1928 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

none November 2024 November 2024 1928 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year 1927 1929 The 1928 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the third year of greyhound racing in the United KingdomGreyhound Racing South Gloucestershire Gazette 24 Jul 1926 9 March 2026 https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004065/19260724/015/0003 British Newspaper Archive subscription and the second 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 2026 Roll of honour Major Winners Award Name of Winner1928 English Greyhound Derby Boher Ash1928 Irish Greyhound Derby+ Tipperary Hills1928 Scottish Greyhound Derby Glinger Bank1928 Welsh Greyhound Derby Cheerful Choice + unofficial National Derby Summary The oval track form of greyhound racing continued to rapidly grow with numerous tracks, either in the process of being constructed or opening. The Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) continued to lead the way, opening or having a financial interest in new tracks opening in Ramsgate, Cardiff, Nottingham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Brighton and Stoke-on-Trent. The GRA also moved venues in Leeds from Fullerton Park to Elland Road Greyhound Stadium which was literally next door. Other major tracks to open included three London venues; West Ham Stadium with the capacity to accommodate 100,000 spectators, Clapton Stadium designed by the famous architect Sir Owen Williams and Wimbledon Stadium which would become one of the most prominent tracks in the industry. The latter was owned by Bill (W.J) Cearns. Three tracks also opened in Wales; White City Stadium, Cardiff, Glais Stadium and Cardiff Arms Park.Culpepper Clarke Carlo F Greyhound and Greyhound Racing 1934 Methuen & Co Ltd (London)Ash edward C The Book of the Greyhound 1933 Hutchinson & Co. Ltd (London)Tarter P Howard Greyhound Racing Encyclopedia 63 1949 Fleet Publishing Company LtdGenders Roy The Greyhound and Racing Greyhound 1975 Page Brothers (Norwich) 0-85020-0474Genders Roy The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing 1981 Pelham Books Ltd 07207-1106-1Barnes 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 The National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) was formed, the purpose of this organisation was to govern greyhound racing and the body would be responsible for regulation and the rules of racing that came into force on 23 April. The NGRC consisted of twelve stewards usually chosen from military or police backgrounds. The first stewards included E.A.V.Stanley, Lt General Sir Edward Bethune and Major B.D.Corbett. The rules of racing were introduced and updated annually and any track wishing to be associated with them were required to agree to the rules and apply for licences. Tracks that were not licensed were called independent or 'Flapping' tracks, the latter description was not welcomed by the independent tracks. Calendars were formulated containing information for all licensed personal and anyone falling foul of the rules was subject to investigation and punishment. A passport or official identity book for every greyhound was introduced and was a vital component to ensure the policing of greyhounds at every track. The total annual attendance across the country for 1928 increased to 13 million 695,275 from 5,656,686 (in 1927).Particulars of Licensed Tracks 1928 Licensing Authorities With the rise in popularity there was also the growth of opposition to greyhound racing. In March a decision by Salford City Council to cease permitting advertisements of greyhound races on the back of tram tickets was passed by a vote of 26 to 14. Competitions Six new major events were inaugurated during the year.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000378/19311231/192/0007 The Dogs Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail 31 December 1931 British Newspaper Archive subscription 30 November 2024 The Cesarewitch at West Hamhttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001682/19280929/057/0006 West Ham's Cesarewitch Sporting Times 29 September 1928 British Newspaper Archive subscription 29 November 2024 and St Leger at Wembley for stayers and the Scurry Gold Cup at Clapton for sprinters were introduced in London. Three national Derby competitions were started - the Scottish Greyhound Derby at Carntyne,https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000540/19280426/173/0015 Carntyne Scottish Derby The Scotsman 26 April 1928 British Newspaper Archive subscription 30 November 2024 the Welsh Derby at Welsh White City (Cardiff) and the Irish Greyhound Derby at Harolds Cross. The Welsh Derby was not considered a classic event at this stage and the Irish Derby was unofficial. Mick the Miller The first great champion of greyhound racing emerged when on 18 April, Mick the Miller won on debut at Shelbourne Park but was overshadowed by his brother Macoma five days later. Macoma also trained by Horan broke the world record time for 500 yards beating the existing record holder Kriesler in a time of 28.80 sec. Later in the same month the pair went to Celtic Park to contest the Abercorn Cup and during a gallop Macoma caught his leg in the mesh traps breaking his hock. Mick the Miller finished third in the final but made a name for himself when equaling the world record of 28.80 at Shelbourne, a race sandwiched in between the semi and final at Celtic Park. Then Mick the Miller was struck down with distemper. There were no vaccine available and his chances of survival were slim but Arthur 'Doc' Callanan, who was the manager of Shelbourne Park as well as being a qualified veterinary surgeon on site nursed him back to health. In the August, both Mick the Miller and Macoma were put up for sale by Father Brophy. Macoma was sold for 290 guineas but Mick the Millers reserve was not met, a fortunate moment for his owner Father Brophy.Tanner Michael The Legend of Mick the Miller: Sporting Icon of the Depression 2004 Newbury: Highdown 978-1-904317-67-8 Ireland The Irish Derby was unofficial because Harolds Cross decided to run a 'National Derby' without consulting the Irish racing authorities. This was a practice they would continue to do until the formation of classic races in 1932. Also in Ireland it was clear that the 1926 Betting Act passed by the Oireachtas, Dáil Éireann was benefitting the Irish government with funds from the tax it received from gambling. The 5% off course tax and 2.5% on course tax also seemed to be a catalyst for new track builds in Ireland. However a proposed government amendment to tax the unregulated Irish flapping tracks was defeated 66 votes to 48. In Ireland the Harolds Cross Parish Church held sermons called "The Moral Challenge of Greyhound Racing" and the "Religion and the Gambling Spirit". 1928 Unofficial Irish Derby The winner of the 1928 Irish Greyhound Derby was Tipperary Hills. On Thursday 16 August, Tipperary Hills (Billy Quinn), Curristown (John Shannon) and Happy Man won the semi-finals. Tipperary Hills defeated PJ Graham's Battle Island by one length in 30.72 sec, Curristown defeated Gilly Gooly by two lengths in 30.95 sec and the third and final semi final was won by Happy Man (M Hammond) from False Favourite (C Forde) by four lengths in 31.10 sec. Tracks opened DateStadium/TrackLocationNote/ref 11 January Monmore Green Stadium Wolverhampton 21 January Staines Greyhound Stadium Staines-upon-Thames 17 March Woodhouse Lane Stadium Wigan 31 March Hanley Greyhound Stadium Stoke-on-Trent 7 April Long Eaton Stadium Long Eaton 7 April Lythalls Lane Stadium Coventry 7 April Perry Barr Stadium Birmingham 7 April Clapton Stadium London 7 April Cardiff Arms Park Cardiff 7 April White City Stadium, Glasgow Glasgow 7 April Albion Greyhound Racecourse Salford 7 April Northampton Greyhound Stadium Northampton 10 April Harold's Cross Stadium Dublin 14 April Askern Greyhound Stadium Askern 14 April Doncaster Greyhound Track Doncaster 17 April South Yorkshire Sports Stadium Wombwell 21 April Albion Greyhound Stadium Glasgow 23 April Firhill Stadium Glasgow 5 May Beacon Park Plymouth 12 May Huish Athletic Ground Yeovil 18 May Tannadice Park Dundee 19 May Cleveland Park Stadium Middlesbrough https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001714/19280124/011/0011 Cleveland Park Newcastle Daily Chronicle 24 January 1928 British Newspaper Archive subscription 13 December 2024 https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19280519/465/0022 Cleveland Park Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer 19 May 1928 British Newspaper Archive subscription 13 December 2024 19 May Wimbledon Stadium London 26 May Ramsgate Stadium Ramsgate 26 May White City Stadium (Newcastle) Newcastle upon Tynehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002444/19280528/162/0011 Greyhound Racing, Unhappy start at Towneley Park Newcastle Journal 28 May 1928 British Newspaper Archive subscription 13 December 2024 26 May Leicester Stadium Leicester 26 May Dolphin Stadium Slough 26 May Field Mill Mansfield 28 May Pennycross Stadium Plymouth 28 May White City Stadium (Manchester) Manchester 2 June Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium Brighton 9 June Magnet Racecourse Bedminster 16 June Eastville Stadium Bristol 23 June Brough Park Stadium Newcastle 23 June Victoria Park, Bournemouth Bournemouth 27 June The Show Grounds Greyhound Track Cork 30 June Portsmouth Greyhound Track Portsmouth 7 July Glais Stadium Swansea 7 July Central Park Cowdenbeath 21 July Exeter Greyhound Stadium Exeter 28 July West Ham Stadium London 6 August Banister Court Stadium Southampton 6 September Old Craven Park Kingston upon Hull 6 September Dunmore Stadium Belfast 20 October Vicarage Road Watford Major Competitions inaugurated Scottish Greyhound Derby at Carntyne Stadium Scurry Gold Cup at Clapton Stadium St Leger at Wembley Stadium Cesarewitch at West Ham Stadium Welsh Derby at White City Stadium (Cardiff) Principal UK races Scottish Greyhound Derby, Carntyne (Jun 30, 525y, £200)PosName of GreyhoundTrainerTime (sec)SPTrap 1st Glinger Bank John Snowball 30.39 100-6 22nd Ridiculous 30.40 5-1 13rd Wee Murray 30.44 4-7f 4u Loyola 100-6 3u Rockall 5-1 5u Monart Boy 5-1 6 Grand National, White City (Aug 18, 525y h, £700)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Cormorant Sidney Probert 4-1 31.16 12nd Carpio Jack Chadwick 8-11f 31.19 33rd Douro Leslie Reynolds 5-2 31.67 44th Danistol Leslie Reynolds 10-1 2 Oaks, White City (Aug 25, 525y, £700) PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Moselle Jimmy Quinn 1-2f 30.50 32nd Sweet Bessie Harry Woolner 6-1 30.54 53rd Burletta Alf Mulliner 8-1 30.55 4u Bandrol R Wilson 20-1 1u Hantapara 2u Bella Cutlets W Smith 6 Scurry Gold Cup, Clapton (Sep 15, 400y, £100) PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Cruiseline Boy Paddy McEllistrim 4-7f 24.91 52nd Hilman Carr Private 10-1 24.93 43rd Melksham Dodger Sid Jennings 3-1 24.95 64th Finland Renwick 10-1 15th Lahard Boy Clarke 100-7 36th Grenogue Godfrey Hyde-Clarke 5-1 2 St Leger, Wembley (Sep 15, 700y, £650)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Burletta Alf Mulliner 5-2 41.91 32nd Chain Mail Jack Kennedy 10-11f 41.99 23rd Toftwood Millsack Harry Buck 100-6 42.03 5u Bachelor Graham 10-1 1u Welcome Windfall Joe Harmon 6-1 4u Record Race Thomas Cudmore 7-1 6 Welsh Derby, White City (Cardiff) (Oct 13, 525y, £130)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Cheerful Choice Paddy Fortune (Welsh White City) 8-11f 30.73 32nd Jolly Roger William Baldwin (Welsh White City) 8-1 30.97 63rd Glenstal Rover Albert Carter (Welsh White City) 6-1 31.21 1u Berrima Stan Biss (Wimbledon) 5-1 2u Knight of Malta William Baldwin (Welsh White City) 25-1 4u Spittle Rover Paddy Fortune (Welsh White City) 6-1 5 Cesarewitch, West Ham (Oct 20, 600y, £330) PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Dicks Son Bill Fear 6-4jf 34.38 62nd Naughty Jack Horner Jim Syder Sr. 4-1 34.62 13rd Hertford Thomas Cudmore 6-4jf 35.10 4u Record Race Thomas Cudmore 8-1 2u Carberrys Chieftain 100-7 3u Money's Worth Jimmy Lowther 100-7 5 Principal Irish finals Grand National, Shelbourne (525 H, 14 April)PosName of Greyhound SP Time 1st The Tanker 4-131. 2nd Rathmullen 10-1 u My Regret 4-1 u Beaded Shamrock 4-6f Easter Cup, Shelbourne (525y, 16 April)PosName of Greyhound SP Time 1st Odd Blade 1-2f 30.64 2nd Debonair 7-2 30.66 3rd Moselle u Doubtful Dick u Emerald Isle u Bluette Key U = unplaced References 30em Category:Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom Category:Greyhound racing in the Republic of Ireland Category:1928 in British sport Category:1928 in Irish sport Category:1928 in Welsh sport Category:1928 in Scottish sport