# 2006 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2006 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 81st year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

## Summary

The 2005 English Greyhound Derby champion Westmead Hawk became only the fourth greyhound in history to win the Derby for a second time emulating the achievement of Mick the Miller (1929 & 1930), Patricias Hope (1972 & 1973) and Rapid Ranger (2000 & 2001). Returning from winter rest the Nick Savva trained greyhound lost to Fear Me, in the final of the BGRB Scottish Derby before creating his own piece of history.
Westmead Hawk suffered a serious injury later in the year which resulted in him missing the 2006 Irish Greyhound Derby, an event that was won by Razldazl Billy trained by Dolores Ruth. Westmead Hawk was duly voted the Greyhound of the Year. Charlie Lister was Greyhound Trainer of the Year.

### Tracks

Rye House Stadium, built in 1935, closed for good on the 15 November, just two years after re-opening.

### Competitions

The battle between the countries two top staying (longer distance) greyhounds continued; Greenacre Lin defeated Roxholme Girl in the Golden Jacket final and then Roxholme Girl gained revenge by winning the William Hill TV Trophy. Greenacre Lin won the Cesarewitch and then Roxholme Girl headed for Manchester and claimed victory in the Gold Collar. They both bypassed the Grand Prix which was won by January Tiger trained by Mark Wallis, who had five of the finalists. Greenacre Lin was retired form racing in September and was voted stayer of the year.

### News

GRA track Wimbledon lost four trainers during the course of the year. Seamus Cahill and Paul Garland both moved to Walthamstow Stadium followed by Ray Peacock and John Walsh leaving for Romford and Harlow respectively. Two replacements were Jason Foster from Oxford and Paul Donovan from Reading Stadium.
Walthamstow also appointed new trainers in Peter Rich and Kelly Mullins (son of Linda Mullins). Coincidentally earlier in the year Kelly's brother John Mullins had left Walthamstow to concentrate solely on operating an open-race kennel at Capel St. Mary. Oxford's leading trainer Nick Colton joined sister track Hall Green.
An article by the News of the World on the use of cocaine in society also suggests its use is rife in greyhound racing. The National Greyhound Racing Club responds with evidence that in over 70,000 samples taken during the year only four returned positive for cocaine (three of which were from human contamination) leaving just one case. The newspaper failed to print a retraction or apology.

## Roll of honour

Major Winners :
| Award | Name of Winner |
| 2006 English Greyhound Derby | Westmead Hawk |
| 2006 Irish Greyhound Derby | Razldazl Billy |
| Greyhound Trainer of the Year | Charlie Lister |
| Greyhound of the Year | Westmead Hawk |
| Irish Dog and Bitch of the Year | Razldazl Billy / Shelbourne Becky |
Betfair Trainers Championship, Wimbledon (Mar 14) :
| Pos | Name of Trainer | Points |
| 1st | Mark Wallis | 56 |
| 2nd | Charlie Lister | 39 |
| 3rd | Brian Clemenson | 35 |
| 4th | David Pruhs | 28 |
| 5th | Nick Savva | 26 |
| 6th | Paul Young | 23 |

### Principal UK finals

William Hill TV Trophy, Belle Vue (Mar 28, 878m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Roxholme Girl | Carly Philpott | 55.86 | 4-5f | 2 |
| 2nd | Head Iton Jordan | Steve Race | 55.94 | 33-1 | 5 |
| 3rd | Greenacre Lin | Brian Clemenson | 56.36 | 4-1 | 1 |
| 4th | Rosshill View | Chris Allsopp | 56.50 | 9-2 | 4 |
| 5th | Droopys Aoife | Bernie Doyle | 56.76 | 12-1 | 3 |
| 6th | Shes The Deal | Paul Young | 56.90 | 12-1 | 6 |
BGRB Scottish Derby, Shawfield (Apr 8, 480m, £25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Fear Me | Charlie Lister | 7-4jf | 29.21 | 3 |
| 2nd | Westmead Hawk | Nick Savva | 3-1 | 29.25 | 4 |
| 3rd | Ballymac Niloc | Carly Philpott | 7-4jf | 29.55 | 1 |
| 4th | Malbay Nikita | Alexander Mills | 33-1 | 29.59 | 5 |
| 5th | Teds Anchor | Julie Bateson | 10-1 | 29.61 | 2 |
| 6th | Ballymac Magnet | Carly Philpott | 12-1 | 29.87 | 6 |
William Hill Cesarewitch, Oxford (Jun 13, 645m, £5,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Greenacre Lin | Brian Clemenson | 11-10f | 39.85 | 3 |
| 2nd | Caloona Striker | Wayne Wrighting | 5-1 | 40.01 | 4 |
| 3rd | Daisyfield Seani | Mark Wallis | 10-1 | 40.25 | 5 |
| 4th | Princessmonalulu | Brian Clemenson | 3-1 | 40.28 | 6 |
| 5th | Coup Detat | Cherie Llewellyn | 33-1 | 40.37 | 1 |
| 6th | Zigzag Stewart | June McCombe | 4-1 | 40.83 | 2 |
Betfair Scurry Cup, Perry Barr (Aug 22, 275m, £8,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Ballymac Rooster | Carly Philpott | 7-4 | 16.08 | 6 |
| 2nd | Roxholme Freddie | Carly Philpott | 1-1f | 16.26 | 4 |
| 3rd | Belindas Company | Ray Evans | 10-1 | 16.41 | 2 |
| 4th | Blonde Joey | John Mullins | 12-1 | 16.62 | 5 |
| 5th | Rhincrew Simba | Charlie Lister | 3-1 | 16.65 | 3 |
| N/R | Blonde Jet | Maria Dennis | | | |
Totesport Gold Collar, Belle Vue (Aug 29, 590m, £10,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Roxholme Girl | Carly Philpott | 8-15f | 35.14 | 1 |
| 2nd | Westmead Aoifa | Nick Savva | 6-1 | 35.44 | 6 |
| 3rd | Westmead Swift | Nick Savva | 6-1 | 35.50 | 5 |
| 4th | Teds Anchor | Julie Bateson | 9-2 | 35.84 | 2 |
| 5th | Halcrow Prince | Julie Bateson | 16-1 | 35.98 | 4 |
| 6th | Thunderbird Two | Graham Hutt | 16-1 | 36.10 | 3 |
VC Bet Grand Prix, Walthamstow (Sep 30, 640m, £10,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | January Tiger | Mark Wallis | 9-2 | 39.47 | 6 |
| 2nd | Fear Robben | Mark Wallis | 11-4 | 39.59 | 1 |
| 3rd | Blackmagic Guy | Mark Wallis | 14-1 | 39.61 | 2 |
| 4th | Daisyfield Seani | Mark Wallis | 2-1f | 40.05 | 4 |
| 5th | Westmead Swift | Nick Savva | 5-2 | 40.09 | 5 |
| 6th | Go Commando | Mark Wallis | 14-1 | 40.81 | 3 |
Reading Masters, Reading (Oct 1, 465m, £20,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Farloe Rio | Paul Hennessy | 5-2 | 28.13 | 3 |
| 2nd | Noirs Ted | Seamus Cahill | 8-1 | 28.23 | 6 |
| 3rd | Geordie Parker | Charlie Lister | 5-4f | 28.25 | 5 |
| 4th | Toms View | Charlie Lister | 4-1 | 28.49 | 4 |
| 5th | Farloe Focus | Charlie Lister | 33-1 | 28.59 | 2 |
| 6th | Zigzag Dutchy | Charlie Lister | 4-1 | 28.91 | 1 |
Betfair Grand National, Wimbledon (Oct 3, 460mH, £7,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Suit Man | Bernie Doyle | 13-8f | 28.30 | 6 |
| 2nd | Baran Geronimo | Tom Foster | 14-1 | 28.34 | 4 |
| 3rd | Jills Fault | Paul Sallis | 5-1 | 28.43 | 5 |
| 4th | Snazzy Time | Seamus Cahill | 5-1 | 28.71 | 3 |
| 5th | Druids Sully | Norah McEllistrim | 5-1 | 28.72 | 1 |
| 6th | Custom Paul | Jason Foster | 9-2 | 28.79 | 2 |
William Hill Laurels, Belle Vue (Oct 24, 470m, £10,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Clash Harmonica | Charlie Lister | 3-1 | 27.88 | 1 |
| 2nd | Fantasy Tiger | Stuart Buckland | 12-1 | 27.92 | 2 |
| 3rd | Dalcash Sweettea | Ken Bebbington | 12-1 | 27.96 | 3 |
| 4th | Fear Haribo | Hayley Keightley | 5-4f | 28.00 | 4 |
| 5th | Manic Mile | Graham Hutt | 9-2 | 28.08 | 5 |
| 6th | Noirs Duke | Otto Kueres | 7-1 | 28.18 | 6 |
William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (Nov 7, 668m, £13,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Ninja Blue | Charlie Lister | 11-4 | 41.52 | 5 |
| 2nd | Westmead Olivia | Nick Savva | 5-1 | 41.53 | 4 |
| 3rd | Blissful Classic | Tony Collett | 7-1 | 41.57 | 6 |
| 4th | Fabulous Sophie | Charlie Lister | 7-2 | 41.74 | 1 |
| 5th | Blackmagic Guy | Mark Wallis | 10-1 | 41.75 | 3 |
| 6th | Daisyfield Seani | Mark Wallis | 9-4f | 42.04 | 2 |
William Hill Oaks, Wimbledon (Nov 28, 480m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Dilemmas Flight | Nick Savva | 7-1 | 28.96 | 2 |
| 2nd | Cleenas Lady | Terry Dartnall | 11-8f | 29.04 | 1 |
| 3rd | Jazz Hurricane | Derek Knight | 5-1 | 29.07 | 6 |
| 4th | Chakalak Paris | Paul Young | 20-1 | 29.26 | 5 |
| 5th | Deanridge Vixen | Ian Reilly | 2-1 | 29.76 | 4 |
| 6th | Africa | Mark Wallis | 25-1 | 29.79 | 3 |

### Principal Irish finals

Donal Reilly Easter Cup Shelbourne (Apr 8, 525y, €50,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Ahane Lad | 5-2 | 28.21 | 2 |
| 2nd | Charity Jack | 10-1 | 28.66 | 5 |
| 3rd | Roisins Dessie | 9-4f | 28.70 | 1 |
| 4th | Dead Set | 6-1 | 28.75 | 4 |
| 5th | Tyrur Fracas | 7-1 | 28.77 | 6 |
| 6th | Mineola Zeus | 4-1 | 28.91 | 3 |
Red Mills Produce Clonmel (Apr 30, 525y, €30,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Eskimo Jack | 4-1 | 28.54 | 6 |
| 2nd | Large Mac | 9-4 | 28.99 | 1 |
| 3rd | Jacksheaboy | 5-1 | 29.06 | 3 |
| 4th | Emporio Diego | 14-1 | 29.07 | 5 |
| 5th | Nut Cracker | 7-1 | 29.28 | 2 |
| 6th | Jeffs Star | 2-1f | 29.63 | 4 |
Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger Limerick (Jun 24, 550y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Indesacjack | 4-1 | 29.66 | 4 |
| 2nd | Coolboy George | 5-2f | 29.69 | 1 |
| 3rd | Smoking Again | 5-1 | 30.25 | 5 |
| 4th | Alimo | 4-1 | 29.66 | 2 |
| 5th | Wizard Dream | 8-1 | 30.33 | 6 |
| 6th | Dalcash Sweettea | 3-1 | 30.40 | 3 |
Sporting Press Oaks Shelbourne (Jul 8, 525y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Shelbourne Becky | 5-2 | 28.58 | 5 |
| 2nd | Tyrur Kitten | 11-10f | 28.68 | 2 |
| 3rd | Smooth Surface | 14-1 | 28.86 | 4 |
| 4th | Borna Magic | 5-1 | 29.00 | 6 |
| 5th | Girl With Guitar | 6-1 | 29.07 | 1 |
| N/R | Early Talent | | | 3 |
Boylesports Champion Stakes Shelbourne (Jul 29, 550y, €40,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Large Mac | 7-1 | 29.76 | 3 |
| 2nd | Droopys Wells | 6-1 | 29.93 | 4 |
| 3rd | Tyrur Ted | 3-1 | 29.99 | 6 |
| 4th | Ravenswood Ross | 16-1 | 30.13 | 1 |
| 5th | Tyrur Paddy | 2-1f | 30.20 | 2 |
| 6th | Good Dog Jack | 3-1 | 00.00 | 5 |
HX Bookmakers Puppy Derby Harolds Cross (Oct 6, 525y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Oran Majestic | 7-2 | 28.71 | 4 |
| 2nd | Winetavern Henry | 8-1 | 28.81 | 1 |
| 3rd | Rusheen Honcho | 6-1 | 28.88 | 2 |
| 4th | Droopys Mal | 1-1f | 29.16 | 3 |
| 5th | Evans Joy | 10-1 | 29.34 | 6 |
| 6th | Barnfield On Air | 11-2 | 29.93 | 5 |
Cashmans Laurels Cork (Oct 21, 525y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Ardkill Jamie | 5-2 | 28.65 | 1 |
| 2nd | Droopys Electric | 9-4f | 28.67 | 3 |
| 3rd | Disco Stu | 9-2 | 28.88 | 2 |
| 4th | Tyrur Lee | 9-2 | 29.09 | 4 |
| 5th | Oran Premier | 11-2 | 29.33 | 5 |
| N/R | Tyrur Ted | | | 6 |