# 2009 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2009 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 84th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

## Roll of honour

Major Winners :
| Award | Name of Winner |
| 2009 English Greyhound Derby | Kinda Ready |
| 2009 Irish Greyhound Derby | College Causeway |
| Greyhound Trainer of the Year | Mark Wallis |
| Greyhound of the Year | Fear Zafonic |
| Irish Dog and Bitch of the Year | College Causeway / Skywalker Queen |

## Summary

The British Greyhound Racing Board and the National Greyhound Racing Club merged to form a new organisation called the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (G.B.G.B). The remit was the same in regard to rules and regulations and the promotion of the sport but there were significant changes in regard to the welfare of the greyhounds. One of the new rules brought in was the requirement for every greyhound to be microchipped and drug tested before it was even allowed to set foot on any track for a qualifying trial. The merger allowed the governing body to track every greyhound registered to race on licensed tracks and would help combat the small minority that abused welfare rules. The new Chief Executive of the G.B.G.B would be former Olympic field hockey gold medallist Ian Taylor, well known as the goalkeeper in the famous 1988 Seoul Games. He would only stay in the position for a relatively short time however and saw the bookmakers levy decreasing; it dropped £2 million to £10 million in total, a very worrying statistic.
The industry in Ireland hit a brick wall with the Sports Minister Martin Cullen announcing a 13% funding reduction on Irish racing. Paddy Power subsequently announced they are withdrawing their Derby sponsorship. Attendances were down 12% and tote betting down 8%.
The two leading prizes of the English Greyhound Derby and Irish Greyhound Derby went to Kinda Ready and College Causeway respectively.
Fear Zafonic went on to win the greyhound of the year after securing the East Anglian Derby and Mark Wallis topped off a superb year with the most open races points and the trainers title for the third time.

### Tracks

Two tracks closed; on 17 June it was announced that the Boulevard in Hull would close to greyhound racing once again after less than two years trading. After going to once a week racing, promoter Dave Marshall pulled the plug on funding for the stadium and the last meeting was on 27 June.
Coventry closed after Boxing Day with the company going into liquidation. It closed on a sour note with the Racing Manager Russ Watkin fined £5,000 for allowing 67 races to go off before their official race time.
Ballyskeagh in Lisburn, County Antrim, Northern Ireland reopened under a new name and would be known as Drumbo Park. It is known as the New Grosvenor Stadium during the daytime football matches and then changes to Drumbo Park for the Greyhounds in the evening.

### Competitions

The GRA made more cuts including trimming their major race fixtures. The last Gold Collar and Gorton Cup were held at Belle Vue Stadium. The Scurry Gold Cup had been switched from Perry Barr Stadium earlier in the year to Belle Vue.
The Scottish Greyhound Derby featured five Irish hounds in the final and the event was won by Cabra Cool. On the same night as the final Greenwell River set a new track record of 28.66 in the invitation race.

### News

Geoff De Mulder, one of the all-time great trainers, died aged 79. The 'Wizard of Meriden' who had been ill for some time sent out two English Greyhound Derby winners, a Scottish Greyhound Derby, the Welsh Greyhound Derby and four consolation Derby events. He sent out 14 Derby finalists and won a whole host of other major races.
Track bookmaker Tony Morris stood for the last time at Wimbledon and top greyhounds Lenson Joker, Horseshoe Ping and Flying Winner were all retired, the latter had broken eight track records.
Betfair Trainers Championship, Sheffield (Mar 17) :
| Pos | Name of Trainer | Points |
| 1st | Charlie Lister | 66 |
| 2nd | Mark Wallis | 37 |
| 3rd | Barrie Draper | 31 |
| 4th | Pat Rosney | 29 |
| 4th | Seamus Cahill | 24 |
| 6th | John Mullins | 20 |

### Principal UK finals

Stan James Grand National, Wimbledon (Apr 7, 480mH, £7,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Hotdog Jack | Seamus Cahill | 2-1f | 28.49 | 1 |
| 2nd | Distant Legend | Julie Power | 5-1 | 28.63 | 6 |
| 3rd | Nebuchadnezzar | Lorraine Sams | 9-2 | 28.77 | 4 |
| 4th | The Other Outlaw | Jason Foster | 7-1 | 28.90 | 3 |
| 5th | Mall Byte | Lorraine Sams | 8-1 | 29.12 | 5 |
| 6th | Platinumlancelot | Jason Foster | 5-2 | 29.15 | 2 |
Bettor.com Scottish Derby, Shawfield (Apr 11, 480m, £25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Cabra Cool | Pat Buckley | 4-1 | 28.83 | 1 |
| 2nd | Daleys Buzz | Paul Hennessy | 20-1 | 29.09 | 5 |
| 3rd | Target Classic | Seamus McGarry | 6-1 | 29.11 | 2 |
| 4th | Forest Master | Fraser Black | 8-1 | 29.17 | 4 |
| 5th | Thurlesbeg Joker | Barrie Draper | 5-4f | 29.23 | 6 |
| 6th | Must Be Keano | Fraser Black | 11-4 | 29.27 | 3 |
Showsec Scurry Cup, Belle Vue (June 9, 260m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Centaur Allstar | Chris Allsopp | 7-4f | 15.10 | 4 |
| 2nd | Officer Donagh | Chris Allsopp | 11-4 | 15.24 | 6 |
| 3rd | Matts Mentor | David Pruhs | 4-1 | 15.28 | 3 |
| 4th | Ping The Lids | Andy Heyes | 5-1 | 15.36 | 5 |
| 5th | Farloe Ferdinand | Paddy Curtin UK | 11-1 | 15.40 | 2 |
| 6th | Jethart Jackie | Julie Bateson | 5-1 | 15.46 | 1 |
William Hill TV Trophy, Newcastle (June 24, 895m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Midway Skipper | Henry Chalkley | 10-1 | 56.22 | 3 |
| 2nd | Bubbly Eagle | Paul Young | 1-2f | 56.34 | 2 |
| 3rd | Brimardon Helen | Tony Collett | 16-1 | 56.42 | 4 |
| 4th | Vatican Iona | Pat Rosney | 7-1 | 56.45 | 6 |
| 5th | Barnfield Broke | Paul Philpott | 3-1 | 56.48 | 1 |
| 6th | Ardagh Charm | Denis Curtin | 50-1 | 56.86 | 5 |
William Hill Cesarwitch, Oxford (Jun 30, 645m, £5,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | He Went Whoosh | Claude Gardiner | 11-10f | 39.56 | 5 |
| 2nd | Melodys Comet | Richard Yeates | 7-2 | 39.59 | 2 |
| 3rd | Bada Who | Enid Gowler | 7-2 | 39.71 | 1 |
| 4th | Heavy Weather | Paul Foster | 20-1 | 39.90 | 3 |
| 5th | White Blaze | Paul Young | 10-1 | 40.03 | 4 |
| 6th | Romeo Turbo | David Firmager | 7-1 | 40.33 | 6 |
William Hill Grand Prix, Sunderland (Jul 16, 640m, £15,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Crown Rover | Jimmy Wright | 2-1 | 40.27 | 1 |
| 2nd | Lenson Joker | Tony Collett | 1-1f | 40.36 | 3 |
| 3rd | Wordsandatune | Paul Rutherford | 10-1 | 40.51 | 2 |
| 4th | Bubby Totti | Ted Soppitt | 4-1 | 40.54 | 6 |
| 5th | Lissycasey Punch | Barrie Draper | 10-1 | 40.61 | 4 |
| 6th | Crockenhill | Kelly Macari | 16-1 | 40.94 | 5 |
William Hill Classic, Sunderland (Jul 16, 450m, £40,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Jogadusc Ace | Mark Wallis | 5-1 | 27.83 | 3 |
| 2nd | Blood of Kings | Julie Bateson | 5-2 | 28.13 | 1 |
| 3rd | Mario Gomez | Charlie Lister | 8-1 | 28.18 | 6 |
| 4th | Compass Mikey | Paul Hennessy | 8-1 | 28.34 | 2 |
| 5th | Droopys Bogart | Liz McNair | 5-4f | 28.39 | 5 |
| 6th | Ping the Lids | Andy Heyes | 8-1 | 28.41 | 4 |
Totesport Gold Collar, Belle Vue (Aug 20, 590m, £10,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Southwind Harry | Kim Billingham | 6-1 | 35.21 | 5 |
| 2nd | Hurleys Hero | Jimmy Wright | 9-4 | 35.46 | 4 |
| 3rd | Crown Rover | Jimmy Wright | 5-4f | 35.55 | 2 |
| 4th | Franks Lad | Paul Young | 7-2 | 35.71 | 6 |
| 5th | Plough Lane | Julie Bateson | 16-1 | 35.75 | 3 |
| 6th | East County | Jimmy Wright | 3-1 | 35.81 | 1 |
Betfred Laurels, Belle Vue (Oct 6, 470m, £10,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Sunoak Crystal | Julie Calvert | 5-2 | 28.01 | 4 |
| 2nd | Target Brett | Julie Bateson | 11-8f | 28.27 | 6 |
| 3rd | Iconic Blue | John Davy | 6-1 | 28.31 | 5 |
| 4th | Ping The Lids | Andy Heyes | 7-2 | 28.53 | 3 |
| 5th | Farloe Titan | Paul Sallis | 7-1 | 28.61 | 2 |
| 6th | Sniper Petra | Gary Carmichael | 7-1 | 28.73 | 1 |
William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (Oct 17, 668m, £13,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Kinda Easy | Mark Wallis | 2-1jf | 40.57 | 6 |
| 2nd | Droopys Zach | Mark Wallis | 2-1jf | 40.58 | 3 |
| 3rd | Lorrys Options | Dean Childs | 7-2 | 40.98 | 4 |
| 4th | Swift Messenger | Michael Harris | 25-1 | 41.12 | 1 |
| 5th | Westmead Wings | Nick Savva | 5-1 | 41.14 | 2 |
| 6th | Fraziers Clone | Bill Black | 8-1 | 41.21 | 5 |
William Hill Oaks, Wimbledon (Dec 15, 460m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Shaws Dilemma | Liz McNair | 5-2 | 28.52 | 2 |
| 2nd | Freedom Emma | Richard Yeates | 7-1 | 28.54 | 3 |
| 3rd | Tyrur Liz | P.J. Fahy | 4-5f | 28.69 | 6 |
| 4th | Little Jig | Chris Allsopp | 10-1 | 28.92 | 1 |
| 5th | Cabra Exclusive | Liz McNair | 20-1 | 28.96 | 5 |
| 6th | Slick Sioux | Keith Allsop | 7-1 | 29.15 | 4 |

### Principal Irish finals

BCR Print Easter Cup, Shelbourne (Apr 18, 550y, €40,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Droopys Noel | Pat Buckley | 6-1 | 29.91 | 3 |
| 2nd | Advantage Jimmy | Owen McKenna | 11-4f | 29.97 | 5 |
| 3rd | Oran Classic | John McGee Sr. | 10-3 | 30.21 | 2 |
| 4th | Ballymac Under | Pa Fitzgerald | 3-1 | 30.23 | 1 |
| 5th | Tip and Tin | Joe Carey | 14-1 | 30.29 | 4 |
| 6th | Blackstone Gene | Owen McKenna | 6-1 | 30.45 | 6 |
Red Mills Produce, Clonmel (May 3, 525y, €30,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Duke Special | Michael Delahunty | 2-1f | 28.40 | 6 |
| 2nd | Carrowkeal Sam | Kathleen Murphy | 14-1 | 28.75 | 5 |
| 3rd | Mumhan Aris | Denis Fitzgerald | 10-1 | 28.78 | 2 |
| 4th | Cowboys Cheek | Morgan McMahon | 7-2 | 28.89 | 4 |
| 5th | Shaneboy Lee | Denis Kiely | 9-4 | 28.96 | 3 |
| 6th | Baby Daddy Cool | Tony O'Connor | 4-1 | 28.97 | 1 |
Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger, Limerick (Jun 13, 550y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Bar Blackstone | Sean Dunphy | 2-1jf | 29.62 | 2 |
| 2nd | Shaneboy Lee | Denis Kiely | 2-1jf | 29.79 | 5 |
| 3rd | Moveit Jamie | Michael Delahunty | 6-1 | 29.80 | 1 |
| 4th | Chicken Supper | John Kiely | 5-1 | 30.15 | 4 |
| 5th | Marked Urgent | Paul Hennessy | 8-1 | 30.29 | 3 |
| 6th | Timor Blue | Jim Morrissey | 3-1 | dnf | 6 |
Sporting Press Oaks, Shelbourne (Jun 27, 525y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Skywalker Queen | Frances O'Donnell | 9-4 | 28.24 | 6 |
| 2nd | Lady Glenard | Michael O'Donovan | 7-2 | 28.60 | 3 |
| 3rd | Maireads Fantasy | Fraser Black | 6-4f | 28.88 | 5 |
| 4th | Another Issue | Michael O'Donovan | 7-1 | 28.91 | 4 |
| 5th | Shades of Soul | M Gilbert | 16-1 | 29.07 | 1 |
| 6th | Bling Bling Flo | John Meehan | 50-1 | 29.08 | 2 |
Boylesports Champion Stakes, Shelbourne (Jul 25, 550y, €40,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Fatboyz Nodrog | Pat Gordon | 3-1jf | 29.54 | 4 |
| 2nd | Shaneboy Lee | Denis Kiely | 4-1 | 29.58 | 6 |
| 3rd | Faypoint Man | Owen McKenna | 3-1jf | 29.74 | 1 |
| 4th | Barefoot Bolt | Paul Hennessy | 4-1 | 29.98 | 3 |
| 5th | Shelbourne Aston | Pat Curtin | 6-1 | 30.14 | 5 |
| 6th | Barefoot Bryan | Paul Hennessy | 8-1 | 30.18 | 2 |
HX Bookmakers Puppy Derby, Harolds Cross (Oct 9, 525y, €30,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Tullymurry Act | Pat Buckley | 7-4 | 28.57 | 3 |
| 2nd | Westmead Grant | Fraser Black | 6-4f | 28.58 | 6 |
| 3rd | Cornamaddy Swift | Darragh Robinson | 10-1 | 28.82 | 2 |
| 4th | Bonville Johnny | Steve Locke | 66-1 | 29.02 | 4 |
| 5th | Westmead Bond | Fraser Black | 5-1 | 29.04 | 5 |
| 6th | Cornmaddy Flash | Darragh Robinson | 6-1 | 29.06 | 1 |
Cashmans Laurels, Cork (Oct 17, 525y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Sevenheads Bay | Graham Holland | 4-1 | 28.50 | 1 |
| 2nd | Oran Classic | John McGee Sr. | 7-4f | 28.66 | 4 |
| 3rd | Boherna Best | Owen McKenna | 5-2 | 28.78 | 6 |
| 4th | Tyrur Giovanni | Pat Buckley | 6-1 | 29.06 | 3 |
| 5th | Bay City Jack | Larry Harding | 16-1 | 29.86 | 5 |
| 6th | Forest Boss | Fraser Black | 5-2 | 32.26 | 2 |