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.
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 .
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]
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]
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]
Principal UK finals [ edit ]
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 [ 12]
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 [ 13]
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 [ edit ]
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
UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Years
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UK & Irish greyhound competitions
English competitions
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Current greyhound stadiums in Great Britain licensed by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain
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