# 1995 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 1995 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 69th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

## Roll of honour

Major Winners :
| Award | Name of Winner |
| 1995 English Greyhound Derby | Moaning Lad |
| 1995 Irish Greyhound Derby | Batties Rocket |
| 1995 Scottish Greyhound Derby | Solar Symphony |
| Greyhound Trainer of the Year | John Coleman |
| Greyhound of the Year | Staplers Jo |
| Irish Greyhound of the Year | Dew Reward |
| Trainers Championship | John Coleman |

## Summary

The National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) released the annual returns, with totalisator turnover at £77,837,828 and attendances recorded at 3,652,671 from 6391 meetings.
Staplers Jo trained by Nick Savva was voted Greyhound of the Year after winning the Anglo Irish International, Produce Stakes, Guineas and Ladbrokes Puppy Derby. Dew Reward trained by Michael O'Donovan was voted Irish Greyhound of the Year after winning the Irish Champion Stakes.
John Coleman won the Greyhound Trainer of the Year.
While William Hill remained part of the doomed Brent Walker, the new owners of Hackney Wick Stadium Fleetfoot Racing (led by its Managing Director Ex-Lloyds broker and racing journalist Robert Parker) had announced an exciting redevelopment plan. However, before the end of the year the plans had turned into a fiasco. Work began on an ambitious project including a £12 million restaurant and state of the art facilities, leading trainers were recruited and the stadium was rebranded 'The London Stadium'. Robert Parker was later replaced by Stephen Rea, with the venture still requiring significant funds and beset with construction problems and internal disagreements the original £14 million scheme to develop the neglected stadium had run into serious problems. Extra cash was raised by rights issues with companies including Rothschild, Henderson Venture Managers and Samuel Montagu. In October 1995 the new stadium was finally ready offering first-class facilities and significantly high prize money. However on the reopening night and despite a capacity crowd the stadium went into receivership during the same evening. Investigations began amidst rumours of fraud, banker Stephen Welton, was pursued by LWT reporter Trevor Phillips and questioned for the Board's failure to conduct due diligence on a prospective buyer who turned out to be an undischarged bankrupt. Parker appeared on Roger Cook's ITV's television program The Cook Report and allegations were made against Stephen Rea.

## Tracks

Construction company Hawkins of Harrow went into administration following a lull in the building industry and repayments required to the banks for loans to purchase garden centres. They owned Northern Sports which meant that Oxford Stadium and Ramsgate Stadium were in the hands of the receivers. Ramsgate boss Sheila Yanez believes the track could be sold for £1.2 million but that it would take at least a year to resolve planning issues with the neighbouring garden centre. Oxford General Manager John Blake and Northern Sports Group Racing Manager Mick Wheble were made redundant.
Harlow Stadium opened on 15 March. Toni Nicholls bought the land from receivers when the new football stadium was being built in 1993 and constructed the new facilities including executive suites, a restaurant and conference and banqueting facilities.
Sittingbourne opened on 3 October with new facilities including a track side restaurant, fast food outlets, three licensed bars and three private executive suites.
Eddie Ramsay's SGRC (Scottish Greyhound Racing Company) was in financial difficulties and he sold Powderhall Stadium to a Channel Islands company called Charlotte Twenty-One (that included a shareholder called Walton Hankinson, a housing development specialist).

## News

Treacys Triumph broke one of the oldest track records in Ireland after recording 31.68 at Harolds Cross for 580 yards. The half brother of Moral Standards improved Rail Ship's previous record set in 1973.

## Competitions

Spring Rose trained by Charlie Lister finished second behind Elliots Gem in the inaugural Puppy Classic at Nottingham. Spring Rose, a white and fawn bitch would make a champion stayer. It was however Ballarue Minx trained by Bill Masters that was the stand out stayer of the year; the white and brindle bitch won the first Cesarewitch to be held at Catford Stadium, which added to her St Leger crown from the previous year.

## Principal UK races

Daily Mirror/Sporting Life Grand National, Hall Green (Mar 29, 474m h, £7,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Elegant Brandy | Ernie Gaskin Sr. | 10-1 | 29.24 | 1 |
| 2nd | Fear Faire | Kim Marlow | 5-2 | 29.26 | 3 |
| 3rd | Howling Darkie | Bob Baker | 16-1 | 29.40 | 6 |
| 4th | Ace Choice | Derek Knight | 7-1 | 29.58 | 5 |
| 5th | Flicks Flyer | Patsy Byrne | 11-4 | 29.59 | 2 |
| 6th | Westlake Wonder | Chris Duggan | 2-1f | 29.67 | 4 |
BBC TV Trophy, Oxford (Apr 19, 845m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Last Action | John Wileman | 10-11f | 53.68 | 5 |
| 2nd | Jubilee Rebecca | Gordon Rooks | 8-1 | 53.86 | 3 |
| 3rd | Tain Flip | David Mullins | 11-2 | 53.87 | 2 |
| 4th | Long Island Jim | Chris Duggan | 11-2 | 53.91 | 6 |
| 5th | Coalbrook Star | Ken Shearman | 8-1 | 54.19 | 1 |
| 6th | Aughadonagh Bay | Bob Hall | 50-1 | 54.51 | 4 |
Reading Masters, Reading (May 11, 465m, £20,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Longvalley Manor | John Coleman | 9-2 | 28.35 | |
| 2nd | Sodas Slippy | D Barrett | 8-1 | 28.49 | 2 |
| 3rd | Tooting Tim | Patsy Byrne | 16-1 | 28.89 | 5 |
| 4th | Strauss | Gilly Davis | 9-2 | 28.92 | 3 |
| 5th | Academic | John Coleman | 6-4f | 00.00 | 1 |
| 6th | Seal of Gold | Patsy Byrne | 5-2 | DNF | 6 |
Regal Scottish Derby, Shawfield (May 20, 480m, £20,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Solar Symphony | Stuart Ray | 5-2jf | 28.97+ | 1 |
| 2nd | Curryhills Fancy | Linda Mullins | 6-1 | 29.33 | 6 |
| 3rd | Pond Pythagarus | Harry Williams | 10-1 | 29.34 | 5 |
| 4th | West End | Graham Calvert | 4-1 | 29.46 | 3 |
| 5th | Cill Dubh Sam | Hazel Dickson | 6-1 | 29.82 | 2 |
| 6th | Murlens Link | Davie Neill | 5-2jf | 30.12 | 4 |
Scurry Gold Cup, Catford (Jul 8, 385m, £2,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Demesne Bear | Peter Payne | 10-11f | 23.68 | 1 |
| 2nd | City Class | John Wileman | 4-1 | 23.86 | 6 |
| 3rd | Ramor Treasure | Paul Garland | 25-1 | 24.04 | 4 |
| 4th | Tamar Wizard | Brian Clemenson | 14-1 | 24.16 | 2 |
| 5th | Hello October | Tom Gates | 9-4 | 24.24 | 5 |
| 6th | Hendon Charlie | Norah McEllistrim | 25-1 | 24.32 | 3 |
Gold Collar, Catford (Sep 23, 555m, £7,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Alans Rose | John Coleman | 11-10f | 34.61 | 1 |
| 2nd | Coom Cruiser | Derek Knight | 3-1 | 34.77 | 3 |
| 3rd | Coolmona Road | Derek Knight | 2-1 | 34.91 | 4 |
| 4th | Mr Tan | Dave Catchpole | 20-1 | 34.95 | 2 |
| 5th | Fulham Cross | John Walsh | 14-1 | 35.11 | 6 |
| 6th | Opening Quote | Donna Pickett | 25-1 | 35.29 | 5 |
Grand Prix, Walthamstow (Oct 7, 640m, £7,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Suncrest Sail | Charlie Lister | 11-10f | 39.62 | |
| 2nd | Sir Frederick | Derek Knight | 5-1 | 39.78 | 6 |
| 3rd | Love of You | Tom Foster | 7-1 | 39.81 | 3 |
| 4th | Alans Rose | John Coleman | 5-2 | 39.99 | 4 |
| 5th | Just Ash | Graham Sharp | 66-1 | 40.39 | 2 |
| 6th | Honest Endeavour | Dick Hawkes | 100-1 | 40.44 | 5 |
Laurels, Wimbledon (Oct 14, 460m, £7,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Demesne Bear | Peter Payne | 14-1 | 27.94 | |
| 2nd | Dragon Prince | Charlie Lister | 4-5f | 28.08 | 3 |
| 3rd | Hart To Mine | Brian Clemenson | 12-1 | 28.36 | 5 |
| 4th | Bettys Wish | John Wileman | 20-1 | 28.38 | 4 |
| 5th | Hinch Manx | Patsy Byrne | 5-2 | 28.52 | 6 |
| 6th | Top Lodge | Terry Kibble | 14-1 | 28.72 | 1 |
St Leger, Wembley (Nov 17, 655m, £12,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Kens Dilemma | Theo Mentzis | 2-1f | 39.80 | 6 |
| 2nd | Dinan Wonder | Charlie Lister | 9-4 | 39.84 | 2 |
| 3rd | Misties Cloud | Hazel Dickson | 7-2 | 39.92 | 4 |
| 4th | Milwaukee Dream | Ernie Gaskin Sr. | 7-1 | 39.94 | 3 |
| 5th | Andronikos | Cindy Clapp | 12-1 | 40.10 | 5 |
| 6th | Slippy Ted | Graham Sharp | 14-1 | 40.24 | 1 |
Cesarewitch, Catford (Dec 2, 718m, £5,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Ballarue Minx | Bill Masters | 5-4 | 45.98 | 3 |
| 2nd | Alans Rose | John Coleman | 5-6f | 45.99 | 1 |
| 3rd | Postal Delivery | Tony Taylor | 50-1 | 46.35 | 5 |
| 4th | Musha | Dennis Jewell | 50-1 | 46.36 | 2 |
| 5th | Rockmount Grand | Tony Taylor | 8-1 | 46.38 | 6 |
| 6th | Whos Minnies | Lorraine Sams | 40-1 | 46.62 | 4 |
Oaks, Wimbledon (Dec 16, 480m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Saddlers Return | Ernie Gaskin Sr. | 3-1 | 28.76 | 2 |
| 2nd | Forgotten | John Haynes | 8-11f | 29.12 | 6 |
| 3rd | Bettys Wish | John Wileman | 5-1 | 29.14 | 1 |
| 4th | Veras Echo | Tommy Foster | 50-1 | 29.64 | 4 |
| 5th | Courage Queen | Tommy Foster | 7-1 | 29.70 | 3 |
| 6th | Good Omen | Ernie Gaskin Sr. | 12-1 | 29.82 | 5 |

## Totalisator returns

Extended content :
The totalisator returns declared to the National Greyhound Racing Club for the year 1995 are listed below.
Stadium
Turnover £
London (Walthamstow)12,419,527
London (Wimbledon)8,572,980
Romford5,966,799
Brighton & Hove4,802,685
Birmingham (Hall Green)4,729,378
London (Catford)4,618,210
Manchester (Belle Vue)4,224,570
London (Wembley)2,662,131
Crayford2,575,528
Sheffield (Owlerton)2,284,595
Birmingham (Perry Barr)2,222,567
Peterborough1,950,844
Glasgow (Shawfield)1,851,797
Stadium
Turnover £
Sunderland1,624,156
London (Hackney)1,599,182
Wolverhampton (Monmore)1,481,070
Portsmouth1,424,206
Oxford1,288,604
Yarmouth1,253,082
Bristol1,213,568
Newcastle (Brough Park)1,196,826
Reading1,083,871
Ramsgate997,166
Nottingham698,649
Milton Keynes696,937
Swindon564,897
Stadium
Turnover £
Doncaster (Stainforth)551,970
Bolton511,240
Hull (New Craven Park)402,312
Harlow390,000
Canterbury389,645
Sittingbourne340,441
Middlesbrough326,786
Swaffham308,010
Henlow (Bedfordshire)237,462
Mildenhall176,598
Rye House174,659
Dundee23,880 :