTrack Record [47]
Coral Regency 10 MayHoveClares KyletaunJune Harvey (Swindon)41.051-2f[48]
BGBF Puppy Cup 15 MaySheffieldRoxhill MystiquePaul Sallis (Monmore)29.219-2[49]
Star Sports Champion Hurdle 2 JunTowcesterLenson WilsonRicky Holloway (Central Park)28.406-5f[17]
Ladbrokes Gold Collar 26 JunCrayfordDroopys DresdenPhil Simmonds (Romford)33.939-4[50]
RPGTV Select Stakes 2 JulNottinghamBrinkleys PoetMatt Dartnall (Towcester)29.562-1f[51]
British Bred Produce Stakes 21 JulSwindonZenas ZeusJenny March (Central Park)28.903-1[52]
Coral Sussex Cup 3 AugHoveSporting DaveSeamus Cahill (Hove)29.795-4[53]
William Hill Northern Puppy Derby 9 AugNewcastleDroopys TrawlerAndrew Wood (Shawfield)28.768-1[54]
Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic 9 AugMonmoreEla JulietMatt Dartnall (Towcester)37.777-4jf[55]
Ladbrokes Guys and Dolls 21 AugCrayfordKilmore LemonPatrick Janssens (Towcester)22.891-2f[56]
Ladbrokes Gold Cup 23 AugMonmoreKing TurboLiz McNair (Private)28.305-4f[57]
GMG Puppy Classic 27 AugNottinghamBlue TrooperNigel Saunders (Belle Vue)30.294-1[58]
Coral Champion Stakes 31 AugRomfordBombers BulletMark Wallis (Henlow)34.975-2f[59]
GMG Three Steps to Victory 4 SepSheffieldSwift HanselAnna Thompson (Nottingham)39.429-4[60]
Lowther Stakes 10 SepNottinghamDonationHeather Dimmock (Henlow)28.787-4f[61]
Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger 15 SepCrayfordSlippy MaggieHazel Kemp (Peterborough)45.729-4[62]
BAPP Group Scurry Cup 15 SepBelle VueTroy BellaDavid Mullins (Romford)15.077-1[63]
BAPP Group Northern Flat 15 SepBelle VueFernhill RexLee Field (Doncaster)27.565-2[64]
Slim Somerville/Rhys Bramwell Trafalgar Cup 22 SepMonmoreKing SheeranLiz McNair (Private)28.3411-10[65]
GMG Steel City Cup 2 OctSheffieldRoxholme NidgeHayley Keightley (Doncaster)28.531-2f[66]
Ladbrokes Kent Derby 7 OctCentral ParkKing TurboLiz McNair (Private)28.964-6f[67]
S.I.S Yorkshire St Leger 8 OctDoncasterRoxholme PoppyHayley Keightley (Doncaster)41.745-2jf[68]
William Hill All England Cup 25 OctNewcastleDroopys VerveAngela Harrison (Newcastle)28.241-2f[69]
The Hawk Henlow Derby 28 OctHenlowBubbly TurboPaul Young (Romford)27.368-1[70]
British Breeders Stakes 29 OctNottinghamLet Me Tell YouAngie Kibble (Swindon)29.969-2[71]
Coral Brighton Belle 1 NovHoveBallymac MisculaKim Billingham (Monmore)30.002-1[72]
Coral Romford Puppy Cup 23 NovRomfordGrays Cup WinnerPhil Simmonds (Romford)24.082-1[73]
MSCM Eclipse 26 NovNottinghamDorotas WildcatKevin Hutton (Monmore)29.354-6f[74]
Coral Essex Vase 7 DecRomfordPrime TimePhil Simmonds (Romford)35.347-1[75]
BGBF British Bred Derby 11 DecSheffieldGeelo MontyCarl Perry (Sheffield)29.055-2[76]
Gain Nutrition Puppy Derby 16 DecHenlowArgentinaKevin Hutton (Monmore)27.504-1[77]
Local Parking Security National Sprint 17 DecNottinghamCalzaghe FlashTed Soppitt (Newcastle)17.551-1f[78]
Coral Olympic 27 DecHoveKing TurboLiz McNair (Private)29.906-4f[79]
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+Delayed 2017 edition

Irish feature competitions

More information Competition, Date ...
Competition Date Venue Winning Greyhound Winning Trainer Time SP Notes
Best Car Parks Gold Cup 10 FebShelbourneChespirito [80]Liam Dowling28.527-1
GMHD Insurances Juvenile Classic 9 MarTraleeBallymac Bolger [81]Liam Dowling28.534-1
All Pet Supplies Irish Cesarewitch 7 AprMullingarMaster Grizzly [82]Declan Byrne33.218-1
Frightful Flash Kennels McCalmont Cup 6 AprKilkennyBallybough Dad [83]Martin 'Murt' Leahy29.065-4f
Gain Open 600 28 AprShelbourneJavielenko [84]Pat Buckley32.6112-1
Kerry GAA Race of Champions 8 JunTraleeClonbrien Hero [85]Graham Holland29.995-2
Thurles Fresh Milk Tipperary Cup 4 AugThurlesSkywalker Rafa [86]Michael J O'Donovan28.811-1f
Gain Corn Cuchulainn 5 AugShelbourneJavielenko [87]Pat Buckley41.267-4
Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup 15 AugDundalkArdnasool Jet [88]Cathal McGhee21.073-1
Texacloth Juvenile Derby 14 SepNewbridgeUlysses [89]Leonard O'Hanlon28.587-2
Cox Cup 14 SepNewbridgeKylehill Strauss [90]Raymond Dowling30.413-1
Gain Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes 10 NovWaterfordCabra Hurricane [91]Patrick Guilfoyle28.294-6f
Greyhound & Petworld Luxury Transport Irish Grand National 15 DecCorkLightfoot Prince [92]Pat Kiely28.812-1
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References

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