2017 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2017 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 92nd year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

2017 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
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Summary

Wimbledon and Hall Green

The year was best known for the closure of the GRA operated tracks of Wimbledon Stadium and Hall Green Stadium. Wimbledon closed on 25 March.^[1] Wimbledon's sister track Hall Green, owned by Euro Property Investments Ltd, closed on 29 July and will be demolished.^[2]

Towcester Derby

The premier competition of the year, the English Greyhound Derby, was held at Towcester on 1 July, the first time in the competition's history that it was held outside of London.^[3] It was won by 28-1 shot Astute Missile; the outsider of the six in the final.^[4]

Irish protests

In Ireland continuing protests by the DGOBA resulted in a suspension of racing at Shelbourne Park for five months and the cancellation of several major events. The protest was over the February closure of Harold's Cross Stadium.^[5][6] The Irish Derby held in September was won by the Patrick Guilfoyle trained Good News.^[7]

Streaming Rights & Bookmakers

The industry experienced a battle for broadcasting and streaming rights between Satellite Information Services (SIS) and the Arena Racing Company (ARC). Each signed up various tracks to enable them to produce fixtures for the bookmaking chains,^[8] the latter ARC even bought two tracks (Sunderland and Newcastle) from William Hill in May.^[9] Ladbrokes and Gala Coral merged to become Ladbrokes Coral.^[10]

Other News

One of the sports leading events, the Laurels, switched from the GRA and Belle Vue to Newcastle. The move was seen as positive with high hopes that the race could regain some of its former glory and increase its prize fund.^[11] Mark Wallis extended his champion trainer trophy record to nine.^[12]

Roll of honour

Major Winners
Award	Name of Winner
2017 English Greyhound Derby	Astute Missile (Seamus Cahill)
2017 Irish Greyhound Derby	Good News (Patrick Guilfoyle)
Greyhound Trainer of the Year	Mark Wallis (Towcester)
UK Greyhound of the Year	King Elvis (Liz McNair)
Irish Greyhound of the Year	Good News (Patrick Guilfoyle)

GTA Trainers Championship, (Towcester) (Mar 28) Pos Name of Trainer Points 1st Kevin Hutton 43 2nd Mark Wallis 42 3rd Jimmy Wright 40 4th John Mullins 36 5th Seamus Cahill 33 6th Paul Young 30

Principal UK finals

Ladbrokes Golden Jacket, Crayford (Feb 21, 714m, £17,500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Boylesports Star [13] 3 2-1jf 45.18 Dolores Ruth 2nd Rubys Razzle 1 5-2 45.58 Mark Wallis 3rd Jimbobjoe 2 10-1 45.60 Ricky Holloway 4th Jaytee Patriot 4 5-2jf 45.78 Paul Hennessy 5th Ferryforth Fran 6 14-1 45.79 Mark Wallis 6th Romany Rouge 5 16-1 45.87 Richard Devenish

RPGTV Scottish Derby, Shawfield (May 6, 480m, £20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Dorotas Woo Hoo [14] 6 7-4 28.77 Charlie Lister OBE 2nd Coolavanny Mason 1 5-1 29.07 Pat Buckley 3rd Droopys Buick 5 5-4f 29.19 Angela Harrison 4th Knockard Spring 2 25-1 29.41 Kevin Boon 5th Good News 4 8-1 29.43 Pat Guilfoyle 6th Azzurri Genesis 3 25-1 29.67 Pat Rosney

William Hill Classic, Sunderland (Jul 19, 450m, £25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Droopys Country [15] 5 3-1 26.91 Angela Harrison 2nd Toolmaker Obama 1 5-2 27.29 Robert Gleeson 3rd Newinn Shadow 4 6-4f 27.37 Charlie Lister OBE 4th Russelena Planet 3 25-1 27.40 Martin Cutler 5th Viking Jimmy 6 8-1 27.43 Jim Hayton 6th Barricane Jack 2 10-1 27.57 Patrick Janssens

William Hill Grand Prix, Sunderland (Jul 19, 640m, £15,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Cloran Paddy [16] 1 2-1 39.72 Charlie Lister OBE 2nd Swift Hansel 2 6-4f 39.90 Anneliese Thompson 3rd Glamorous Sharif 5 5-1 40.02 Paul Young 4th Geelo Jenga 3 12-1 40.05 Carl Perry 5th Geelo Bullet 4 6-1 40.12 Carl Perry 6th Droopys Tee 6 7-1 40.36 Robert Gleeson

Sunbets East Anglian Derby, Yarmouth (Sep 21, 462m, £15,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Newinn Shadow [17] 5 8-1 27.23 Charlie Lister OBE 2nd Murrys Act 6 9-4 27.53 Kevin Boon 3rd Hiya Butt 2 11-8f 27.63 Hayley Keightley 4th Bubbly Bluebird 3 2-1 27.76 Paul Young 5th Bubbly Turbo 1 5-1 28.11 Paul Young N/R Knockard Spring 4 Kevin Boon

John Smiths Grand National, Central Park (Oct 3, 480mH, £8,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Razldazl Raidio [18] 6 2-7f 29.61 Ricky Holloway 2nd Razldazl Star 2 25-1 29.79 Ricky Holloway 3rd Ballymac Manix 4 8-1 30.15 Seamus Cahill 4th Ballymac Leo 5 12-1 30.31 David Mullins 5th Julius George 1 66-1 30.97 Tony Taylor 6th Mystical Charlie 3 8-1 Barry O'Sullivan

William Hill St Leger, Perry Barr (Nov 8, 710m, £25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Rubys Rascal [19] 1 3-1 42.99 Mark Wallis 2nd Keplar Nine 6 5-1 43.35 Charlie Lister OBE 3rd Goldies Hotspur 5 10-1 43.39 Patrick Janssens 4th Slippy Maska 2 8-1 43.49 Hazel Kemp 5th Bubbly McCoy 3 7-2 43.69 Paul Young 6th Airmount Tess 4 2-1f 43.70 Gerald Kiely

ECC Timber Puppy Derby, Towcester (Nov 15, 500m, £20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Magical Bale 2 11-10f 29.10 Kevin Hutton 2nd Innocent Times 5 7-1 29.47 Brendan Matthews 3rd Affleck Bolt 3 8-1 29.48 Patrick Janssens 4th Headford Kev 6 6-1 29.77 Kevin Hutton 5th Roxholme Poppy 4 11-2 29.82 Hayley Keightley 6th Lightfoot King 1 7-2 30.02 Elaine Parker

Colossus Bets TV Trophy, Towcester (Nov 29, 906m, £8,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Goldies Hotspur 5 16-1 55.45 Patrick Janssens 2nd Rubys Rascal 2 8-1 55.75 Mark Wallis 3rd Millroad Smokey 1 6-1 55.84 Stuart Buckland 4th Roxholme Magic 6 4-9f 56.67 Hayley Keightley 5th Shellam Delano 4 10-1 56.85 Angela Harrison 6th Clares Kyletaun 3 20-1 56.96 June Harvey

Greyhound Media Group Oaks, Belle Vue (Dec 13, 470m, £10,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Wuheida [20] 5 11-4 28.74 Phil Simmonds 2nd Swift Lucious 4 12-1 28.83 Paul Harmes 3rd Ballydoyle Maura 1 6-4f 28.85 Hayley Keigthley 4th Sylvias Chloe 3 8-1 28.86 Richard Baker 5th Donation 6 7-4 29.05 Heather Dimmock N/R Jumeirah Lolls 2 *disq Gerry Holian Jumeirah Lolls disqualified from competing after positive sample

O'Tooles Boxing Health & Fitness Byker Newcastle Laurels, Newcastle (Dec 16, 480m, £6,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st The Other Reg [21] 4 3-1 28.38 Pat Rosney 2nd Droopys Expert 3 1-2f 28.54 Angela Harrison 3rd Westway O Neill 1 50-1 28.57 Peter Aitken 4th Cappoquin Al 2 20-1 28.66 James Fenwick 5th Nadurra Ross 6 7-1 28.82 John McLachlan 6th Kooga Klammer 5 8-1 29.00 David Pruhs

Principal Irish finals

Kirby Memorial Stakes, Limerick (Apr 8, 525y, €80,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Bentekes Bocko [22] 4 2-1f 28.39 Pat Buckley 2nd Native Chimes 5 5-1 28.49 Johnny O'Sullivan 3rd Coolavanny Pet 6 6-1 28.70 Liam Dowling 4th Rathnasare Champ 1 9-2 28.81 Francis Murray 5th Drive On Tipp 2 5-2 28.88 Graham Holland 6th Borsalino 3 3-1 28.91 Liam Dowling

B.I.F National Produce, Clonmel (May 21, 525y, €20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Clonbrien Hero [23] 3 5-4jf 28.22 Graham Holland 2nd Lughill Robbie 4 5-4jf 28.64 Graham Holland 3rd Dog Mac Arthure 2 7-2 28.71 Barney Mooney 4th Kilgraney Master 1 5-1 28.88 Thomas Buggy 5th Crossfield Kate 6 4-1 29.02 Brendan O'Shea 6th Ballybough Dad 5 4-1 29.04 Martin 'Murt' Leahy

Racing Post Dundalk International, Dundalk (Jul 12, 550y, €20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Jaytee Jet [24] 5 3-1 30.01 Paul Hennessy 2nd Bubbly Bluebird 1 2-1jf 30.04 Paul Young 3rd Droopys Wilbury 2 6-1 30.31 Pat Buckley 4th Murrys Act 6 12-1 30.34 Kevin Boon 5th Good News 4 2-1jf 30.67 Patrick Guilfoyle 6th Droopys Acrobat 3 7-2 30.85 Seamus Cahill

Irish Independent Laurels, Cork (Jul 22, 525y, €30,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Clonbrien Hero [25] 4 5-2 28.00 Graham Holland 2nd Away Jet 2 8-1 28.21 Paul Hennessy 3rd Chawke It Down 1 3-1 28.24 Paul Hennessy 4th Kilgraney Denver 6 6-4 28.26 Thomas Buggy 5th Bennacht Tagdh 3 11-2 28.30 Gerry Holian 6th Unknown Vision 5 12-1 28.51 Tony Hegarty

Boylesports Champion Stakes, Shelbourne (Aug 5, 550y, €20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Jaytee Yankee [26] 3 7-1 29.58 Paul Hennessy 2nd Whoops Jack 5 6-4f 29.72 Peter Cronin 3rd Good News 2 7-2 29.82 Patrick Guilfoyle 4th Kilgraney Ace 6 10-1 29.83 Thomas Buggy 5th Drive On Tipp 1 3-1 29.87 Graham Holland 6th Coolavanny Mason 4 10-1 29.97 Pat Buckley

Dublin Coach Juvenile Derby, Shelbourne (Oct 20, 550y, €22,500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Skywalker Rafa 4 10-1 28.40 Michael J O'Donovan 2nd Droopys Noah 2 6-4 28.47 John Linehan 3rd Man Twenty One 1 11-10f 28.71 Brendan Maunsell 4th Borna Gin 3 6-1 28.82 Pat Buckley 5th Blockthiscaller 6 20-1 28.83 David Flanagan 6th Portmageewiseguy 5 9-2 28.90 Owen McKenna

Sporting Press Oaks, Shelbourne (Oct 21, 525y, €25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Forest Natalee [27] 6 28.37 3-1 Martin Lanney 2nd Tibet 2 28.44 5-2jf Patrick Norris 3rd Cabra Angel 4 28.51 5-2jf Patrick Guilfoyle 4th Coolavanny Pet 3 28.53 4-1 Liam Dowling 5th Ardrahan Zindi 1 28.74 8-1 Graham Holland 6th Mrs Chippy 5 28.77 8-1 Barney Mooney

Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger, Limerick (Nov 4, 550y, €25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Clonbrien Hero [28] 3 5-2jf 29.60 Graham Holland 2nd Jaytee Yankee 2 7-2 29.81 Paul Hennessy 3rd Sonic 5 5-2jf 29.83 Graham Holland 4th Ballybough Dad 4 7-1 29.90 Martin 'Murt' Leahy 5th Black Eyed Peppa 1 8-1 29.91 Michael J O'Donovan 6th Droopys Cabaye 6 9-2 30.08 Graham Holland

UK Category 1 & 2 competitions

Competition	Date	Venue	Winning Greyhound	Winning Trainer	Time	SP	Notes
Coral Coronation Cup	Jan 11	Romford	Roswell Romanov [29]	Mark Wallis (Towcester)	35.10	4-5f
Greyhound Media Group Prestige	Jan 27	Hall Green	Rubys Razzle [30]	Mark Wallis (Towcester)	39.31	3-1
WJ & JE Cearns Invitation	Jan 31	Central Park	Brinkleys King [31]	Seamus Cahill (Hove)	31.01	9-4
Silver Salver	Jan 31	Central Park	Clondoty Alex [32]	Mark Wallis (Towcester)	27.72	3-1
Cearnsport Springbok	Mar 7	Central Park	Yassoo Martin [33]	George Andreas (Central Park)	29.88	8-1
Racing Post Juvenile	Mar 7	Central Park	Murrys Act [34]	Kevin Boon (Yarmouth)	28.99	12-1
Ladbrokes Puppy Derby	Mar 16	Monmore	Forest Con [35]	Seamus Cahill (Hove)	28.22	5-2jf
Coral Golden Sprint	Mar 17	Romford	Clondoty Alex [36]	Mark Wallis (Towcester)	24.09	6-4f
Calne Racing Arc	Mar 23	Swindon	Garryvoe Bobby [37]	Graham Holland (Ireland)	28.35	11-10f
Coors Three Steps to Victory	Apr 4	Sheffield	Geelo Sapphire [38]	Carl Perry (Sheffield)	38.86	7-1
Tiger Loans Gold Cup	Apr 18	Harlow	Rubys Razzle [39]	Mark Wallis (Towcester)	37.69	5-4f
Golden Crest	Apr 22	Poole	Crossfield Giles [40]	Seamus Cahill (Hove)	26.27	9-2
Bresmed Northern Sprint	Apr 25	Sheffield	Mashmad Eyebrows [41]	Kevin Hutton (Towcester)	16.09	10-1
Coral Regency	May 3	Hove	Tyrap Dragi [42]	Jason Heath (Hove)	41.94	8-1
Betfred Gymcrack	May 16	Kinsley	Cometwopass [43]	Peter Cronin (Ireland)	27.18	11-10f
Star Sports Champion Hurdle	Jul 1	Towcester	Ballymac Manix [44]	Seamus Cahill (Hove)	28.92	28-1
British Bred Produce Stakes	Jul 22	Swindon	King Elvis [45]	Liz McNair (Private)	28.74	1-1f
Betfred Select Stakes	Jul 26	Nottingham	Dorotas Wildcat [46]	Kevin Hutton (Towcester)	29.61	5-4f
Coral Sussex Cup	Aug 3	Hove	Shaneboy Freddie [47]	Kevin Boon (Yarmouth)	29.94	9-2
George Curtis Trafalgar Cup	Aug 17	Monmore	King Elvis [48]	Liz McNair (Private)	27.96	4-6f
Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic	Aug 17	Monmore	Buckos Lass [49]	Corren Price (Monmore)	38.00	16-1
Ladbrokes Gold Cup	Aug 17	Monmore	Droopys Buick [50]	Angela Harrison (Newcastle)	27.63	5-4f
William Hill Peterborough Derby	Aug 23	Peterborough	Hiya Butt [51]	Hayley Keightley (Private)	25.77	1-2f
Lowther Stakes	Aug 27	Towcester	Geelo Sapphire [52]	Carl Perry (Sheffield)	29.36	9-1
GMG Puppy Classic	Aug 28	Nottingham	Wildfire Lord [53]	Paul Young (Romford)	29.66	12-1
Coral Champion Stakes	Aug 30	Romford	Murrys Act [54]	Kevin Boon (Yarmouth)	35.15	5-2jf
Betfred Steel City Cup	Sep 5	Sheffield	Tynwald Baz [55]	Lawrence Tuffin (Nottingham)	28.79	6-4f
Doncaster St Leger	Sep 13	Doncaster	Keplar Nine [56]	Charlie Lister OBE (Private)	41.36	5-1
Ladbrokes Gold Collar	Sep 26	Crayford	Mayshighlandreel [57]	Martyn Wiley (Romford)	33.09	5-2jf
Ladbrokes Guys and Dolls	Sep 26	Crayford	Pure Placere [58]	Arun Green (Crayford)	23.09	3-1cf
Romford Puppy Cup	Sep 29	Romford	Roxholme Nidge [59]	Hayley Keightley (Private)	23.70	2-5f
Cearnsport Kent Derby	Oct 3	Central Park	Bockos Alfie [60]	Patrick Janssens (Towcester)	28.84	12-1
William Hill All England Cup	Oct 19	Newcastle	Droopys Expert [61]	Angela Harrison (Newcastle)	28.10	6-4f
William Hill Northern Puppy Derby	Oct 19	Newcastle	Droopys Zephyr [62]	Angela Harrison (Newcastle)	28.50	8-1
BAPP Group Scurry Cup	Oct 21	Belle Vue	Roxholme Hat [63]	Hayley Keightley (Private)	14.82	1-1f
BAPP Group Northern Flat	Oct 21	Belle Vue	Dropzone [64]	Elaine Parker (Sheffield)	28.10	6-4f
British Breeders Stakes	Oct 24	Nottingham	Candlelight Fire [65]	Elaine Parker (Sheffield)	29.70	9-4
RPGTV Henlow Derby	Oct 29	Henlow	King Elvis [66]	Liz McNair (Private)	27.11	6-4f
Coral Brighton Belle	Nov 9	Hove	Away Shelly [67]	Matt Dartnall (Towcester)	29.85	5-4f
Betfred Eclipse	Nov 21	Nottingham	Bubbly Bluebird [68]	Paul Young (Romford)	29.62	4-1
British Bred Derby	Nov 29	Towcester	King Elvis [69]	Liz McNair (Private)	29.46	9-4
Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger	Dec 9	Crayford	Maireads Ivy [70]	Derek Knight (Hove)	45.28	2-1f
National Sprint	Dec 18	Nottingham	Queen Anna [71]	Liz McNair (Private)	17.83	9-4
Coral Olympic	Dec 28	Hove	Bruisers Bullet [72]	Mark Wallis (Towcester)	29.90	6-4f
Essex Vase+	Mar 16	Romford	Murrys Act [73]	Kevin Boon (Yarmouth)	35.34	2-1

+ held in 2018

Irish feature competitions

Competition	Date	Venue	Winning Greyhound	Winning Trainer	Time	SP	Notes
Best Car Parks Gold Cup	Feb 11	Shelbourne	Cancelled [74]
GMHD.ie Juvenile Classic	Mar 3	Tralee	Paradise Marco [75]	Sean Meade	29.20	4-1
Wallace & Murray Cesarewitch	Apr 8	Mullingar	Vivaro Swift [76]	Kenneth Busteed	33.23	2-1f
McCalmont Cup	Apr 14	Kilkenny	Karlow Crean [77]	Henry Kelly	29.08	7-2
Gain Open 600	May 6	Shelbourne	Cancelled [78]
Kerry GAA Race of Champions	Jun 16	Tralee	Killinan Rosie [79]	Pat Buckley	29.62	7-1
Gain Corn Cuchulainn	Jul 28	Shelbourne	Airmount Tess [80]	Gerald Kiely	41.80	4-5f
Thurles Fresh Milk Tipperary Cup	Aug 12	Thurles	Crohane Ronnie [81]	Declan Byrne	28.68	5-2
Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup	Aug 18	Dundalk	Heisman [82]	Laurence Jones	20.96	3-1
Texacloth Juvenile Derby	Sep 15	Newbridge	Man Twenty One [83]	Brendan Maunsell	28.37
Gain Feeds Select Stakes	Nov 11	Waterford	Lughill Robbie [84]	Graham Holland	28.56	3-1
Greyhound & Petworld Luxury Transport Grand National	Dec 16	Cork	Offshore Bound [85]	Patrick Fitzgerald	29.07	2-1