# 2014 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2014 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 89th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

## Summary
### Tracks

The most significant event of the year was the opening of a new track in the form of Towcester on 6 December 2014. Construction on the track had begun in March, backed by the Northamptonshire's racecourse owner Lord Hesketh. Leading trainers joined the track including five times champion trainer Mark Wallis, 2011 champion trainer Chris Allsopp, Kevin Hutton and Matt Dartnall.
The GRA was once again in the news, led by Managing Director Clive Feltham they supported a planning application for housing on Wimbledon Stadium which was against greyhound racing at the track, the other planning application by Paschal Taggart included the facility for greyhound racing. The company then sold the freehold on Belle Vue and Hall Green but retained a fifteen-year lease agreement (with a five-year mutual break clause). Belle Vue was purchased by the Crown Oil Pension Fund for 2.6 million and Hall Green was bought by Euro Property Investments for more than 3 million.
Another company in the spotlight would be Clarke Osborne's Gaming International, who owned Stadia UK, as planning permission was granted for 66 new houses on part of the existing Swindon Stadium site with the plan was to use some of the funds to build a new stadium and then the old site would be demolished for 450 homes. Coventry greyhound racing closed suddenly after owner Harry Findlay pulled out, independent racing would take place at the venue at a later date.

### Competitions

The blue riband races went to Salad Dodger, winner of the 2014 English Greyhound Derby and Laughil Blake triumphed in 2014 Irish Greyhound Derby. Following the Derby final there was a series of important announcements, the first came from William Hill who announced a huge sponsorship deal for the 2015 Derby. The winner would receive a record breaking £250,000 prize and then Boylesports stated that they would back the Irish Derby for three years. In a closely fought battle at Sheffield, Paul Young claimed the trainer's championship after picking up three winners on the night with Jaytee China, Mollys Hope and Jaytee Lightning.
Ballymac Eske, arguably the fastest dog in racing, returned to action at Sheffield impressing in the Three Steps to Victory, over three different distances which included a track record over 660 metres. Laurels champion Mileheight Alba defeated Pinpoint Maxi in the final of the William Hill Classic and Ballymac Vic gained a deserved big race victory in the Champions Stakes.
In December Peterborough won the SIS/BAGS track championship final, the event at Nottingham went down to the final race when Peterborough runner Bobs Belter took fifth place in a photo finish which resulted in a one-point win.
Cornamaddy Jumbo winner of the Grand National, Springbok and Champion Hurdle was voted Greyhound of the Year and his trainer Mark Wallis lifted the Trainer of the Year award for the sixth time surpassing Linda Mullins.

### News

The GBGB allowed equal distribution of seeds in open races. Bob Rowe the GRA chief Racing Manager retired and received a special award for services to greyhound racing and the greatest Irish trainer of all time Ger McKenna died. Harlow and former Oxford trainer Maurice Massey also died and Westmead Hawk who had been retired from stud duties died in May.
A €2.8 million rise in funding for the Irish greyhound industry was assigned in the 2015 budget. This increase from €10.8m to €13.6m would be put to use by IGB chairman Phil Meaney but soon after they announced that they would be closing Harolds Cross, due to financial cut backs, in the future.

## Roll of honour

Major Winners :
| Award | Name of Winner |
| 2014 English Greyhound Derby | Salad Dodger |
| 2014 Irish Greyhound Derby | Laughil Blake |
| Greyhound Trainer of the Year | Mark Wallis |
| Greyhound of the Year | Cornamaddy Jumbo |
| Irish Greyhound of the Year | Laughil Blake |
Ladbrokes Trainers Championship, Sheffield (25 March) :
| Pos | Name of Trainer | Points |
| 1st | Paul Young | 47 |
| 2nd | Charlie Lister OBE | 43 |
| 3rd | Seamus Cahill | 43 |
| 4th | Mark Wallis | 37 |
| 5th | Barrie Draper | 36 |
| 6th | Chris Allsopp | 18 |
BAGS/SIS Track Championship, Nottingham (23 December) :
| Pos | Track | Points |
| 1st | Peterborough | 55 |
| 2nd | Monmore | 54 |
| 3rd | Hove | 47 |
| 4th | Newcastle | 45 |
| 5th | Sittingbourne | 41 |
| 6th | Sheffield | 37 |

### Principal UK finals

Ladbrokes Golden Jacket, Crayford (22 February, 714m, £17,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Hometown Honey | 6 | 4-6f | 45.45 | Mark Wallis |
| 2nd | Shanless Becky | 5 | 3-1 | 45.48 | Brendan Cullen |
| 3rd | Midway Nick | 1 | 5-1 | 45.41 | Simon Cull |
| 4th | Boltatwelldigger | 3 | 10-1 | 45.96 | Wayne Wrighting |
| 5th | Sidarian Jaguar | 4 | 8-1 | 46.16 | Ricky Holloway |
| N/R | Lenson Pele | 2 | | o/c | Tony Collett |
Racing Post Scottish Derby, Shawfield (12 April, 480m, £17,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Holdem Spy | 6 | 2-1f | 28.87 | Carol Weatherall |
| 2nd | Mind The Net | 5 | 5-2 | 28.90 | Pat Buckley |
| 3rd | Toolatetosell | 2 | 20-1 | 29.23 | Heather Dimmock |
| 4th | Calzaghe Jack | 4 | 6-1 | 29.29 | Ted Soppitt |
| 5th | Metro Jack | 1 | 7-2 | 00.00 | Peter Cronin |
| 6th | Jaytee Lightning | 3 | 4-1 | 00.00 | Paul Young |
William Hill Classic, Sunderland (9 July, 450m, £25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Mileheight Alba | 1 | 7-2 | 26.79 | Pat Rosney |
| 2nd | Southern Mesut | 3 | 5-1 | 26.96 | Charlie Lister OBE |
| 3rd | Toolatetosell | 2 | 8-1 | 27.09 | Heather Dimmock |
| 4th | Pinpoint Maxi | 6 | 1-2f | 27.24 | Kelly Macari |
| 5th | Bush Standard | 4 | 33-1 | 27.42 | Pat Rosney |
| N/R | Bubbly Rocket | 5 | | | Paul Young |
William Hill Grand Prix, Sunderland (9 July, 640m, £15,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Farley Rio | 3 | 4-1 | 39.40 | Kevin Boon |
| 2nd | Bubbly Gold | 1 | 1-2f | 39.62 | Paul Young |
| 3rd | Viking Jack | 5 | 14-1 | 39.67 | Jim Hayton |
| 4th | Ayamzamodel | 2 | 25-1 | 39.69 | Mark Wallis |
| 5th | Dinzeo | 4 | 25-1 | 39.76 | Harry Crapper |
| 6th | Adageo Bob | 6 | 6-1 | 39.77 | Mark Wallis |
Roto Roof Windows TV Trophy, Sheffield (6 August, 915m, £8,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | King Kane | 4 | 1-1f | 55.58 TR | Diane Henry |
| 2nd | Burgess Borna | 3 | 11-2 | 56.18 | John Mullins |
| 3rd | Old Refrain | 1 | 9-4 | 56.36 | Chris Allsopp |
| 4th | Supreme Rossi | 2 | 33-1 | 56.37 | Stuart Buckland |
| 5th | Fearsome Liberty | 5 | 14-1 | 56.55 | Charlie Lister |
| 6th | Swift Vanessa | 6 | 6-1 | DNF | Russ Warren |
Totepool 69th East Anglian Derby, Yarmouth (17 September, 462m, £15,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Swift Keith | 6 | 9-4f | 27.81 | John Mullins |
| 2nd | Domino Storm | 5 | 10-1 | 27.87 | Mark Wallis |
| 3rd | Southern Mesut | 2 | 3-1 | 27.92 | Charlie Lister |
| 4th | Rio Quattro | 1 | 7-2 | 27.94 | Daniel Riordan |
| 5th | Forest Gavin | 4 | 12-1 | 27.95 | Kevin Hutton |
| 6th | Sidaz Jack | 3 | 3-1 | 28.13 | Charlie Lister |
Chelsea Glass Grand National, Sittingbourne (19 October, 480mH, £8,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Cornamaddy Jumbo | 6 | 1-1f | 29.48 | Mark Wallis |
| 2nd | Lenson Razldazl | 2 | 7-1 | 29.52 | Ricky Holloway |
| 3rd | Mash Mad Snowy | 5 | 3-1 | 29.53 | Seamus Cahill |
| 4th | Westmead Bertie | 1 | 14-1 | 29.74 | Nick Savva |
| 5th | Newin Hawk | 3 | 11-2 | 29.79 | Ricky Holloway |
| 6th | Alittlelesslip | 4 | 10-1 | 29.94 | Bernie Doyle |
William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (11 November, 687m, £25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Roxholme Dream | 2 | 7-4f | 41.68 | Hayley Keightley |
| 2nd | Millwards Teddy | 4 | 9-2 | 41.91 | Dean Childs |
| 3rd | Killieford Khali | 3 | 25-1 | 42.10 | Charlie Lister OBE |
| 4th | Farley Chicken | 5 | 8-1 | 42.29 | Liz McNair |
| 5th | Chicago | 1 | 3-1 | 42.32 | Seamus Cahill |
| 6th | King Kane | 6 | 4-1 | 42.46 | Diane Henry |
ECC Timber Oaks, Belle Vue (10 December, 470m, £15,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Cashen Maureen | 5 | 4-6f | 27.99 | Mark Wallis |
| 2nd | Bromwich Sue | 3 | 14-1 | 28.26 | Lynn Cook |
| 3rd | Jaytee Osprey | 1 | 5-1 | 28.31 | Paul Young |
| 4th | Greenwell Lark | 6 | 5-1 | 28.60 | Pat Flaherty |
| 5th | Evanta Evita | 4 | 4-1 | 28.68 | Mark Wallis |
| 6th | Alma Chic | 2 | 33-1 | 28.93 | Alec Stone |
ECC Timber Laurels, Belle Vue (10 December, 470m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Jordans Brianna | 5 | 5-1 | 28.28 | Charlie Lister OBE |
| 2nd | Bubbly Rocket | 4 | 4-1 | 28.73 | Paul Young |
| 3rd | Southern Mesut | 2 | 4-1 | 28.84 | Charlie Lister OBE |
| 4th | Invitation Shaw | 3 | 6-1 | 29.05 | Kevin Hutton |
| 5th | Blue Moment | 6 | 7-1 | 29.06 | Mark Wallis |
| 6th | Pinpoint Maxi | 1 | 13-8f | 00.00 | Kelly Macari |

### Principal Irish finals

Dandelion Bar & Nightclub Easter Cup, Shelbourne (12 April, 550y, €25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Skywalker Farloe | 5 | 2-1 | 29.63 | Frances O’Donnell |
| 2nd | Tyrur Sugar Ray | 1 | 5-4f | 29.68 | PJ Fahy |
| 3rd | Skywalker Legend | 3 | 20-1 | 29.93 | Frances O’Donnell |
| 4th | Insane Spartacus | 6 | 25-1 | 29.96 | Paul Corrigan |
| 5th | Tyrur Arthur | 2 | 7-1 | 30.07 | PJ Fahy |
| 6th | Cabra Buck | 4 | 4-1 | 30.31 | Graham Holland |
Con & Anne Kirby Memorial Stakes, Limerick (26 April, 525y, €80,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Boylesports Hero | 6 | 5-4f | 28.31 | Brendan Matthews |
| 2nd | Crokers Champ | 3 | 9-2 | 28.55 | Peter Cronin |
| 3rd | Vans Viking | 4 | 7-2 | 28.73 | Graham Holland |
| 4th | Pennys Deanridge | 1 | 16-1 | 28.76 | Rosemary Price |
| 5th | Ivy Hill Prince | 2 | 9-2 | 28.77 | Pat Curtin |
| 6th | Green Prince | 5 | 4-1 | 29.05 | Liam Dowling |
B.I.F National Produce, Clonmel (8 June, 525y, €30,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Boylesports Hero | 6 | 5-4f | 28.35 | Brendan Matthews |
| 2nd | Midtown Raffa | 3 | 4-1 | 28.45 | Maurice O’Connor |
| 3rd | Slick Satellite | 4 | 8-1 | 28.63 | Pat Buckley |
| 4th | Emils Banjo | 1 | 2-1 | 28.66 | Mike Bandurak |
| 5th | Laughil Blake | 5 | 5-2 | 28.73 | Michael O’Donovan |
| 6th | Razldazl Danann | 2 | 10-1 | 28.80 | Dolores Ruth |
Sporting Press Oaks, Shelbourne (21 June, 525y, €25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Velvet All Jam | 4 | 2-1 | 28.42 | Mike Buckley |
| 2nd | Always With Me | 1 | 5-1 | 28.47 | Joe Mcilhone |
| 3rd | Borna Gem | 2 | 6-4f | 28.79 | Ruairi Dwan |
| 4th | Cantkeepmein | 6 | 8-1 | 29.03 | John McGee Sr. |
| 5th | Ridgedale Look | 5 | 12-1 | 29.21 | Declan Sexton |
| 6th | Brenval Star | 3 | 6-1 | 29.28 | Graham Holland |
Hamilton Architects Champion Stakes, Shelbourne (26 July, 550y, €20,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Ballymac Vic | 5 | 9-4f | 29.97 | Liam Dowling |
| 2nd | Tyrur Nathan | 6 | 7-1 | 30.00 | PJ Fahy |
| 3rd | Tyrur Sugar Ray | 2 | 4-1 | 30.04 | PJ Fahy |
| 4th | Indigo Jack | 3 | 4-1 | 30.09 | Darragh Morrissey |
| 5th | Deanridge Pennys | 4 | 6-1 | 30.14 | Rosemary Price |
| 6th | Vimmerby | 1 | 3-1 | 30.20 | John Kavanagh |
Dublin Coach Puppy Derby, Harolds Cross (17 October, 525y, €22,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Quietly | 2 | 7-1 | 28.74 | Ian Reilly |
| 2nd | Farloe Blitz | 4 | 4-5f | 28.84 | Owen McKenna |
| 3rd | Dolcino Flyer | 5 | 6-1 | 29.05 | Pat Buckley |
| 4th | Blonde Nipper | 6 | 5-1 | 29.16 | Fraser Black |
| 5th | Coolavanny List | 3 | 28-1 | 29.23 | Matt Dartnall |
| 6th | Minglers Trio | 1 | 11-2 | 29.58 | James Moore |
Connolly's Red Mills Laurels, Cork (18 October, 525y, €30,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Vimmerby | 4 | 3-1 | 28.56 | John Kavanagh |
| 2nd | Sidarian Blaze | 2 | 6-4f | 28.84 | Graham Holland |
| 3rd | Nellies Flyer | 6 | 8-1 | 29.08 | John Kiely |
| 4th | Farloe Calvin | 1 | 7-2 | 29.10 | Owen McKenna |
| 5th | Vans Viking | 3 | 7-2 | 29.17 | Graham Holland |
| 6th | Champagne Jackie | 5 | 9-1 | 29.28 | Darragh Morrissey |
Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger, Limerick (22 November, 550y, €25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| 1st | Paradise Silva | 2 | 6-4f | 29.50 | Pat Buckley |
| 2nd | Ballyana Foxtrot | 6 | 3-1 | 29.67 | James Roche |
| 3rd | Vulturi | 1 | 5-2 | 29.92 | Liam Dowling |
| 4th | Burgess Oscar | 5 | 6-1 | 29.93 | Sheila Spillane/JJ Fennelly |
| 5th | Castleivy Crash | 3 | 5-1 | 30.14 | Denis P O’Malley |
| 6th | Borna Central | 4 | 10-1 | 30.24 | Michael Dwan |