English Greyhound Derby
Location |
Wimbledon Stadium |
Inaugurated |
1927 |
Last run |
2015 |
Sponsor |
William Hill |
Race information |
Distance |
480 metres (1,570 ft) |
Surface |
Sand |
The English Greyhound Derby is the most prestigious race on the British greyhound racing calendar, with a history stretching back to 1927. It was first held at White City Stadium, but moved to Wimbledon Stadium in 1985 after its original home closed. The first dog to win the Derby was Entry Badge, and the event went on to see Mick the Miller become the first dog to win on more than one occasion, with a record that has only been equalled by three other dogs in the Derby's history.
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.[1] The 1940 final was held at Harringay stadium due to the outbreak of war.[2]
In 1973, Spillers dog food sponsored the race for the first time, the same year that Patricia's Hope became the second dog to win the Derby on more than one occasion, and would ultimately be 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, and in 1984 the race was held at White City for the last time before it closed, with Whisper Wishes becoming the final dog to win the Derby at its original location.[1]
The Derby was moved to Wimbledon Stadium for the 1985, and has remained there ever since.[3] The Daily Mirror continued to be the sole sponsor the race until 1990, when Sporting Life became co-sponsor. In 1998, bookmakers William Hill became the sole sponsor, and in 2006 bookmakers Blue Square took over. William Hill renewed their involvement with greyhounds and the Wimbledon Stadium with a deal for 2010, and remain sponsors of the race as of the 2012 race.[4]
The 2016 Derby will be the last to be held at Wimbledon, as part-owners Galliard Homes have instructed architects to work on plans to build over 800 homes on the site,[5] with confirmation of Wimbledon's closure in June 2016 confirmed on 25 February 2016.[6] This will result in the Derby being located outside London for the first time, as Wimbledon is the last greyhound stadium in the capital.[7]
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.[7] No greyhound has won the race on more than two occasions, with four dogs tied for most successful: Mick the Miller, Patricias Hope, Rapid Ranger and Westmead Hawk.[8]
List of winners
At Wimbledon from 1985 to present (over 480 metres)
Year |
Winner |
Trainer |
Odds |
Time |
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 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 |
Ken Linzell (Walthamstow) |
8/1 |
28.70 |
1989 |
Lartique Note |
Ger McKenna (Ireland) |
1/1F |
28.79 |
1988 |
Hit The Lid |
John McGee (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 |
Phil Rees (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 |
Im 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 (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 |
Ron 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 Jnr. (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 |
Trevs Perfection |
Fred Trevillion (Private) |
4/1 |
28.95 |
1946 |
Mondays News |
Fred Farey (Private) |
5/1 |
29.24 |
1945 |
Ballyhennesy 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 |
S.Wright (Private) |
9/4 |
29.62 |
1937 |
Wattle Bark |
Jim Syder Snr. (Wembley) |
5/2 |
29.26 |
1936 |
Fine Jubilee |
Mrs Marjorie Yate (Private) |
10/11F |
29.48 |
1935 |
Greta Ranee |
Arthur Jonas (White City) |
4/1 |
30.18 |
1934 |
Daves Land |
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 |
At White City from 1927 to 1928 (over 500 yards)
Year |
Winner |
Trainer |
Odds |
Time |
1928 |
Boher Ash |
Tommy Johnston Snr. (Edinburgh) |
5/1 |
30.48 |
1927 |
Entry Badge |
Joe Harmon (White City) |
1/4F |
29.01 |
References