1977 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

none April 2025 April 2025 1977 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year 1976 1978 The 1977 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 52nd year of greyhound racing in the United KingdomGreyhound Racing South Gloucestershire Gazette 24 July 1926 9 March 2026 https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004065/19260724/015/0003 British Newspaper Archive subscription and the 51st year of greyhound racing in Ireland.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001542/19270419/075/0003 Belfast's New Sport Northern Whig 19 April 1927 British Newspaper Archive subscription 9 March 2026Fry Paul The Official NGRC Greyhound Racing Yearbook 1995 Ringpress Books 186054-010-4 Roll of honour Major Winners Award Name of Winner1977 English Greyhound Derby Balliniska Band http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?r=2035 1977 Greyhound Data1977 Irish Greyhound Derby Linda's Champion Comyn John 50 Years of Greyhound Racing in Ireland Aherlow Publishers LtdFortune Michael Irish Greyhound Derby 1932-1981 Victory Irish Promotions Ltd1977 Scottish Greyhound Derby Amber Sky Hobbs Jonathan Greyhound Annual 2008, pages 153-154 2007 Raceform 978-1-905153-53-41977 Welsh Greyhound Derby Instant Gambler Genders Roy The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing 1981 Pelham Books Ltd 07207-1106-1 Greyhound Trainer of the Year Ted Dickson Greyhound of the Year Balliniska BandIrish Greyhound of the Year Lindas Champion Trainers Championship Geoff De Mulder & Natalie Savva Summary The National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) released the annual returns, with totalisator turnover up, at £70,685,971 and attendances up, recorded at 6,685,491 from 5847 meetings.NGRC calendar January 1978 National Greyhound Racing Club Balliniska Band, a white and black dog trained by Eddie Moore was voted the Greyhound of the Year after winning the 1977 English Greyhound Derby.Dack Barrie Greyhound Derby, the first 60 years, pages 157/158/159/160 1990 Ringpress Books 0-948955-36-8Barnes Julia Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, Vol Two 1991 Ringpress Books 0-948955-61-9 A new competition was created called the Trainers Championship; this involved a series of races during one race meeting, between the top six trainers from the previous year. The selection criteria consisted of the leading open race winning trainers and in the inaugural event at Brough Park there was a tie between Natalie Savva and Geoff De Mulder.Barnes/Sellers Julia/John Ladbrokes Greyhound Fact File, pages 142-143 1992 Ringpress Books 0-948955-22-8https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19770328/739/0014 Seven is not so lucky for Geoff Newcastle Journal 28 March 1977 British Newspaper Archive subscription 2 April 2025 Tracks The Welsh Rugby Union required extended terracing at the National Stadium, which resulted in Cardiff City Council announcing a revamp of Cardiff Arms Park that did not include greyhound racing. The last Welsh Greyhound Derby was held on 9 July and the last meeting on 30 July. Instant Gambler won the last Derby and Lillyput Queen, owned by Cardiff butcher Malcolm Davies and trained by Freddie Goodman, won the last race to be held at the track. Cardiff City Council had taken less than ten minutes to reject a plan to switch greyhound racing to nearby Maindy Stadium. Only three flapping (unlicensed) independent tracks remained in Wales at Swansea, Bedwellty and Ystrad Mynach.Barnes Julia Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File 1988 Ringpress Books 0-948955-15-5Genders Roy NGRC book of Greyhound Racing 1990 Pelham Books Ltd 0-7207-1804-X Harry George secretary of Greyhound Company Cardiff failed in a bid for Oxford Stadium following Cardiff's closure and Denis Diffley a London businessman also failed in a 21 year lease bid leaving Oxford close to permanent closure. Coatbridge reopened and in the East of England a new consortium headed by Tom Stanley and Billy Davis took over Ipswich Stadium. Walthamstow Stadium's future was put in doubt, Charles Chandler Sr. had died the previous year,http://tinyurl.galegroup.com/tinyurl/88tnM3. "Obituary." Times, 2 Aug. 1976, p. 14 Times Digital ArchivesMay 2020 InternetArchiveBot yes which resulted in Charles Chandler Jr. becoming Chairman and Percy Chandler becoming Managing Director. Victor Chandler Jr. had owned 20% stake in the track since 1974 but wanted to sell his share due to the fact that his side of the family was concerned with the bookmaking business. The Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) also held a third share in the track http://tinyurl.galegroup.com/tinyurl/88u498 "Walthamstow Stadium." Times, 3 Sept. 1974, p. 19. The Times 3 September 1974 19 Times Digital Archives but had to sell to alleviate their debts in January.GRA sells shares - 5 January 1977 Aberdeen Press and Journal Suddenly it became apparent that an interested party could acquire a 52% stake in the track and have the controlling interest, it led to a clambering from major players looking to buy Walthamstow. Corals and Ladbrokes both expressed an interest but the Chandler family rallied round, Charles Jr., Percy and Frances (wife of Charles Sr.) spent over £400,000 to withstand the attempts from Corals and Ladbrokes and buy the track outright. Meanwhile another bookmaking firm Hills discussed the possibility of taking over GRA and its £18.4 million debt. News The GRA heavily in debt were forced to sell their 23% stake in Coral Leisure to alleviate the debt.http://tinyurl.galegroup.com/tinyurl/88By37 Maughan, Ray. "GRA sells its stake in Coral to repay loan." Times, 7 May 1977, p. 21. The Times 7 May 1977 21 Times Digital Archives Maughan Ray Allied Breweries with their Skol and Britvic labels became major race sponsors. Eastville Stadium staged speedway with the bikes using the actual greyhound circuit to race on, it was then re-laid each time. Crayford staged their first meeting on sand, the cost and difficulty of obtaining the peat being the main reason for the switch to sand. Hurdler Try it Blackie, retired after 46 open race wins and 129 races, trained by Frank Melville he was bought for just 48 guineas at Hackney sales. The black dog had reached the 1975 Grand National final.http://greyhoundstar.co.uk/remember-when-january-9/ Greyhound Star (Remember When - January 1977) 20 January 2019 Greyhound Star Hall Green Racing Manager Jeff Jefcoate left the GRA for Northern Sports and the Ramsgate track also introduced a new race called The Thanet Gold Cup and a new tote system called Digico. Former Manchester United footballer Charlie Mitten was appointed Assistant Racing Manager at White City. Scurry Gold Cup finalist Fiano was killed in a vehicle accident on the way back to the Hook Estate and Kennels after the race. Trainer John Bassett retired from training for a second time to concentrate on breeding and rearing. John Gibbons persuaded Lewisham council to lease him space where the old New Cross Kennels used to exist. The site which was a mass of rubble was cleared by Gibbons and his team to make way for kennels and a schooling track. Trainer Peter Hawkesley died aged only 51. Ireland Dunmore Stadium was on the verge of closure due to continuing troubles in Northern Ireland, but was saved when a local consortium stepped in. The group including Jim Delargy and bookmaker Sean Graham acquired a majority shareholding in the Belfast Celtic Football & Athletic Company which also owned Celtic Park greyhounds. Investment at Dunmore was initiated with immediate effect and prize money was doubled and new kennels were built. Their attention was then turned to Celtic Park for the same reason. The Irish Derby trial stakes which were held all over Ireland, had failed to date to produce an ultimate winner of the Irish Greyhound Derby but in 1977 the Kilkenny trial stakes winner Lindas Champion won the 1977 Irish Greyhound Derby. He had entered the stake for just £5 and duly gained a free entry to the competition by winning the Kilkenny heat.Fortune Michael Irish Greyhound Derby 1932–1981 Victory Irish Promotions Ltd The McKenna family training empire continued to build after Gay McKenna's daughter Paula married Fraser Black. Nine tracks in Ireland are closed for five weeks following a strike by staff over pay.http://greyhoundstar.co.uk/remember-when-may-2/ Greyhound Star (Remember When - May 1977) 5 May 2019 Greyhound Star Principal UK races BBC TV Trophy, Walthamstow (Mar 23, 820m, £1,500) PosName of GreyhoundTrainerSP TimeTrap 1st Montreen Harry Bamford 13-252.40 12nd Bonzo George Curtis 7-152.52 43rd Sindys Flame John Honeysett 2-5f52.56 64th Fountain Valley 16-152.76 55th Dear Charmer Ken Reynolds 66-153.00 26th Tell You What 20-153.20 3 Grand National, White City (April 9 500m h, £1,500) PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Salerno John Coleman 5-4f 30.65 22nd Out All NightJoe Pickering 10-1 30.79 33rd Hes A Dear Tom Foster 6-4 30.82 64th Maythorn View Randy Singleton 5-1 30.98 45th Lisfinny Boy 10-1 31.06 16th Meanus Dandy Joe Pickering 33-1 00.005 Scurry Gold Cup, Slough (April 16, 434m, £2,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Wired To Moon George Curtis 4-1 26.63 32nd Cahurmore Speech Len White 7-4f 26.73 23rd Xmas Holiday Phil Rees Sr. 11-4 26.77 14th Lesleys Charm Ted Dickson 10-1 27.05 65th Cameo Marshall 20-1 27.17 56th Fiano Adam Jackson 10-1 27.49 4 Laurels, Wimbledon (May 20, 460m, £3,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Greenfield Fox Ted Dickson 4-5f 27.41 52nd Linacre Ted Dickson 7-1 27.53 63rd Mutts Silver Phil Rees Sr. 7-4 27.59 24th Gaily Noble John Coleman 12-1 27.99 45th Willys Express R.Clegg 33-1 28.17 36th Kilcolman Stuart Barbara Tompkins 16-1 28.33 1 Welsh Derby, Arms Park (Jul 9, 500m £1,200)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Instant Gambler Barbara Tompkins 1-1f 30.01 22nd Linacre Ted Dickson 6-4 30.33 53rd Corrigeen Roger Geoff De Mulder 10-1 30.43 14th Remote Control Geoff De Mulder 10-1 30.53 45th Vals Son 20-1 30.77 36th Tilbrook Wind Barbara Tompkins 25-1 30.83 6 Scottish Greyhound Derby, Shawfield (Aug 6, 480m, £3,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Amber Sky Peter Beaumont 6-4f 29.08 22nd Skilful Boy 7-1 29.12 43rd Derrygrath Charm 10-1 29.28 54th Westmead Special Natalie Savva 2-1 29.36 15th Kilcolman Stuart Barbara Tompkins 4-1 29.44 3 St Leger, Wembley (Sep 5, 655m, £5,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Stormy Spirit Joe Pickering 10-1 40.22 12nd Westmead Melody Natalie Savva 8-1 40.30 43rd Westpark Kale Phil Rees Sr. 11-8f 40.38 64th Huberts Consort Tom Reilly 2-1 40.44 25th City Salesman Tom Foster 16-1 40.64 56th Spats Phil Rees Sr. 9-1 00.00 3 Gold Collar, Catford (Sep 24, 555m, £2,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Westmead Power Natalie Savva 11-4 34.98 12nd El Cavalier Ted Griffin 9-4 35.30 63rd Coolmona Nell Phil Rees Sr. 8-1 35.36 34th Black Legend Ted Dickson 7-4f 35.54 55th Findon Venture George Carr 16-1 35.60 26th Attila John Honeysett 7-1 35.68 4 Cesarewitch, Belle Vue (Oct 8, 815m, £2,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Montrean Harry Bamford 4-6f 51.64 12nd Langford Dacoit George Curtis 7-2 51.65 43rd Westpark Kale John Coleman 7-2 51.73 64th Hard Fact 20-1 51.76 25th Westmead Fun Natalie Savva 14-1 52.00 56th Westown Adam Natalie Savva 6-1 52.03 3 The Grand Prix, Walthamstow (Oct 22, 640m, £2,500)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Paradise Spectre Pat Mullins 6-4f 40.19 42nd Stormy Spirit Joe Pickering 3-1 40.25 13rd Lyons King Edna Wearing 40-1 40.41 64th Westmead Melody Natalie Savva 25-1 40.45 35th Huberts Consort Tom Reilly 7-2 40.46 26th Miss Kilkenny Bill Bookle 4-1 00.00 5 Oaks, Harringay (Nov 4, 475m, £1,750)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Switch Off Jim Singleton 6-4f 28.69 42nd Westmead Myra John Horsfall 5-1 28.91 63rd What Now Janet Dickenson 13-8 28.91 14th Coolmona Nell Phil Rees Sr. 12-1 28.94 25th Portland Dusty Frank Melville 20-1 29.06 36th House Party Geoff De Mulder 6-1 29.16 5 Totalisator returns The totalisator returns declared to the licensing authorities for the year 1977 are listed below.Particulars of Licensed tracks, table 1 Licensed Dog Racecourses 1977 Licensing Authorities StadiumTurnover £London (White City) 7,472,853London (Walthamstow) 6,780,327London (Wimbledon) 5,602,232London (Harringay) 3,225,666London (Catford) 2,988,407London (Wembley) 2,963,407Romford 2,872,758Manchester (Belle Vue) 2,365,431Slough 2,340,980Brighton & Hove 2,289,829Edinburgh (Powderhall) 2,175,997Birmingham (Hall Green) 2,136,622Crayford & Bexleyheath 1,935,220Birmingham (Perry Barr, old)1,815,654Southend-on-Sea 1,586,078Newcastle (Brough Park) 1,513,384 StadiumTurnover £Leeds (Elland Road) 1,475,951Glasgow (Shawfield) 1,413,503Sheffield (Owlerton) 1,355,543Wolverhampton (Monmore)1,235,879Manchester (White City) 1,163,666London (Hackney) 995,338Bristol (Eastville) 933,605Derby840,983Gloucester & Cheltenham 809,077Rochester & Chatham 797,707Yarmouth 770,844Newcastle (Gosforth)766,361Willenhall 615,635Ramsgate (Dumpton Park) 582,505Portsmouth 577,220Poole465,464 StadiumTurnover £Reading 435,864Cardiff (Arms Park) 431,519Hull (Old Craven Park) 415,318Oxford392,313Middlesbrough 383,173Milton Keynes372,997Leicester (Blackbird Rd) 331,615Cradley Heath 326,623Preston 265,118Rye House 259,851Swindon 250,998London (Watford) 249,247Ipswich 245,209Henlow (Bedfordshire) 205,000Norton Canes 205,000Halifax 52,000 References 30em Category:Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom Category:Greyhound racing in the Republic of Ireland UK and Ireland Greyhound Racing Year UK and Ireland Greyhound Racing Year UK and Ireland Greyhound Racing Year UK and Ireland Greyhound Racing Year