2007 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2007 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 82nd year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

2007 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

Summary

Two time English Greyhound Derby champion Westmead Hawk was aimed towards a third Derby attempt after recovering from injury over the winter. His trainer Nick Savva and owner Bob Morton sent him to Monmore for two races on 3 and 10 May and then Wimbledon on 19 and 26 May.[1] After finishing second in the Derby Trial Stake on 26 May his connections decided not to go for a third Derby and retired him to stud.[2][3]

The 2007 English Greyhound Derby progressed without Westmead Hawk and was won by his kennelmate Westmead Lord.[4][5] The Irish equivalent went to Tyrur Rhino for trainer Paul Hennessy who recorded a 1-2 when Tyrur Laurel finished runner-up.[6]

Charlie Lister won his fourth trainers title.

Tracks

Brough Park underwent a re-branding by their owners William Hill Bookmakers and would now be known as Newcastle. This was possible due to the fact that it was the only greyhound track remaining in Newcastle; White City, Gateshead and Gosforth had all previously existed in the city. Sister track Sunderland was the recipient of a significant prize money increase as plans were announced that a new festival would be held. It included the William Hill Classic offering a £40,000 winner's prize and the William Hill Grand Prix for £25,000.[4] [3]

Dundalk unveiled the all-weather horse track to go alongside the new greyhound track costing a further €24 million. The total improvements had cost €35million.[7] Three independent tracks closed, Wisbech, Bedwellty and Hinckley, the latter was sold to developers.[4]

Competitions

Charlie Lister won the Trainers championship at Hall Green [8] and then trained Fear Haribo to the Scottish Greyhound Derby title at Shawfield, in a track record time.[9]

Mahers Boy trained by Elaine Parker claimed the first ever William Hill Classic and Go Edie Honda picked up the Grand Prix title. Spiridon Louis took the St Leger crown and would go on to be voted Greyhound of the Year after also winning the Regency, the TV Trophy and setting track records at Yarmouth and Walthamstow. Top Honcho won the Irish Greyhound Review Stud Dog of the Year Award for a record sixth time.[4] [3]

News

At an NGRC enquiry, Belle Vue veterinary surgeon Paul Evans was found guilty of supplying incorrect season suppressants which led to a feud between the Royal Veterinary College and the NGRC.[10]

Wimbledon trainer Ray Peacock died after a car accident, the Keston based Peacock aged 52 had been taken to East Surrey Hospital in Redhill but had been pronounced dead on arrival.[11] Walthamstow trainer Gary Baggs relinquished his licence to concentrate on his battle against cancer and switched his licence to daughter Stacey. Top open race trainer Terry Dartnall handed his licence to his son Matt and Wimbledon Racing Manager Derek Hope left to join William Hill and was replaced by Gary Matthews.[4]

Roll of honour

Major Winners
Award	Name of Winner
2007 English Greyhound Derby	Westmead Lord
2007 Irish Greyhound Derby	Tyrur Rhino
Greyhound Trainer of the Year	Charlie Lister
Greyhound of the Year	Spiridon Louis
Irish Dog and Bitch of the Year	Catunda Harry / Ms Firecracker

Betfair Trainers Championship, Hall Green (Mar 20)[12] Pos Name of Trainer Points 1st Charlie Lister 55 2nd Mark Wallis 52 3rd John Mullins 37 4th Brian Clemenson 31 5th Seamus Cahill 18 6th Ernest Gaskin Jr. 15

Principal UK finals

John R Weir Mercedes Benz Scottish Derby, Shawfield (Apr 14, 480m, £20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Fear Haribo Charlie Lister 10-11f 28.76+ 5 2nd Groovy Stan Paul Hennessy 5-2 28.88 1 3rd Greenwell Storm Patrick Flaherty 6-1 29.02 4 4th Kylegrove Top Julie Bateson 6-1 29.08 3 5th Manic Mile Graham Hutt 10-1 29.18 6 6th Breeze Hill Juli Pat Rosney 20-1 29.26 2 + Track record

Betfair Grand National, Wimbledon (May 8, 460mH, £7,500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Jos Cigar Steve Willey 9-4 28.07 6 2nd Ardbeg Hurricane Jim Reynolds 7-1 28.41 5 3rd Nevada Blue Otto Kueres 7-2 28.47 1 4th Fionntra Jo Gary Baggs 25-1 28.67 3 5th Snazzy Time Seamus Cahill 6-4f 28.73 2 6th Strong Flow Gary Baggs 8-1 28.81 4

William Hill Classic, Sunderland (May 22, 450m, £40,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Mahers Boy Elaine Parker 9-4jf 26.77 1 2nd Groovy Stan Paul Hennessy 9-4jf 26.78 2 3rd Astronomic Owen McKenna 5-1 27.01 3 4th Velvet Eldorado Pat Buckley 14-1 27.12 5 5th Four Dubs Pat Buckley 5-2 27.25 4 6th Droopys Tops Chris Lund 25-1 27.51 6

William Hill Grand Prix, Sunderland (May 22, 640m, £20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Go Edie Honda Graham Hutt 2-1f 39.24 1 2nd Romford Car Two John Mullins 3-1 39.28 4 3rd Farloe Premier Charlie Lister 7-2 39.44 3 4th Dromana Blue Paul Hennessy 3-1 39.45 5 5th Boherash Patriot Graham Hutt 16-1 39.62 6 6th Blonde Zak John Mullins 20-1 39.70 2

Betfair Scurry Cup, Perry Barr (May 31, 275m, £8,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Horseshoe Ping Jim Reynolds 4-11f 16.19 5 2nd Freight Train David Pruhs 9-2 16.31 1 3rd Ladywell Trick Heather Dimmock 9-1 16.49 6 4th Pineapple Gene Lynn Cook 8-1 00.00 3 5th Wheres Yer Man Peter Rich 8-1 00.00 2 N/R Oh His Nerves Bob Hall 4

William Hill TV Trophy, Yarmouth (June 5, 843m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Spiridon Louis Lorraine Sams 4-7f 53.42 2 2nd Wise Susie Dave Smith 28-1 53.50 1 3rd Mitzie Mick Puzey 18-1 54.00 6 4th Bubbly Kate Brian Clemenson 7-2 54.01 3 5th Head Iton Jordan Daniel Talbot 4-1 54.21 5 6th Confident Foe Alan Stevens 20-1 54.35 4

William Hill Cesarewitch, Oxford (Jun 12, 645m, £5,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Dark Hondo Paul Foster 5-4f 39.94 4 2nd Evergreenclassic Heather Dimmock 10-1 40.05 5 3rd Lifes Lukey Brian Clemenson 4-1 40.12 2 4th Droopys Riquelme Brian Clemenson 5-1 40.13 6 5th Ace Mentor Nick Colton 5-2 40.21 3 N/R Swift Maybole John Mullins 1

VC Bet Grand Prix, Walthamstow (Sep 4, 640m, £15,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Foulden Special [13] Derek Knight 1-1f 39.45 6 2nd Calzaghe Frisby Ted Soppitt 7-1 39.47 2 3rd Fear Robben Mark Wallis 2-1 39.50 4 4th Shelbourne Laura Charlie Lister 8-1 39.66 1 5th White Bomber Tony Collett 20-1 39.69 3 6th Shelbourne Ryan Mark Wallis 25-1 39.91 5

Totesport Gold Collar, Belle Vue (Sep 25, 590m, £10,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Vatican Jinky Pat Rosney 9-2 35.06+ 3 2nd Two Nicks Laurence Tuffin 7-2 35.44 4 3rd Boherash Pilot Graham Hutt 9-2 35.48 5 4th Cailins Pesto Darren Hampson 12-1 35.62 6 5th Go Edie Honda Graham Hutt 7-4f 35.76 1 6th Fear Robben Mark Wallis 7-2 36.06 2 + Track record

Reading Masters, Reading (Sep 30, 465m, £20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Blitz Denis Stevenson 4-1 28.03 6 2nd Blonde Jeannie John Mullins 4-1 28.17 2 3rd Fear Haribo [14] Charlie Lister 7-4f 28.21 3 4th Vipar Totti Alison Ingram 8-1 28.41 5 5th Brickfield Class Bob Gilling 7-2 28.53 1 6th Mulcair Jo Nick Colton 20-1 28.75 4

Betfred Laurels, Belle Vue (Oct 9, 470m, £10,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Kylegrove Top Julie Bateson 10-1 27.82 2 2nd Barnfield On Air Sam Poots 2-7f 27.92 1 3rd Droopys Wells Liz McNair 10-1 28.28 6 4th Highfield Hondo Pat Rosney 16-1 28.38 3 5th Boherna On Air Barrie Draper 7-1 28.44 5 6th Meenala Cruiser Julie Bateson 16-1 28.52 4

William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (Oct 30, 668m, £13,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Spiridon Louis Lorraine Sams 4-1 40.86 3 2nd Lenson Joker Tony Collett 4-1 40.92 4 3rd Westmead Aoifa Nick Savva 9-4f 40.98 6 4th Directors Chair Mark Wallis 6-1 41.13 2 5th Bubbly Venus Paul Young 4-1 41.19 5 6th Iceman Brutus Lance Burford 7-1 41.25 1

William Hill Oaks, Wimbledon (Dec 18, 480m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Blonde Jeannie John Mullins 2-1 28.76 1 2nd Broadway Sizzler Sean White 6-4f 29.01 2 3rd Lethal Frankie Seamus Cahill 33-1 29.19 5 4th Dilemmas Flight Nick Savva 7-2 29.28 4 5th Jazz Hurricane Derek Knight 9-2 29.30 6 6th Dawn Cranz Peter Billingham 33-1 29.44 3

Principal Irish finals

Donal Reilly Easter Cup, Shelbourne (Apr 21, 550y, €50,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Ardkill Jamie Paul Hennessy 4-1 28.30 4 2nd Razldazl Billy Dolores Ruth 7-4f 28.32 5 3rd Loyal Honcho Seamus Graham 3-1 28.72 6 4th Aries Son Mary Buggy 20-1 28.73 3 5th Ballyhoe Marble Francie Murray 5-1 29.53 1 6th Holborn Post Keeley McGee 9-2 29.65 2

Red Mills Produce, Clonmel (May 6, 525y, €30,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Green Heat Liam Dowling 4-1 28.78 2 2nd Tedso Mossie O'Connor 8-1 28.79 1 3rd Team Captain Reggie Roberts 11-8f 28.82 4 4th Trade Plate Michael O'Donovan 3-1 29.10 6 5th Cherokee Playboy Ann Wade 5-1 29.17 3 6th Assassin Graham Holland 10-1 29.42 5

Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger, Limerick (Jun 23, 550y, €35,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Lughill Jo Owen McKenna 3-1 29.37 4 2nd Tyrur Rocky Paul Hennessy 3-1 29.57 5 3rd Tyrur Brett Paul Hennessy 3-1 29.81 3 4th Bar The Devil Noel Mullins 6-4f 29.89 1 5th Monsoon Jack George Roche 12-1 30.13 6 6th Skywalker Duke Frances O'Donnell 16-1 30.25 2

Sporting Press Oaks, Shelbourne (Jun 30, 525y, €35,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Ms Firecracker Patrick Guilfoyle 10-1 28.54 1 2nd Alexandrova Pat Kelly 8-11f 28.58 6 3rd Tyrur Margaret Paul Hennessy 6-1 28.94 3 4th Sly Fox John Murray 6-1 28.98 5 5th Tyrur Jean Paul Hennessy 25-1 29.04 2 6th Mustang Miranda Owen McKenna 5-1 29.10 4

Boylesports Champion Stakes, Shelbourne (Jul 28, 550y, €40,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Razldazl Billy Dolores Ruth 6-4f 29.72 6 2nd Tyrur Bertie Paul Hennessy 12-1 29.88 5 3rd Goldstar Lee Eddie Wade 7-1 29.89 3 4th Si Senor Owen McKenna 9-4 29.93 2 5th Bar The Devil Noel Mullins 6-1 30.13 1 6th Micks Savings Pat Buckley 10-1 30.15 4

HX Bookmakers Puppy Derby, Harolds Cross (Oct 5, 525y, €35,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Royal Treason Ollie Bray 3-1 29.12 5 2nd Kryptonite Ollie Bray 5-2f 29.13 2 3rd Ballymac Penske Liam Dowling 3-1 29.19 6 4th Corridor Sprint Casey 33-1 29.21 1 5th Head Man Boo Martin Quinn 5-1 30.09 4 6th Outandgoodnight Ger Manson 4-1 00.00 3

Cashmans Laurels, Cork (Oct 20, 525y, €35,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Catunda Harry Owen McKenna 5-4f 28.18 3 2nd Tyrur Laurel Paul Hennessy 3-1 28.38 6 3rd Rockingham Janet Downes 12-1 28.70 2 4th Spider Said O'Donovan 7-2 28.90 1 5th Fargo Star D Leahy 20-1 29.14 5 N/R Droopys Robinho Fraser Black 4

References

1. "Westmead Hawk race record". Greyhound Data.
2. "Derby Trial Stakes result". British Greyhound Racing Board.
3. "2007 Review". Mark Wallis Greyhounds.
4. Hobbs, Jonathan (2008). Greyhound Annual 2008. Raceform. ISBN 978-1-905153-534.
5. "2007". Greyhound Data.
6. "Derby Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
7. "About Racecourse". Go Racing.
8. "Trainer's Championship meeting". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
9. "Scottish Derby final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
10. "Oldham vet found guilty of serious professional misconduct". RCVS.
11. "GREYHOUNDS: Oxford assault on Derby". Oxford Mail.
12. "Trainer's Championship meeting". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
13. "2007 Grand Prix Final". Greyhound Data.
14. "Remember When - September". Greyhound Star.