2023 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2023 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 98th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.^[1]

2023 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
Category 1 finalists Millridge Tanic (left) and Olga with trainer Pat Curtin
← 2022 2024 →

Summary

Open race competitions increased again, in terms of prize money and frequency, with no less than ten UK events (not including the Derby) offering a first prize of £20,000 or more, including the returning Pall Mall Stakes at Oxford Stadium and a series of events sponsored by Premier Greyhound Racing. It equalled the Irish open race calendar in terms of number of races above £20,000 or €20,000.

A petition titled The Welsh Government should support greyhound racing in Wales was due to be debated by the Senedd because over 10,000 signatures were received in support. The petition was in response to the 2022 petition.^[2] A main subject of the debate was the Valley Greyhound Stadium and in August 2023, Valley received a licence from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain. The move from independent racing to GBGB rules meant that only one track Thornton Stadium remained with independent status.^[3]

The long running saga over live broadcast rights continued and with Entain and ARC nearing the new 2024 deal, their rival SIS published a schedule. The schedule included Oxford, Towcester, Harlow, Suffolk Downs, Henlow, Doncaster and the Valley in addition to Askern Greyhound Stadium, which would require re-opening and a GBGB licence to be included in the schedule.^[4]

Mark Wallis won his 14th Greyhound Trainer of the Year title after recording 1591 points.^[5] The year ended with the death of former Northern Sports group manager Mick Wheble MBE.^[6][7]

Following a GBGB inspection of trainer Rebecca Perkins' kennels, they contacted the RSPCA reporting offences contrary to the Animal Welfare Act. Perkins' received a jail sentence and was banned from keeping animals for life after "causing unnecessary suffering to more than 30 dogs".^[8]

Roll of honour

Major Winners
Award	Name of Winner
2023 English Greyhound Derby	Gaytime Nemo
2023 Irish Greyhound Derby	The Other Kobe
Greyhound Trainer of the Year	Mark Wallis
UK Greyhound of the Year	Droopys Clue
Irish Greyhound of the Year	The Other Kobe

Premier Greyhound Racing Trainers Championship, Perry Barr (6 Apr)[9] Pos Name of Trainer Points 1st Patrick Janssens 46 2nd Kevin Hutton 44 3rd Mark Wallis 40 4th John Mullins 34 5th Matt Dartnall 27 6th Richard Rees 12

Principal UK finals

Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket, Crayford (18 Feb, 714m, £20,000)[10] Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Bellmore Sally 4 9/4jf 44.77 Jimmy Fenwick 2nd Roll On Sydney 1 6/1 45.01 Paul Young 3rd Olga 5 6/1 45.31 Paddy Curtin 4th Minnie Bullet 2 9/4jf 45.39 Mark Wallis 5th Burgess Hannah 6 11/2 45.85 Tony Gifkins 6th Coonough Crow 3 8/1 45.75 Mark Wallis

Ladbrokes TV Trophy, Crayford (15 April, 874m, £15,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Bellmore Sally 4 10/11f 56.38 James Fenwick 2nd Ower Smasher 3 13/8 56.66 June Harvey 3rd A Mystial Love 6 12/1 56.98 Lee Pearce 4th Beach Babe 5 28/1 57.56 Tom Levers 5th Savana Queen 2 14/1 57.90 Diane Henry 6th Queen Pink 1 9/1 57.96 Liz McNair

Arena Racing Company Laurels, Perry Barr (29 Apr, 480m, £12,500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Hawkfield Ozark 1 15/8f 28.03 Patrick Janssens 2nd Goldies Perryman 3 4/1 28.05 Paul Foster 3rd Hurry Up Jordan 6 3/1 28.27 John Lambe 4th Arkady 4 11/4 28.35 David Mullins 5th Ivanexile 5 7/1 28.45 Matt Dartnall N/R Coolavanny Shado 2 Patrick Janssens

Premier Greyhound Racing Regency, Brighton (29 Jul, 695m, £20,000)[11] Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Space Jet 3 2/1jf 41.69 Matt Dartnall 2nd Swiper 1 11/1 41.85 Matt Dartnall 3rd Lively Lauren 2 2/1jf 41.88 Matt Dartnall 4th Jacktavern Magic 6 12/1 41.99 Mark Wallis 5th Bubbly Scorcher 5 11/2 42.01 Paul Young 6th Savana Heross 4 4/1 42.05 Diane Henry

Stadium Bookmakers Pall Mall, Oxford (29 Jul, 450m, £20,000)[12] Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Links Maverick 3 8/11f 26.72 Tom Heilbron 2nd Eze 4 8/1 26.96 Angie Kibble 3rd Hawkfield Ozark 1 7/2 27.11 Patrick Janssens 4th Ivanexile 5 10/3 27.21 Matt Dartnall 5th Coppice Tenzin 5 14/1 27.24 Kevin Hutton 6th Moments of Magic 2 33/1 27.28 Kevin Hutton

Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger, Perry Barr (23 Sep, 710m, £20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Droopys Clue 2 4/9f 42.33 (TR) Seamus Cahill 2nd Jacktavern Bella 5 5/2 42.81 Graham Holland 3rd Millridge Tanic 6 8/1 43.51 Paddy Curtin 4th Lightfoot Clark 1 25/1 43.79 James Fenwick 5th Coonough Crow 3 16/1 43.89 Mark Wallis N/R Garfiney Blaze 4 Graham Holland

Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes, Romford (21 Oct, 575m, £20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Hollow Man 4 8/13f 34.96 Derek Knight 2nd Ninja Kerry 6 11/2 35.19 Belinda Green 3rd Whyaye Man 5 10/1 35.23 Mark Wallis 4th Havana Top Note 3 11/1 35.24 Liz McNair 5th Droopys Google 1 9/2 35.32 Nathan Hunt 6th Ballintee Noshow 2 12/1 35.60 Maxine Locke

Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks, Perry Barr (27 Oct, 480m, £20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st No Rush 6 15/8f 28.18 Carol Weatherall 2nd Jet Stream Angel 4 5/1 28.22 Kevin Hutton 3rd Droopys Ailsa 5 4/1 28.28 Robert Gleeson 4th Whats Up Eva 2 4/1 28.32 Richard Rees 5th Starshinestunner 1 7/2 28.42 Richard Rees 6th Droopys Request 3 14/1 28.84 Christopher Fereday

Principal Irish finals

Bresbet Easter Cup, Shelbourne (8 Apr, 550y, €25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Swords Rex 1 11/8f 29.71 Graham Holland 2nd Tooklmaker Wilde 6 22/1 29.99 Robert G Gleeson 3rd Trinity Junior 2 8/1 30.02 Peter Cronin 4th Romeo Magico 5 4/1 30.09 Graham Holland 5th Galloping Sydney 4 6/1 30.16 Graham Holland 6th Bockos Crystal 3 3/1 30.23 Graham Holland

Con & Annie Kirby Memorial, Limerick (21 Apr, 525y, €80,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Clonbrien Treaty 1 5/2 28.05 Graham Holland 2nd Bogger Lucky 6 6/1 28.64 Liam Peacock 3rd Scaglietti 3 6/1 28.75 Patrick Guilfoyle 4th Gaytime Hugo 4 4/1 28.92 Graham Holland 5th Ryhope Beach 5 9/4f 29.13 Michael J O'Donovan 6th Hovex Tommy 2 10/1 29.31 Graham Holland

Sporting Press Oaks, Shelbourne Park (17 Jun, 525y, €25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Crafty Shivoo 1 3/1 28.14 Peter & Brian Divilly 2nd Scooby Duchess 6 8/1 28.38 Jennifer O'Donnell 3rd Glengar Martha 5 10/1 28.42 Pat Buckley 4th Bobsleigh Dream 3 6/4f 28.49 Pat Buckley 5th Quivers Magic 2 7/2 29.47 Adam Dunford 6th Droopys Timing 4 5/1 00.00 Paul Conin

Thatch Bar & Restaurant National Produce, Clonmel (25 Jun, 525y, €20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Burgess Supreme 5 20/1 28.52 Sheila Spillane 2nd Hukum 2 4/1 28.56 Adam Dunford 3rd Ower Mystery 4 7/2 28.57 Pat Buckley 4th Clonbrien Treaty 6 13/8f 28.74 Graham Holland 5th Mendelson 3 20/1 28.85 Thomas O'Donovan 6th Clona Shadow 1 11/4 28.99 Graham Holland

Boylesports Champion Stakes, Shelbourne Park (8 Jul, 550y, €20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Trinity Junior 1 5/2f 29.34 Peter Cronin 2nd The Other Kobe 5 4/1 29.48 Jennifer O'Donnell 3rd Boylesports Gift 4 12/1 29.72 Paul Hennessy 4th Droopys Nice One 6 11/2 29.73 Murt Leahy 5th Hawkfield Blue 3 9/2 30.64 Keeley McGee 6th Scaglietti 2 11/4 31.41 Patrick Guilfoyle

Time Dundalk International, Dundalk (12 Jul, 550y, €20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Raha Mofo 5 4/1 29.98 Murt Leahy 2nd Ballinabola Ed 6 4/6f 29.99 Pat Buckley 3rd Brookside Richie 3 7/1 30.11 James Fenwick (UK) 4th Cochise 1 20/1 30.25 Richard Rees (UK) 5th Bobsleigh Dream 4 11/2 30.37 Pat Buckley 6th Ballymac Whispa 2 25/1 30.44 Liam Dowling

Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup, Dundalk (15 Aug, 400y, €20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Carrick Aldo 5 - 20.80 David Murray 2nd Who Have I 4 - 20.99 Michael J. O'Donovan 3rd Ballymac Samuel 1 - 21.04 Liam Dowling 4th Chelms Skippy 6 - 21.08 Peter Cronin 5th Rathdown Molly 3 - 21.22 Marie Gilbert 6th Radical Hero 2 - 21.27 Thomas O'Donovan

Time Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile Derby, Shelbourne Park (30 Sep, 525y, €25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Droopys Flytline 6 15/8f 27.93 Robert G. Gleeson 2nd Short Grip 1 7/2 28.00 Patrick Cocoman 3rd Droopys Zelda 3 12/1 28.28 John A. Linehan 4th Unmatched 4 16/1 28.38 John A. Linehan 5th Highview Splash 5 4/1 28.63 Gerry Merriman 6th Ballinakill Alf 2 5/2 28.66 Graham Holland

Bar One Racing Irish Laurels, Cork (14 Oct, 525y, €30,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st High Trend 2 8/1 28.31 Graham Holland 2nd Easy Razzle 5 6/1 28.34 John A. Linehan 3rd Role Model 4 22/1 28.52 Owen McKenna 4th Jacktavern Bolt 1 2/1jf 28.83 Graham Holland 5th Carrick Aldo 6 2/1jf 28.87 David Murray 6th Glory Baz 3 4/1 28.89 Graham Holland

Will We Go Irish St Leger, Limerick (25 Nov, 550y, €30,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Clonbrien Treaty 6 5/4f 29.51 Graham Holland 2nd Swords Rex 3 10/3 29.54 Graham Holland 3rd Sober Glory 2 4/1 29.61 Karol Ramsbottom 4th Mr Chelm 5 14/1 29.62 Peter Cronin 5th Ballinabola Una 1 6/1 29.69 Pat Buckley 6th Beepers Lariat 4 12/1 29.80 Jack Kennelly

Calendar

Date	Competition	Venue	1st prize	Winner
15 Jan	Cesarewitch	Central Park	£12,500	Cochise[13]
20 Jan	Diamond Stakes	Oxford	£10,000	Mohican Tara
27 Jan	Coral Essex Vase	Romford	£10,000	Aayamza Magic
27 Jan	BGBF Puppy Cup	Oxford	£10,000	Watchhall Sid
29 Jan	Stadium Bookmakers Blue Riband	Towcester	£10,000	Hopes Paddington
16 Feb	Northern Puppy Derby	Newcastle	£12,500	Links Maverick
18 Feb	Golden Jacket	Crayford	£20,000	Bellmore Sally
25 Feb	Shelbourne Gold Cup	Shelbourne	€16,000	Bogger Hunter
4 Mar	Ladbrokes Winter Derby	Monmore	£10,000	Coolavanny Shado
11 Mar	Greyhound & Petworld Juvenile Classic	Tralee	€11,000	Ballymac Marino[14]
17 Mar	Coral Golden Sprint	Romford	£10,000	Droopys Good[15]
17 Mar	Coral Coronation Cup	Romford	£10,000	Antigua Sugar[16]
18 Mar	Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby	Monmore	£20,000	Bradys Bullet[17]
20 Mar	BGBF British Breeders Stakes	Nottingham	£12,500	Romeo Command[18]
24 Mar	Frightful Flash Kennels McCalmont Cup	Kilkenny	€5,000	Lynchy Boy[19]
26 Mar	RPGTV Irish Cesarewitch	Mullingar	€6,000	Bobsleigh Dream[20]
29 Mar	Arena Racing Company Kent Plate	Central Park	£12,500	Fromposttopillar
30 Mar	Arena Racing Company Northern Flat	Newcastle	£12,500	Brookside Richie[21]
2 Apr	RPGTV Juvenile	Towcester	£5,000	Arkady[22]
8 Apr	Bresbet Easter Cup	Shelbourne	€25,000	Swords Rex[23]
15 Apr	Steel City Puppy Derby	Sheffield	£15,000	Droopys Fidget
15 Apr	Ladbrokes TV Trophy	Crayford	£15,000	Bellmore Sally[24]
15 Apr	Champion Hurdle	Crayford	£10,000	Lenson Doolin
21 Apr	Arena Racing Company Grand Prix	Sunderland	£12,500	Coonough Crew
21 Apr	Con & Annie Kirby Memorial	Limerick	€80,000	Clonbrien Treaty[25]
22 Apr	bet365 Hunt Cup	Oxford	£10,000	Havana Lover[26]
23 Apr	KAB Maiden Derby	Towcester	£10,000	Drive On Lad
29 Apr	Coral Brighton Belle	Hove	£10,000	Betsys Bullet
29 Apr	TIME Greyhound Nutrition Waterford Select Stakes	Waterford	€10,000	Clona Duke
29 Apr	Arena Racing Company Laurels	Perry Barr	£12,500	Hawkfield Ozark[27]
6 May	RPGTV Open	Shelbourne	€15,000	Ballinabola Ed[28]
7 May	BresBet Gymcrack	Kinsley	£9,000	Stormy News[29]
27 May	Ladbrokes Kent Vase	Crayford	£1,000	Beebee Bianco
27 May	Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger	Crayford	£10,000	Low Pressure
30 May	Three Steps to Victory	Sheffield	£10,000	Distant Emma
11 June	ARC Kent Silver Salver	Central Park	£12,500	Flashing Willow[30]
16 Jun	Callaway Ramber at Stud Race of Champions	Tralee	€15,000	Ballinabola Ed
17 Jun	Sporting Press Oaks	Shelbourne	€25,000	Crafty Shivoo
25 Jun	Thatch Bar & Restaurant National Produce	Clonmel	€20,000	Burgess Supreme[31]
1 Jul	Star Sports & TRC Events & Leisure English Greyhound Derby	Towcester	£235,000	Gaytime Nemo
8 Jul	Boylesports Champion Stakes	Shelbourne	€20,000	Trinity Junior
12 Jul	Time Dundalk International	Dundalk	€20,000	Raha Mofo
15 Jul	RPGTV Corn Cuchulainn	Shelbourne	€10,500	Kinturk Road
16 Jul	Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup	Thurles	€7,500	Pape Di Oro
27 Jul	ARC Angel of the North	Newcastle	£6,000	Magical Camilla
29 Jul	Pall Mall Stakes	Oxford	£20,000	Links Maverick
29 Jul	Premier Greyhound Racing Regency	Hove	£20,000	Space Jet[11]
29 Jul	Coral Springbok	Hove	£5,000	Droopys Chaser[11]
29 Jul	Coral Sussex Cup	Hove	£10,000	Candolim Monsson[11]
30 Jul	Juvenile Classic	Towcester	£10,000	Droopys Clue
15 Aug	Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup	Dundalk	€20,000	Carrick Aldo[32]
26 Aug	Ladbrokes Guys and Dolls	Crayford	£5,000	Swift Daisy[33]
26 Aug	Ladbrokes Grand National	Crayford	£10,000	Coppice Fox[33]
26 Aug	Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic	Monmore	£10,000	Fromposttopillar[34]
26 Aug	Ladbrokes Gold Cup	Monmore	£10,000	Links Maverick[34]
28 Aug	JenningsBet Puppy Classic	Nottingham	£12,500	Glenvale Bill[35]
28 Aug	JenningsBet Select Stakes	Nottingham	£10,000	Clona Duke[35]
2 Sep	Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby	Shelbourne	€125,000	The Other Kobe
20 Sep	Click Competitions East Anglian Derby	Yarmouth	£15,000	Watch The Limo[36]
21 Sep	77th Produce Stakes	Swindon	£13,000	Queen Joni[37]
23 Sep	M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup	Perry Barr	£12,500	Brookside Richie[38]
23 Sep	Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger	Perry Barr	£20,000	Droopys Clue[38]
24 Sep	Empress Stakes	Towcester	£10,000	Crafty Shivoo
29 Sep	Coral Romford Puppy Cup	Romford	£10,000	Romeo Crusade[39]
30 Sep	Time Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile Derby	Shelbourne	€25,000	Droopys Flytline[40]
14 Oct	Bar One Racing Irish Laurels	Cork	€30,000	High Trend[41]
17 Oct	BresBet Steel City Cup	Sheffield	£8,000	Swift Iconic[42]
20 Oct	Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes	Romford	£20,000	Hollow Man[43]
27 Oct	Cowley Puppy Collar	Oxford	£10,000	Long Fellow
28 Oct	ARC Scurry Gold Cup	Perry Barr	£6,000	Quarteira[44]
28 Oct	Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks	Perry Barr	£20,000	No Rush[44]
29 Oct	Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby	Central Park	£20,000	Churchfield Syd[45]
17 Nov	ARC Classic	Sunderland	£12,500	Jonny Whiskers
25 Nov	Ladbrokes Gold Collar	Crayford	£10,000	Laughil Jess[46]
25 Nov	Kent Rosebowl	Crayford	£1,000	Oh Cosmopolitan[46]
25 Nov	Yorkshire St Leger	Doncaster	£3,000	Fabulous Dyna[47]
25 Nov	Willwego Irish St Leger	Limerick	€30,000	Clonbrien Treaty[48]
26 Nov	RPGTV Puppy Derby	Towcester	£10,000	King Memphis[49]
27 Nov	Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse	Nottingham	£20,000	Newinn Syd[50]
17 Dec	bet365 Puppy Oaks	Towcester	£10,000	Queen Dusty
19 Dec	British Bred Breeders Forum Derby	Sheffield	£10,000	Queen Joni
22 Dec	bet365 Challenge Cup	Oxford	£10,000	Havana Top Note
23 Dec	George Curtis/Ballyregan Bob Memorial	Hove	£10,000	Droopys Clue
23 Dec	Coral Olympic	Hove	£10,000	King Memphis
26 Dec	ARC National Sprint	Nottingham	£6,000	Bombout Bullet
28 Dec	Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup	Newcastle	£20,000	Swift Silly