1945 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

none 1945 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year 1944 1946 The 1945 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 20th 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 19th 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 Winner1945 English Greyhound Derby Ballyhennessy Seal1945 Irish Greyhound DerbyComyn John 50 Years of Greyhound Racing in Ireland Aherlow Publishers LtdFortune Michael Irish Greyhound Derby 1932-1981 Victory Irish Promotions Ltd Lilac Luck1945 Scottish Greyhound Derby Hobbs Jonathan Greyhound Annual 2008, pages 153-154 2007 Raceform 978-1-905153-53-4 Mondays Son1945 Welsh Greyhound Derby Shaggy Lass Summary The Second World War came to an end in Europe on 8 May, leaving time for the industry to complete a full racing schedule. This included a return of the 1945 English Greyhound Derby that was won by Ballyhennessy Seal.Dack Barrie Greyhound Derby, the first 60 years 80–81 1990 Ringpress Books 0-948955-36-8http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=oxfshlib&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=BasicSearchForm&docId=CS34423010&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0 "Sports in Brief." Times [London, England] 2 July 1945 The Times Attendances and totalisator turnover for NGRC tracks reached record highs, with over 50 million paying customers going through the turnstiles. It was also announced that the NGRC tracks had earned the government £120,000 for war charities during the duration.Genders Roy The Greyhound and Racing Greyhound 1975 Page Brothers (Norwich) 0-85020-0474Genders Roy The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing 1981 Pelham Books Ltd 07207-1106-1Genders Roy NGRC book of Greyhound Racing 1990 Pelham Books Ltd 0-7207-1804-XTarter P Howard Greyhound Racing Encyclopedia 1949 Fleet Publishing Company Ltd Annual totalisator turnover nearly doubled to 137,715,273 (a phenomenal sum in 1945).Particulars of Licensed tracks, table 1 Licensed Dog Racecourses 1945 Licensing Authorities The leading greyhound company, the Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) recorded a record profit of £1,616,000 but £1,230,000 of that was allocated for the liability of excess profit tax and National Defence Contribution.http://tinyurl.galegroup.com/tinyurl/72KoB0 "Greyhound Racing Association." Times, 11 Apr. 1945, p. 10 The Times 11 April 1945 10 The annual report indicated that greyhound racing had served service and industrial workers with a form of relaxation and thereby creating a very substantial contribution to the war effort but warned that much improvement was required to its racetracks to replace damage from the past six years.http://tinyurl.galegroup.com/tinyurl/72LLm4 "Greyhound Racing Association." Times, 2 May 1946, p. 9. The Times 2 May 1946 9 Other tracks reported even worse deductions with the Daily Herald reporting that Wandsworth Stadium Ltd (the company that owned the track) was subject to over 97% government tax deductions. Sidney Parkes the owner of the company revealed that gross profit was £430,000 of which £420,000 was taken by the government in various taxes leaving just £10,000 net profit. He stated "What a money making proposition dog racing is to the Labour government."Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When 1946) November edition Greyhound Star Tracks Reg Perkins (a farming and transport businessman) and George Ellingworth (a garage owner) purchased Peterborough Greyhound Stadium and quickly began to improve facilities. Competitions In addition to the Derby, Ballyhennessy Seal won the Gold Collar at Catford Stadium after a seven length final victory, he also won his heat and semi-final by eight lengths. Nicknamed The Seal, he headed for the Laurels at Wimbledon Stadium and after progressing through the competition with ease, it was reported that he was suffering from rheumatism in his hind legs and he was not responding to treatment. He was withdrawn and retired to stud.http://www.gbgb.org.uk/hall-of-fame.aspx?id=9 Hall of Fame, Ballyhennessy Seal Greyhound Board of Great Britainhttp://www.greyhound-data.com/d?d=ballyhennessy+seal&x=0&y=0 Ballyhennessy Seal Greyhound Data The Grand Prix held its first ever running in November 1945; the event at Walthamstow Stadium would eventually become a classic race. Derby finalist Magic Bohemian won the event for Leslie Reynolds and another Derby finalist Celtic Chief also made the final. Coventry trainer George McKay experienced success with Robeen Printer after winning the St Leger.http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=196107 Robeen Printer Greyhound Data The fawn bitch had arrived in England with a good reputation following a victory in the Irish Laurels and was bought for a record 1,650 guineas, for a bitch, by the Sanderson's, owners of Coventry stadium.Hobbs Jonathan Greyhound Annual 2003 2002 Raceform 1-904317-07-3Barnes Julia Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File 1988 Ringpress Books 0-948955-15-5 Earlier in the year at Eastville Stadium, during the final of the Golden Crest, Shannon Shore had won by ten lengths in a new World Record for 500 yards of 28.76 sec. The Welsh Derby was transferred from White City Stadium, Cardiff to Arms Park following the closure of the former in 1937.http://cardiffhistory.tumblr.com/post/90247762371 Cardiff History Tumblr News Arthur 'Doc' Callanan died at aged 51 after suffering from ill health in Dublin; his legacy was closely linked to the success of Mick the Miller and a new competition was named in his memory at Harold's Cross Stadium, called the Callanan Cup.Tanner Michael The Legend of Mick the Miller: Sporting Icon of the Depression 2004 Highdown Newbury 978-1-904317-67-8 White City became the first track to install a photo finish camera. Magic Beau, a litter brother to the £2,500 acquisition Magic Bohemian, died in the Wembley kennels during December, the fawn and white dog had recently broken the Wembley 525 track record. Ireland Shaggy Lad, at odds of 1-10f won the Irish Puppy Derby final defeating Quare Times by 10 lengths. The fawn dog became the first greyhound to break 28 seconds at Harold's Cross when breaking the track record in the semi-final by recording 27.96. He duly won the final in 27.98. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002318/19451018/087/0004 Shaggy Dog's Record Belfast Telegraph 18 October 1945 4 British Newspaper Archives https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001542/19451020/104/0004 Shaggy Lad wins Puppy Derby Northern Whig 20 October 1945 4 British Newspaper Archives Principal UK races Gold Collar, Catford (Jun 9, 440y)PosName of GreyhoundTrainerSP TimeTrap 1st Ballyhennessy Seal Stan Martin 9-4 25.45 32nd Restorer Sidney Orton 2-1f 26.01 13rd Celtic Chief William Mills 10-1 26.17 54th Tanimon Jerry Hannafin 9-4 26.19 25th Duffys Arrival George McKay 25-1 26.23 46th Tall RallyEastville 50-1 26.55 6 Scottish Greyhound Derby, Carntyne (Jun 30, 525y, £250)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Monday's Son P Moore 5-2jf 29.19 62nd Benmadigan Brough Park 16-1 29.43 43rd Alvaston Lulu Belle Ken Newham 5-2jf 29.44 54th Joves Reminder Cornelius Crowley 3-1 29.60 35th Brilliant Leader P Moore 8-1 29.68 26th Blarney BrideClapton 8-1 29.84 1 Scurry Gold Cup, Clapton (Jul 28, 400y £500)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Country Life Paddy McEllistrim 10-1 23.5032nd Wandering Lad George McKay 100-6 23.58 53rd Monday's Son P Moore 6-4f 23.62 24th Cockeyed Cutlet Jack Harvey 7-2 23.66 65th Netties Ranger Charles Cross 15-8 23.82 1N/R Joves Reminder Cornelius Crowley Welsh Derby, Arms Park (Jul 28, 525y, £200)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Shaggy Lass G.H.Vickery 4-5f 29.75 12nd Duffys Arrival George McKay 1-1 29.81 63rd Captured Den 25-1 29.85 54th Dearly Beloved 100-7 30.09 25th Bomb Damage 40-1 30.33 46th The Real McCoy Bill Doolan 100-7 30.73 3 Laurels, Wimbledon (Aug 25, 500y, £500)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Burhill Moon Sidney Orton 1-3f 28.42 32nd Country Life Paddy McEllistrim 10-1 28.46 43rd Race Day Ivy Regan 100-6 28.78 64th Lookout PostWembley 8-1 29.26 55th Wandering Lad George McKay 10-1 29.58 1N/R Shannon Shore Leslie Reynolds St Leger, Wembley (Sep 22, 700y, £500)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Robeen Printer George McKay 2-5f 40.03 62nd Cherrys EqualWalthamstow 11-4 40.31 33rd Ryans Rofe 100-7 40.43 24thGirlie O'Connor 100-7 40.49 15th Mountjoy SquareNewcastle 100-7 40.61 5N/R Rushton Paul Jerry Hannafin Oaks, White City (Oct 20, 525y)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Prancing Kitty Paddy Fortune 13-8 29.54 32nd Robeen Printer George McKay 11-8f 29.70 43rd Trevs Fashion Fred Trevillion 7-1 29.72 24th Swanky Ration 20-1 29.88 15th Cassas Spot Lights 5-1 30.04 5N/R Lady Grosvenor The Grand Prix Walthamstow (Nov 10, 525y)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Magic Bohemian Leslie Reynolds 10-11f 30.05 22nd Keel Hackie Jim Syder Sr. 6-1 30.37 43rd Overtime Paddy Fortune 10-1 30.53 34th Bradwell Cutlet Jack Harvey 7-1 30.69 15th Celtic Chief William Mills 12-1 30.85 56th Good as Gold IIF Deathbridge 9-2 31.09 6 Cesarewitch, West Ham (Dec 29, 550y, £500)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Hurry Kitty William Mills 5-4f 31.26 52nd Gala Flash C Lee 5-2 31.98 33rd Burhill Moon Sidney Orton 7-2 32.02 44th Kilcora Master 25-1 32.42 65th Prancing Kitty Paddy Fortune 8-1 32.46 16thLights Conceited 50-1 32.78 2 Totalisator Returns The totalisator returns declared to the licensing authorities for the year 1945 are listed below. Tracks that did not have a totalisator in operation are not listed. StadiumTurnover £London (White City) 13,479,412London (Wembley) 7,976,384London (Harringay) 7,935,367London (Wimbledon) 5,815,527London (Walthamstow) 5,366,513London (Clapton) 3,918,648London (Stamford Bridge) 3,680,966London (Catford) 3,617,372London (Wandsworth) 3,286,551Birmingham (Perry Barr, old) 3,266,682Glasgow (Shawfield) 2,919,380Manchester (Belle Vue) 2,884,864London (Park Royal) 2,534,168London (New Cross) 2,468,997London (Hackney) 1,968,866Birmingham (Hall Green) 1,914,697Bradford (Greenfield) 1,902,256Brighton & Hove 1,793,940Coventry (Lythalls Lane)1,708,153Glasgow (White City) 1,705,239London (Hendon) 1,695,935Bristol (Eastville) 1,676,874Newcastle (Brough Park) 1,665,313Manchester (Salford) 1,648,322Sheffield (Owlerton) 1,641,206Glasgow (Albion) 1,613,415Leicester (Blackbird Rd) 1,605,8307Edinburgh (Powderhall) 1,578,156Glasgow (Carntyne) 1,554,073 Crayford & Bexleyheath 1,307,377Sheffield (Darnall) 1,302,954London (Dagenham)1,295,066London (Charlton) 1,279,410 StadiumTurnover £Nottingham (White City) 1,235,825Wolverhampton (Monmore)1,220,595Gateshead 1,218,313Newcastle (Gosforth)1,117,734Cardiff (Arms Park) 1,116,602Liverpool (Stanley) 1,112,331Birmingham (Kings Heath) 1,045,019Blackpool (St Anne's) 1,004,572Liverpool (Seaforth) 951,523Romford 951,011Reading (Oxford Road) 915,195Norwich (Boundary Park) 911,831Gloucester & Cheltenham 908,002Manchester (White City) 891,503Southampton 880,980Slough 854,889Hull (Old Craven Park)841,469Leeds (Elland Road) 841,100Plymouth 838,453Sunderland 812,291Bradford (City) 812,065Rochester & Chatham 811,044Newcastle (White City) 753,953Portsmouth 744,735Liverpool (White City)726,440Ashington (Co Durham) 705,074South Shields 651,274Stanley (Co Durham) 596,337Stoke-on-Trent (Hanley) 585,560Exeter (County Ground) 543,842Stoke-on-Trent (Cobridge) 539,623Norwich (City) 534,157Bristol (Knowle) 526,342 StadiumTurnover £Middlesbrough 480,284Newport 469,850Glasgow (Firhill) 468,398Ipswich 460,562London (West Ham) 454,336Exeter (Marsh Barton) 432,925Bolton 429,744Warrington 403,406Preston 394,118Rochdale 370,605Houghton-le-Spring 368,138Sheffield (Hyde Park)364,626West Hartlepool 343,441Long Eaton301,800Easington (Co Durham) 227,019Luton 224,505London (Southall) 219,994Oxford 214,138London (Stratford) 200,194Coundon (Co Durham) 161,175Falkirk (Brockville Park) 128,649Aldershot 104,129Rotherham 92,421Leeds (Parkside) 83,345Doncaster (Spotbrough) 76,193Kingskerswell (Devon) 55,138Wombwell (South Yorks)40,715Thornton (Fife) 32,710Worksop 25,922Stockport (Hazel Grove) 21,669Castleford (Whitwood) 20,124 Summary +AreaTurnoverLondon £ 69,452,094Rest of England£ 55,876,707 Wales £ 1,586,452 Scotland £ 10,800,020 Total £ 137,715,273 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