2002 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2002 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 76th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.[1]

2002 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

Roll of honour

Major Winners
Award	Name of Winner
2002 English Greyhound Derby	Allen Gift [2] [3]
2002 Irish Greyhound Derby	Bypass Byway [4]
2002 Scottish Greyhound Derby	Priceless Rebel [5]
Greyhound Trainer of the Year	Linda Jones
Greyhound of the Year	Droopys Rhys
Irish Dog and Bitch of the Year	Bypass Byway / Longvalley Tina

Trainers Championship, Hove (26 March)
Pos	Name of Trainer	Points
1st	Brian Clemenson	44
2nd	Linda Jones	40
3rd	Paul Young	40
4th	Charlie Lister	33
5th	Elaine Parker	29
6th	John Mullins	22

Summary

The National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) released the annual returns, with totalisator turnover at £92,723,060 from 6190 meetings.[6]

Droopys Rhys trained by Ted Soppitt was voted Greyhound of the Year. The blue dog had finished third in the Scottish Greyhound Derby behind Priceless Rebel before travelling to Ireland and staying with Reggie Roberts when finishing runner up in the Irish Greyhound Derby behind Bypass Byway. He had missed the English Derby before winning the Steel City Cup and Select Stakes. It had transpired that during that Irish Derby final Droopys Rhys had sustained a fracture on the hock and was later retired.[7] Linda Jones was voted Greyhound Trainer of the Year for the second successive year.

An opportunity was missed by the track promoters as the British Greyhound Racing Board announced they were looking for a 'New Deal'. The BGR Fund stood at £5 million and the BGRB headed by Chief Executive Geoffrey Thomas demanded a better deal, they drew up controversial plans to control the intellectual property rights and a continued battle ensued. The Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Service were unwilling to pay more and significantly increased the prize money at the bookmaker owned tracks in an attempt to combat the threat of property rights. William Hill also bought their first greyhound track after securing a deal for Sunderland; a move seen as a consequence of the politics surrounding the 'New Deal'. Tracks fearing losing their BAGS contract eventually backed down leaving the industry dependent on bookmaker contributions. The dispute continued with regular bitter racing press headlines, the deal eventually died.[8] [9]

Tracks

The BS Group took over from Allied Presentations at Reading to add to their portfolio of tracks that included Swindon, Milton Keynes and Poole.[7]

News

Australian stud dogs have a major influence in the breeding lines, Top Honcho an Australian born black dog became the top sire for the second year running. This further damaged the English breeding and Australian lines very often crossed which could be a problem. Racing Managers also noticed that Australian bred greyhounds brought a lack of track craft and lack of wide runners. Floyd Amphlett had predicted the Australian invasion way back in 1993.[1]

Charlie Lister suffered a suspected stroke, his head lad Chris Akers took on extra responsibilities at the Newark kennels. Seamus Cahill and Bernie Doyle both joined Wimbledon from Catford and Reading respectively. Kelly Mullins became the third son of former champion trainer Linda Mullins to enter the training ranks, he acquired kennels near Slough and began training in April.[7]

Competitions

The Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic was introduced at Monmore with a £7,500 to the winner and £12,000 total prize money giving it Category One status, there were now 34 races listed as category one, a remarkable difference from the original ten classics. The Scottish Greyhound Derby at Shawfield Stadium increased their first prize to £25,000 giving the event the second biggest reward behind the English Derby.[7] Jonathan Hobbs of the Racing Post is instrumental in producing a successful greyhound annual.

Top Savings won the Juvenile by 8¾ lengths. Allen Gift made the Scurry Gold Cup final at Catford but had to be withdrawn, the race was won by Patsy Byrne's Letter Slippy. Allen Gift never found form again and the Derby champion had the injustice of losing in graded races at home track Hove towards the end of his career.[7] [1]

Brian Clemenson won his first trainers championship before dominating the Cesarewitch with three finalists and the 4-5 favourite Cuba duly won. Cuba finished runner up to Sheriff Bow Wow in the Grand Prix final at Walthamstow. Sheriff Bow Wow in turn finished runner up to Alibuk Lad in the St Leger final.[7] [1]

Ireland

Compared to 2001 the Irish year was relatively quiet despite the star greyhound Late Late Show winning the early season BCR Press Easter Cup. By the time he made an attempt at the Derby he was passed his best form; the Derby went to Bypass Byway who was duly voted Irish Dog of the Year.

Principal UK races

William Hill Grand National, Wimbledon (19 March, 460m h, £7,500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Ballyvorda Class Tom Foster 7-4f 28.24 6 2nd Top Jock Seamus Cahill 5-2 28.36 1 3rd Notanotherphoto Ray Peacock 5-2 28.48 2 4th Patriot Man Barry O'Sullivan 8-1 28.58 5 5th Corelish Cruiser Tom Foster 10-1 28.64 4 6th Born To Go Tom Foster 14-1 29.00 3

Regal Scottish Derby, Shawfield (13 April, 480m, £25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Priceless Rebel Paul Hennessy 5-2 29.08 1 2nd Santovita Charlie Lister 1-1f 29.10 2 3rd Droopys Rhys Ted Soppitt 3-1 29.30 3 4th Seskin Robert Charlie Lister 10-1 29.64 6 5th Knockeevan King Tom Flaherty 10-1 29.78 5 6th Blonde Countess John Mullins 66-1 29.80 4

Scurry Gold Cup, Catford (22 June, 385m, £3,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Letter Slippy Patsy Byrne 5-2 23.73 4 2nd Bangor Peer Martin Burt 10-1 24.00 3 3rd Courts Ad Jo Jim Reynolds 7-2 24.02 5 4th Blonde Bandit John Mullins 9-2 24.03 1 5th Melbridann John Mullins 6-4f 24.24 2 N/R Allen Gift Claude Gardiner

Reading Masters, Reading (7 July, 465m, £20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Aranock Lance Paul Young 7-1 27.95 4 2nd Willie Go Fa Brian Clemenson 3-1 28.05 3 3rd Bruno Richard Christie 4-1 28.17 6 4th Lochbo Hunter Gary Sallis 16-1 28.29 1 5th Lozzas Dream Derek Knight 10-11f 28.33 2 6th Droopys Omega Nikki Chambers 33-1 28.47 5

William Hill Cesarewitch, Oxford (23 July, 645m, £5,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Cuba Brian Clemenson 4-5f 40.18 3 2nd Ali Qapu Oak Richard Ward 10-1 40.26 1 3rd Maui Magic Brian Clemenson 5-1 40.40 6 4th Toms Monarch Paul Walden 25-1 40.65 5 5th Oddser McDuff Steven Harrison 9-2 40.67 2 6th Lottys Magic Brian Clemenson 10-1 40.71 4

William Hill Gold Collar, Catford (21 September, 555m, £7,500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Shevchenko Seamus Cahill 4-5f 35.13 4 2nd Cill Dubh Turbo Nick Savva 11-4 35.39 5 3rd Ballymac Rumbles Norah McEllistrim 14-1 35.31 6 4th Fairhill Star Maxine Locke 12-1 35.40 2 5th Bockos the Bizz Tony Taylor 3-1 35.66 1 N/R Droopys Candice Brian Clemenson i/s 3

Victor Chandler Grand Prix, Walthamstow (5 October, 640m, £10,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Sheriff Bow Wow John Mullins 8-1 40.05 5 2nd Cuba Brian Clemenson 7-2 40.19 3 3rd Alibulk Lad Dilys Steels 10-3 40.20 6 4th Blonde Lass John Mullins 11-4f 40.24 2 5th Countrywide Mean Paul Young 10-1 40.54 4 6th Daphs Babe Graham Sharp 6-1 40.70 1

William Hill TV Trophy, Wimbledon (1 October, 868m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Serious Dog Paul Young 4-1 55.17 4 2nd Form of Magic Brian Clemenson 7-4f 55.18 6 3rd Downdaniel Jewel Derek Knight 6-1 55.28 5 4th Knockaun Tiger Charlie Lister 7-2 55.38 2 5th Metric Tiger John Haynes 6-1 55.54 3 6th Rosden Chewy Seamus Cahill 10-1 55.68 1

William Hill Laurels, Belle Vue (22 October, 465m, £8,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Full Cigar Liz McNair 11-4 27.94 2 2nd April Playboy Ken Bebbington 11-2 28.34 3 3rd Droopys Hewitt Nick Savva 7-4f 28.54 5 4th Scorched Economy John Walton 33-1 28.72 4 5th Lozzas Dream Derek Knight 5-2 28.89 1 6th Later Pat Rosney 14-1 29.04 6

William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (5 November, 660m, £12,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Alibuk Lad Dilys Steels 10-1 40.95 4 2nd Sheriff Bow Wow John Mullins 12-1 41.05 6 3rd Form of Magic Brian Clemenson 7-4f 41.08 5 4th Arun Sky Derek Knight 3-1 41.11 1 5th Frisby Fassan Harry Crapper 3-1 41.13 3 6th Opus Magic Pat Thompson 12-1 41.33 2

William Hill Oaks, Wimbledon (3 December, 480m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trainer SP Time Trap 1st Purley Queen Norah McEllistrim 8-1 29.14 2 2nd Simply Vintage Tom Foster 6-4f 29.32 4 3rd Knockeevan Hollie Paul Young 7-4 29.34 6 4th Armani Pearl Jim Reynolds 8-1 29.35 3 5th Southlodge Rage Nick Colton 8-1 29.38 1 6th Purely Belter Cheryl Miller 7-1 29.39 5

Principal Irish finals

BCR Press Easter Cup Shelbourne (Apr 13, 525y, €35,000) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Late Late Show [10] 4-9f 28.74 6 2nd Word of God 5-1 28.81 1 3rd Moving Customer 12-1 28.84 5 4th Whitefort Frazer 12-1 28.90 2 5th Athboy Vintage 12-1 28.92 3 6th Fairy Man 50-1 29.20 4

National Produce Thurles (April 28, 525y, €35,000) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Give And Go [11] 5-2 29.19 2 2nd Borna Dasher 29.21 6 3rd Droopys Agassi 29.24 5 4th Rebel Watcher 29.28 1 5th Borna Pilot 29.30 3 6th Mustang Buster 29.86 4

Shelbourne 600 Shelbourne (May 11, 600y, €35,000) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Haliska Vienna [12] 20-1 32.69 3 2nd Topofthebest 9-2 32.71 6 3rd The Other Master 14-1 32.81 4 4th Moving Customer 6-1 32.88 1 5th Late Late Show 4-7f 33.16 5 6th Couch Trip 33-1 33.17 2

St Leger Limerick (Jun 30, 550y, €35,000) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Larking About [13] 9-4f 29.73 4 2nd Droopys Gloria 3-1 30.01 1 3rd Rummy Lad 7-1 30.18 2 4th Mega Delight 7-2 30.24 3 5th Bold Mossy 5-2 30.29 6 6th Larkhill Blackie 10-1 30.32 5

Sporting Press Oaks Shelbourne (Jul 20 525y, €35,000) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Lifes Beauty [14] 6-1 28.70 4 2nd Crossleigh Lark 6-1 28.77 5 3rd Longvalley Tina 7-4f 28.94 6 4th Hey Good Lookin 5-1 28.95 2 5th Axle Grease 5-2 29.09 1 6th Allen Joy 50-1 29.15 5

Boylesports Champion Stakes Shelbourne (Aug 30, 550y, €30,000) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Longvalley Tina [15] 8-1 30.15 2 2nd Olden Times 4-1 30.16 1 3rd Late Late Show 6-4f 30.23 3 4th Bold Mossy 8-1 30.24 6 5th Larkhill Lotto 7-1 30.45 4 6th Bypass Byway 5-2 30.62 5

BCR Press/Droopys Vieri Puppy Derby Harolds Cross (Sep 27, 525y, €35,000) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Fortune Mike [16] 9-4 28.40 6 2nd Odette 25-1 28.41 3 3rd Funcheon Premier 4-1 28.43 2 4th Vinnys the Best 25-1 28.71 5 5th Sparkling Joe 33-1 28.92 4 6th Ten Men 5-4f 28.95 1

Co-Op Superstores Laurels Cork (Oct 19, 525y, €35,000) Pos Name of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Annual Award [17] 7-1 28.61 1 2nd Confident Choice 10-1 28.85 3 3rd Mustang Buster 5-4f 28.91 6 4th Annamore Billy 2-1 29.08 4 5th Borna Dasher 8-1 29.99 5 6th Mustang Bertie 33-1 00.00 2

References

1. Hobbs, Jonathan (2008). Greyhound Annual 2008. Raceform. ISBN 978-1-905153-534.
2. "2002". 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 0709-0609.
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 2003.
7. Hobbs, Jonathan (2004). Greyhound Annual 2005. Raceform. ISBN 1-904317-58-8.
8. "REMEMBER WHEN: NOVEMBER III 2002". Greyhound Star.
9. "Now the dogs are barking". The Guardian.
10. "2002 Easter Cup Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
11. "Produce Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
12. "600 Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
13. "St Leger Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
14. "Sporting Press Oaks Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
15. "Champion Stakes Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
16. "Puppy Derby Final". Irish Greyhound Board.
17. "Laurels Final". Irish Greyhound Board.