2003 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

none March 2026 March 2026 2003 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year Tims Crow.jpg 300px Greyhound of the Year Tims Crow 2002 2004 The 2003 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 78th 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 77th 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 Summary The industry suffered a huge double blow with the closure of Catford and the English Greyhound Derby fiasco. Catford Stadium, owned by GRA was closed with little warning. The last meeting was on the 5 November leaving the staff, trainers and many others redundant.https://betting.betfair.com/greyhound-racing/lost-tracks/post-131107.html Catford greyhound track: gone but not forgotten Betfair.comhttps://www.standard.co.uk/sport/catfords-gone-to-the-dogs-7225924.html Catford's gone to the dogs 14 April 2012 Evening Standard Trainers John Simpson, Tony Taylor, Maxine Locke and John Walsh moved to Wimbledon, Keston based Steve Gammon left for Crayford, Sonja Spiers and Kevin Connor went to Sittingbourne and Mark Lavender switched to Portsmouth. Racing Manager Derek Hope was able to take up the same position at Wimbledon soon after because Simon Harris had left for Coventry Stadium bookmaker John Humphreys, who had stood in the main ring since 1966 and sponsored the Gold Collar for 18 years, retired. The 2003 English Greyhound Derby took place as usual with the final being held on 28 June. The final resulted in the disqualification of Droopys Hewitt, trained by Andy Iaonnou a first season trainer and former head man to Nick Savva. A sample taken by the stewards (the usual practice) was tested as positive and following a six-month court battle the National Greyhound Racing Club stewards finally prevailed and stripped the Derby title from Droopys Hewitt and awarded it to second place Farloe Verdict. The winner Farloe Verdict received £75,000 and the disgraced Iaonnou was banned from the sport.Hobbs Jonathan Greyhound Annual 2008, page 91 2007 Raceform 978-1-905153-53-4 The 2003 Irish Greyhound Derby suffered no such troubles and was won by Climate Control.http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?r=560978 Irish Derby Final Greyhound Data Charlie Lister was Greyhound Trainer of the Year, it was the first time he had taken the honour despite all of his previous success. Brian Clemenson landed the trainers championship for the second successive year. The title of greyhound of the year went to Tims Crow.Hobbs Jonathan Greyhound Annual 2005 2004 Raceform 1-904317-58-8http://greyhoundstar.co.uk/remember-december-5/ Remember When December (2019) Greyhound Star 22 December 2019 Tracks Dundalk officially opened their new Dundalk Stadium on 29 November 2003 to the cost of €11 million. The minister for sport John O'Donoghue conducted the opening.https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/dundalk-presents-all-weather-track-plan-164177.html Dundalk presents all-weather track plan 30 August 2004 Irish Examinerhttp://www.greyhound-data.com/stadia.htm?land=ie&st=12021 Dundalk Greyhound Data William Hill bookmakers purchased Brough Park and it underwent major investment, similar to that of Sunderland, which William Hill had acquired the year before. Auchinleck in East Ayrshire, a major independent (unlicensed track) closed after seventy years racing. The track was the birthplace of famous Scottish bookmaker Fearless Freddie Williamshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/2296027/Never-bet-against-Fearless-Freddie-Freddie.html Never bet against Fearless Freddie Freddie April 2008 The Telegraph who had his first pitch there many years ago.https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/legendary-bookie-dies-sleep-2453943 Legendary bookie dies in his sleep 26 June 2008 Daily Record Competitions Former Springbok champion Rossa Ranger set a new track record over 385 hurdles at Crayford recording a remarkable 23.36, faster than the flat heats of the Rosebowl on the same night. However he failed to make it past the Grand National first round. The event went to Selby Ben continuing Tommy Foster's success in the hurdle classic. Charlie Lister lifted the Scottish Greyhound Derby with new Irish acquisition Micks Mystic. Shelbourne Star lost his St Leger title after a positive test. thumb|Shelbourne Star News There was continued debating on two issues; whether a levy should be paid to the sport in place of the Bookmakers contributions and how to increase funding in welfare to ensure that the industry could meet and exceed the requirements set by DEFRA and the Animal Welfare Bill. Trainer Joe Cobbold died after a long battle with cancer aged 71, his son Trevor Cobbold had died nearly ten years previous with cancer; the Utopia kennels had produced countless champions under the 'Decoy' prefix.https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Greyhounds%3A+Joe+Cobbold+dies%2C+aged+76.-a0105271081 Greyhounds: Joe Cobbold dies, aged 76 Racing Post Roll of honour Major Winners Award Name of Winner2003 English Greyhound Derby Farloe Verdict2003 Irish Greyhound Derby Climate ControlGreyhound Trainer of the Year Charlie ListerGreyhound of the Year Tims CrowIrish Dog and Bitch of the Year Climate Control / Mustang Mega Trainers Championship, Sittingbourne (May 4) Pos Name of Trainer Points1st Brian Clemenson 562nd Linda Jones 473rd Paul Young 304th Cheryl Miller 295th Seamus Cahill 256thJohn Mullins 21 Principal UK finals William Hill Grand National, Wimbledon (Mar 18, 460mH, £7,500) PosName of GreyhoundTrainerSP TimeTrap 1st Selby Ben Tommy Foster 12-1 28.45 22ndTake A Tonic Paul Young 5-1 28.57 43rdShopitaly Seamus Cahill 2-1f 28.59 14thHigh Roller Barry O’Sullivan 4-1 28.69 65thUltra Low Norah McEllistrim 7-1 28.69 36thCoogee Tel Boy George Andreas 7-2 28.72 5 Regal Scottish Derby, Shawfield (Apr 5, 480m, £25,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1stMicks Mystic Charlie Lister 4-6f 29.07 52ndBomber Graham Pat Rosney12-1 29.47 33rdUnassailable Tommy Gentles10-1 29.53 14thSwift Star Paul Young8-1 29.83 65thSportsman Linda Jones5-1 29.97 46thStay Please Janis Carmichael10-1 30.31 2 Reading Masters, Reading (Jul 20, 465m, £20,000) PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1stBlonde Ranger John Mullins 6-1 28.00 52ndHaughty Ted Dinky Luckhurst 9-4f 28.10 13rdIceman Merlin Tony Lucas 5-2 28.22 64thShirl Tel Kel George Andreas 14-1 28.30 35thFarloe Hack Barrie Draper 11-4 28.44 46thNightingale Babe Liz Redpath 10-1 28.64 2 William Hill Cesarewitch, Oxford (Jul 22, 645m, £5,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1stMaxie Rumble John Mullins 1-1f 39.62 22ndCreamery City Nick Colton 25-1 39.72 33rdIceman Yank Tony Lucas9-2 39.73 64thCreamery Euro Nick Colton6-4 39.82 15thJago Pride Richard Jago33-1 40.10 46thSouthlodge Rage Nick Colton16-1 40.21 5 Tote Gold Collar, Catford (Sep 18, 555m, £7,500)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1stToms Little Jo Gary Baggs 3-1 34.56 32ndTopmeup Paul Garland 4-1 35.00 13rdWall of Tears Claude Gardiner 2-1f 35.12 64thSympatico Bernie Doyle 10-1 35.20 25thIceman Mork Tony Lucas 33-1 35.36 56thMaster Card John Coleman 3-1 35.46 4 Victor Chandler Grand Prix, Walthamstow (Oct 4, 640m, £10,000) PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1stSpecial Trick Linda Jones 4-1 39.85 32ndBale Out Jim Reynolds5-2f 40.09 13rdLittle Sapphire John Mullins10-1 40.41 54thSoviet Swinger Ernie Gaskin Sr.3-1 40.51 25thSplit the ScoreJohn Mullins5-1 40.59 46thBallyshane Snow Gary Baggs6-1 40.856 William Hill TV Trophy, Wimbledon (Oct 7, 872m, £6,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1stEricas Equity Paul Young 6-4 54.62 32ndShelbourne Star Brian Clemenson 7-1 54.6613rdCreamery Euro Nick Colton 7-1 54.78 24thIceman Yank Tony Lucas 1-1f 55.00 45thVigorous Brook Linda Jones 16-1 55.03 5N/RSimilar Colour Ernie Gaskin Sr. 6 William Hill Laurels, Belle Vue (Oct 28, 465m, £8,000) PosName of GreyhoundTrainerSP Time Trap 1stKnockeevan Magic Peter Rich 11-10f 28.25 12ndBally Kee Charlie Lister 7-4 28.53 33rdBomber Graham Pat Rosney8-1 28.66 24thStuart LittleGraham Hutt9-1 29.23 55thMissy Elliot Anthony McConnell8-1 29.32 6N/RBurberry Boy Charlie Lister 4 William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (Nov 11, 668m, £13,000) PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1stBite the Bullet Wayne Brunt20-1 41.38 22ndTullymurry Token Martin Dowman 33-1 41.41 53rdDouble Take Andy Heyes16-1 41.46 44thSpecial Trick Linda Jones 2-1 41.53 3N/RFortuna Phantom Tony Lucas 6disq+Shelbourne Star Brian Clemenson 4-7f 41.21 1 + disqualified after winning the race following a positive drugs test William Hill Oaks, Wimbledon (Dec 2, 480m, £6,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1stCooly Pantera Brian Clemenson 11-8f 29.18 42ndDroopys Natalie Charlie Lister 6-1 29.24 63rdZodiac Supreme Norah McEllistrim 6-1 29.32 54thDuchess Keghtley Graham Hutt 9-4 29.34 35thLizzie Larsson John Mullins 10-1 29.40 26thWhitefort Jackie Terry Kibble 20-1 29.62 1 Principal Irish finals Easter CupShelbourne (Apr 12, 525y, €50,000)PosName of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Mobhi Gamble https://www.igb.ie/results/view-results/?track=SPK&date=12-Apr-03#race9 Easter Cup Final Irish Greyhound Board 4-1 28.4762nd Clover Hare 9-10f 28.4823rd Borna Pilot 7-2 28.6534th Johnny Jump Up 20-1 29.0745th Ten Men 6-1 29.2116th Haliska Hilander 50-1 29.325 Red Mills Produce Clonmel (May 4, 525y, €30,000)PosName of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Clashduff Fun https://www.igb.ie/results/view-results/?track=CML&date=04-May-03#race8 Produce Final Irish Greyhound Board 2-128.7962nd Safari King 7-228.8923rd Land of Song 20-128.9344th Officer Joe 7-4f29.2115th Dunloe Prince 3-129.423N/R Davran Chief 5 Ladbrokes 600 Shelbourne (May 10, 600y, €35,000)PosName of Greyhound SP Time Trap1st The Other Master https://www.igb.ie/results/view-results/?track=SPK&date=10-May-03#race7 600 Final Irish Greyhound Board 4-1 32.81 32nd Frisby Fassan4-1 32.82 63rd Odette 6-1 32.89 14th Diego Glory12-1 33.06 25th Charlie Bird6-1 33.8046th Kansil O Kee 7-4f 00.00 5 Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger Limerick (Jun 8, 550y, €35,000)PosName of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st Mountleader Rolf https://www.igb.ie/results/view-results/?track=LMK&date=08-Jun-03#race8 St Leger Final Irish Greyhound Board 5-2 30.0162nd Nikita Billie 7-1 30.0233rd Nod Mac 6-4f30.0944th Land of Song 20-1 30.4455th Balscadden Boy 2-1 30.511N/R Maryville Rumble 2 Sporting Press Oaks Shelbourne (Jul 19, 525y, €35,000)PosName of Greyhound SP Time Trap1st Axle Grease https://www.igb.ie/results/view-results/?track=SPK&date=19-Jul-03#race7 Oaks Final Irish Greyhound Board 11-10f28.6442nd Mustang Mega 3-128.6613rd One Yard 4-128.9024th Odette 20-129.2535th Longvalley Tina 14-129.3666th Alisons Pet 20-129.575 Boylesports Champion Stakes Shelbourne (Aug 2, 550y, €40,000)PosName of Greyhound SP Time Trap 1st World Class https://www.igb.ie/results/view-results/?track=SPK&date=02-Aug-03#race7 Champion Stakes Final Irish Greyhound Board 16-1 29.7222nd Priceless Rebel 12-1 29.8613rd Bookie Burglar 12-1 30.3534th Magical Captain 16-1 30.3665th Serene Rumble 2-1 30.5346th Climate Control 1-1f31.235 BCR Press/Droopys Vieri Puppy Derby Harolds Cross (Oct 10, 525y, €50,000) PosName of Greyhound SP Time Trap1st Droopys Cahill https://www.igb.ie/results/view-results/?track=HRX&date=10-Oct-03#race7 Puppy Derby Final Irish Greyhound Board 5-4f28.5522nd Jack Spark 6-128.7943rd Side Cash 6-128.8634th Early Mist 4-128.8855th Ballymac Returns 4-128.9566th Bo Bo 12-129.061 Co-Op Superstores LaurelsCork (Oct 25, 525y, €35,000)PosName of Greyhound SP Time Trap1st Nikita Billie https://www.igb.ie/results/view-results/?track=CRK&date=25-Oct-03#race8 Laurels Final Irish Greyhound Board 9-228.3432nd Droopys Ruud 2-1f28.4423rd Droopys Oasis 7-228.6554th Fiery Lark 12-1 28.9015th Mustang Buster 7-228.9146th Oasis Rumble 14-129.196 Totalisator returns The totalisator returns declared to the National Greyhound Racing Club for the year 2003 are listed below.Totalisator returns of National Greyhound Racing Club Licensed tracks 2003 National Greyhound Racing Club StadiumTurnover £Walthamstow 12,443,362Wimbledon 8,339,296Romford 7,809,747Belle Vue6,173,275Brighton & Hove 5,545,416Hall Green 5,167,047Peterborough 4,715,084Sheffield 4,291,468Oxford2,712,891Crayford 2,649,075Sunderland 2,417,402 StadiumTurnover £Perry Barr 2,067,766Nottingham 2,052,803Monmore2,048,880Catford 2,012,983Yarmouth 1,977,638Poole1,806,475Shawfield 1,805,827Swindon 1,611,112Milton Keynes1,551,192Sittingbourne 1,417,520Portsmouth 1,404,526 StadiumTurnover £Brough Park 1,303,000Reading 943,155Kinsley 903,734Stainforth 897,660Harlow 879,097Mildenhall 309,636Henlow 164,288Rye House 121,225Hull (New Craven Park) 27,205Hull (Boulevard) 23,680 References 30em Category:Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom Category:Greyhound racing in the Republic of Ireland Category:2003 in British sport Category:2003 in Irish sport