# 1962 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 1962 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 36th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

## Roll of honour

Major Winners :
| Award | Name of Winner |
| 1962 English Greyhound Derby | The Grand Canal |
| 1962 Irish Greyhound Derby | Shane's Legacy |
| 1962 Scottish Greyhound Derby | Dromin Glory |
| 1962 Welsh Greyhound Derby | Summerhill Fancy |
| Greyhound Trainer of the Year | John Haynes |
| Greyhound of the Year | Dromin Glory |

## Summary

The decrease in attendances continued as a result of the Betting and Gaming Act 1960, which contributed to more track closures. Boundary Park Stadium in the Hellesdon area of Norwich closed on 1 December 1962, to become a redeveloped site for the Eastern Electricity Company. Rochdale switched to independent status and Charlton Stadium closed after difficulties (it would re-open four years later however), in the meantime their top event the Cloth of Gold would take place at Wandsworth Stadium.
English Greyhound Derby finalist Dromin Glory, a brindle dog trained by John Bassett had a brilliant year winning both the Scottish Greyhound Derby and Cesarewitch at West Ham Stadium in consecutive months. This was achieved in addition to lifting the Birmingham Cup, Gymcrack and Select Stakes and was voted Greyhound of the Year.

## Competitions

The Grand National at White City was finally given recognition as a classic event; the race offered £500 for the first time in 1961 a winner's prize worthy of its status.
The George Waterman trained brindle dog Summerhill Fancy had an excellent year, winning the Welsh Greyhound Derby, the International, the Chelsea Cup, the Flying Four and Evening Standard Trophy.

## News

As a result of the death of Leslie Reynolds, Wembley appointed Jack Kinsley to take up the vacant range at the Wembley kennels. This in turn allowed Stan Gudgin to take over Jack Kinsley's range at Park Royal Stadium. Tom Johnston Sr. retired and his son Tom Johnston Jr. took over his range at West Ham Stadium. Johnston Sr. had won the 1928 English Greyhound Derby with Boher Ash when based in Scotland.
Following the decision to cover all sports the Greyhound Express is renamed the Sporting and Greyhound Express.
Francis Steward Gentle chairman of the Greyhound Racing Association and president of the NGRS died on 25 September, he leaves an estate of £181,750.
Coronation Street featured an episode at Raikes Park Greyhound Stadium and a racing greyhound called Lucky Lolita (real name Black Star).

## Ireland

The Grand Canal, the English Derby winner and Easter Cup returned a hero when returning to Irish shores, after winning the English Derby.
1962 Irish Greyhound Derby winner Shanes Legacy was sold after the final presentation by owner Bob McCann, for £2,500 to London building contractor Bob Gough who put the greyhound with Tony Dennis. Dark Baby went on to win the Laurels at Cork and break the track record.

## Principal UK races

Grand National, White City (April 28 525y h, £500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Corsican Reward | Gordon Hodson | 9-4f | 30.15 | 2 |
| 2nd | January Prince | | 11-4 | 30.35 | 1 |
| 3rd | Sabena's Prince | Les Parry | 4-1 | 30.36 | 3 |
| 4th | R.S.11 | George Waterman | 8-1 | 30.66 | 4 |
| 5th | Aughadown Dante | | 6-1 | 31.38 | 6 |
| 6th | Stanbrook Rob | | 100-7 | 00.00 | 5 |
Gold Collar, Catford (May 19, 440y, £1,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Super Orange | Pam Heasman | 4-1 | 25.51 | 5 |
| 2nd | Shannon Spirit | Phil Rees Sr. | 5-4f | 25.87 | 3 |
| 3rd | Her Brumas | Barney O'Connor | 12-1 | 25.93 | 4 |
| 4th | Tuturama | Frank Sanderson | 3-1 | 26.01 | 2 |
| 5th | Cassagh Major | Bob Burls | 12-1 | 26.17 | 6 |
| 6th | Thornhill Imp | | 12-1 | 26.18 | 1 |
Welsh Derby, Arms Park (Jul 7, 525y £500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Summerhill Fancy | George Waterman | 3-1 | 29.07 | 1 |
| 2nd | Laurdella Dancer | Bob Burls | 100-6 | 29.27 | 2 |
| 3rd | In Town Tonight | Jim Irving | 6-1 | 29.41 | 4 |
| 4th | Trip To Dublin | Hugo Spencer | 6-4f | 29.61 | 5 |
| 5th | Bell Song | | 20-1 | 29.85 | 3 |
| 6th | Black July | Harry O'Neill | 5-2 | 29.86 | 6 |
Oaks, Harringay (Jul 9, 525y, £500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Ballinasloe Blondie | Jack Harvey | 1-2f | 29.68 | 5 |
| 2nd | Polos Fancy | | 33-1 | 30.30 | 2 |
| 3rd | Badge of Shamrock | | 9-1 | 31.02 | 3 |
| 4th | Artisan Bid | Len Drewery | 7-1 | 00.00 | 6 |
| 5th | Nans Princess | | 5-1 | 00.00 | 1 |
| N/R | Bell of Penzance | | | | |
Scurry Gold Cup, Clapton (Jul 28, 400y £1,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Hi Darkie | Ray Wilkes | 6-4f | 22.95 | 1 |
| 2nd | Hey There Merry | Hugo Spencer | 10-3 | 23.13 | 3 |
| 3rd | All There | | 5-1 | 23.39 | 4 |
| 4th | Renmore McAll | Stan Martin | 16-1 | 23.45 | 2 |
| 5th | Paddys Fairy | | 25-1 | 23.51 | 6 |
| 6th | Courtly Regent | Gordon Hodson | 3-1 | 23.52 | 5 |
Laurels, Wimbledon (Aug 17, 500y, £1,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Tuturama | Frank Sanderson | 4-6f | 27.83 | 1 |
| 2nd | Hey There Merry | Hugo Spencer | 20-1 | 28.15 | 3 |
| 3rd | Moyne Rocket | Jack Harvey | 6-1 | 28.55 | 4 |
| 4th | Alvas Prince | Stan Martin | 100-6 | 28.61 | 5 |
| 5th | Prince Rory | | 33-1 | 28.62 | 2 |
| 6th | Dancing Point | Clare Orton | 4-1 | 28.72 | 6 |
St Leger, Wembley (Sep 3, 700y, £1,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Powerstown Prospect | Ronnie Melville | 8-1 | 40.02 | 3 |
| 2nd | Master MacMurragh | Cyril Beaumont | 4-5f | 40.05 | 2 |
| 3rd | Loyal Blue | | 50-1 | 40.19 | 4 |
| 4th | Any Harm | Ronnie Melville | 7-2 | 40.25 | 1 |
| 5th | Hack It About | Jack Harvey | 11-4 | 40.28 | 5 |
| 6th | Alassio Bambino | Joe Pickering | 66-1 | 40.36 | 6 |
Scottish Greyhound Derby, Carntyne (Sep 8, 525y, £750) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Dromin Glory | John Bassett | 4-1 | 29.09 | 3 |
| 2nd | Hey There Merry | Hugo Spencer | 14-1 | 29.25 | 6 |
| 3rd | Laurdella Dancer | Bob Burls | 10-1 | 29.41 | 4 |
| 4th | Greenane Toast | Bessie Lewis | 1-1f | 29.42 | 2 |
| 5th | Tall Boy Ollie | | 10-1 | 29.58 | 5 |
| 6th | Free Hand | | 4-1 | 29.74 | 1 |
Cesarewitch, West Ham (Oct 5, 600y, £1,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Dromin Glory | John Bassett | 11-10f | 32.97+ | 6 |
| 2nd | Any Harm | Ronnie Melville | 5-1 | 33.33 | 4 |
| 3rd | Kilcarbery Park | Bill Kelly | 10-1 | 33.45 | 3 |
| 4th | Prairie Flash | Jack Harvey | 7-2 | 33.69 | 5 |
| 5th | Master MacMurragh | Cyril Beaumont | 11-4 | 33.73 | 2 |
| 6th | Knocagh Pride | | 10-1 | 33.85 | 1 |
+ Track record

## Totalisator returns

Extended content :
The totalisator returns declared to the licensing authorities for the year 1962 for the London area.
Stadium
Turnover £
London (White City)4,821,421
London (Harringay)3,412,683
London (Walthamstow)2,488,522
London (Wimbledon)2,354,784
London (Clapton)2,180,033
London (Wembley)2,126,317
Stadium
Turnover £
London (Catford)1,732,635
London (West Ham)1,723,914
London (Wandsworth)1,700,422
London (Park Royal)1,344,642
London (Stamford Bridge)1,320,316
London (Hendon)1,196,655
Stadium
Turnover £
London (New Cross)1,116,281
Romford1,048,161
London (Hackney)1,024,437
London (Charlton)600,000
London (Dagenham)588,425 :