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The 2021 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 96th year of greyhound racing in the Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Greyhound racing in Ireland.[1][2][3][4]
2021 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year | |
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Major Winners | |
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Award | Name of Winner |
2021 English Greyhound Derby | Thorn Falcon |
2021 Irish Greyhound Derby | Susie Sapphire |
Greyhound Trainer of the Year | Mark Wallis |
UK Greyhound of the Year | Signet Ace |
Irish Greyhound of the Year | Susie Sapphire |
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The main news throughout the year was the announcement of a five-year deal between Entain and ARC for a new joint venture of live broadcast rights from 1 January 2024 until 31 December 2029. The deal was described in some news articles as revamping and revitalising greyhound racing's wider betting appeal but in truth the deal although inevitable (a bookmaker owned industry had been predicted 20 years previously) was potentially a serious problem for a third of the industry. The deal in detail meant that the Entain/Ladbrokes Coral owned tracks (Crayford, Hove, Monmore and Romford) and the ARC tracks (Newcastle, Nottingham, Perry Barr and Sunderland) would form eight of the tracks with broadcast rights and they would likely be joined by two to four more tracks. This would mean that a further six to eight tracks would be financially unstable with no broadcast rights and would face an uncertain future.[6][7][8] Shortly after the announcement Central Park Stadium was acquired by ARC, leaving Doncaster, Harlow, Henlow, Kinsley, Sheffield, Pelaw Grange, Shawfield, Swindon, Towcester and Yarmouth battling for rights before 2024.[9]
The major disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic continued with racing remaining behind closed doors until the return of crowds was allowed on 17 May. The Derby returned to Towcester Greyhound Stadium following two years at Nottingham.[10] The 2021 English Greyhound Derby was won by Thorn Falcon for Belgian born Patrick Janssens, thwarting an Irish attempt at a third consecutive success.[11]
Just one week after being named the 2020 Greyhound of the Year Aayamza Royale broke the 900 metres track record at Monmore, recording 55.95 seconds.[12] In May 2021 Kevin Hutton returned to train out of Towcester following its reopening[13] and later in September 2021, won his fourth trainers championship (the first as the rebranded Judgement Night).[14]
Towcester and Henlow owner Kevin Boothby announced his intention to re-open Oxford Stadium and Mildenhall Stadium (the latter would be known as Suffolk Downs) with renovation work beginning on the tracks in July, which continued until the end of the year. Originally he had hoped to open both tracks before Christmas but this did not materialise.[15]
The Oaks was switched from Swindon to Perry Barr due to the ongoing saga surrounding Swindon's redevelopment.[16]
Mark Wallis extended his Greyhound Trainer of the Year record to twelve titles.[17]
The Champion Stakes was positioned in the racing calendar just before the Irish Derby and would give a great indication as to the form heading into the event. De Machine won the final, which contained six serious contenders for the Derby. Susie Sapphire was arguably the star in Ireland, after winning the Oaks she went unbeaten throughout the 2021 Irish Greyhound Derby and duly won the Irish greyhound of the year.[18] Others that had a great year were Good Cody, Priceless Jet and Explosive Boy; Cody won the Sprint Cup and Kingdom Derby as well as reaching the Produce final; Priceless Jet was a St Leger and Champions Stakes finalist and won the Corn Cuchulainn; Explosive Boy reached the Irish Derby and Kirby finals and won the Produce.
Havana Class won the first Laurels to be staged at Perry Barr in April and shortly afterwards trainer Ricky Holloway won his fourth Grand National, this time with Meenagh Maverick. In May, Aayamza Royale became the fourth greyhound to win the TV Trophy twice, also setting a record of fours wins for trainer Mark Wallis in the process. Royale broke the track record to complete a memorable feat.[19] In July, Aayamza Royale continued her stunning form by winning the £10,000 Regency.
Aayamza Royale was the leading contender to become the first greyhound since Westmead Hawk to win Greyhound of the Year for two consecutive years. She would be challenged by Space Jet (a newcomer that won the St Leger in a track record time), Thorn Falcon (the Derby champion), Signet Ace and Salacres Pippy. The award went to Signet Ace, who had claimed the Winter Derby, Eclipse and Select Stakes.
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Competition | Date | Venue | Winning Greyhound | Winning Trainer | Time | SP | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coral Essex Vase | 22 Jan | Romford | Antigua Romeo | Mark Wallis (Henlow) | 34.66 | 8-1 | [26] |
TRC Health & Hygiene Blue Riband | 6 Feb | Towcester | Kilara Lion | Patrick Janssens (Central Park) | 29.73 | 11-8f | [27] |
Ladbrokes Puppy Derby | 27 Feb | Monmore | Jaguar Macie | Graham Rankin (Pelaw Grange) | 28.04 | 9-2 | [28] |
Ladbrokes Winter Derby | 27 Feb | Monmore | Signet Ace | Kevin Hutton (Monmore) | 28.08 | 6-1 | [29] |
Coral Golden Sprint | 19 Mar | Romford | Bockos Jon Jo | Patrick Janssens (Towcester) | 23.77 | 10-11f | [30] |
BGBF British Breeders Stakes | 22 Mar | Nottingham | King Louis | Liz McNair (Private) | 29.63 | 9-2 | [31] |
Northern Puppy Derby | 31 Mar | Newcastle | Jaguar Macie | Graham Rankin (Pelaw Grange) | 28.52 | 13-8f | [32] |
Cearnsport Springbok | 4 Apr | Central Park | Droopys Rex | David Mullins (Romford) | 29.94 | 7-2 | [33] |
TRC Health & Hygiene Northamptonshire Sprint | 13 Apr | Towcester | Bockos Jon Jo | Patrick Janssens (Towcester) | 16.10 | 1-2f | [34] |
Arena Racing Company Grand Prix | 20 Apr | Sunderland | Coolavanny Bani | Angela Harrison (Newcastle) | 39.21 | 7-2 | [35] |
RPGTV Juvenile | 20 Apr | Towcester | Ballymac Trend | Kevin Boon (Towcester) | 29.62 | 7-1 | [36] |
KAB Maiden Derby | 18 May | Towcester | Thorn Falcon | Patrick Janssens (Towcester) | 29.24 | 10-11f | [37] |
Arena Racing Company Northern Flat | 19 May | Newcastle | Pacemaker Ted | Tom Heilbron (Newcastle) | 28.37 | 9-4f | [38] |
George Ing St Leger | 29 May | Yarmouth | Blue Tick George | Jim Daly (Crayford) | 40.31 | 11-10jf | [39] |
Ladbrokes Kent St Leger | 26 Jun | Crayford | Bo Shine Bullet | Mark Wallis (Henlow) | 45.55 | 1-1f | [40] |
Ladbrokes Guys and Dolls | 26 Jun | Crayford | Punk Rock Doll | Stuart Maplesden (Hove) | 23.00 | 4–1 | [40] |
Ladbrokes Kent Vase | 26 Jun | Crayford | Ballynabee Jet | Samantha West (Hove) | 34.03 | 100–30 | [40] |
Stadium Bookmakers Juvenile Classic | 20 Jul | Towcester | Brookside Richie | David Mullins (Romford) | 29.48 | 11–10f | |
Coral Regency | 31 Jul | Hove | Aayamza Royale | Mark Wallis (Henlow) | 41.56 | 11–4 | [41] |
Coral Sussex Cup | 31 Jul | Hove | Drumcrow Brent | Mark Wallis (Henlow) | 29.89 | 5–1 | [41] |
Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic | 21 Aug | Monmore | Coolavanny Bani | Angela Harrison (Newcastle) | 37.87 | 4–1 | [42] |
Ladbrokes Gold Cup | 21 Aug | Monmore | Minglers Popeye | Stuart Tighe (Newcastle) | 28.45 | 11–2 | [42] |
Stadium Bookmakers Marathon Trophy | 22 Aug | Towcester | Savana Volcano | Diane Henry (Towcester) | 58.27 | 2–1 | [43] |
ARC Puppy Classic | 30 Aug | Nottingham | Bubbly Apache | Paul Young (Romford) | 29.53 | 2–1 | [44] |
Select Stakes | 30 Aug | Nottingham | Signet Ace | Kevin Hutton (Towcester) | 29.72 | 9/4f | [45] |
Gain Nutrition 3 Steps to Victory | 7 Sep | Sheffield | Savana Eruption | Diane Henry (Towcester) | 39.14 | 15–8f | [46] |
75th Produce Stakes | 19 Sep | Swindon | Pocket Lola | Seamus Cahill (Brighton) | 28.15 | 5–6f | [47] |
Coral Romford Puppy Cup | 24 Sep | Romford | Brookside Richie | David Mullins (Romford) | 23.68 | 1–3f | [48] |
Stadium Bookmakers Empress Stakes | 26 Sep | Towcester | Coolavanny Aunty | Angela Harrison (Newcastle) | 29.34 | 13–8f | [49] |
M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup | 30 Sep | Perry Barr | Candy Man | Carol Weatherall (Sheffield) | 28.10 | 5–1 | [50] |
Property 192 Graders Derby | 10 Oct | Towcester | Deanridge Awesom | Allison Kelly-Pilgrim (Crayford) | 29.57 | 4–6f | |
BGBF Puppy Cup | 17 Oct | Towcester | Moments of Magic | Kevin Hutton (Towcester) | 27.62 | 11–2 | [51] |
Kent Derby | 17 Oct | Central Park | Galaxy Freedom | Stuart Maplesden (Hove) | 29.26 | 28–1 | [52] |
Coral Champion Stakes | 22 Oct | Romford | Night Time Danny | Steve Rayner (Henlow) | 34.94 | 3–1 | [53] |
1st Containers Marathon Trophy | 24 Oct | Towcester | Space Jet | Matt Dartnall (Central Park) | 56.67 | 7–4f | [54] |
Scurry Gold Cup | 28 Oct | Perry Barr | Crossfield Dusty | Patrick Janssens (Towcester) | 16.26 | 10/11f | [23] |
Bresbet Steel City Cup | 30 Oct | Sheffield | Forest Gold | Kevin Hutton (Towcester) | 28.71 | 3/1 | [55] |
Stadium Bookmakers Hunt Cup | 14 Nov | Towcester | Salacres Pippy | Peter Harnden (Towcester) | 42.90 | 9/4 | Track record[56] |
ARC Classic | 18 Nov | Sunderland | Narcos The Great | George Cunningham (Private) | 26.84 | 13/2 | [57] |
Ladbrokes Kent Rosebowl | 27 Nov | Crayford | Icaals Rocco | John Mullins (Towcester) | 23.38 | 8/1 | [58] |
Ladbrokes Gold Collar | 27 Nov | Crayford | Warzone Tom | Liz McNair (Private) | 33.58 | 4/6f | [59] |
Eclipse | 6 Dec | Nottingham | Signet Ace | Kevin Hutton (Towcester) | 29.41 | 11/10f | [60] |
Coral Olympic | 18 Dec | Hove | Prince of Troy | David Mullins (Romford) | 30.21 | 25/1 | [61] |
Coral Brighton Belle | 18 Dec | Hove | Lights Out | Kevin Hutton (Towcester) | 30.28 | 9/4 | [62] |
The Puppy Derby | 19 Dec | Towcester | Make Noise | Seamus Cahill (Hove) | 29.71 | 15/8 | [63] |
ARC Champion Hurdle | 19 Dec | Central Park | Toolmaker Daddy | Ricky Holloway (Private) | 30.26 | 11/1 | [64] |
ARC National Sprint | 20 Dec | Nottingham | Crossfield Dusty | Patrick Janssens (Towcester) | 17.65 | 8/11f | [65] |
BGBF British Bred Derby | 21 Dec | Sheffield | Fabulous Azurra | Patrick Janssens (Towcester) | 28.73 | 5/2 | [66] |
All England Cup | 28 Dec | Newcastle | Moanteen Mikey | Angela Harrison (Newcastle) | 28.72 | 11/4f | [67] |
Coronation Cup | cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic |
Competition | Date | Venue | Winning Greyhound | Winning Trainer | Time | SP | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shelbourne 600 | 2 Jan | Shelbourne | Ballymac Kingdom | Liam Dowling | 32.30 | No SP | NO SP due to COVID-19 [68] |
Best Car Parks Gold Cup | 6 Feb | Shelbourne | Inforapenny | Kieran Lynch | 28.97 | 5-1 | [69] |
Greyhound & Petworld Juvenile Classic | 12 Mar | Tralee | Singalong Sally | Pat Buckley | 28.58 | No SP | No SP due to COVID-19[70] |
Ballymac Anton at Stud McCalmont Cup | 26 Mar | Kilkenny | Dark Devil | Martin (Murt) Leahy | 28.86 | No SP | No SP due to COVID-19[71] |
Waterford Select Stakes | 20 Apr | Waterford | Skywalker Barry | Mark O'Donovan | 28.14 | No SP | No SP due to COVID-19[72] |
SIS Irish Cesarewitch | 16 May | Mullingar | Amazing Alice | Patrick Guilfoyle | 33.20 | 9-4 | [73] |
SIS Race of Champions | 19 Jun | Tralee | Explosive Boy | Patrick Guilfoyle | 29.36 | No SP | NO SP due to COVID-19[74] |
Corn Cuchulainn | 17 Jul | Shelbourne | Priceless Jet | Paul Hennessy | 41.39 | 9-4f | [75] |
Champion 550 | 17 Jul | Shelbourne | Deadly Destroyer | Karol Ramsbottom | 29.36 | 4/1 | [75] |
Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup | 7 Aug | Thurles | Freedom Epic | Kathleen Pomfret | 29.02 | No SP | NO SP due to COVID-19[76] |
Kingdom Derby | 21 Dec | Tralee | Good Cody | Patrick Guilfoyle | 28.25 | 9/4 | [77] |
Dundalk International | cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic |
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