# 1970 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 1970 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 44th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

## Roll of honour

Major Winners :
| Award | Name of Winner |
| 1970 English Greyhound Derby | John Silver |
| 1970 Irish Greyhound Derby | Monalee Pride |
| 1970 Scottish Greyhound Derby | Brilane Clipper |
| 1970 Welsh Greyhound Derby | Super Gamble |
| Greyhound Trainer of the Year | Stan Mitchell |
| Greyhound of the Year | Moordyke Spot |
| Irish Greyhound of the Year | Mark Anthony |

## Summary

Tote turnover deductions were changed, with tracks being allowed to charge anything up to 12.5% in deductions. The annual National Greyhound Racing Club returns were released, with totalisator turnover at £55,556,351 and attendances recorded at 7,365,653 from 5585 meetings. 1970 English Greyhound Derby finalist Moordyke Spot won the Oxfordshire Stakes, Playfield Cup, and ran undefeated through the Pall Mall Stakes, contributing to another winning streak of eight including the White City Championship. He was retired to stud in Galway at the end of the year and was named Greyhound of the Year.

## Tracks

The Totalisator and Greyhound Holdings (T.G.H) were showing interest in buying stadia. They already held Crayford & Bexleyheath Stadium, Elland Road Greyhound Stadium, Brough Park and Gosforth Greyhound Stadium and then purchased the Midland Greyhound Racing Co Ltd owned tracks of Monmore Green Stadium and Willenhall Greyhound Stadium. Only the Greyhound Racing Association owned more tracks.
Hall Green Stadium underwent a major renovation when the club house was altered into a four tier restaurant costing £750,000. At the same time, the track kennels were replaced and the contract trainer system was brought in for the first time by the GRA, which would become a trend for most tracks in the near future. One of the contracted trainers was Geoff De Mulder, based from Meriden kennels. Another GRA track Powderhall modernised and new facilities included a 100 seated restaurant. There were changes too in the GRA trainer ranks with Peter Hawkesley moving to Harringay Stadium from West Ham Stadium to replace the retiring Wilf France. Hawkesley's head kennelhand Ted Parker was promoted to trainer at West Ham, who also appointed Colin West as another trainer. Self-service tote machines were also trialled by the company. Kings Heath Stadium was then purchased by the GRA Property Trust.
Perry Barr suffered major damage following a fire, the fire caused extensive damage but the main stand was rebuilt with a new restaurant and bar facilities and the track reopened soon after.
Hendon Greyhound Stadium which was enlarged to hold 5,000 persons before Hackney & Hendon Greyhounds Ltd was subject to a reverse takeover by businessman George Walker, brother of boxing champion Billy Walker. This meant his private company bought a public company and the new merger resulted in a new company called Brent Walker. Plans for the UK's first stand-alone shopping centre would result in the track's closure in 1972.
White City Stadium (Nottingham) closed after its owner Ernest Jolley, resulting in a sequence of events that led to the sale of the stadium to property developers.

## News

Harry 'Bammy' Bamford and Ron Saunders had their first graded runners at Belle Vue Stadium and White City Stadium (Manchester) respectively. The Rayleigh Weir Stadium Racing Manager Thomas Stanley was unwell and handed the reins to Roy Vickery, a former Crayford General Manager. Hare coursing became illegal in Northern Ireland and Southend held the first ever televised race meeting in colour.
Owner-trainer Ernie Gaskin Sr. advertised a litter for sale, after his bitch Come on Dolores whelped to Newdown Heather (Newdown Heather was considered the best sire for many years). Four brothers – Bert, Len, John and Arthur White – bought four of the litter including a bitch called Dolores Rocket. The black bitch won the Puppy Oaks and Juvenile in 1970, both at Wimbledon, and looked set for a big 1971. Dunstable GP Dr Dick Handley died, he was the founder of the Greyhound Breeders Forum. Leading greyhound owner Noel Purvis also died.

## Competitions

The Scottish Greyhound Derby returned at Shawfield Stadium, the new home of the event. The Steel City Cup was introduced at Owlerton Stadium. Wimbledon Stadium allowed private trainers to compete in a competition with Wimbledon runners; this gesture was welcomed by the private trainers association due to the fact that not many open races were advertised in the calendar for them. The Duke of Edinburgh Cup national inter-track competition grand final between White City and Brighton, ended with a win for White City.
Sherrys Prince won the Grand National at White City.

## Ireland

The Irish Greyhound Board purchased Harold's Cross Stadium after speculation that it would be demolished for re-development. Irish greyhound owners threatened strikes after the Board held trap draws several days before the meeting. Owners wished to keep draws to half an hour before as in Northern Ireland.
P.J.Carroll and Co, a cigarette company became the first sponsors of the Irish Greyhound Derby, won by Monalee Pride.
Leading stud dog Printer's Prince dies.

## Principal UK races

Grand National, White City (April 18 525y h, £500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Sherrys Prince | John Shevlin | 4-6f | 30.02 | 4 |
| 2nd | Rothe Boro | Jim Singleton | 9-2 | 30.20 | 6 |
| 3rd | Beautys Wonder | Paddy McEvoy | 8-1 | 30.21 | 3 |
| 4th | Adamstown Valley | Joe Pickering | 8-1 | 30.29 | 1 |
| 5th | Petronius | Jack Harvey | 25-1 | 30.32 | 2 |
| 6th | Active Hit | Nora Gleeson | 9-1 | 30.38 | 5 |
BBC TV Trophy, White City Manchester (Apr 20, 880y, £1,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Hi Diddle | Pam Heasman | 10-1 | 51.95 | 6 |
| 2nd | Panda | Clare Orton | 5-1 | 52.05 | 2 |
| 3rd | Sovereign Ore | John Perrin | 11-8f | 52.06 | 4 |
| 4th | Cash For Dan | Ben Parsons | 9-2 | 52.16 | 1 |
| 5th | Marys Pal | Colin McNally | 7-4 | 52.17 | 3 |
| 6th | Parkwest Lady | Phil Rees Sr. | 12-1 | 52.33 | 5 |
Gold Collar, Catford (May 9, 570y, £1,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Cameo Lawrence | Jack Smith | 8-1 | 33.84 | 5 |
| 2nd | Pallas Joy | Adam Jackson | 12-1 | 34.24 | 6 |
| 3rd | Al's Tiger | Tom Smith | 14-1 | 34.76 | 4 |
| 4th | Barrack Street | Dave Barker | 8-11f | 35.20 | 2 |
| 5th | Moate Lane | Tom Smith | 11-2 | 35.52 | 1 |
| 6th | Kilroe Betty | Paddy McEvoy | 11-2 | 00.00 | 3 |
Oaks, Harringay (May 18, 525y, £1,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Perth Pat | Jim Morgan | 13-8f | 28.81 | 3 |
| 2nd | Tibretta | Les Parry | 7-4 | 29.25 | 5 |
| 3rd | The Marchioness | Reg Young | 14-1 | 29.37 | 4 |
| 4th | Sister Kuda | George Curtis | 8-1 | 29.39 | 1 |
| 5th | Farma Sally | Phil Rees Sr. | 3-1 | 29.53 | 2 |
| N/R | Blackoaks Lady | Natalie Savva | | | 6 |
The Grand Prix, Walthamstow (May 26, 700y, £750) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Baton | Jack Durkin | 9-4 | 40.39 | 3 |
| 2nd | Meanus Donal | Wilf France | 2-1f | 40.63 | 1 |
| 3rd | Noble Harmony | | 16-1 | 40.79 | 4 |
| 4th | Velvet John | Arthur Hancock | 3-1 | 40.87 | 6 |
| 5th | New Change | Dave Geggus | 10-1 | 40.95 | 2 |
| 6th | Beaverwood Bee | | 16-1 | 41.03 | 5 |
Welsh Derby, Arms Park (Jul 4, 525y £500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Super Gamble | Paddy Coughlan | 2-1jf | 29.46 | 2 |
| 2nd | Ardkeen Joy | | 5-1 | 29.58 | 1 |
| 3rd | Waterloo Place | Andy Agnew | 2-1jf | 29.74 | 4 |
| 4th | Moss Tan | H.Pett | 6-1 | 29.86 | 5 |
| 5th | Right O'Myross | Paddy Coughlan | 7-1 | 30.02 | 3 |
| 6th | Legane Glory | Ronnie Mills | 8-1 | 30.10 | 6 |
Scurry Gold Cup, Clapton (Jul 11, 400y £1,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Don't Gambol | Paddy McEvoy | 3-1 | 22.48 | 1 |
| 2nd | Ardnaculla Duke | John Coleman | 5-4f | 22.72 | 6 |
| 3rd | Gaultier Captain | Randy Singleton | 13-2 | 23.00 | 3 |
| 4th | Little Glen | | 14-1 | 23.38 | 2 |
| 5th | Tibretta | Les Parry | 9-2 | 23.52 | 4 |
| 6th | Tails Up | | 16-1 | 23.70 | 5 |
Laurels, Wimbledon (Aug 7, 500y, £2,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Sole Aim | David Geggus | 6-4f | 28.04 | 1 |
| 2nd | Always A Monarch | Eddie Moore | 10-1 | 28.05 | 5 |
| 3rd | The Other Green | Jim Irving | 7-4 | 28.11 | 2 |
| 4th | Zebrano | Gunner Smith | 10-3 | 28.13 | 6 |
| 5th | Clorinka Castle | Dave Geggus | 33-1 | 28.23 | 4 |
| 6th | Corral Romeo | Nora Gleeson | 10-1 | 28.33 | 3 |
St Leger, Wembley (Aug 24, 700y, £1,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Spotted Rory | Paddy McEllistrim | 2-1f | 40.28 | 2 |
| 2nd | Moordyke Monalee | Noreen Collin | 9-4 | 40.44 | 4 |
| 3rd | Swift Silver | Arthur Hancock | 11-2 | 40.60 | 6 |
| 4th | Bushane Queen | Mrs.B.Martin | 14-1 | 41.16 | 5 |
| 5th | Peace Blue Boy | Stan Mitchell | 20-1 | 41.56 | 3 |
| 6th | Monalee Peter | Tom Johnston Jr. | 9-4 | DNF | 1 |
Scottish Greyhound Derby, Shawfield (Aug 29, 525y, £1,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Brilane Clipper | Joe Kelly | 9-4f | 29.06 | 6 |
| 2nd | Bright Lad | | 6-1 | 29.12 | 1 |
| 3rd | Afore You Go | Bessie Lewis | 7-2 | 29.24 | 5 |
| 4th | Gleneagle Comedy | Jim Hookway | 7-2 | 29.26 | 3 |
| 5th | Gormanstown Yank | Harry Ward | 7-1 | 29.74 | 4 |
| 6th | Moordyke Darkie | Eddie Moore | 10-1 | 29.86 | 2 |
Cesarewitch, West Ham (Oct 2, 600y, £1,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Gleneagle Comedy | Jim Hookway | 10-1 | 33.25 | 5 |
| 2nd | Brilane Clipper | Joe Kelly | 6-4f | 33.45 | 6 |
| 3rd | Rising Shane | | 7-1 | 33.53 | 1 |
| 4th | John Silver | Geoff De Mulder | 9-4 | 33.61 | 4 |
| 5th | Alvys Pride | Harry Ward | 5-1 | 33.67 | 3 |
| 6th | Quail's Glory | Ted Parker | 6-1 | 33.85 | 2 |

## Totalisator returns

Extended content :
The totalisator returns declared to the licensing authorities for the year 1970 are listed below.
Stadium
Turnover £
London (White City)5,956,107
London (Harringay)3,582,928
London (Walthamstow)3,548,800
London (Wimbledon)3,387,354
London (Wembley)2,653,804
London (Catford)2,382,295
Manchester (Belle Vue)2,216,509
London (Clapton)1,905,805
London (West Ham)1,643,729
Romford1,566,886
Edinburgh (Powderhall)1,456,149
Manchester (White City)1,368,935
London (Charlton)1,236,216
Birmingham (Hall Green)1,186,077
Brighton & Hove1,156,613
Birmingham (Perry Barr, old)1,049,165
Newcastle (Brough Park)1,030,374
Crayford & Bexleyheath971,739
Stadium
Turnover £
Glasgow (Shawfield)939,471
Slough900,620
Leeds (Elland Road)867,796
Wolverhampton (Monmore)799,686
Southend-on-Sea753,620
Sheffield (Owlerton)742,695
Glasgow (White City)655,701
Bristol (Eastville)651,986
London (Hackney)647,320
Willenhall622,020
Manchester (Salford)618,529
Newcastle (Gosforth)617,960
London (Hendon)608,290
Gloucester & Cheltenham590,615
Liverpool (White City)540,426
Cardiff (Arms Park)492,054
Derby469,214
Birmingham (Kings Heath)461,214
Stadium
Turnover £
Ramsgate (Dumpton Park)443,161
Reading (Oxford Road)439,599
Poole437,938
Rochester & Chatham436,003
Cradley Heath396,066
Oxford385,504
Portsmouth315,081
Glasgow (Carntyne)311,978
Leicester (Blackbird Rd)298,807
Middlesbrough298,445
Rayleigh (Essex)280,445
Hull (Old Craven Park)262,486
Preston262,360
Swindon199,692
Wakefield196,670
Norwich (City)181,398
Nottingham (White City)131,687 :