# Springbok (greyhounds)

The Springbok is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Central Park Stadium.

## History

The event was inaugurated in 1937 at the White City Stadium in London. The origins of the race came from a contingent of greyhounds that included Hawtrey, Raven Arms and Bobby Sparks that travelled to South Africa in the winter of 1936/1937 as a series of race tests for the country. In return the South African Greyhound Racing Association gifted a trophy to the Greyhound Racing Association and a perpetual award for a new race was created.
The event was held at White City until its closure in 1985 when it switched to Wimbledon Stadium. The event is the leading competition for novice hurdlers.
In 2017 the race switched to Central Park Stadium in Sittingbourne following the closure of Wimbledon Stadium. The relocation of the competition to Central Park continued a family legacy for the Cearns family who had been connected with the race when it was first held in 1937. In 2023, the race was held at Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium while track renovation was taking place at Central Park.

## Venues and distances

* 1937–1985 (White City (London), 550y hurdles)
* 1986–2010 (Wimbledon, 460m hurdles)
* 2011–2016 (Wimbledon, 480m hurdles)
* 2017–2022 (Central Park, 480m hurdles)
* 2023–2023 (Hove, 500m hurdles)

## Sponsors

* 1994–1995 (John Henwood)
* 2000–2006 (William Hill)
* 2007–2007 (Betfair)
* 2008–2009 (Stan James Bookmakers)
* 2010–2016 (William Hill)
* 2017–2021 (Cearnsport)
* 2022–2022 (Arena Racing Company)
* 2023–2023 (Coral)

## Past winners

| Year | Winner | Breeding | Trainer | Time | SP | Notes/ref |
| 1937 | Curious Jester | | Sidney Orton (Wimbledon) | 30.98 | 7/4f | |
| 1938 | Bantown Banner | | Eric Hiscock (Harringay) | 30.85 | 5/4f | |
| 1939 | Corporal of Waterhall | | Paddy Fortune (Wimbledon) | 30.42 | 3/1 | |
| 1946 | Alvaston Commando | | Bill Cowell (Coventry) | 32.33 | 7/4f | |
| 1947 | Kids Delight | | Albert Jonas (Stamford Bridge) | 32.55 | 3/1 | |
| 1948 | Neff | | Miss J Griffiths (Walthamstow) | 30.97 | 4/7f | |
| 1949 | Mighty Maharatta | | Jerry Hannafin (Wimbledon) | 30.94 | 5/4f | |
| 1950 | Sunny Abbey | | Jerry Hannafin (Wimbledon) | 30.26 | 9/4 | |
| 1951 | Devil O'Leer | Bahs Choice – Baytown Nightingale | Norman Merchant (Private) | 31.03 | 3/1 | |
| 1952 | Wild Der | Border Keeper – Gilmours Glory | Paddy McEllistrim (Wimbledon) | 30.32 | 15/8 | |
| 1953 | Oriel Idol | Shaggy Lad – Rushton Curly | Dal Hawkesley (West Ham) | 30.20 | 5/2 | |
| 1954 | Ventry Record | Record Choice – Anvil Block | Henry Parsons (Crayford) | 33.60 | 8/1 | |
| 1955 | Riot O'Leer | Despot O'Leer – Magic Blissful | Jack Chadwick (Private) | 32.66 | 7/2 | |
| 1956 | Harlington Harrier | | Dal Hawkesley (West Ham) | 32.80 | 7/1 | |
| 1957 | Racing Max | Ballybeg Surprise – Racing Fool | Reg Bosley (Hackney) | 32.92 | 6/1 | |
| 1958 | Highway Tim | Magourna Reject – Hunston Bell | Mrs Rosealie Beba (Private) | 32.25 | 5/1 | |
| 1959 | Downside | Barrowside – Celtic Beauty | Jack Harvey (Wembley) | 32.24 | 9/4 | |
| 1960 | Shannon Dasher | Prince of Bermuda – Shannon Drive | Jimmy Maw (Private) | 32.15 | 7/2 | |
| 1961 | Ballydrislane Customer | Quare Customer – Cold Lady | George Waterman (Wimbledon) | 31.78 | | |
| 1962 | Barrel Kissane | Champion Prince - Yoblstrap | Barney O'Connor (Walthamstow) | 31.47 | 2/1 | |
| 1963 | Longstreet | Barrowside – Sallyscross Lady | Jack Harvey (Wembley) | 31.88 | | |
| 1964 | The Grange Destiny | The Grand Fire - Delienne | George Waterman (Wimbledon) | 31.98 | 7/4 | |
| 1965 | Darn Hall | Crazy Parachute - Penicola | Bob Burls (Wembley) | 32.33 | | |
| 1966 | Husky Breeze | Pigalle Wonder – Jet Dancer | John Bassett (Private) | 32.20 | | |
| 1967 | High St Boy | Champion Tipp – Fire Siren | Colin McNally (Perry Barr) | 31.50 | | |
| 1968 | Haydens Star | Fairys Chum – Haydens Fire | Nora Gleeson (Private) | 31.60 | 6/1 | |
| 1969 | Happy Harry | Crazy Society – Hiver Swanky | Phil Rees Sr. (Wimbledon) | 31.92 | 7/4 | |
| 1970 | Bawnies Rocket | Come On Bawnie – Toor Lassie | Phil Rees Sr. (Wimbledon) | 31.86 | 2/1 | |
| 1971 | Ragtime | Super Orange – Maggie From Cork | John Coleman (Wembley) | 32.10 | 5/4f | |
| 1972 | Jacks Ship | Rocket Ship – Amelia’s Pet | Bob Burls (Wembley) | 32.16 | 11/10f | |
| 1973 | Killone Flash | Forward Flash – Dancing Barrier | Randy Singleton (White City - London) | 31.53 | 9/2 | |
| 1974 | Weston Pete | Monalee Champion – New Kashmir | Colin West (White City - London) | 32.04 | 2/1 | |
| 1975 | Ashgrove Road | Spectre II – Ashgrove Star | Paddy McEvoy (Wimbledon) | 31.51 | 9/2 | |
| 1976 | Stuart Captain | Ramdeen Stuart – Here For You | John Coleman (Wembley) | 30.70 | 2/1f | |
| 1977 | Autumn Groves | Itsachampion – Green Line | Frank Melville (Harringay) | 31.31 | 9/4 | |
| 1978 | Super Hunter | Gaultier Fox – Fire Hunter | Phil Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) | 30.47 | 8/15f | |
| 1979 | Westmead Manor | Mels Pupil – Westmead Silver | Natalie Savva (Private) | 31.28 | 6/4 | |
| 1980 | Bobcol | Westpark Mint – Black Katty | Norah McEllistrim (Wimbledon) | 31.17 | 2/1 | |
| 1981 | Clashing Ash | Clashing – Ballycline Sara | Phil Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) | 30.57 | 6-/1 | |
| 1983 | Space Top | Crazy Top – My Little Cugeen | Paddy Hancox (Perry Barr) | 31.94 | 5/1 | |
| 1984 | Scarcely Unknown | Hunday Dook – Speech Mistress | Derek Knight (Hove) | 30.69 | 6/4f | |
| 1985 | Knight of Raft | Paradise Spectre – Lady Raft | Norah McEllistrim (Wimbledon) | 28.65 | 8/11f | |
| 1986 | Raffles Nitespot | Yankee Express – Raffles Bridge | Linda Mullins (Harringay) | 28.59 | 5/1 | |
| 1987 | Lemon Yachtsman | Lindas Champion – Lemon Pearl | Philip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) | 28.36 | 7/2 | |
| 1988 | Skyline Prince | Sheskin Rocket – Apache Laura | David Kinchett (Wimbledon) | 28.59 | 5/1 | |
| 1989 | Lemon Chip | Sinbad – Lemon Lisa | Philip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) | 28.87 | 6/1 | |
| 1990 | Ranger Supreme | Citizen Supreme – White Ranger | Norah McEllistrim (Wimbledon) | 28.80 | 5/4f | |
| 1991 | Fennessys Gold | Soda Fountain – Fast Mission | Ray Peacock (Catford) | 28.41 | 5/1 | |
| 1992 | Double Rock | Printers Present – Dolores Daughter | Philip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) | 28.62 | 25/1 | |
| 1993 | Arfur Daley | Pond Mirage – Blue Mint II | Bert Meadows (Oxford) | 27.80 | 3/1 | Track record |
| 1994 | Avoid The Rush | Manorville Star – Smokey Snowdrop | Bernie Doyle (Private) | 29.44 | 7/2 | |
| 1995 | Arrogant Prince | Ballinderry Flash - Proverbia | Tom Foster (Wimbledon) | 28.35 | 7/4jf | |
| 1996 | Colorado Joker | Green Gorse – Denver Minnie | Philip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) | 28.32 | 4/1 | |
| 1997 | Simon Simon | Murlens Abbey – Lovely Lovely | Gary Baggs (Walthamstow) | 28.21 | 5/1 | |
| 1998 | Frisco Sir | Flashy Sir – Forever Roving | Ray Peacock (Wimbledon) | 28.05 | 3/1 | |
| 1999 | Ballinabola Gale | Batties Whisper – Ballinaboola Lil | Jason Foster (Catford) | 28.11 | 1/1f | |
| 2000 | Lenson Eddie | Perfect Whisper – Culbidagh Rose | Ray Peacock (Wimbledon) | 28.70 | 8/13f | |
| 2001 | Rossa Ranger | Come On Ranger – Emmerdale Pine | John Counsell (Private) | 28.92 | 1/1f | |
| 2002 | Opus Joe | Roanokee - Glin Abbey Sharp | Pat Thompson (Crayford) | 28.51 | 7/4 | |
| 2003 | Deep Sensation | Spiral Nikita – Sensational | Jim Reynolds (Walthamstow) | 28.51 | 3/1jf | |
| 2004 | Farloe Chinook | Thorgil Tex – Seanos Peer | Maxine Locke (Wimbledon) | 29.23 | 20/1 | |
| 2005 | Druids Mickey Jo | Top Honcho – Druids Villa | Seamus Cahill (Wimbledon) | 28.14 | 8/13f | |
| 2006 | Kaysers Hill | Roanokee – Aghadown Phantom | Tom Foster (Private) | 28.61 | 6/4f | |
| 2007 | Blackmagic Jamie | Daves Mentor – Glown Mist | Ernest Gaskin Jr. (Walthamstow) | 28.62 | 8/1 | |
| 2008 | Hotdog Jack | Droopys Vieri – Hare Star | Seamus Cahill (Wimbledon) | 28.38 | 1/2f | |
| 2009 | Bomber Bailey | Confident Choice-Garry Special | Mark Wallis (Harlow) | 27.96 | 6/1 | |
| 2010 | Royal Honcho | Honcho Classic-Prina Donna | Seamus Cahill (Hove) | 28.59 | 5/4f | |
| 2011 | Clonkeen Theo | Top Honcho-Good Luck | Jason Foster (Wimbledon) | 29.47 | 8/1 | |
| 2012 | Westmead Melanie | Droopys Maldini – Mega Delight | Nick Savva (Private) | 29.59 | 10/11f | |
| 2013 | Westmead Meteor | Droopys Vieri – Westmead Olivia | Ricky Holloway (Wimbledon) | 29.38 | 9/4f | |
| 2014 | Cornamaddy Jumbo | Ardkill Jamie – Cornamaddy Maid | Mark Wallis (Yarmouth) | 29.45 | 11/8f | |
| 2015 | Reculver Ozzie | Farley Turbo – Lemon Bolt | Barry O'Sullivan (Crayford) | 30.05 | 8/11f | |
| 2016 | Ballymac Manix | Ballymac Vic – Moyar Kite | Seamus Cahill (Hove) | 29.11 | 2/1 | |
| 2017 | Yassoo Martin | Blackstone Gene – Droopys Quinta | George Andreas (Central Park) | 29.88 | 8/1 | |
| 2018 | Lenson Wilson | Scolari Me Daddy – Killduff Kerry | Ricky Holloway (Central Park) | 29.63 | 4/9f | |
| 2019 | Burgess Brandy | Vans Escalade – Borna Helena | Ricky Holloway (Central Park) | 29.67 | 9/4 | |
| 2020 | Burgess Doc | Droopys Jet – Badminton Maid | Lee Field (Monmore) | 30.06 | 6/4f | |
| 2021 | Droopys Rex | Duke Special – Droopys Start | David Mullins (Romford) | 29.94 | 7/2 | |
| 2022 | Lenson Doolin | Azza Azza Azza – The Other Tessa | Ricky Holloway (Private) | 29.39 | 1/4f | |
| 2023 | Droopys Chaser | Laughil Blake – Droopys Zero | Paul Young (Romford) | 29.67 | 2/1f | |
| 2024 | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held |