2021 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2021 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 96th year of greyhound racing in the Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Greyhound racing in Ireland.^[1][2][3][4]

2021 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
← 2020 2022 →

Roll of honour

Major Winners
Award	Name of Winner
2021 English Greyhound Derby	Thorn Falcon
2021 Irish Greyhound Derby	Susie Sapphire
Greyhound Trainer of the Year	Mark Wallis
UK Greyhound of the Year	Signet Ace
Irish Greyhound of the Year	Susie Sapphire

Arc/Entain Trainers Championship, Nottingham (6 Sep)[5] Pos Name of Trainer Points 1st Kevin Hutton 45 2nd Angela Harrison 40 3rd John Mullins 38 4th David Mullins 32 5th Mark Wallis 28 6th Patrick Janssens 20

Summary

The main news throughout the year was the announcement of a five-year deal between Entain and ARC for a new joint venture of live broadcast rights from 1 January 2024 until 31 December 2029. The deal was described in some news articles as revamping and revitalising greyhound racing's wider betting appeal but in truth the deal although inevitable (a bookmaker owned industry had been predicted 20 years previously) was potentially a serious problem for a third of the industry. The deal in detail meant that the Entain/Ladbrokes Coral owned tracks (Crayford, Hove, Monmore and Romford) and the ARC tracks (Newcastle, Nottingham, Perry Barr and Sunderland) would form eight of the tracks with broadcast rights and they would likely be joined by two to four more tracks. This would mean that a further six to eight tracks would be financially unstable with no broadcast rights and would face an uncertain future.^[6][7][8] Shortly after the announcement Central Park Stadium was acquired by ARC, leaving Doncaster, Harlow, Henlow, Kinsley, Sheffield, Pelaw Grange, Shawfield, Swindon, Towcester and Yarmouth battling for rights before 2024.^[9]

The major disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic continued with racing remaining behind closed doors until the return of crowds was allowed on 17 May. The Derby returned to Towcester Greyhound Stadium following two years at Nottingham.^[10] The 2021 English Greyhound Derby was won by Thorn Falcon for Belgian born Patrick Janssens, thwarting an Irish attempt at a third consecutive success.^[11]

News

Just one week after being named the 2020 Greyhound of the Year Aayamza Royale broke the 900 metres track record at Monmore, recording 55.95 seconds.^[12] In May 2021 Kevin Hutton returned to train out of Towcester following its reopening^[13] and later in September 2021, won his fourth trainers championship (the first as the rebranded Judgement Night).^[14]

Towcester and Henlow owner Kevin Boothby announced his intention to re-open Oxford Stadium and Mildenhall Stadium (the latter would be known as Suffolk Downs) with renovation work beginning on the tracks in July, which continued until the end of the year. Originally he had hoped to open both tracks before Christmas but this did not materialise.^[15]

The Oaks was switched from Swindon to Perry Barr due to the ongoing saga surrounding Swindon's redevelopment.^[16]

Mark Wallis extended his Greyhound Trainer of the Year record to twelve titles.^[17]

Competitions

Ireland

The Champion Stakes was positioned in the racing calendar just before the Irish Derby and would give a great indication as to the form heading into the event. De Machine won the final, which contained six serious contenders for the Derby. Susie Sapphire was arguably the star in Ireland, after winning the Oaks she went unbeaten throughout the 2021 Irish Greyhound Derby and duly won the Irish greyhound of the year.^[18] Others that had a great year were Good Cody, Priceless Jet and Explosive Boy; Cody won the Sprint Cup and Kingdom Derby as well as reaching the Produce final; Priceless Jet was a St Leger and Champions Stakes finalist and won the Corn Cuchulainn; Explosive Boy reached the Irish Derby and Kirby finals and won the Produce.

UK

Havana Class won the first Laurels to be staged at Perry Barr in April and shortly afterwards trainer Ricky Holloway won his fourth Grand National, this time with Meenagh Maverick. In May, Aayamza Royale became the fourth greyhound to win the TV Trophy twice, also setting a record of fours wins for trainer Mark Wallis in the process. Royale broke the track record to complete a memorable feat.^[19] In July, Aayamza Royale continued her stunning form by winning the £10,000 Regency.

Aayamza Royale was the leading contender to become the first greyhound since Westmead Hawk to win Greyhound of the Year for two consecutive years. She would be challenged by Space Jet (a newcomer that won the St Leger in a track record time), Thorn Falcon (the Derby champion), Signet Ace and Salacres Pippy. The award went to Signet Ace, who had claimed the Winter Derby, Eclipse and Select Stakes.

Principal UK finals

Ladbrokes Golden Jacket, Crayford (20 Feb, 714m, £17,500)[20] Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Punk Rock Mutley 6 33-1 45.78 Stuart Maplesden 2nd Redzer Renae 4 4-1 46.12 Anthony Gifkins 3rd Ragtime Storm 3 6-1 46.20 Daniel Brabon 4th Sweet Leaf 2 12-1 46.24 Emma Richards 5th Ahnid News 5 9-1 46.38 Mark Wallis 6th Bo Shine Bullet 1 8-13f 00.00 Mark Wallis

Arena Racing Company Laurels, Perry Barr (22 Apr, 480m, £6,500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Havana Class 2 3-1jf 28.68 Liz McNair 2nd Ivy Hill Skyhigh 1 5-1 28.69 Mark Wallis 3rd Sparta Master 4 4-1 28.79 Sharon Thompson 4th Candy Man 6 10-3 28.80 Carol Weatherall 5th Coolavanny Kyser 3 3-1jf 29.02 Mark Wallis 6th Adeles Duke 5 10-1 29.22 Lee Field

RPGTV Grand National, Central Park (9 May, 480mH, £7,500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Meenagh Maverick 2 3-1 29.53 Ricky Holloway 2nd Toolmaker Daddy 6 11-4f 29.65 Ricky Holloway 3rd Seaglass Smokey 3 3-1 29.91 Patrick Janssens 4th Nomansland Flyer 5 9-2 30.35 Ricky Holloway 5th Roxholme Biscuit 4 9-2 30.55 Ricky Holloway 6th Bang On Sonia 1 18-1 30.69 Nathan Hunt

Ladbrokes TV Trophy, Monmore (22 May, 900m, £10,000)[21] Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Aayamza Royale 4 8-13f 55.00 TR Mark Wallis 2nd Savana Volcano 6 5-2 55.91 Diane Henry 3rd Galaxy Star 3 20-1 56.24 Stuart Maplesden 4th Our Supreme Sue 1 50-1 56.27 Kelly Tobin 5th Sporting Pat 2 11-2 56.55 Jerry Griffin 6th Southfield Code 5 18-1 56.89 Kevin Hutton

BresBet East Anglian Derby, Yarmouth (15 Sep, 462m, £15,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Antigua Storm 1 7–4f 27.78 Mark Wallis 2nd Bockos Jon Jo 4 3–1 27.86 Patrick Janssens 3rd King Bruno 6 11–2 27.94 Liz McNair 4th Billis Tudor 5 6–1 27.99 Mark Wallis 5th Lylas Boy 2 33–1 28.15 Nathan Hunt 6th Aussie Captain 3 3–1 28.37 Patrick Janssens

ARC St Leger, Perry Barr (30 Sep, 710m, £10,000)[22] Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Space Jet 3 10–3 42.59 (TR) Matt Dartnall 2nd Night Time Danny 4 5–2 42.69 Steve Rayner 3rd Antigua Mememe 5 14–1 42.95 Mark Wallis 4th Savana Volcano 6 9–2 42.98 Diane Henry 5th Guiri Steve 1 11–1 43.34 Christopher Fereday 6th Blueberry Bullet 2 2–1f 43.38 Mark Wallis

ARC Oaks, Perry Barr (28 Oct, 480m, £15,000)[23] Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Billys Diva 1 2/1 28.88 Maria Kennedy 2nd Ritzy Lady 6 9/1 28.94 Jim Reynolds 3rd Ballymac Trend 3 9/1 29.44 David Mullins 4th Droopys Samantha 2 9/1 29.45 Kevin Hutton 5th Anniversary Girl 5 33/1 29.65 Kevin Hutton 6th Skywalker Cilla 4 10/11f 29.73 Mark O'Donovan

Ladbrokes Cesarewitch, Crayford (27 Nov, 874m, £10,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Salacres Pippy 3 5/2 56.56 Peter Harnden 2nd Blueberry Bullet 2 13/8f 56.98 Mark Wallis 3rd Alaskan Dawn 4 4/1 56.99 Heather Dimmock 4th Antigua Lava 1 7/2 57.03 Mark Wallis 5th Mays Sabbath 5 22/1 57.17 Patrick Janssens 6th Nightingale Don 6 16/1 57.63 John Mullins

Principal Irish finals

Ladbrokes Easter Cup, Shelbourne (13 Mar, 550y, €25,000)[24] Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Knocknaboul Syd 6 11-4 29.58 Pat Buckley 2nd Beach Avenue 5 16-1 29.86 Paul Hennessy 3rd Billys Diva 3 2-1jf 29.87 John Kennedy 4th Great Name That 1 2-1jf 29.94 Liam Dowling 5th Boylesportsbingo 4 18-1 30.39 Paul Hennessy 6th Golden Tiger 2 7-1 00.00 Graham Holland

Con & Annie Kirby Memorial, Limerick (24 Apr, 525y, €80,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Stonepark Leo 6 - 28.38 Mark O'Donovan 2nd De Machine 2 - 28.48 Brendan Matthews 3rd Agent Stanley 1 - 28.52 Marie Gilbert 4th Explosive Boy 3 - 28.97 Patrick Guilfoyle 5th Ballymac Merlin 5 - 29.29 Liam Dowling 6th Singalong Sally 4 - 29.36 Pat Buckley

Larry O'Rourke National Produce, Clonmel (5 Jun, 525y, €16,000)[25] Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Explosive Boy 1 - 28.28 Patrick Guilfoyle 2nd Valegro 2 - 28.31 Maurice Heffernan 3rd Deadly Destroyer 3 - 28.66 Karol Ramsbottom 4th Good Cody 5 - 28.73 John Kennedy Jnr. 5th Cash Return 4 - 29.05 Brendan Maunsell 6th Courtmac Chief 6 - 29.68 John A Linehan

Sporting Press Oaks, Shelbourne (19 Jun, 525y, €25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Susie Sapphire 1 3-1 28.15 Owen McKenna 2nd Scooby Princess 4 4-1 28.46 Jennifer O'Donnell 3rd Billys Diva 2 6-4f 28.53 John Kennedy Jnr. 4th Ballydoyle Rossa 5 12-1 28.67 Pio Barry 5th Front Amani 6 7-4 28.74 Robert G. Gleeson 6th Highview Magnet 3 33-1 28.78 Dolores Merriman

Boylesports Champion Stakes, Shelbourne (31 July, 550y, €20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st De Machine 3 11–2 29.41 Bendan Matthews 2nd Kilara Icon 4 14–1 29.69 Robert G Gleeson 3rd Priceless Jet 5 5–1 29.72 Paul Hennessy 4th Beach Avenue 6 10–1 29.74 Paul Hennessy 5th Deadly Destroyer 1 10–11f 30.41 Karol Ramsbottom 6th Ballymac Wild 2 9–2 30.42 Liam Dowling

Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup, Dundalk (15 Aug, 400y, €20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Good Cody 2 - 20.86 John Kennedy Jr. 2nd Drahan Jet 4 - 21.14 Wayne Morris 3rd Ela Supremo 6 - 21.15 Peter Cronin 4th Maybe Aye 5 - 21.27 Peter Cronin 5th Blue Corner 3 - 21.66 Thomas Shields 6th Corbrack Prince 1 - 21.71 Robert G Gleeson

SIS Juvenile Derby, Shelbourne (16 Oct, 525y, €20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Droopys Gloss 3 5/2cf 28.49 Martin 'Murt' Leahy 2nd Serene Ace 4 5/2cf 28.87 Mark O'Donovan 3rd Off The Pitch 6 5/1 28.93 Marie Gilbert 4th Barefoot Supremo 1 12/1 29.00 Paul Hennessy 5th Deadly Diego 5 5/1 29.14 Karol Ramsbottom 6th Crokers Spirit 2 5/2cf 29.21 Matthew Harte

Irish Laurels, Cork (23 Oct, 525y, €30,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st One Time Only 1 3–1 28.17 Thomas O'Donovan 2nd Skywalker Barry 5 9–4jf 28.41 Mark O'Donovan 3rd Epic Hero 4 20–1 28.76 Thomas O'Donovan 4th Ballymac Fairone 3 9–4jf 28.97 Liam Dowling 5th Sweep The Yard 6 10–1 29.04 Graham Holland 6th Droopys Good 1 9–2 29.22 Owen McKenna

Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St Leger, Limerick (27 Nov, 550y, €30,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Ballymac Merlin 4 8/1 29.68 Liam Dowling 2nd Deerjet Sydney 3 5/1 29.73 Pat Buckley 3rd Priceless Jet 6 4/1 29.84 Paul Hennessy 4th Allforthebest 5 8/1 30.01 syndicate 5th Russian Glory 1 9/4f 30.12 Graham Holland 6th Part Blake 2 5/2 30.33 Graham Holland

UK Category 1 & 2 competitions

Competition	Date	Venue	Winning Greyhound	Winning Trainer	Time	SP	Notes
Coral Essex Vase	22 Jan	Romford	Antigua Romeo	Mark Wallis (Henlow)	34.66	8-1	[26]
TRC Health & Hygiene Blue Riband	6 Feb	Towcester	Kilara Lion	Patrick Janssens (Central Park)	29.73	11-8f	[27]
Ladbrokes Puppy Derby	27 Feb	Monmore	Jaguar Macie	Graham Rankin (Pelaw Grange)	28.04	9-2	[28]
Ladbrokes Winter Derby	27 Feb	Monmore	Signet Ace	Kevin Hutton (Monmore)	28.08	6-1	[29]
Coral Golden Sprint	19 Mar	Romford	Bockos Jon Jo	Patrick Janssens (Towcester)	23.77	10-11f	[30]
BGBF British Breeders Stakes	22 Mar	Nottingham	King Louis	Liz McNair (Private)	29.63	9-2	[31]
Northern Puppy Derby	31 Mar	Newcastle	Jaguar Macie	Graham Rankin (Pelaw Grange)	28.52	13-8f	[32]
Cearnsport Springbok	4 Apr	Central Park	Droopys Rex	David Mullins (Romford)	29.94	7-2	[33]
TRC Health & Hygiene Northamptonshire Sprint	13 Apr	Towcester	Bockos Jon Jo	Patrick Janssens (Towcester)	16.10	1-2f	[34]
Arena Racing Company Grand Prix	20 Apr	Sunderland	Coolavanny Bani	Angela Harrison (Newcastle)	39.21	7-2	[35]
RPGTV Juvenile	20 Apr	Towcester	Ballymac Trend	Kevin Boon (Towcester)	29.62	7-1	[36]
KAB Maiden Derby	18 May	Towcester	Thorn Falcon	Patrick Janssens (Towcester)	29.24	10-11f	[37]
Arena Racing Company Northern Flat	19 May	Newcastle	Pacemaker Ted	Tom Heilbron (Newcastle)	28.37	9-4f	[38]
George Ing St Leger	29 May	Yarmouth	Blue Tick George	Jim Daly (Crayford)	40.31	11-10jf	[39]
Ladbrokes Kent St Leger	26 Jun	Crayford	Bo Shine Bullet	Mark Wallis (Henlow)	45.55	1-1f	[40]
Ladbrokes Guys and Dolls	26 Jun	Crayford	Punk Rock Doll	Stuart Maplesden (Hove)	23.00	4–1	[40]
Ladbrokes Kent Vase	26 Jun	Crayford	Ballynabee Jet	Samantha West (Hove)	34.03	100–30	[40]
Stadium Bookmakers Juvenile Classic	20 Jul	Towcester	Brookside Richie	David Mullins (Romford)	29.48	11–10f
Coral Regency	31 Jul	Hove	Aayamza Royale	Mark Wallis (Henlow)	41.56	11–4	[41]
Coral Sussex Cup	31 Jul	Hove	Drumcrow Brent	Mark Wallis (Henlow)	29.89	5–1	[41]
Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic	21 Aug	Monmore	Coolavanny Bani	Angela Harrison (Newcastle)	37.87	4–1	[42]
Ladbrokes Gold Cup	21 Aug	Monmore	Minglers Popeye	Stuart Tighe (Newcastle)	28.45	11–2	[42]
Stadium Bookmakers Marathon Trophy	22 Aug	Towcester	Savana Volcano	Diane Henry (Towcester)	58.27	2–1	[43]
ARC Puppy Classic	30 Aug	Nottingham	Bubbly Apache	Paul Young (Romford)	29.53	2–1	[44]
Select Stakes	30 Aug	Nottingham	Signet Ace	Kevin Hutton (Towcester)	29.72	9/4f	[45]
Gain Nutrition 3 Steps to Victory	7 Sep	Sheffield	Savana Eruption	Diane Henry (Towcester)	39.14	15–8f	[46]
75th Produce Stakes	19 Sep	Swindon	Pocket Lola	Seamus Cahill (Brighton)	28.15	5–6f	[47]
Coral Romford Puppy Cup	24 Sep	Romford	Brookside Richie	David Mullins (Romford)	23.68	1–3f	[48]
Stadium Bookmakers Empress Stakes	26 Sep	Towcester	Coolavanny Aunty	Angela Harrison (Newcastle)	29.34	13–8f	[49]
M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup	30 Sep	Perry Barr	Candy Man	Carol Weatherall (Sheffield)	28.10	5–1	[50]
Property 192 Graders Derby	10 Oct	Towcester	Deanridge Awesom	Allison Kelly-Pilgrim (Crayford)	29.57	4–6f
BGBF Puppy Cup	17 Oct	Towcester	Moments of Magic	Kevin Hutton (Towcester)	27.62	11–2	[51]
Kent Derby	17 Oct	Central Park	Galaxy Freedom	Stuart Maplesden (Hove)	29.26	28–1	[52]
Coral Champion Stakes	22 Oct	Romford	Night Time Danny	Steve Rayner (Henlow)	34.94	3–1	[53]
1st Containers Marathon Trophy	24 Oct	Towcester	Space Jet	Matt Dartnall (Central Park)	56.67	7–4f	[54]
Scurry Gold Cup	28 Oct	Perry Barr	Crossfield Dusty	Patrick Janssens (Towcester)	16.26	10/11f	[23]
Bresbet Steel City Cup	30 Oct	Sheffield	Forest Gold	Kevin Hutton (Towcester)	28.71	3/1	[55]
Stadium Bookmakers Hunt Cup	14 Nov	Towcester	Salacres Pippy	Peter Harnden (Towcester)	42.90	9/4	Track record[56]
ARC Classic	18 Nov	Sunderland	Narcos The Great	George Cunningham (Private)	26.84	13/2	[57]
Ladbrokes Kent Rosebowl	27 Nov	Crayford	Icaals Rocco	John Mullins (Towcester)	23.38	8/1	[58]
Ladbrokes Gold Collar	27 Nov	Crayford	Warzone Tom	Liz McNair (Private)	33.58	4/6f	[59]
Eclipse	6 Dec	Nottingham	Signet Ace	Kevin Hutton (Towcester)	29.41	11/10f	[60]
Coral Olympic	18 Dec	Hove	Prince of Troy	David Mullins (Romford)	30.21	25/1	[61]
Coral Brighton Belle	18 Dec	Hove	Lights Out	Kevin Hutton (Towcester)	30.28	9/4	[62]
The Puppy Derby	19 Dec	Towcester	Make Noise	Seamus Cahill (Hove)	29.71	15/8	[63]
ARC Champion Hurdle	19 Dec	Central Park	Toolmaker Daddy	Ricky Holloway (Private)	30.26	11/1	[64]
ARC National Sprint	20 Dec	Nottingham	Crossfield Dusty	Patrick Janssens (Towcester)	17.65	8/11f	[65]
BGBF British Bred Derby	21 Dec	Sheffield	Fabulous Azurra	Patrick Janssens (Towcester)	28.73	5/2	[66]
All England Cup	28 Dec	Newcastle	Moanteen Mikey	Angela Harrison (Newcastle)	28.72	11/4f	[67]
Coronation Cup	cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

Irish feature competitions

Competition	Date	Venue	Winning Greyhound	Winning Trainer	Time	SP	Notes
Shelbourne 600	2 Jan	Shelbourne	Ballymac Kingdom	Liam Dowling	32.30	No SP	NO SP due to COVID-19 [68]
Best Car Parks Gold Cup	6 Feb	Shelbourne	Inforapenny	Kieran Lynch	28.97	5-1	[69]
Greyhound & Petworld Juvenile Classic	12 Mar	Tralee	Singalong Sally	Pat Buckley	28.58	No SP	No SP due to COVID-19[70]
Ballymac Anton at Stud McCalmont Cup	26 Mar	Kilkenny	Dark Devil	Martin (Murt) Leahy	28.86	No SP	No SP due to COVID-19[71]
Waterford Select Stakes	20 Apr	Waterford	Skywalker Barry	Mark O'Donovan	28.14	No SP	No SP due to COVID-19[72]
SIS Irish Cesarewitch	16 May	Mullingar	Amazing Alice	Patrick Guilfoyle	33.20	9-4	[73]
SIS Race of Champions	19 Jun	Tralee	Explosive Boy	Patrick Guilfoyle	29.36	No SP	NO SP due to COVID-19[74]
Corn Cuchulainn	17 Jul	Shelbourne	Priceless Jet	Paul Hennessy	41.39	9-4f	[75]
Champion 550	17 Jul	Shelbourne	Deadly Destroyer	Karol Ramsbottom	29.36	4/1	[75]
Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup	7 Aug	Thurles	Freedom Epic	Kathleen Pomfret	29.02	No SP	NO SP due to COVID-19[76]
Kingdom Derby	21 Dec	Tralee	Good Cody	Patrick Guilfoyle	28.25	9/4	[77]
Dundalk International	cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic