# 2007 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2007 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 82nd year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

## Summary

Two time English Greyhound Derby champion Westmead Hawk was aimed towards a third Derby attempt after recovering from injury over the winter. His trainer Nick Savva and owner Bob Morton sent him to Monmore for two races on 3 and 10 May and then Wimbledon on 19 and 26 May. After finishing second in the Derby Trial Stake on 26 May his connections decided not to go for a third Derby and retired him to stud.
The 2007 English Greyhound Derby progressed without Westmead Hawk and was won by his kennelmate Westmead Lord. The Irish equivalent went to Tyrur Rhino for trainer Paul Hennessy who recorded a 1-2 when Tyrur Laurel finished runner-up.
Charlie Lister won his fourth trainers title.
A builder called David Smith killed thousands of greyhounds with a captive bolt gun, charging £10 a time. Smith was fined £2,000 "under legislation used to restrict the dumping of waste", after police said he had committed no offence Subsequently, anyone found to have sent a greyhound to him was warned off for life by the GBGB.

### Tracks

Brough Park underwent a re-branding by their owners William Hill Bookmakers and would now be known as Newcastle. This was possible due to the fact that it was the only greyhound track remaining in Newcastle; White City, Gateshead and Gosforth had all previously existed in the city. Sister track Sunderland was the recipient of a significant prize money increase as plans were announced that a new festival would be held. It included the William Hill Classic offering a £40,000 winner's prize and the William Hill Grand Prix for £25,000.
Dundalk unveiled the all-weather horse track to go alongside the new greyhound track costing a further €24 million. The total improvements had cost €35million. Three independent tracks closed, Wisbech, Bedwellty and Hinckley, the latter was sold to developers.

### Competitions

Charlie Lister won the Trainers championship at Hall Green and then trained Fear Haribo to the Scottish Greyhound Derby title at Shawfield, in a track record time.
Mahers Boy trained by Elaine Parker claimed the first ever William Hill Classic and Go Edie Honda picked up the Grand Prix title. Spiridon Louis took the St Leger crown and would go on to be voted Greyhound of the Year after also winning the Regency, the TV Trophy and setting track records at Yarmouth and Walthamstow. Top Honcho won the Irish Greyhound Review Stud Dog of the Year Award for a record sixth time.

### News

At an NGRC enquiry, Belle Vue veterinary surgeon Paul Evans was found guilty of supplying incorrect season suppressants which led to a feud between the Royal Veterinary College and the NGRC.
Wimbledon trainer Ray Peacock died after a car accident, the Keston based Peacock aged 52 had been taken to East Surrey Hospital in Redhill but had been pronounced dead on arrival. Walthamstow trainer Gary Baggs relinquished his licence to concentrate on his battle against cancer and switched his licence to daughter Stacey. Top open race trainer Terry Dartnall handed his licence to his son Matt and Wimbledon Racing Manager Derek Hope left to join William Hill and was replaced by Gary Matthews.

## Roll of honour

Major Winners :
| Award | Name of Winner |
| 2007 English Greyhound Derby | Westmead Lord |
| 2007 Irish Greyhound Derby | Tyrur Rhino |
| Greyhound Trainer of the Year | Charlie Lister |
| Greyhound of the Year | Spiridon Louis |
| Irish Dog and Bitch of the Year | Catunda Harry / Ms Firecracker |
Betfair Trainers Championship, Hall Green (Mar 20) :
| Pos | Name of Trainer | Points |
| 1st | Charlie Lister | 55 |
| 2nd | Mark Wallis | 52 |
| 3rd | John Mullins | 37 |
| 4th | Brian Clemenson | 31 |
| 5th | Seamus Cahill | 18 |
| 6th | Ernest Gaskin Jr. | 15 |

### Principal UK finals

John R Weir Mercedes Benz Scottish Derby, Shawfield (Apr 14, 480m, £20,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Fear Haribo | Charlie Lister | 10-11f | 28.76+ | 5 |
| 2nd | Groovy Stan | Paul Hennessy | 5-2 | 28.88 | 1 |
| 3rd | Greenwell Storm | Patrick Flaherty | 6-1 | 29.02 | 4 |
| 4th | Kylegrove Top | Julie Bateson | 6-1 | 29.08 | 3 |
| 5th | Manic Mile | Graham Hutt | 10-1 | 29.18 | 6 |
| 6th | Breeze Hill Juli | Pat Rosney | 20-1 | 29.26 | 2 |
Betfair Grand National, Wimbledon (May 8, 460mH, £7,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Jos Cigar | Steve Willey | 9-4 | 28.07 | 6 |
| 2nd | Ardbeg Hurricane | Jim Reynolds | 7-1 | 28.41 | 5 |
| 3rd | Nevada Blue | Otto Kueres | 7-2 | 28.47 | 1 |
| 4th | Fionntra Jo | Gary Baggs | 25-1 | 28.67 | 3 |
| 5th | Snazzy Time | Seamus Cahill | 6-4f | 28.73 | 2 |
| 6th | Strong Flow | Gary Baggs | 8-1 | 28.81 | 4 |
William Hill Classic, Sunderland (May 22, 450m, £40,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Mahers Boy | Elaine Parker | 9-4jf | 26.77 | 1 |
| 2nd | Groovy Stan | Paul Hennessy | 9-4jf | 26.78 | 2 |
| 3rd | Astronomic | Owen McKenna | 5-1 | 27.01 | 3 |
| 4th | Velvet Eldorado | Pat Buckley | 14-1 | 27.12 | 5 |
| 5th | Four Dubs | Pat Buckley | 5-2 | 27.25 | 4 |
| 6th | Droopys Tops | Chris Lund | 25-1 | 27.51 | 6 |
William Hill Grand Prix, Sunderland (May 22, 640m, £20,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Go Edie Honda | Graham Hutt | 2-1f | 39.24 | 1 |
| 2nd | Romford Car Two | John Mullins | 3-1 | 39.28 | 4 |
| 3rd | Farloe Premier | Charlie Lister | 7-2 | 39.44 | 3 |
| 4th | Dromana Blue | Paul Hennessy | 3-1 | 39.45 | 5 |
| 5th | Boherash Patriot | Graham Hutt | 16-1 | 39.62 | 6 |
| 6th | Blonde Zak | John Mullins | 20-1 | 39.70 | 2 |
Betfair Scurry Cup, Perry Barr (May 31, 275m, £8,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Horseshoe Ping | Jim Reynolds | 4-11f | 16.19 | 5 |
| 2nd | Freight Train | David Pruhs | 9-2 | 16.31 | 1 |
| 3rd | Ladywell Trick | Heather Dimmock | 9-1 | 16.49 | 6 |
| 4th | Pineapple Gene | Lynn Cook | 8-1 | 00.00 | 3 |
| 5th | Wheres Yer Man | Peter Rich | 8-1 | 00.00 | 2 |
| N/R | Oh His Nerves | Bob Hall | | | 4 |
William Hill TV Trophy, Yarmouth (June 5, 843m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Spiridon Louis | Lorraine Sams | 4-7f | 53.42 | 2 |
| 2nd | Wise Susie | Dave Smith | 28-1 | 53.50 | 1 |
| 3rd | Mitzie | Mick Puzey | 18-1 | 54.00 | 6 |
| 4th | Bubbly Kate | Brian Clemenson | 7-2 | 54.01 | 3 |
| 5th | Head Iton Jordan | Daniel Talbot | 4-1 | 54.21 | 5 |
| 6th | Confident Foe | Alan Stevens | 20-1 | 54.35 | 4 |
William Hill Cesarewitch, Oxford (Jun 12, 645m, £5,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Dark Hondo | Paul Foster | 5-4f | 39.94 | 4 |
| 2nd | Evergreenclassic | Heather Dimmock | 10-1 | 40.05 | 5 |
| 3rd | Lifes Lukey | Brian Clemenson | 4-1 | 40.12 | 2 |
| 4th | Droopys Riquelme | Brian Clemenson | 5-1 | 40.13 | 6 |
| 5th | Ace Mentor | Nick Colton | 5-2 | 40.21 | 3 |
| N/R | Swift Maybole | John Mullins | | | 1 |
VC Bet Grand Prix, Walthamstow (Sep 4, 640m, £15,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Foulden Special | Derek Knight | 1-1f | 39.45 | 6 |
| 2nd | Calzaghe Frisby | Ted Soppitt | 7-1 | 39.47 | 2 |
| 3rd | Fear Robben | Mark Wallis | 2-1 | 39.50 | 4 |
| 4th | Shelbourne Laura | Charlie Lister | 8-1 | 39.66 | 1 |
| 5th | White Bomber | Tony Collett | 20-1 | 39.69 | 3 |
| 6th | Shelbourne Ryan | Mark Wallis | 25-1 | 39.91 | 5 |
Totesport Gold Collar, Belle Vue (Sep 25, 590m, £10,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Vatican Jinky | Pat Rosney | 9-2 | 35.06+ | 3 |
| 2nd | Two Nicks | Laurence Tuffin | 7-2 | 35.44 | 4 |
| 3rd | Boherash Pilot | Graham Hutt | 9-2 | 35.48 | 5 |
| 4th | Cailins Pesto | Darren Hampson | 12-1 | 35.62 | 6 |
| 5th | Go Edie Honda | Graham Hutt | 7-4f | 35.76 | 1 |
| 6th | Fear Robben | Mark Wallis | 7-2 | 36.06 | 2 |
Reading Masters, Reading (Sep 30, 465m, £20,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Blitz | Denis Stevenson | 4-1 | 28.03 | 6 |
| 2nd | Blonde Jeannie | John Mullins | 4-1 | 28.17 | 2 |
| 3rd | Fear Haribo | Charlie Lister | 7-4f | 28.21 | 3 |
| 4th | Vipar Totti | Alison Ingram | 8-1 | 28.41 | 5 |
| 5th | Brickfield Class | Bob Gilling | 7-2 | 28.53 | 1 |
| 6th | Mulcair Jo | Nick Colton | 20-1 | 28.75 | 4 |
Betfred Laurels, Belle Vue (Oct 9, 470m, £10,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Kylegrove Top | Julie Bateson | 10-1 | 27.82 | 2 |
| 2nd | Barnfield On Air | Sam Poots | 2-7f | 27.92 | 1 |
| 3rd | Droopys Wells | Liz McNair | 10-1 | 28.28 | 6 |
| 4th | Highfield Hondo | Pat Rosney | 16-1 | 28.38 | 3 |
| 5th | Boherna On Air | Barrie Draper | 7-1 | 28.44 | 5 |
| 6th | Meenala Cruiser | Julie Bateson | 16-1 | 28.52 | 4 |
William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (Oct 30, 668m, £13,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Spiridon Louis | Lorraine Sams | 4-1 | 40.86 | 3 |
| 2nd | Lenson Joker | Tony Collett | 4-1 | 40.92 | 4 |
| 3rd | Westmead Aoifa | Nick Savva | 9-4f | 40.98 | 6 |
| 4th | Directors Chair | Mark Wallis | 6-1 | 41.13 | 2 |
| 5th | Bubbly Venus | Paul Young | 4-1 | 41.19 | 5 |
| 6th | Iceman Brutus | Lance Burford | 7-1 | 41.25 | 1 |
William Hill Oaks, Wimbledon (Dec 18, 480m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Blonde Jeannie | John Mullins | 2-1 | 28.76 | 1 |
| 2nd | Broadway Sizzler | Sean White | 6-4f | 29.01 | 2 |
| 3rd | Lethal Frankie | Seamus Cahill | 33-1 | 29.19 | 5 |
| 4th | Dilemmas Flight | Nick Savva | 7-2 | 29.28 | 4 |
| 5th | Jazz Hurricane | Derek Knight | 9-2 | 29.30 | 6 |
| 6th | Dawn Cranz | Peter Billingham | 33-1 | 29.44 | 3 |

### Principal Irish finals

Donal Reilly Easter Cup, Shelbourne (Apr 21, 550y, €50,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Ardkill Jamie | Paul Hennessy | 4-1 | 28.30 | 4 |
| 2nd | Razldazl Billy | Dolores Ruth | 7-4f | 28.32 | 5 |
| 3rd | Loyal Honcho | Seamus Graham | 3-1 | 28.72 | 6 |
| 4th | Aries Son | Mary Buggy | 20-1 | 28.73 | 3 |
| 5th | Ballyhoe Marble | Francie Murray | 5-1 | 29.53 | 1 |
| 6th | Holborn Post | Keeley McGee | 9-2 | 29.65 | 2 |
Red Mills Produce, Clonmel (May 6, 525y, €30,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Green Heat | Liam Dowling | 4-1 | 28.78 | 2 |
| 2nd | Tedso | Mossie O'Connor | 8-1 | 28.79 | 1 |
| 3rd | Team Captain | Reggie Roberts | 11-8f | 28.82 | 4 |
| 4th | Trade Plate | Michael O'Donovan | 3-1 | 29.10 | 6 |
| 5th | Cherokee Playboy | Ann Wade | 5-1 | 29.17 | 3 |
| 6th | Assassin | Graham Holland | 10-1 | 29.42 | 5 |
Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger, Limerick (Jun 23, 550y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Lughill Jo | Owen McKenna | 3-1 | 29.37 | 4 |
| 2nd | Tyrur Rocky | Paul Hennessy | 3-1 | 29.57 | 5 |
| 3rd | Tyrur Brett | Paul Hennessy | 3-1 | 29.81 | 3 |
| 4th | Bar The Devil | Noel Mullins | 6-4f | 29.89 | 1 |
| 5th | Monsoon Jack | George Roche | 12-1 | 30.13 | 6 |
| 6th | Skywalker Duke | Frances O'Donnell | 16-1 | 30.25 | 2 |
Sporting Press Oaks, Shelbourne (Jun 30, 525y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Ms Firecracker | Patrick Guilfoyle | 10-1 | 28.54 | 1 |
| 2nd | Alexandrova | Pat Kelly | 8-11f | 28.58 | 6 |
| 3rd | Tyrur Margaret | Paul Hennessy | 6-1 | 28.94 | 3 |
| 4th | Sly Fox | John Murray | 6-1 | 28.98 | 5 |
| 5th | Tyrur Jean | Paul Hennessy | 25-1 | 29.04 | 2 |
| 6th | Mustang Miranda | Owen McKenna | 5-1 | 29.10 | 4 |
Boylesports Champion Stakes, Shelbourne (Jul 28, 550y, €40,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Razldazl Billy | Dolores Ruth | 6-4f | 29.72 | 6 |
| 2nd | Tyrur Bertie | Paul Hennessy | 12-1 | 29.88 | 5 |
| 3rd | Goldstar Lee | Eddie Wade | 7-1 | 29.89 | 3 |
| 4th | Si Senor | Owen McKenna | 9-4 | 29.93 | 2 |
| 5th | Bar The Devil | Noel Mullins | 6-1 | 30.13 | 1 |
| 6th | Micks Savings | Pat Buckley | 10-1 | 30.15 | 4 |
HX Bookmakers Puppy Derby, Harolds Cross (Oct 5, 525y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Royal Treason | Ollie Bray | 3-1 | 29.12 | 5 |
| 2nd | Kryptonite | Ollie Bray | 5-2f | 29.13 | 2 |
| 3rd | Ballymac Penske | Liam Dowling | 3-1 | 29.19 | 6 |
| 4th | Corridor Sprint | Casey | 33-1 | 29.21 | 1 |
| 5th | Head Man Boo | Martin Quinn | 5-1 | 30.09 | 4 |
| 6th | Outandgoodnight | Ger Manson | 4-1 | 00.00 | 3 |
Cashmans Laurels, Cork (Oct 20, 525y, €35,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Catunda Harry | Owen McKenna | 5-4f | 28.18 | 3 |
| 2nd | Tyrur Laurel | Paul Hennessy | 3-1 | 28.38 | 6 |
| 3rd | Rockingham | Janet Downes | 12-1 | 28.70 | 2 |
| 4th | Spider Said | O'Donovan | 7-2 | 28.90 | 1 |
| 5th | Fargo Star | D Leahy | 20-1 | 29.14 | 5 |
| N/R | Droopys Robinho | Fraser Black | | | 4 |