# 2002 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2002 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 76th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

## Roll of honour

Major Winners :
| Award | Name of Winner |
| 2002 English Greyhound Derby | Allen Gift |
| 2002 Irish Greyhound Derby | Bypass Byway |
| 2002 Scottish Greyhound Derby | Priceless Rebel |
| Greyhound Trainer of the Year | Linda Jones |
| Greyhound of the Year | Droopys Rhys |
| Irish Dog and Bitch of the Year | Bypass Byway / Longvalley Tina |
Trainers Championship, Hove (26 March) :
| Pos | Name of Trainer | Points |
| 1st | Brian Clemenson | 44 |
| 2nd | Linda Jones | 40 |
| 3rd | Paul Young | 40 |
| 4th | Charlie Lister | 33 |
| 5th | Elaine Parker | 29 |
| 6th | John Mullins | 22 |

## Summary

The National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) released the annual returns, with totalisator turnover at £92,723,060 from 6190 meetings.
Droopys Rhys trained by Ted Soppitt was voted Greyhound of the Year. The blue dog had finished third in the Scottish Greyhound Derby behind Priceless Rebel before travelling to Ireland and staying with Reggie Roberts when finishing runner up in the Irish Greyhound Derby behind Bypass Byway. He had missed the English Derby before winning the Steel City Cup and Select Stakes. It had transpired that during that Irish Derby final Droopys Rhys had sustained a fracture on the hock and was later retired. Linda Jones was voted Greyhound Trainer of the Year for the second successive year.
An opportunity was missed by the track promoters as the British Greyhound Racing Board announced they were looking for a 'New Deal'. The BGR Fund stood at £5 million and the BGRB headed by Chief Executive Geoffrey Thomas demanded a better deal, they drew up controversial plans to control the intellectual property rights and a continued battle ensued. The Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Service were unwilling to pay more and significantly increased the prize money at the bookmaker owned tracks in an attempt to combat the threat of property rights. William Hill also bought their first greyhound track after securing a deal for Sunderland; a move seen as a consequence of the politics surrounding the 'New Deal'. Tracks fearing losing their BAGS contract eventually backed down leaving the industry dependent on bookmaker contributions. The dispute continued with regular bitter racing press headlines, the deal eventually died.

## Tracks

The BS Group took over from Allied Presentations at Reading to add to their portfolio of tracks that included Swindon, Milton Keynes and Poole.

## News

Australian stud dogs have a major influence in the breeding lines, Top Honcho an Australian born black dog became the top sire for the second year running. This further damaged the English breeding and Australian lines very often crossed which could be a problem. Racing Managers also noticed that Australian bred greyhounds brought a lack of track craft and lack of wide runners. Floyd Amphlett had predicted the Australian invasion way back in 1993.
Charlie Lister suffered a suspected stroke, his head lad Chris Akers took on extra responsibilities at the Newark kennels. Seamus Cahill and Bernie Doyle both joined Wimbledon from Catford and Reading respectively. Kelly Mullins became the third son of former champion trainer Linda Mullins to enter the training ranks, he acquired kennels near Slough and began training in April.

## Competitions

The Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic was introduced at Monmore with a £7,500 to the winner and £12,000 total prize money giving it Category One status, there were now 34 races listed as category one, a remarkable difference from the original ten classics. The Scottish Greyhound Derby at Shawfield Stadium increased their first prize to £25,000 giving the event the second biggest reward behind the English Derby. Jonathan Hobbs of the Racing Post is instrumental in producing a successful greyhound annual.
Top Savings won the Juvenile by 8¾ lengths. Allen Gift made the Scurry Gold Cup final at Catford but had to be withdrawn, the race was won by Patsy Byrne's Letter Slippy. Allen Gift never found form again and the Derby champion had the injustice of losing in graded races at home track Hove towards the end of his career.
Brian Clemenson won his first trainers championship before dominating the Cesarewitch with three finalists and the 4-5 favourite Cuba duly won. Cuba finished runner up to Sheriff Bow Wow in the Grand Prix final at Walthamstow. Sheriff Bow Wow in turn finished runner up to Alibuk Lad in the St Leger final.

## Ireland

Compared to 2001 the Irish year was relatively quiet despite the star greyhound Late Late Show winning the early season BCR Press Easter Cup. By the time he made an attempt at the Derby he was passed his best form; the Derby went to Bypass Byway who was duly voted Irish Dog of the Year.

## Principal UK races

William Hill Grand National, Wimbledon (19 March, 460m h, £7,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Ballyvorda Class | Tom Foster | 7-4f | 28.24 | 6 |
| 2nd | Top Jock | Seamus Cahill | 5-2 | 28.36 | 1 |
| 3rd | Notanotherphoto | Ray Peacock | 5-2 | 28.48 | 2 |
| 4th | Patriot Man | Barry O'Sullivan | 8-1 | 28.58 | 5 |
| 5th | Corelish Cruiser | Tom Foster | 10-1 | 28.64 | 4 |
| 6th | Born To Go | Tom Foster | 14-1 | 29.00 | 3 |
Regal Scottish Derby, Shawfield (13 April, 480m, £25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Priceless Rebel | Paul Hennessy | 5-2 | 29.08 | 1 |
| 2nd | Santovita | Charlie Lister | 1-1f | 29.10 | 2 |
| 3rd | Droopys Rhys | Ted Soppitt | 3-1 | 29.30 | 3 |
| 4th | Seskin Robert | Charlie Lister | 10-1 | 29.64 | 6 |
| 5th | Knockeevan King | Tom Flaherty | 10-1 | 29.78 | 5 |
| 6th | Blonde Countess | John Mullins | 66-1 | 29.80 | 4 |
Scurry Gold Cup, Catford (22 June, 385m, £3,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Letter Slippy | Patsy Byrne | 5-2 | 23.73 | 4 |
| 2nd | Bangor Peer | Martin Burt | 10-1 | 24.00 | 3 |
| 3rd | Courts Ad Jo | Jim Reynolds | 7-2 | 24.02 | 5 |
| 4th | Blonde Bandit | John Mullins | 9-2 | 24.03 | 1 |
| 5th | Melbridann | John Mullins | 6-4f | 24.24 | 2 |
| N/R | Allen Gift | Claude Gardiner | | | |
Reading Masters, Reading (7 July, 465m, £20,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Aranock Lance | Paul Young | 7-1 | 27.95 | 4 |
| 2nd | Willie Go Fa | Brian Clemenson | 3-1 | 28.05 | 3 |
| 3rd | Bruno | Richard Christie | 4-1 | 28.17 | 6 |
| 4th | Lochbo Hunter | Gary Sallis | 16-1 | 28.29 | 1 |
| 5th | Lozzas Dream | Derek Knight | 10-11f | 28.33 | 2 |
| 6th | Droopys Omega | Nikki Chambers | 33-1 | 28.47 | 5 |
William Hill Cesarewitch, Oxford (23 July, 645m, £5,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Cuba | Brian Clemenson | 4-5f | 40.18 | 3 |
| 2nd | Ali Qapu Oak | Richard Ward | 10-1 | 40.26 | 1 |
| 3rd | Maui Magic | Brian Clemenson | 5-1 | 40.40 | 6 |
| 4th | Toms Monarch | Paul Walden | 25-1 | 40.65 | 5 |
| 5th | Oddser McDuff | Steven Harrison | 9-2 | 40.67 | 2 |
| 6th | Lottys Magic | Brian Clemenson | 10-1 | 40.71 | 4 |
William Hill Gold Collar, Catford (21 September, 555m, £7,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Shevchenko | Seamus Cahill | 4-5f | 35.13 | 4 |
| 2nd | Cill Dubh Turbo | Nick Savva | 11-4 | 35.39 | 5 |
| 3rd | Ballymac Rumbles | Norah McEllistrim | 14-1 | 35.31 | 6 |
| 4th | Fairhill Star | Maxine Locke | 12-1 | 35.40 | 2 |
| 5th | Bockos the Bizz | Tony Taylor | 3-1 | 35.66 | 1 |
| N/R | Droopys Candice | Brian Clemenson | i/s | | 3 |
Victor Chandler Grand Prix, Walthamstow (5 October, 640m, £10,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Sheriff Bow Wow | John Mullins | 8-1 | 40.05 | 5 |
| 2nd | Cuba | Brian Clemenson | 7-2 | 40.19 | 3 |
| 3rd | Alibulk Lad | Dilys Steels | 10-3 | 40.20 | 6 |
| 4th | Blonde Lass | John Mullins | 11-4f | 40.24 | 2 |
| 5th | Countrywide Mean | Paul Young | 10-1 | 40.54 | 4 |
| 6th | Daphs Babe | Graham Sharp | 6-1 | 40.70 | 1 |
William Hill TV Trophy, Wimbledon (1 October, 868m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Serious Dog | Paul Young | 4-1 | 55.17 | 4 |
| 2nd | Form of Magic | Brian Clemenson | 7-4f | 55.18 | 6 |
| 3rd | Downdaniel Jewel | Derek Knight | 6-1 | 55.28 | 5 |
| 4th | Knockaun Tiger | Charlie Lister | 7-2 | 55.38 | 2 |
| 5th | Metric Tiger | John Haynes | 6-1 | 55.54 | 3 |
| 6th | Rosden Chewy | Seamus Cahill | 10-1 | 55.68 | 1 |
William Hill Laurels, Belle Vue (22 October, 465m, £8,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Full Cigar | Liz McNair | 11-4 | 27.94 | 2 |
| 2nd | April Playboy | Ken Bebbington | 11-2 | 28.34 | 3 |
| 3rd | Droopys Hewitt | Nick Savva | 7-4f | 28.54 | 5 |
| 4th | Scorched Economy | John Walton | 33-1 | 28.72 | 4 |
| 5th | Lozzas Dream | Derek Knight | 5-2 | 28.89 | 1 |
| 6th | Later | Pat Rosney | 14-1 | 29.04 | 6 |
William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (5 November, 660m, £12,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Alibuk Lad | Dilys Steels | 10-1 | 40.95 | 4 |
| 2nd | Sheriff Bow Wow | John Mullins | 12-1 | 41.05 | 6 |
| 3rd | Form of Magic | Brian Clemenson | 7-4f | 41.08 | 5 |
| 4th | Arun Sky | Derek Knight | 3-1 | 41.11 | 1 |
| 5th | Frisby Fassan | Harry Crapper | 3-1 | 41.13 | 3 |
| 6th | Opus Magic | Pat Thompson | 12-1 | 41.33 | 2 |
William Hill Oaks, Wimbledon (3 December, 480m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Purley Queen | Norah McEllistrim | 8-1 | 29.14 | 2 |
| 2nd | Simply Vintage | Tom Foster | 6-4f | 29.32 | 4 |
| 3rd | Knockeevan Hollie | Paul Young | 7-4 | 29.34 | 6 |
| 4th | Armani Pearl | Jim Reynolds | 8-1 | 29.35 | 3 |
| 5th | Southlodge Rage | Nick Colton | 8-1 | 29.38 | 1 |
| 6th | Purely Belter | Cheryl Miller | 7-1 | 29.39 | 5 |

### Principal Irish finals

BCR Press Easter Cup Shelbourne (Apr 13, 525y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Late Late Show | 4-9f | 28.74 | 6 |
| 2nd | Word of God | 5-1 | 28.81 | 1 |
| 3rd | Moving Customer | 12-1 | 28.84 | 5 |
| 4th | Whitefort Frazer | 12-1 | 28.90 | 2 |
| 5th | Athboy Vintage | 12-1 | 28.92 | 3 |
| 6th | Fairy Man | 50-1 | 29.20 | 4 |
National Produce Thurles (April 28, 525y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Give And Go | 5-2 | 29.19 | 2 |
| 2nd | Borna Dasher | | 29.21 | 6 |
| 3rd | Droopys Agassi | | 29.24 | 5 |
| 4th | Rebel Watcher | | 29.28 | 1 |
| 5th | Borna Pilot | | 29.30 | 3 |
| 6th | Mustang Buster | | 29.86 | 4 |
Shelbourne 600 Shelbourne (May 11, 600y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Haliska Vienna | 20-1 | 32.69 | 3 |
| 2nd | Topofthebest | 9-2 | 32.71 | 6 |
| 3rd | The Other Master | 14-1 | 32.81 | 4 |
| 4th | Moving Customer | 6-1 | 32.88 | 1 |
| 5th | Late Late Show | 4-7f | 33.16 | 5 |
| 6th | Couch Trip | 33-1 | 33.17 | 2 |
St Leger Limerick (Jun 30, 550y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Larking About | 9-4f | 29.73 | 4 |
| 2nd | Droopys Gloria | 3-1 | 30.01 | 1 |
| 3rd | Rummy Lad | 7-1 | 30.18 | 2 |
| 4th | Mega Delight | 7-2 | 30.24 | 3 |
| 5th | Bold Mossy | 5-2 | 30.29 | 6 |
| 6th | Larkhill Blackie | 10-1 | 30.32 | 5 |
Sporting Press Oaks Shelbourne (Jul 20 525y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Lifes Beauty | 6-1 | 28.70 | 4 |
| 2nd | Crossleigh Lark | 6-1 | 28.77 | 5 |
| 3rd | Longvalley Tina | 7-4f | 28.94 | 6 |
| 4th | Hey Good Lookin | 5-1 | 28.95 | 2 |
| 5th | Axle Grease | 5-2 | 29.09 | 1 |
| 6th | Allen Joy | 50-1 | 29.15 | 5 |
Boylesports Champion Stakes Shelbourne (Aug 30, 550y, €30,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Longvalley Tina | 8-1 | 30.15 | 2 |
| 2nd | Olden Times | 4-1 | 30.16 | 1 |
| 3rd | Late Late Show | 6-4f | 30.23 | 3 |
| 4th | Bold Mossy | 8-1 | 30.24 | 6 |
| 5th | Larkhill Lotto | 7-1 | 30.45 | 4 |
| 6th | Bypass Byway | 5-2 | 30.62 | 5 |
BCR Press/Droopys Vieri Puppy Derby Harolds Cross (Sep 27, 525y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Fortune Mike | 9-4 | 28.40 | 6 |
| 2nd | Odette | 25-1 | 28.41 | 3 |
| 3rd | Funcheon Premier | 4-1 | 28.43 | 2 |
| 4th | Vinnys the Best | 25-1 | 28.71 | 5 |
| 5th | Sparkling Joe | 33-1 | 28.92 | 4 |
| 6th | Ten Men | 5-4f | 28.95 | 1 |
Co-Op Superstores Laurels Cork (Oct 19, 525y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Annual Award | 7-1 | 28.61 | 1 |
| 2nd | Confident Choice | 10-1 | 28.85 | 3 |
| 3rd | Mustang Buster | 5-4f | 28.91 | 6 |
| 4th | Annamore Billy | 2-1 | 29.08 | 4 |
| 5th | Borna Dasher | 8-1 | 29.99 | 5 |
| 6th | Mustang Bertie | 33-1 | 00.00 | 2 |

## Totalisator returns

Extended content :
The totalisator returns declared to the National Greyhound Racing Club for the year 2002 are listed below.
Stadium
Turnover £
Walthamstow13,229,761
Wimbledon9,184,763
Romford8,287,059
Belle Vue6,103,183
Brighton & Hove5,442,004
Hall Green5,332,969
Peterborough4,451,012
Sheffield4,038,046
Catford3,639,268
Perry Barr2,912,134
Oxford2,617,604
Stadium
Turnover £
Crayford2,595,335
Sunderland2,488,407
Yarmouth2,096,110
Nottingham2,082,375
Monmore2,020,967
Milton Keynes1,998,285
Poole1,836,866
Shawfield1,820,513
Swindon1,634,579
Portsmouth1,622,306
Sittingbourne1,528,071
Stadium
Turnover £
Brough Park1,319,072
Kinsley942,154
Harlow911,453
Stainforth814,633
Reading726,477
Hull326,663
Mildenhall300,322
Henlow250,303
Rye House170,366 :