English Greyhound Derby

The English Greyhound Derby is the most prestigious race on the British greyhound racing calendar, with a history stretching back to 1927. It is currently run at Nottingham Greyhound Stadium, which held the event for the first time in 2019.[1]

English Greyhound Derby
LocationNottingham Greyhound Stadium
Inaugurated1927
SponsorStar Sports
ARC
Local Parking Security Ltd
WebsiteEnglish Greyhound Derby
Race information
Distance500 metres (1,600 ft)
SurfaceSand

It was first held at White City Stadium, but moved to Wimbledon Stadium in 1985, and then Towcester Greyhound Stadium in 2017. Only four greyhounds have won the event twice, Mick the Miller, Patricias Hope, Rapid Ranger and Westmead Hawk. Trainer Charlie Lister OBE has won the event a record seven times.

History

The first venue of the English Greyhound Derby was at White City Stadium, which had been built for the 1908 London Olympics. Greyhound racing had only recently started to take place there, with the first greyhound race only taking place a couple of weeks prior to the first Derby being run. Entry Badge won the first race to be held, winning a £1000 prize for the dog's trainer, Joe Harmon. Two years later, racing greyhound Mick the Miller became the first dog to win multiple Derbys.[2] The 1940 final was held at Harringay Stadium, due to the outbreak of war.[3]

In 1973, pet food manufacturer Spillers sponsored the race for the first time, the same year that Patricias Hope became the second dog to win the Derby on more than one occasion, one of only two dogs to achieve that at White City Stadium. Spillers continued to sponsor the race, increasing the prize money to £35,000 by 1980. The Daily Mirror took over sponsorship of the race in 1983; the following year the race was held at White City for the last time before that stadium closed, with Whisper Wishes becoming the final dog to win the Derby at its original location.[2]

The Derby was moved to Wimbledon Stadium in 1985, and remained there until 2016.[4] The Daily Mirror continued to be the race's sole sponsor until 1990, when the Sporting Life became co-sponsor. In 1998, bookmaker William Hill became the sole sponsor; in 2006, bookmaker Blue Square took over. William Hill later renewed its involvement with greyhounds and the Wimbledon Stadium with a partnership that lasted until 2016.[5]

The 2016 Derby was the last to be held at Wimbledon following the stadium's closure on 25 March 2017 and the redevelopment of the site for housing by the owner Galliard Homes.[6][7] This resulted in the Derby being located outside London for the first time as Wimbledon was the last rgreyhound stadium in the capital.[8]

Charlie Lister holds the record as the most successful trainer at the Derby, having won it on seven occasions. He is hailed as the greatest greyhound trainer of all time, and referred to as the 'Derby King'.[8][9]

On 30 January 2017, it was announced that the event would relocate to the new greyhound stadium[10] at Towcester Racecourse, for a minimum period of five years but it was switched to Nottingham Greyhound Stadium in 2019 following the closure of Towcester Racecourse in 2018.[1] The 2020 event was rescheduled following a postponment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11][12][13]

List of winners

At Nottingham from 2019 to 2020 (over 500 metres)
Year Winner Trainer Odds Time
2020
2019 Priceless Blake Paul Hennessy (Ireland) 6/1 29.32

At Towcester from 2017 to 2018 (over 500 metres)
Year Winner Trainer Odds Time
2018 Dorotas Wildcat Kevin Hutton (Towcester) 2/1 28.85
2017 Astute Missile Seamus Cahill (Hove) 28/1 28.92

At Wimbledon from 1985 to 2016 (over 480 metres)
Rapid Ranger, twice winner of the Derby 2000–2001
Year Winner Trainer Odds Time
2016 Jaytee Jet Paul Hennessy (Ireland) 15/8F 28.22
2015 Rio Quattro Danny Riordan (Harlow) 5/1 28.24
2014 Salad Dodger Bruno Berwick (Private) 16/1 28.38
2013 Sidaz Jack Charlie Lister OBE (Private) 6/1 28.37
2012 Blonde Snapper Mark Wallis (Yarmouth) 8/1 28.65
2011 Taylors Sky Charlie Lister OBE (Private) 7/4F 28.17 (Track Record)
2010 Bandicoot Tipoki Charlie Lister OBE (Private) 7/2 28.57
2009 Kinda Ready Mark Wallis (Harlow) 25/1 28.65
2008 Loyal Honcho Seamus Graham (Ireland) 5/2JF 28.60
2007 Westmead Lord Nick Savva (Private) 6/1 28.47
2006 Westmead Hawk Nick Savva (Private) 4/7F 28.44
2005 Westmead Hawk Nick Savva (Private) 5/4F 28.56
2004 Droopys Scholes Ian Reilly (Ireland) 7/2 28.62
2003 Farloe Verdict Charlie Lister OBE (Private) 12/1 28.82
2002 Allen Gift Claude Gardiner (Hove) 16/1 29.06
2001 Rapid Ranger Charlie Lister OBE (Private) 7/4 28.71
2000 Rapid Ranger Charlie Lister OBE (Private) 7/4F 28.71
1999 Chart King Karl & Ralph Hewitt (Ireland) 8/11F 28.76
1998 Toms The Best Nick Savva (Milton Keynes) 4/5F 28.75
1997 Some Picture Charlie Lister OBE (Nottingham) 8/13F 28.23
1996 Shanless Slippy Dolores Ruth (Ireland) 4/9F 28.66
1995 Moaning Lad Theo Mentzis (Private) 5/2 28.66
1994 Moral Standards Tony Meek (Hall Green) 9/4F 28.59
1993 Ringa Hustle Tony Meek (Oxford) 5/2 28.62
1992 Farloe Melody Matt O'Donnell (Ireland) 6/4F 28.88
1991 Ballinderry Ash Patsy Byrne (Wimbledon) 5/1 28.78
1990 Slippy Blue Kenny Linzell (Walthamstow) 8/1 28.70
1989 Lartique Note Ger McKenna (Ireland) 1/1F 28.79
1988 Hit The Lid John McGee Sr. (Canterbury) 3/1 28.53
1987 Signal Spark Gary Baggs (Walthamstow) 14/1 28.83
1986 Tico Arthur Hitch (Slough) 6/4JF 28.69
1985 Pagan Swallow Philip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) 9/1 29.04

At White City Stadium from 1975 to 1984 (over 500 metres)
Year Winner Trainer Odds Time
1984 Whisper Wishes Charlie Coyle (Maidstone) 7/4F 29.43
1983 I'm Slippy Barbara Tompkins (Coventry) 6/1 29.40
1982 Lauries Panther Terry Duggan (Romford) 6/4F 29.60
1981 Parkdown Jet Ger McKenna (Ireland) 4/5F 29.57
1980 Indian Joe John Hayes (Ireland) 13/8JF 29.68
1979 Sarahs Bunny Geoff De Mulder (Hall Green) 3/1 29.53
1978 Lacca Champion Pat Mullins (Private) 6/4F 29.42
1977 Ballinska Band Eddie Moore (Belle Vue) 1/1F 29.16
1976 Mutts Silver Phil Rees Sr. (Wimbledon) 6/1 29.38
1975 Tartan Khan Gwen Lynds (Bletchley) 25/1 29.57

At White City from 1945 to 1974 (over 525 yards)
Year Winner Trainer Odds Time
1974 Jimsun Geoff De Mulder (Hall Green) 5/2 28.76
1973 Patricias Hope Johnny O'Connor (Ireland) 7/2 28.68
1972 Patricias Hope Adam Jackson (Clapton) 7/1 28.55
1971 Dolores Rocket Herbert White (Private) 11/4 28.74
1970 John Silver Barbara Tompkins (Private) 11/4 29.01
1969 Sand Star Hamilton Orr (Ireland) 5/4F 28.78
1968 Camira Flash Randolph Singleton (White City) 100/8 28.78
1967 Tric Trac Jim Hookway (Owlerton) 9/2 29.00
1966 Faithful Hope Paddy Keane (Clapton) 8/1 28.52
1965 Chittering Clapton Adam Jackson (Clapton) 5/2 28.82
1964 Hack Up Chieftain Percy Stagg (Belle Vue) 20/1 28.82
1963 Lucky Boy Boy Johnny Bassett (Clapton) 1/1F 29.00
1962 The Grand Canal Paddy Dunphy (Ireland) 2/1F 29.09
1961 Palms Printer Paddy McEvoy (Clapton) 2/1 28.84
1960 Duleek Dandy Bill Dash (Private) 25/1 29.15
1959 Mile Bush Pride Jack Harvey (Wembley) 1/1F 28.76
1958 Pigalle Wonder Jim Syder Jr. (Wembley) 4/5F 28.65
1957 Ford Spartan Dennis Hannafin (Wimbledon) 1/1F 28.84
1956 Dunmore King Paddy McEvoy (Clapton) 7/2 29.22
1955 Rushton Mac Frank Johnson (Private) 5/2 28.97
1954 Pauls Fun Leslie Reynolds (Wembley) 8/15F 28.84
1953 Daws Dancer Paddy McEvoy (Private) 10/1 29.20
1952 Endless Gossip Leslie Reynolds (Wembley) 1/1F 28.50
1951 Ballylanigan Tanist Leslie Reynolds (Wembley) 11/4 28.62
1950 Ballymac Ball Stan Martin (Wimbledon) 7/2 28.72
1949 Narrogar Ann Leslie Reynolds (Wembley) 5/1 28.95
1948 Priceless Border Leslie Reynolds (Wembley) 1/2F 28.78
1947 Trev's Perfection Fred Trevillion (Private) 4/1 28.95
1946 Mondays News Fred Farey (Private) 5/1 29.24
1945 Ballyhennessy Seal Stan Martin (Wimbledon) 1/1F 29.56
1944 Not Run
1943 Not Run
1942 Not Run
1941 Not Run

At Harringay from 1940 to 1940 (over 525 yards)
Year Winner Trainer Odds Time
1940 GR Archduke Charlie Ashley (Harringay) 100/7 29.66

At White City from 1929 to 1939 (over 525 yards)
Year Winner Trainer Odds Time
1939 Highland Rum Paddy Fortune (Wimbledon) 2/1JF 29.35
1938 Lone Keel Sydney W Wright (Private) 9/4 29.62
1937 Wattle Bark Jim Syder Sr. (Wembley) 5/2 29.26
1936 Fine Jubilee Mrs Marjorie Yate (Private) 10/11F 29.48
1935 Greta Ranee Albert Jonas (White City) 4/1 30.18
1934 Davesland Jack Harvey (Harringay) 3/1 29.81
1933 Future Cutlet Sidney Probert (Wembley) 6/1 29.80
1932 Wild Woolley Jack Rimmer (White City) 5/2 29.72
1931 Seldom Led Wally Green (West Ham) 7/2 30.04
1930 Mick the Miller Sidney Orton (Wimbledon) 4/9F 30.24
1929 Mick the Miller Paddy Horan (Dublin) 4/7F 29.96
1928 Boher Ash Tommy Johnston Sr. (Edinburgh) 5/1 30.48

At White City from 1927 to 1927 (over 500 yards)
Year Winner Trainer Odds Time
1927 Entry Badge Joe Harmon (White City) 1/4F 29.01
gollark: No, that also worked, I think it's just lyricly bad.
gollark: i suppose it might bew orse if I type without looking for a while as they may become misaligned
gollark: Wow, that came out okay without looking.
gollark: i blame lyricly for all things ever
gollark: As always.

References
  1. "Nottingham to stage 2019 English Derby". Greyhound Star.
  2. Williams, Darrell (6 December 2007). "Remembering White City – 'the governor' of lost tracks". Betfair. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  3. Dack, Barrie (1990). Greyhound Derby, the first 60 years. Ringpress Books. pp. 79–80. ISBN 0-948955-36-8.
  4. August, David (30 May 2008). "Irish dog Tyrur Kieran in £1m Greyhound Derby bid". Daily Mail. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  5. Dalgleish, Stuart (17 December 2009). "William Hill announces new deal with Wimbledon". William Hill. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  6. Oakes, Omar (18 May 2012). "Ambitious plans for brand new dog track in Plough Lane, Wimbedon". Wimbledon Guardian. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. Moody, Graham (22 May 2012). "Racing legend Charlie Lister slams plans to build housing on Wimbledon dog track in Plough Lane". Surrey Comet. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  9. "Roll of Honour and Track Facts". William Hill. Archived from the original on 21 July 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  10. "Crowds set to flock to Towcester for Greyhound derby as world's richest dog race comes to town". All Things Business. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  11. "DERBY POSTPONED – ARC STATEMENT". Greyhound Star.
  12. "Derby Goes Ahead". Greyhound Star.
  13. "2020 Derby Dates". Nottingham Stadium.
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