# Laurels (English greyhound race)

The Laurels is an original classic greyhound competition held at Perry Barr Stadium. It was run at Wimbledon Stadium from 1930 until 1997. It then moved to Belle Vue Stadium in 1998 and remained there until 2017 when it switched to Newcastle Stadium. After two years at Newcastle and a cancellation in 2020 due to COVID-19 it switched to Perry Barr in 2021.
competition lost its Category 1 status but was still regarded as one of the most valuable prizes during the racing year. The Arena Racing Company gained the prestigious competition in 2017 from the GRA and it returned to Category 1 status in 2022.

## Venues and distances

* 1930–1974 (Wimbledon Stadium, 500 y)
* 1975–1997 (Wimbledon Stadium, 460 m)
* 1998-1998 (Belle Vue Stadium, 460 m)
* 1999–2002 (Belle Vue Stadium, 465 m)
* 2003–2003 (Belle Vue Stadium, 480 m)
* 2004–2004 (Belle Vue Stadium, 465 m)
* 2005–2016 (Belle Vue Stadium, 470 m)
* 2017–2019 (Newcastle Stadium, 480 m)
* 2021–2024 (Perry Barr Stadium, 480 m)

## Sponsors

* 1994–1998 (Ike Morris Bookmakers)
* 2003–2006 (William Hill)
* 2007–2009 & 2011 (Betfred)
* 2010–2010 (Stan James)
* 2012–2012 (Ladbrokes)
* 2013–2015 (ECC Timber)
* 2016–2016 (Racing Post GTV)
* 2017–2017 (O'Tooles Boxing Health & Fitness Byker)
* 2018–2018 (Conlon Family And Pinpoint Recruitment)
* 2019–2019 (O'Tooles Gym Byker)
* 2021–2024 (Arena Racing Company)

## Past winners

| Year | Winner | Breeding | Trainer | Time | SP | Notes |
| 1930 | Kilbrean Boy | Loafer - Clinker Lass | Sidney Orton (Wimbledon) | 29.20 sec | 10–1 | |
| 1931 | Future Cutlet | Mutton Cutlet - Wary Guide | Sidney Probert (Wembley) | 28.52 sec | 2-5f | |
| 1932 | Beef Cutlet | Mutton Cutlet - Burette | John Hegarty (White City Cardiff) | 28.47 sec | 4–6f | World & Track Record |
| 1933 | Wild Woolley | Hautley - Wild Witch | Jimmy Campbell (Belle Vue) | 28.80 sec | 100–30 | |
| 1934 | Brilliant Bob | Other Days - Birchfield Bessie | Sidney Orton (Wimbledon) | 28.46 sec | 7-1 | |
| 1935 | Kitshine | Macoma - Pleasant Note | Arthur 'Doc' Callanan (Wembley) | 29.05 sec | 3–1 | |
| 1936 | Top O'the Carlow Road | Town Rattler - Clarenbridge | Sidney Orton (Wimbledon) | 28.39 sec | 5-2 | |
| 1937 | Ballyhennessey Sandhills | White Sandills - Soraca Deas | Sidney Orton (Wimbledon) | 28.25 sec | 4-5f | |
| 1938 | Ballyhennessey Sandhills | White Sandills - Soraca Deas | Sidney Orton (Wimbledon) | 28.50 sec | 11–8f | |
| 1939 | Musical Duke | Suil King - Musical Bride | Cornelius Crowley (Park Royal) | 28.42 sec | 1-1f | |
| 1940 | April Burglar | Danielli - Tennysons Works | Ken Appleton (West Ham) | 28.56 sec | 100–8 | |
| 1945 | Burhill Moon | Bay Moon - Mona Mac | Sidney Orton (Wimbledon) | 28.42 sec | 1–3f | |
| 1946 | Shannon Shore | Well Squared - Second Row | Leslie Reynolds (Wembley) | 28.26 sec | 7–1 | |
| 1947 | Rimmells Black | Manhattan Midnight - Drishogue | Stan Biss (Clapton) | 28.77 sec | 8–1 | |
| 1948 | Good Worker | Tanimon - Dolly Meadway | Jack Daley (Ramsgate) | 28.49 sec | 5-2 | |
| 1949 | Ballymac Ball | Lone Seal - Raging Tornado | Stan Martin (Wimbledon) | 28.61 sec | 4-5f | |
| 1950 | Ballymac Ball | Lone Seal - Raging Tornado | Stan Martin (Wimbledon) | 28.19 sec | 15–8 | |
| 1951 | Ballylanigan Tanist | Mad Tanist - Fly Dancer | Leslie Reynolds (Wembley) | 28.37 sec | 8-11f | |
| 1952 | Endless Gossip | Priceless Border - Narrogar Ann | Leslie Reynolds (Wembley) | 27.96 sec | 2–11f | |
| 1953 | Polonius | Mad Tanist - Culpurnia | Tom 'Paddy' Reilly (Walthamstow) | 28.04 sec | 7–2 | |
| 1954 | Coolkill Chieftain | Celtic Chief - Coolkill Darkie | Jack Harvey (Wembley) | 28.05 sec | 1–2f | |
| 1955 | Duet Leader | Champion Prince - Derryluskin Lady | Tom 'Paddy' Reilly (Walthamstow) | 28.25 sec | 7–4 | |
| 1956 | Duet Leader | Champion Prince - Derryluskin Lady | Tom 'Paddy' Reilly (Walthamstow) | 28.13 sec | 1–1f | |
| 1957 | Ford Spartan | Polonius - Harrow Glamour | Dennis Hannafinn (Wimbledon) | 27.89 sec | 2–7f | |
| 1958 | Granthamaian | Barrowside - Silver Splash | Jack Harvey (Wembley) | 28.57 sec | 10–1 | |
| 1959 | Mighty Hassan | Ollys Rambler - B For Bawn | Jack Harvey (Wembley) | 28.01 sec | 5–1 | |
| 1960 | Dunstown Paddy | Champion Prince - Geffs Linnett | Tom 'Paddy' Reilly (Walthamstow) | 28.02 sec | 5-1 | |
| 1961 | Clonalvy Pride | Solar Prince - Asmena | Jack Harvey (Wembley) | 27.66 sec | 2-1jf | |
| 1962 | Tuturama | Coming Champion - Knockstown Queen | Frank Sanderson (Private) | 27.83 sec | 4–6f | |
| 1963 | Dalcassian Son | Champions Son - Dalcassian Elf | Austin Hiscock (Belle Vue) | 28.08 sec | 7–2 | |
| 1964 | Conna Count | Mile Bush Pride - Aughadown Molly | Dennis Hannafinn (Wimbledon) | 28.08 sec | 100–7 | |
| 1965 | Conna Count | Mile Bush Pride - Aughadown Molly | Paddy McEvoy (Wimbledon) | 28.13 sec | 11-2 | |
| 1966 | Super Fame | Super Orange - Maggie From Cork | Nora Gleeson (Wimbledon) | 28.05 sec | 9-2 | |
| 1967 | Carry on Oregon | Oregon Prince - Gormanstown Wonder | Clare Orton (Wimbledon) | 27.89 sec | 8–13f | |
| 1968 | Ambiguous | Crazy Parachute - The Mistress | Paddy McEvoy (Wimbledon) | 28.10 sec | 8-1 | |
| 1969 | Ardine Flame | Greenane Flame - Cuma | Jack Kinsley (Wembley) | 27.96 sec | 8-1 | |
| 1970 | Sole Aim | Monalee Champion - Yurituni | David Geggus (Walthamstow) | 28.04 sec | 6-4f | |
| 1971 | Black Andrew | Spectre - Loyal Fire | Randy Singleton (White City, London) | 27.96 sec | 11-2 | |
| 1972 | Cricket Bunny | Printers Prince - Cricket Lady | Joe Booth (Private) | 28.11 sec | 100–30 | |
| 1973 | Black Banjo | Monalee Champion - Brook Densel | Barney O'Connor (Walthamstow) | 27.93 sec | 5-2cf | |
| 1974 | Over Protected | Monalee Arkle - Spotlight Cindy | John Coleman (Wembley) | 28.00 sec | 7–4 | |
| 1975 | Pineapple Grand | Supreme Fun - Marys Snowball | Frank Baldwin (old Perry Barr) | 27.77 sec | 3-1 | |
| 1976 | Xmas Holiday | The Grand Silver - Pineapple Baby | Phil Rees Sr. (Wimbledon) | 27.66 sec | 3–1 | |
| 1977 | Greenfield Fox | Burgess Heather - Skipping Chick | Ted Dickson (Slough) | 27.41 sec | 4-5f | |
| 1978 | Jet Control | Toms Pal - Morning Rose | Bertie Gaynor (old Perry Barr) | 27.45 sec | 9-2 | |
| 1979 | Another Spatter | Barbadus - Small Spatter | Joe Pickering (White City, London) | 27.75 sec | 7-2 | |
| 1980 | Flying Pursuit | Kudas Honour - Faoide Look | John Gibbons (Crayford) | 27.89 sec | 6-4f | |
| 1981 | Echo Spark | Liberty Lad - Lady Armada | Joe Cobbold (Ipswich) | 27.84 sec | 5-1 | |
| 1982 | Lauries Panther | Shamrock Sailor - Lady Lucey | Terry Duggan (Romford) | 27.79 sec | 9-2 | |
| 1983 | Darkie Fli | Ballinamona Sam - Star Fli | F.Stevens (Cambridge) | 27.87 sec | 2-1f | |
| 1984 | Amenhotep | Aquaduct Coach - Ladys Lib | Linda Mullins (Crayford) | 27.82 sec | 7-1 | |
| 1985 | Ballygroman Jim | Knockrour Tiger – Lee View Lady | Ernie Gaskin Sr. (Private) | 27.68 sec | 7-4f | |
| 1986 | Mollifrend Lucky | Lauries Panther – Top Princess | Colin Packham (Reading) | 27.48 sec | 4–6f | |
| 1987 | Flashy Sir | Sand Man – Cherry Express | Nick Savva (Milton Keynes) | 27.52 sec | 11-4 | |
| 1988 | Comeragh Boy | Moral Support – August Morning | Ernie Gaskin Sr. (Private) | 27.86 sec | 6-4f | |
| 1989 | Parquet Pal | Game Ball – Hollands Kev | Arthur Hitch (Wimbledon) | 27.68 sec | 9-4 | |
| 1990 | Concentration | Im Slippy - Eliogarty | Ger McKenna (Ireland) | 27.75 sec | 4-7f | |
| 1991 | Glengar Ranger | Carters Lad – Glengar Moss | Jimmy Fletcher (Canterbury) | 27.47 sec | 6-4f | |
| 1992 | Balligari | Daleys Gold – Westmead Move | Nick Savva (Private) | 27.37 sec | 6-4 | |
| 1993 | Slipaway Jaydee | Im Slippy - Ballyvalican | John McGee Sr. (Reading) | 27.61 sec | 9-4 | |
| 1994 | Deenside Dean | Willie Joe – Deenside Sunset | Terry Dartnall (Wimbledon) | 27.97 sec | 5-1 | |
| 1995 | Demesne Bear | Barefoot Chief – Demesne Joy | Peter Payne (Romford) | 27.94 sec | 14-1 | |
| 1996 | El Grand Senor | Leaders Minstrel – Without Equal | Linda Mullins (Walthamstow) | 27.52 sec | 9-4f | |
| 1997 | El Premier | Adraville Bridge – Droopys Alivsa | Linda Mullins (Walthamstow) | 27.36 sec | 4-7f | |
| 1998 | Ardant Jimmy | Highway Leader – Ardant Peggy | Sandra Ralph (Monmore) | 28.05 sec | 10–1 | |
| 1999 | Derbay Flyer | Ayr Flyer – Brown Missile | Charlie Lister OBE (Private) | 27.80 sec | 10–11f | |
| 2000 | Courts Legal | Always Good – Carrowkeal Mandy | Linda Jones (Walthamstow) | 27.86 sec | 7-4 | |
| 2001 | Pack Them In | Spiral Nikita – Supa Score | Andy Heyes (Belle Vue) | 27.55 sec | 6-4f | |
| 2002 | Full Cigar | Frisby Full – Have A Cigar | Liz McNair (Private) | 27.94 sec | 11-4 | |
| 2003 | Knockeevan Magic | Knockeevan Star – Knockeevan Lucy | Peter Rich (Romford) | 28.25 sec | 11-10f | |
| 2004 | Ningbo Jack | Honcho Classic – Pennys Spotlight | Charlie Lister OBE (Private) | 27.60 sec | 4-1 | |
| 2005 | Blonde Boss | Daves Mentor – Best Fancy | Charlie Lister OBE (Private) | 27.86 sec | 5-2 | |
| 2006 | Clash Harmonica | Fortune Mike – Clash Minnie | Charlie Lister OBE (Private) | 27.88 sec | 3-1 | |
| 2007 | Kylegrove Top | Top Honcho – Bangor Shirley | Julie Bateson (Private) | 27.82 sec | 10–1 | |
| 2008 | Boherna Best | Pacific Mile – Always On Air | Barrie Draper (Sheffield) | 27.90 sec | 11-4 | |
| 2009 | Sunoak Crystal | Hondo Black – Precious Beauty | Julie Calvert (Sunderland) | 28.01 sec | 5-2 | |
| 2010 | Elwick Chris | Brett Lee – Free To Air | Michael Walsh (Newcastle) | 27.50 sec | 3-1 | |
| 2011 | Eden Star | Top Savings – Aranock Val | Barrie Draper (Sheffield) | 27.27 sec | 4-9f | |
| 2012 | Farloe Warhawk | Ace Hi Rumble-Wontbelong | Barrie Draper (Sheffield) | 28.26 sec | 4-5f | |
| 2013 | Mileheight Alba | Ballymac Maeve – Giddyup Girl | Patrick Rosney (Private) | 27.65 sec | 2-1f | |
| 2014 | Jordans Brianna | Wheres Pedro - Generosity | Charlie Lister OBE (Private) | 28.28 sec | 5-1 | |
| 2015 | Millwards Whitey | Ace Hi Rumble – Droopys Puzzle | Dean Childs (Crayford) | 27.87 sec | 6/4f | |
| 2016 | Hiya Butt | Hondo Black – Hather For Pat | Hayley Keightley (Private) | 27.49 sec | 5/4f | |
| 2017 | The Other Reg | Razldazl Jayfkay – The Other Peach | Pat Rosney (Private) | 28.38 sec | 3/1 | |
| 2018 | Nadurra Ross | Droopys Jet – Enda Causeway | John McLachlan (Shawfield) | 28.46 sec | 5/1 | |
| 2019 | Ice on Fire | Crash – Bigmans Grainne | James Fenwick (Newcastle) | 28.57 sec | 1/4f | |
| 2020 | No race due to (COVID-19 pandemic) | No race due to (COVID-19 pandemic) | No race due to (COVID-19 pandemic) | No race due to (COVID-19 pandemic) | No race due to (COVID-19 pandemic) | No race due to (COVID-19 pandemic) |
| 2021 | Havana Class | World Class – Havana Lottie | Liz McNair (Private) | 28.68 sec | 3/1jf | |
| 2022 | Signet Denver | Magical Bale – Forest Natalee | Kevin Hutton (Towcester) | 28.14 sec | 11/4 | |
| 2023 | Hawkfield Ozark | Laughil Blake – Brownstown Tango | Patrick Janssens (Towcester) | 28.03 sec | 15/8f | |
| 2024 | Kilwest Ranger | Droopys Sydney – Ballymac Sanjose | Paul Harmes (Perry Barr) | 28.38 sec | 9/2 | |