Magourna Reject

Magourna Reject was a racing greyhound during the 1950s. He won two classic races and was one of the leading greyhounds of the decade.[1]

Magourna Reject
SireAstra's Son
DamSaucy Dame
SexDog
WhelpedMarch 1950
ColorBlue Brindle and white
BreederJohn Murphy
OwnerMrs Frances Chandler
TrainerTom Reilly, Noreen Collin
Record
St Leger
Cesarewitch
Trafalgar Cup
Wood Lane Stakes
Stewards Cup
Key
Other awards
1953 Greyhound of the Year

Early life

He was bred by John Murphy in Coachford and whelped during March 1950.[2]

Racing career

Magourna Reject was trained by Noreen Collin at Walthamstow Stadium and owned by Mrs Frances Chandler, the wife of William Chandler.[1] [3][4] Collin's kennels were at High Warren, Theydon Manor, in Epping.[5]

After winning the 1951 Trafalgar Cup, a major competition for puppies, Magourna Reject went into the 1952 English Greyhound Derby as the ante post favourite.[6] However he disappointed and was eliminated during the first round and his great rival Endless Gossip went on to win the competition.[7] Magourna Reject then reached the Welsh Greyhound Derby final but once again lost to Endless Gossip.[8]

He then stepped up in distance to the longer trip of 700 yards and became a crowd favourite with his running style and exceptional pace. However he ended the year without winning a classic race after failing to win both the St Leger and Cesarewitch when priced odds-on during both finals.[8]

In the early part of 1953, he came under the training of Tom "Paddy" Reilly because Collin had relinquished her post at the Walthamstow kennels and was replaced by Reilly. Despite a second failed attempt at the English greyhound Derby, Magourna Reject won the Key at Wimbledon, the Stewards' Cup at Gloucester (setting a track record) and the Wood Lane Stakes at White City during 1953, but it was the two classic wins which sealed his place in an elite group of greyhounds.[8] [3] [4]

In the St Leger at Wembley on 14 September, 30,000 people watched the final, a race that was also seen by several million on television (the first televised classic race). His supporters were rewarded as he easily won by five lengths. He then defeated his rivals in the Cesarewitch final on 16 October, winning by three and a half lengths from the Oaks champion, Lizette, his time of 33.24 seconds being the fastest ever for the event at West Ham Stadium.[8] [3] [4] [9]

He was voted Greyhound of the Year by a press panel on behalf of the British Greyhound Breeders and Owners Association.[10]

Retirement

Magourna Reject was retired to stud, demanding 35 guineas for a mating.[3] He died in 1962.[11]

References
  1. Genders, Roy (1975). The Greyhound and Racing Greyhound. Page Brothers (Norwich). ISBN 0-85020-0474.
  2. "Magourna Reject profile". Greyhound Data.
  3. Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 07207-1106-1.
  4. Genders, Roy (1990). NGRC book of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 0-7207-1804-X.
  5. "Remember When". Greyhound Star. March 1953.
  6. Dack, Barrie (1990). Greyhound Derby, the first 60 years. Ringpress Books. pp. 93–95. ISBN 0-948955-36-8.
  7. "Sports in Brief". The Times. 30 June 1952.
    - "1952". Greyhound Data.
  8. "Hall of Fame". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  9. Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
  10. "Remember When 1954". Greyhound Star. February 2012.
  11. "Remember When - November 1962". Greyhound Star.
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