2000 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2000 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 74th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.[1]

2000 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

Roll of honour

Major Winners
Award	Name of Winner
2000 English Greyhound Derby	Rapid Ranger [2][3]
2000 Irish Greyhound Derby	Judicial Pride [4]
2000 Scottish Greyhound Derby	Knockeevan Star [5]
Greyhound Trainer of the Year	Linda Mullins
Greyhound of the Year	Palace Issue
Irish Dog and Bitch of the Year	Judicial Pride / Marinas Tina
Trainers Championship	Nick Savva

Summary

The National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) released the annual returns, with totalisator turnover at £86,014,070 and attendances recorded at 3,697,939 from 6643 meetings.[6]

Palace Issue trained by Linda Mullins was voted Greyhound of the Year after winning the St Leger at Wimbledon Stadium, defending his Grand Prix title at Walthamstow, winning a third successive Hunt Cup and second WJ & JE Cearns Invitation. Mullins also won the Greyhound Trainer of the Year for the fifth successive year and then announced her retirement, the kennels and licence was switched to one of her sons John.[7]

El Tenor owned by Mario Lanfranchi and trained by Mullins brought up the magical 100 open race wins to write his name in the history books as one of the greatest hurdlers.[8] Rising star Rapid Ranger was third in the Scottish Greyhound Derby behind Knockeevan Star and then went on to win the 2000 English Greyhound Derby.

Tracks

Irish tracks were subject to changes. The Dundalk Ramparts Greyhound Stadium closed on 20 November in order for the major rebuild to take place.[9] Curraheen Park opened on 8 April as a replacement for the previous track the Cork (Western Road) Greyhound Stadium, the sale of the old track enabled the Irish Greyhound Board to fund a new stadium with modern facilities.[10] The Kingdom Greyhound Stadium in Tralee also underwent a major refit as the stadium was redesigned for the new Millennium.[7]

Swaffham ceased to race after the promoter Tom Smith and the holder of the lease Vince Moody had a disagreement, the track had raced for 13 years and was turned into a schooling facility. Tom Smith and son Gavin Smith would leave a lasting legacy however as they were responsible for producing the 'Swaffham hare'. During a ten year period they had produced a hare system that would replace just about every other hare system; the McGee, outside Sumner, inside Sumner and Bramich would all but disappear.[11]

News

The Supertrack competition inaugurated in 1994 is officially ended by the British Greyhound Racing Board. Harlow lost three trainers in quick succession; Jean Carter moved to Crayford, Wayne Wilson to Catford and Kay Wyatt to Sittingbourne. Wyatt would soon give up training and Maxine Locke would take over the kennels and contract at Sittingbourne. Hazel Dickson retired leaving Wimbledon for other interests outside of greyhound racing; she had never recovered from the day that Wembley closed.[7] [12][1]

Nick Savva won the trainers championship and trained 93 British Bred winners in one year, only Trevor Cobbold in 1994 had produced a more. Catford Racing Manager Phil Donaldson left for a career in journalism with the Racing Post with his assistant Derek Hope taking over. Crayford also lost their Racing Manager after Paul Lawrence left to be replaced by deputy Harry Bull with Danny Rayment promoted to deputy. [7]

Competitions

Catford hosted their last Cesarewitch before it switched to Oxford.[12]

Principal UK races

Grand National, Wimbledon (Mar 28, 460m h, £7,500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Tuttles Minister Tom Foster 3-1 28.36 5 2nd Catunda Leonardo Terry Dartnall 13-8f 28.37 6 3rd Apple Rambler Tom Foster 6-1 28.39 3 4th Lenson Eddie Ray Peacock 9-2 28.55 2 5th Silbury Willow Tom Foster 7-1 28.81 1 6th Kennyswell Smoke Tom Foster 3-1 29.23 4

Regal Scottish Derby, Shawfield (Apr 15, 480m, £20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Knockeevan Star Tom Flaherty 3-1 29.19 1 2nd Ryefield Snowy Paul Stringer 20-1 29.35 4 3rd Rapid Ranger Charlie Lister 3-1 29.37 3 4th Knockanroe Rover Paul Stringer 2-1f 29.39 2 5th Fat Boy Slim Jim Reynolds 7-2 29.55 5 6th Spring Time Gerald Watson 4-1 29.91 6

Scurry Gold Cup, Catford (Jun 24, 385m, £3,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st El Boss Linda Mullins 5-4f 23.65 2 2nd Regal Eagle Tony Taylor 10-1 23.97 1 3rd Lenson Sunny Ray Peacock 8-1 23.99 6 4th Ceephil Linda Mullins 10-1 24.19 5 5th Rachels Miller Dave Hopper 9-4 24.21 3 6th Glowing Wave Barry Wileman 8-1 24.53 4

Reading Masters, Reading (Jul 9, 465m, £20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Jicky Brian Clemenson 11-2 28.16 6 2nd Glenholm Duke Nikki Chambers 7-2 28.38 3 3rd Fervent Flash Jo Burridge 66-1 28.42 5 4th Hedsor Sheila Keith Howard 33-1 28.62 2 5th Smoking Wardy Derek Knight 10-11f 28.70 4 6th Carnalecka Chief John McGee Sr. 4-1 28.80 1

BT Gold Collar, Catford (Sep 16, 555m, £7,500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Castlelyons Dani Arthur Hitch 5-4f 35.04 6 2nd Gold Bullet David Mullins 7-2 35.08 1 3rd Romany Lad Daphne Mann 6-1 35.16 3 4th Astoria Noir Terry Dartnall 15-2 35.34 5 5th Allez Vieira John McGee Sr. 5-1 35.44 2 6th Fawn Nikita Paul Young 25-1 35.48 4

Evening Standard TV Trophy, Wimbledon (Oct 3, 868m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Sexy Delight Charlie Lister 9-4f 54.51 1 2nd Spenwood Wizard Jo Burridge 3-1 54.53 6 3rd Hollinwood Poppy Mick Clarke 3-1 54.83 5 4th Drumsna Cross Charlie Lister 33-1 54.95 2 5th El Poker Linda Mullins 8-1 55.07 3 6th Spenwood Gem Ron Hough 4-1 55.11 4

Laurels, Belle Vue (Oct 10, 465m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Courts Legal Linda Jones 7-4 27.86 1 2nd Wrenbury Rin Tin Mick Cliffe 33-1 28.20 2 3rd Smoking Bullet Derek Knight 4-5f 28.24 5 4th Brickfield Bonus Patsy Byrne 12-1 28.48 6 5th Wrenbury Rebel Mick Cliffe 20-1 28.58 3 6th Gambling Man Anthony McConnell 12-1 28.59 4

Grand Prix, Walthamstow (Oct 14, 640m, £10,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Palace Issue Linda Mullins 1-3f 39.32 3 2nd So Breezy Linda Mullins 7-1 39.48 4 3rd Countrywide Star John McGee Sr. 8-1 40.10 2 4th Lady Jean Ken Tester 14-1 40.14 1 5th Little Diane Gary Baggs 25-1 40.24 5 6th Black Return Mick Puzey 20-1 40.26 6

St Leger, Wimbledon (Nov 7, 660m, £12,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Palace Issue Linda Mullins 1-2f 40.74 3 2nd Sonas Phantom Linda Jones 14-1 40.96 2 3rd Early Flight Nick Savva 3-1 41.02 6 4th So Breezy Linda Mullins 16-1 41.10 4 5th Castlelyons Dani Arthur Hitch 16-1 41.11 5 6th Lenson Ladson Ray Peacock 50-1 41.43 1

Oaks, Wimbledon (Dec 6, 480m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Ragga Juju Joanne Page 7-1 29.29 2 2nd Countrywide Tams John McGee Sr. 5-1 29.31 1 3rd Kinda Swell Linda Jones 10-1 29.32 4 4th After The Tide Linda Jones 5-4f 29.34 6 5th Early Flight Nick Savva 20-1 29.40 5 6th Ryefield Snowy Brian Clemenson 3-1 29.41 3

Cesarewitch, Catford 94, 718m, £5,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Lady Jean Ken Tester 11-8f 45.63 4 2nd El Poker Linda Mullins 5-2 46.03 2 3rd Elderberry Vixen Pat Ryan 9-4 46.19 6 4th Lenson Ladson Ray Peacock 8-1 46.57 1 5th Larkhill Mist Owen McKenna 66-1 46.77 5 6th Castlelyons Fuji Barry Wileman 25-1 46.87 3

Principal Irish finals

Easter Cup Shelbourne (Apr 1, 525y) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Mr Bozz [13] 7-4f 28.94 2nd Kishlawn Gold 28.98 3rd Tearaway Prince 29.17 4th Vintage Knows 29.19 5th Scaldy Sarah 29.24 6th Sandyhill Slip 29.25

National Produce Thurles (Apr 30, 525y) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Moyne Rebel [14] 1-2f 28.70 TR 5 2nd Official Leader 29.19 1 3rd Kishlawn Gold 29.29 3 4th Glossy Buttons 29.30 2 5th Barefoot Ridge 29.36 4 6th Gold Chief 29.68 6

Shelbourne 600 Shelbourne (May 6, 600y) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Joannestown Cash [15] 6-4f 32.49 TR 3 2nd Winetavern Sam 8-1 32.77 2 3rd Betting Ring 12-1 32.84 1 4th Kilmessan Jet 5-2 32.94 4 5th Glenwood Sassy 7-1 33.12 5 6th Tearaway Prince 10-1 33.43 6

St Leger Limerick (Jul 1, 550y) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Extra Dividend [16] 8-1 29.79 4 2nd Shanless Park 5-4f 30.07 1 3rd Upward Star 6-1 30.17 5 4th Deerfield Tycoon 3-1 30.45 3 5th Glossy Buttons 6-1 30.46 2 6th Crossleigh Fudge 10-1 30.64 6

Oaks Shelbourne (Jul 8, 525y) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Marinas Tina [17] 9-4f 28.56 2 2nd Stay Sharp 5-1 28.86 1 3rd Miss Tetley 8-1 28.89 3 4th Unsinkable Girl 7-2 29.08 6 5th Scaldy Sarah 3-1 29.17 5 6th Miss Allurity 7-1 29.29 4

Foras na Gaeilge Champion Stakes Shelbourne (Jul 22, 550y) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Lemon Ralph [18] 8-1 30.08 2nd Mr Bozz 30.26 3rd Droopys Vieri 30.36 4th Spring Time 30.38 5th Judicial Pride 30.60 6th Currie Kid 31.06

Gain/Daniel J Reilly Puppy Derby Harolds Cross (Sep 29, 525y) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Droopys Vieri [19] 4-6f 28.36 3 2nd Watch The Market 9-1 28.71 6 3rd Darter 12-1 28.78 5 4th Home Power 9-1 29.13 4 5th Byerley Bet 12-1 29.20 2 6th Curryhills Wade 7-1 29.69 1

Laurels Cork (Oct 28, 525y) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Barefoot Ridge [20] 6-1 28.69 3 2nd Moyne Rebel 4-5f 28.72 6 3rd Extra Dividend 16-1 28.86 2 4th O Rahilly Walk 10-1 29.00 1 5th Lemon Ralph 12-1 29.11 4 6th Marinas Tina 13-4 29.46 5

References

1. Hobbs, Jonathan (2008). Greyhound Annual 2008. Raceform. ISBN 978-1-905153-534.
2. "2000". Greyhound Data.
3. Hobbs, Jonathan (2007). Greyhound Annual 2008, page 91. Raceform. ISBN 978-1-905153-53-4.
4. Fortune, Michael. The 75 Years History of the Irish Greyhound Derby 1932-2006. Irish Greyhound Review. ISSN 0332-3536.
5. Hobbs, Jonathan (2007). Greyhound Annual 2008, pages 153-154. Raceform. ISBN 978-1-905153-53-4.
6. NGRC calendar. National Greyhound Racing Club. January 2001.
7. Hobbs, Jonathan (2002). Greyhound Annual 2003. Raceform. ISBN 1-904317-07-3.
8. "El Tenor profile". Greyhound Data.
9. "Dundalk greyhound track to close in two weeks time". Irish Independent.
10. "Feel the excitement at Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium". Business Cork.
11. "Remember When July 2000". greyhound Star.
12. Hobbs, Jonathan (2004). Greyhound Annual 2005. Raceform. ISBN 1-904317-58-8.
13. "2000 Easter Cup Final". Irish Greyhound Data.
14. "2000 Produce Stakes". Irish Greyhound Board.
15. "2000 Shelbourne 600 Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
16. "2000 St Leger Result". Irish Greyhound Board.
17. "Oaks Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
18. "2000 Champion Stakes Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
19. "2000 Puppy Derby Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
20. "2000 Laurels Final". Irish Greyhound Board.