# 2003 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2003 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 78th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

## Summary

The industry suffered a huge double blow with the closure of Catford and the English Greyhound Derby fiasco. Catford Stadium, owned by GRA was closed with little warning. The last meeting was on the 5 November leaving the staff, trainers and many others redundant.
Trainers John Simpson, Tony Taylor, Maxine Locke and John Walsh moved to Wimbledon, Keston based Steve Gammon left for Crayford, Sonja Spiers and Kevin Connor went to Sittingbourne and Mark Lavender switched to Portsmouth. Racing Manager Derek Hope was able to take up the same position at Wimbledon soon after because Simon Harris had left for Coventry Stadium bookmaker John Humphreys, who had stood in the main ring since 1966 and sponsored the Gold Collar for 18 years, retired.
The 2003 English Greyhound Derby took place as usual with the final being held on 28 June. The final resulted in the disqualification of Droopys Hewitt, trained by Andy Iaonnou a first season trainer and former head man to Nick Savva. A sample taken by the stewards (the usual practice) was tested as positive and following a six-month court battle the National Greyhound Racing Club stewards finally prevailed and stripped the Derby title from Droopys Hewitt and awarded it to second place Farloe Verdict. The winner Farloe Verdict received £75,000 and the disgraced Iaonnou was banned from the sport.
The 2003 Irish Greyhound Derby suffered no such troubles and was won by Climate Control.
Charlie Lister was Greyhound Trainer of the Year, it was the first time he had taken the honour despite all of his previous success. Brian Clemenson landed the trainers championship for the second successive year. The title of greyhound of the year went to Tims Crow.

### Tracks

Dundalk officially opened their new Dundalk Stadium on 29 November 2003 to the cost of €11 million. The minister for sport John O'Donoghue conducted the opening.
William Hill bookmakers purchased Brough Park and it underwent major investment, similar to that of Sunderland, which William Hill had acquired the year before.
Auchinleck in East Ayrshire, a major independent (unlicensed track) closed after seventy years racing. The track was the birthplace of famous Scottish bookmaker Fearless Freddie Williams who had his first pitch there many years ago.

### Competitions

Former Springbok champion Rossa Ranger set a new track record over 385 hurdles at Crayford recording a remarkable 23.36, faster than the flat heats of the Rosebowl on the same night. However he failed to make it past the Grand National first round. The event went to Selby Ben continuing Tommy Foster's success in the hurdle classic. Charlie Lister lifted the Scottish Greyhound Derby with new Irish acquisition Micks Mystic. Shelbourne Star lost his St Leger title after a positive test.

### News

There was continued debating on two issues; whether a levy should be paid to the sport in place of the Bookmakers contributions and how to increase funding in welfare to ensure that the industry could meet and exceed the requirements set by DEFRA and the Animal Welfare Bill.
Trainer Joe Cobbold died after a long battle with cancer aged 71, his son Trevor Cobbold had died nearly ten years previous with cancer; the Utopia kennels had produced countless champions under the 'Decoy' prefix.

## Roll of honour

Major Winners :
| Award | Name of Winner |
| 2003 English Greyhound Derby | Farloe Verdict |
| 2003 Irish Greyhound Derby | Climate Control |
| Greyhound Trainer of the Year | Charlie Lister |
| Greyhound of the Year | Tims Crow |
| Irish Dog and Bitch of the Year | Climate Control / Mustang Mega |
Trainers Championship, Sittingbourne (May 4) :
| Pos | Name of Trainer | Points |
| 1st | Brian Clemenson | 56 |
| 2nd | Linda Jones | 47 |
| 3rd | Paul Young | 30 |
| 4th | Cheryl Miller | 29 |
| 5th | Seamus Cahill | 25 |
| 6th | John Mullins | 21 |

### Principal UK finals

William Hill Grand National, Wimbledon (Mar 18, 460mH, £7,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Selby Ben | Tommy Foster | 12-1 | 28.45 | 2 |
| 2nd | Take A Tonic | Paul Young | 5-1 | 28.57 | 4 |
| 3rd | Shopitaly | Seamus Cahill | 2-1f | 28.59 | 1 |
| 4th | High Roller | Barry O’Sullivan | 4-1 | 28.69 | 6 |
| 5th | Ultra Low | Norah McEllistrim | 7-1 | 28.69 | 3 |
| 6th | Coogee Tel Boy | George Andreas | 7-2 | 28.72 | 5 |
Regal Scottish Derby, Shawfield (Apr 5, 480m, £25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Micks Mystic | Charlie Lister | 4-6f | 29.07 | 5 |
| 2nd | Bomber Graham | Pat Rosney | 12-1 | 29.47 | 3 |
| 3rd | Unassailable | Tommy Gentles | 10-1 | 29.53 | 1 |
| 4th | Swift Star | Paul Young | 8-1 | 29.83 | 6 |
| 5th | Sportsman | Linda Jones | 5-1 | 29.97 | 4 |
| 6th | Stay Please | Janis Carmichael | 10-1 | 30.31 | 2 |
Reading Masters, Reading (Jul 20, 465m, £20,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Blonde Ranger | John Mullins | 6-1 | 28.00 | 5 |
| 2nd | Haughty Ted | Dinky Luckhurst | 9-4f | 28.10 | 1 |
| 3rd | Iceman Merlin | Tony Lucas | 5-2 | 28.22 | 6 |
| 4th | Shirl Tel Kel | George Andreas | 14-1 | 28.30 | 3 |
| 5th | Farloe Hack | Barrie Draper | 11-4 | 28.44 | 4 |
| 6th | Nightingale Babe | Liz Redpath | 10-1 | 28.64 | 2 |
William Hill Cesarewitch, Oxford (Jul 22, 645m, £5,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Maxie Rumble | John Mullins | 1-1f | 39.62 | 2 |
| 2nd | Creamery City | Nick Colton | 25-1 | 39.72 | 3 |
| 3rd | Iceman Yank | Tony Lucas | 9-2 | 39.73 | 6 |
| 4th | Creamery Euro | Nick Colton | 6-4 | 39.82 | 1 |
| 5th | Jago Pride | Richard Jago | 33-1 | 40.10 | 4 |
| 6th | Southlodge Rage | Nick Colton | 16-1 | 40.21 | 5 |
Tote Gold Collar, Catford (Sep 18, 555m, £7,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Toms Little Jo | Gary Baggs | 3-1 | 34.56 | 3 |
| 2nd | Topmeup | Paul Garland | 4-1 | 35.00 | 1 |
| 3rd | Wall of Tears | Claude Gardiner | 2-1f | 35.12 | 6 |
| 4th | Sympatico | Bernie Doyle | 10-1 | 35.20 | 2 |
| 5th | Iceman Mork | Tony Lucas | 33-1 | 35.36 | 5 |
| 6th | Master Card | John Coleman | 3-1 | 35.46 | 4 |
Victor Chandler Grand Prix, Walthamstow (Oct 4, 640m, £10,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Special Trick | Linda Jones | 4-1 | 39.85 | 3 |
| 2nd | Bale Out | Jim Reynolds | 5-2f | 40.09 | 1 |
| 3rd | Little Sapphire | John Mullins | 10-1 | 40.41 | 5 |
| 4th | Soviet Swinger | Ernie Gaskin Sr. | 3-1 | 40.51 | 2 |
| 5th | Split the Score | John Mullins | 5-1 | 40.59 | 4 |
| 6th | Ballyshane Snow | Gary Baggs | 6-1 | 40.85 | 6 |
William Hill TV Trophy, Wimbledon (Oct 7, 872m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Ericas Equity | Paul Young | 6-4 | 54.62 | 3 |
| 2nd | Shelbourne Star | Brian Clemenson | 7-1 | 54.66 | 1 |
| 3rd | Creamery Euro | Nick Colton | 7-1 | 54.78 | 2 |
| 4th | Iceman Yank | Tony Lucas | 1-1f | 55.00 | 4 |
| 5th | Vigorous Brook | Linda Jones | 16-1 | 55.03 | 5 |
| N/R | Similar Colour | Ernie Gaskin Sr. | | | 6 |
William Hill Laurels, Belle Vue (Oct 28, 465m, £8,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Knockeevan Magic | Peter Rich | 11-10f | 28.25 | 1 |
| 2nd | Bally Kee | Charlie Lister | 7-4 | 28.53 | 3 |
| 3rd | Bomber Graham | Pat Rosney | 8-1 | 28.66 | 2 |
| 4th | Stuart Little | Graham Hutt | 9-1 | 29.23 | 5 |
| 5th | Missy Elliot | Anthony McConnell | 8-1 | 29.32 | 6 |
| N/R | Burberry Boy | Charlie Lister | | | 4 |
William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (Nov 11, 668m, £13,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Bite the Bullet | Wayne Brunt | 20-1 | 41.38 | 2 |
| 2nd | Tullymurry Token | Martin Dowman | 33-1 | 41.41 | 5 |
| 3rd | Double Take | Andy Heyes | 16-1 | 41.46 | 4 |
| 4th | Special Trick | Linda Jones | 2-1 | 41.53 | 3 |
| N/R | Fortuna Phantom | Tony Lucas | | | 6 |
| disq+ | Shelbourne Star | Brian Clemenson | 4-7f | 41.21 | 1 |
William Hill Oaks, Wimbledon (Dec 2, 480m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Cooly Pantera | Brian Clemenson | 11-8f | 29.18 | 4 |
| 2nd | Droopys Natalie | Charlie Lister | 6-1 | 29.24 | 6 |
| 3rd | Zodiac Supreme | Norah McEllistrim | 6-1 | 29.32 | 5 |
| 4th | Duchess Keghtley | Graham Hutt | 9-4 | 29.34 | 3 |
| 5th | Lizzie Larsson | John Mullins | 10-1 | 29.40 | 2 |
| 6th | Whitefort Jackie | Terry Kibble | 20-1 | 29.62 | 1 |

### Principal Irish finals

Easter Cup Shelbourne (Apr 12, 525y, €50,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Mobhi Gamble | 4-1 | 28.47 | 6 |
| 2nd | Clover Hare | 9-10f | 28.48 | 2 |
| 3rd | Borna Pilot | 7-2 | 28.65 | 3 |
| 4th | Johnny Jump Up | 20-1 | 29.07 | 4 |
| 5th | Ten Men | 6-1 | 29.21 | 1 |
| 6th | Haliska Hilander | 50-1 | 29.32 | 5 |
Red Mills Produce Clonmel (May 4, 525y, €30,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Clashduff Fun | 2-1 | 28.79 | 6 |
| 2nd | Safari King | 7-2 | 28.89 | 2 |
| 3rd | Land of Song | 20-1 | 28.93 | 4 |
| 4th | Officer Joe | 7-4f | 29.21 | 1 |
| 5th | Dunloe Prince | 3-1 | 29.42 | 3 |
| N/R | Davran Chief | | | 5 |
Ladbrokes 600 Shelbourne (May 10, 600y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | The Other Master | 4-1 | 32.81 | 3 |
| 2nd | Frisby Fassan | 4-1 | 32.82 | 6 |
| 3rd | Odette | 6-1 | 32.89 | 1 |
| 4th | Diego Glory | 12-1 | 33.06 | 2 |
| 5th | Charlie Bird | 6-1 | 33.80 | 4 |
| 6th | Kansil O Kee | 7-4f | 00.00 | 5 |
Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger Limerick (Jun 8, 550y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Mountleader Rolf | 5-2 | 30.01 | 6 |
| 2nd | Nikita Billie | 7-1 | 30.02 | 3 |
| 3rd | Nod Mac | 6-4f | 30.09 | 4 |
| 4th | Land of Song | 20-1 | 30.44 | 5 |
| 5th | Balscadden Boy | 2-1 | 30.51 | 1 |
| N/R | Maryville Rumble | | | 2 |
Sporting Press Oaks Shelbourne (Jul 19, 525y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Axle Grease | 11-10f | 28.64 | 4 |
| 2nd | Mustang Mega | 3-1 | 28.66 | 1 |
| 3rd | One Yard | 4-1 | 28.90 | 2 |
| 4th | Odette | 20-1 | 29.25 | 3 |
| 5th | Longvalley Tina | 14-1 | 29.36 | 6 |
| 6th | Alisons Pet | 20-1 | 29.57 | 5 |
Boylesports Champion Stakes Shelbourne (Aug 2, 550y, €40,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | World Class | 16-1 | 29.72 | 2 |
| 2nd | Priceless Rebel | 12-1 | 29.86 | 1 |
| 3rd | Bookie Burglar | 12-1 | 30.35 | 3 |
| 4th | Magical Captain | 16-1 | 30.36 | 6 |
| 5th | Serene Rumble | 2-1 | 30.53 | 4 |
| 6th | Climate Control | 1-1f | 31.23 | 5 |
BCR Press/Droopys Vieri Puppy Derby Harolds Cross (Oct 10, 525y, €50,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Droopys Cahill | 5-4f | 28.55 | 2 |
| 2nd | Jack Spark | 6-1 | 28.79 | 4 |
| 3rd | Side Cash | 6-1 | 28.86 | 3 |
| 4th | Early Mist | 4-1 | 28.88 | 5 |
| 5th | Ballymac Returns | 4-1 | 28.95 | 6 |
| 6th | Bo Bo | 12-1 | 29.06 | 1 |
Co-Op Superstores Laurels Cork (Oct 25, 525y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Nikita Billie | 9-2 | 28.34 | 3 |
| 2nd | Droopys Ruud | 2-1f | 28.44 | 2 |
| 3rd | Droopys Oasis | 7-2 | 28.65 | 5 |
| 4th | Fiery Lark | 12-1 | 28.90 | 1 |
| 5th | Mustang Buster | 7-2 | 28.91 | 4 |
| 6th | Oasis Rumble | 14-1 | 29.19 | 6 |

## Totalisator returns

Extended content :
The totalisator returns declared to the National Greyhound Racing Club for the year 2003 are listed below.
Stadium
Turnover £
Walthamstow12,443,362
Wimbledon8,339,296
Romford7,809,747
Belle Vue6,173,275
Brighton & Hove5,545,416
Hall Green5,167,047
Peterborough4,715,084
Sheffield4,291,468
Oxford2,712,891
Crayford2,649,075
Sunderland2,417,402
Stadium
Turnover £
Perry Barr2,067,766
Nottingham2,052,803
Monmore2,048,880
Catford2,012,983
Yarmouth1,977,638
Poole1,806,475
Shawfield1,805,827
Swindon1,611,112
Milton Keynes1,551,192
Sittingbourne1,417,520
Portsmouth1,404,526
Stadium
Turnover £
Brough Park1,303,000
Reading943,155
Kinsley903,734
Stainforth897,660
Harlow879,097
Mildenhall309,636
Henlow164,288
Rye House121,225
Hull (New Craven Park)27,205
Hull (Boulevard)23,680 :