2018 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 93rd year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and the 92nd year of greyhound racing in Ireland.
Roll of honour Major Winners Award Name of Winner2018 English Greyhound Derby Dorotas Wildcat (Kevin Hutton)2018 Irish Greyhound Derby Ballyanne Sim (James Robinson)Greyhound Trainer of the Year Mark WallisUK Greyhound of the Year Dorotas WildcatIrish Greyhound of the YearBallyanne Sim
Gain GTA Trainers Championship, (Towcester) (21 Apr) Pos Name of Trainer Points1st Mark Wallis 592nd Kevin Hutton 453rd Liz McNair 424th Paul Young 345th Patrick Janssens 276th Seamus Cahill 17
Summary The year revolved around two major events, the first was the ongoing battle for broadcasting rights between Satellite Information Services (SIS) and the Arena Racing Company (ARC). The second was the devastating news that Towcester racecourse, headed by Lord Hesketh was put into administration. On 23 August KPMG were appointed as administrators and 134 out of 137 members of staff at the racecourse were made redundant, many having to claim statutory redundancy from the government. The last greyhound meeting was on 12 August.
On 13 November it was announced by the administrators that the racecourse's assets were being sold to a company called Fermor Land LLP. This company was formed on 18 October (26 days before the sale) and is headed by Lord Hesketh's brother-in-law Mark Westropp, a trustee of the Hesketh Family trusts.
Dorotas Wildcat won the last Derby at Towcester and then following a rest came back to win the Eclipse in late November. The Kevin Hutton trained black dog was the first Derby champion to win a competition (post Derby) since Taylors Sky in 2011.
News On 9 April bookmakers and betting exchanges informed the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport whether they were going to contribute to the British Greyhound Racing Fund. The fund which is pivotal for the welfare of greyhounds involved in Greyhound Board of Great Britain licensed racing is voluntary and based on the profits. Betfair and Sky Betting & Gaming were the high-profile companies that refused to contribute which attracted criticism from the industry. One month later on 17 May, it was announced by Culture secretary Matt Hancock that betting stakes on fixed-odds betting terminals (known as FOBTs) would be reduced to £2 maximum. Consequently, income generated by betting shops could reduce, which could affect the general health of both the horse racing and greyhound racing industries and lead to an uncertain period ahead.
Eight ex-Towcester trainers joined Henlow, including Mark Wallis and Nick Savva while Kevin Hutton joined Monmore and Patrick Janssens joined Central Park Stadium. Wallis would go on to extend his record number of wins as Greyhound Trainer of the Year by securing a tenth success and a seventh in succession despite a late challenge from Kevin Hutton.
John Gilburn died after a heart attack aged 65, the Sheffield director was an extremely popular figure within the industry. Former BGRB Chief Executive Geoffrey Thomas also died, he was best known for the 'New Deal', a failed attempt in 2002 to gain a better deal for the tracks from the bookmakers.
Tracks Mildenhall Stadium closed to greyhound racing on 15 January following the ongoing problems experienced by the track, leaving 22 registered stadia with the Greyhound Board of Great Britain. The proposed Swindon development showed no further progress in relation to a new track layout, new housing now bordered the existing track and it had now passed the three year mark since Clarke Osborne (MD) had informed the greyhound connections that work was due to start.
Competitions Mark Wallis won a third Trainers Championship stopping Kevin Hutton from winning a fourth consecutive title. The Other Reg secured the Scottish Greyhound Derby title. Hutton then made amends by winning his first Derby title with Dorotas Wildcat.
As a result of the Towcester administration three major events, the ECC Timber Puppy Derby, the Oaks and the TV Trophy were left uncontested in the racing schedule. The rights for the TV Trophy held by Greyhound Board of Great Britain was rescheduled for Crayford in December. Both the Oaks and Puppy Derby received new homes in Swindon and Henlow respectively.
Principal UK finals
Ladbrokes Golden Jacket, Crayford (27 Feb, 714m, £17,500)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st Shotgun Bullet 35-4f44.95Derek Knight2nd Mrs Roo49-245.25Simon Harms3rd Rubys Rascal 14-145.45 Mark Wallis 4thGoldies Hotspur69-245.57Patrick Janssens 5th Piemans Jet 514-145.67David Mullins6th Cincinnati 27-145.91 Mark Wallis
Racing Post Scottish Derby, Shawfield (14 April, 480m, £20,000)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st The Other Reg 4 5-2 28.87 Pat Rosney2nd Dropzone 5 8-1 29.01 Elaine Parker3rd Borna Account 3 4-1 29.05 Pat Buckley4th Lightfoot King 65-1 29.08 Elaine Parker5th Dorotas Vic 16-4f 29.16 Charlie Lister OBE6th Black Farren 2 5-1 29.24 Mark Wallis
John Smith's Grand National, Central Park (27 April, 480mH, £8,000)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st Parkers Dynamite 3 7-4 29.46 Mark Wallis2nd Razldazl Raidio5 5-4f29.90Ricky Holloway3rd Barricane Jack 2 12-130.02Ricky Holloway4th Young Coumbus1 33-130.16Paul Young5th Swift Dartmoor4 8-1 30.20 Mark Wallis6th The Alickadoo6 8-1 30.36Barry O'Sullivan
William Hill Grand Prix, Sunderland (18 Jul, 640m, £15,000)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st Bombers Bullet 4 9-4 39.10 Mark Wallis2nd Swift Hansel 3 10-139.13Anneliese Thompson3rd Donation 6 5-139.14Heather Dimmock4thLightfoot King 2 6-4f39.36Elaine Parker5thLooking Sharp 1 12-1 39.58Pat Rosney6th Ballymac Twitter 54-140.08Kelly Macari
William Hill Classic, Sunderland (18 Jul, 450m, £25,000)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st Allowdale Bruno 6 10-1 26.75 Harry Williams2nd Bubbly Bluebird 4 5-126.94Paul Young3rd King Elvis 31-1jf 27.16Liz McNair4th Holdem Zidane 520-1 27.20Carol Weatherall5th King Turbo 1 1-1jf 27.37Liz McNair6th Azzurri Genesis 2 14-1 27.41Pat Rosney
RPGTV East Anglian Derby, Yarmouth (20 Sep, 462m, £15,000)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st Affane Party 39-4 27.32John Lambe2ndSeaglass Phantom 4 6-127.59Patrick Janssens3rd King Elvis 62-1f 27.88Liz McNair4th Kilmore Lemon 5 7-2 27.98Patrick Janssens5th Dog Mac Arthure 2 12-128.01David Pruhs6thBubbly Bluebird 1 13-228.16Paul Young
GRA St Leger, Perry Barr (17 Nov, 710m, £5,500)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st Calico Ranger 6 9-4 43.09 Carol Weatherall 2nd Slippy Maggie 4 5-2 43.15 Hazel Kemp3rd Ridgedale Gold 1 7-1 43.51 Phil Simmonds4th Minnies Highway 312-1 43.53 John Mullins 5th Token Memory 220-1 43.59 Ian Bradford 6th Magical Icarus 5 11-8f 43.71 David Jeans
Ladbrokes TV Trophy, Crayford (8 Dec, 874m, £9,000)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st Savana Winner 4 4-156.87Diane Henry2nd Goldies Hotspur 57-1 56.95Patrick Janssens3rd Tellhersomething 6 20-156.97John Blencowe4th Slippy Maggie 2 6-4jf 57.19Hazel Kemp5th Maireads Ivy 1 6-4jf 57.20Derek Knight6th Slippy Maska 3 50-157.92Hazel Kemp
Conlon Family and Pin-Point Recruitment Laurels, Newcastle (13 Dec, 480m, £5,000)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st Nadurra Ross 1 5-1 28.46 John McLachlan2nd Bramble Reggie 2 5-1 28.52 Steve Anderson3rd Droopys Verve 3 4-5f 28.65 Angela Harrison4th Bramble Milburn 6 12-1 28.87Steve Anderson5th Droopys Nadal 5 16-1 29.06 Angela Harrison6th Drooys Trapper 4 3-1 29.24 Angela Harrison
Oaks, Abbey Stadium (22 Dec, 480m, £15,000)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st Ravenswood Flo1 3-1 28.82 Kevin Hutton2nd Magical Vera 63-1 28.91 Kevin Hutton3rd Emers Cookie2 10-1 29.09 Paul Meek4th Ballynabee Lucy 3 8-129.16 Barry O'Sullivan5th Jumeirah Charm4 5-2f29.28 Gerry Holian6thChubbys Caviar 5 7-2 2958 Mark Wallis
Principal Irish finals
Ladbrokes Easter Cup, Shelbourne (10 Mar, 550y, €25,000)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st Colarhouse Gerry 1 9-2 29.56 Owen McKenna2nd Kilgraney Master 6 7-1 29.84 Thomas Buggy3rd Fast Fit Alex 5 25-1 29.86 Noel Walker4th Karlow Joe 3 14-1 29.91 Henry Kelly5th Good News 2 1-1f 29.96 Patrick Guilfoyle6th Droopys Noah 4 9-4 30.21 John Linehan
Kirby Memorial Stakes, Limerick (21 Apr, 525y, €80,000)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st Droopys Davy 6 4-5f 28.10 Pat Buckley2nd Da Head Hunter 2 6-1 28.52Peter Cronin3rd Slippy Cian 4 9-2 28.66Graham Holland4th Master Jingles 110-1 28.97 Francis Murray5th Lemon Shane 3 7-2 29.08Gerry Holian6th Blue East 5 8-1 29.53Graham Holland
Sporting Press Oaks, Shelbourne (26 May, 525y, €25,000)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st Jaytee Jordan2 7-228.47 Paul Hennessy2nd Droopys Loom 16-128.52 John Linehan3rd Ballinakil Clare59-4f 28.77 Graham Holland4th Aayamza Express4 9-2 28.80 Karol Ramsbottom5th Tibet 6 5-128.98 Patrick Norris6th Nice Mystery 3 9-229.15 Pat Buckley
Larry O'Rourke National Produce, Clonmel (3 June, 525y, €20,000)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st Cash Is King 6 6-4f 28.43 Brendan Maunsell2nd Nice Charmer 2 7-228.78Graham Holland3rd Pennylane Masara 1 5-228.89Pat Buckley4th Uncle Wexford 3 5-2 29.31James Robinson5th Blue East 55-2 29.41Graham Holland6th Ballyanne Sim 4 4-129.87James Robinson
EOS IT Solutions Dundalk International, Dundalk (12 Jul, 550y, €20,000)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1stDroopys Verve 3 1-1f 29.39+ Angela Harrison (UK)2nd Borna Gin 15-2 29.40Pat Buckley3rd Jumeirah Charm 214-1 29.73Gerry Holian4th Slippery Jade4 20-130.01Larry Dunne5th Whoops Jack5 4-1 30.06Peter Cronin6th Cabra Angel6 7-1 30.34Patrick Guilfoyle + Track record
Irish Independent Laurels, Cork (14 Jul, 525y, €30,000)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st Rockybay Foley 3 4-5f 28.37 Kieran Lynch2ndNative Chimes 25-2 28.58Johnny O'Sullivan3rd Rockybay Rover1 5-1 28.61Kieran Lynch4th Clearly Written 67-1 28.82Denis P O'Malley5th Away Jet5 20-128.89 Paul Hennessy6th Nice Mystery 4 7-129.03Pat Buckley
Boylesports Champion Stakes, Shelbourne (28 July, 550y, €20,000)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st Jaytee Yankee 4 4-1 29.58 Paul Hennessy2nd Frisky Luck 5 5-2f 29.63James Melia3rdClonbrien Hero 1 3-1 29.91Graham Holland4thBallydoyle Flash3 3-129.92Graham Holland5th Ballybough Dad6 6-129.99Martin Murt Leahy6th Clonbrien Prince2 10-1 30.13Graham Holland
Dublin Coach Juvenile Derby, Shelbourne (19 Oct, 550y, €22,500)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st Balline Kyle 6 4-128.60John Byrne2nd Sliabh Liag 4 6-128.77Karol Ramsbottom3rd Ballymac Anton 2 5-4f 28.91Liam Dowling4thBudgie Wudgie 1 10-1 28.98Paul Hennessy5th Ballymac Trinkle 5 8-1 29.04Liam Dowling6th Ulysses 3 7-229.35Leonard O'Hanlon
Barking Buzz App Irish St Leger, Limerick (3 Nov, 550y, €25,000)PosName of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer1st Blastoff Jet 55-1 29.65Philip Buckley2nd Lenson Blinder 4 6-4jf29.79Graham Holland3rd Nice Charmer 1 6-1 29.81Graham Holland4th Clonbrien Prince 3 6-4jf30.02Graham Holland5th Crohane Prince 212-1 30.02Declan Byrne6th Urban Jet 616-1 30.16Robert Roberts
UK Category 1 & 2 competitions +CompetitionDate Venue Winning Greyhound Winning Trainer Time SPNotesCoral Coronation Cup19 JanRomford Shotgun Bullet Derek Knight (Hove)35.2510-11fRacing Post Juvenile6 MarSheffield Bull Run Button Barrie Draper (Sheffield) 28.86 9-4 Cearnsport Springbok9 MarCentral Park Lenson Wilson Ricky Holloway (Central Park) 29.634-9fCoral Essex Vase+16 MarRomford Murrys Act Kevin Boon (Yarmouth)35.342-1Coral Golden Sprint16 Mar Romford Forest Chunk Kevin Hutton (Towcester) 24.03 11-10f Ladbrokes Puppy Derby21 MarMonmore Rising Brandy Matt Dartnall (Towcester) 27.82 7-4 Astute Electronics Gold Cup25 MarTowcester King Turbo Liz McNair (Private) 27.92 7-4jf Kent Silver Salver30 MarCentral Park Roxholme Hat Hayley Keightley (Doncaster) 16.36 1-2f Bresmed Northern Sprint17 AprSheffield Cotton Pants Mark Wallis (Towcester)