# 2012 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2012 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 87th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

## Summary

During May, the GRA announced a bank debt of £49 million under their parent company Risk Capital Partners, Risk had borrowed the money from the IBRC (Irish Bank Resolution Corporation) to buy GRA. The on-going profits of all five tracks only serviced the interest on the debt and it then emerged that a partner in the original GRA takeover with Risk was a company called Galliard Homes. This came to light after plans were drawn up by them to build houses on Wimbledon and Oxford Stadium to reduce the debt. The entire scenario was effectively a disaster for the greyhound industry with the leading greyhound track operator showing intent to end their role in the sport.
Oxford Stadium closed on 29 December, a move regarded as an attempt by the GRA to force the local council into passing future planning submissions.
Paschal Taggart owner of Shelbourne Park revealed plans to buy Wimbledon and redevelop it into a super stadium at a cost of £30 million. This was followed by an announcement from GRA Managing Director Clive Feltham supporting rival plans to end greyhound racing there and let AFC Wimbledon rebuild a football stadium with associated housing.

### Tracks

Norah McEllistrim left Wimbledon for Hove, the McEllistrim ties with Wimbledon dated back to 1929. Brighton had been seeking a replacement for three-time winner of the Trainers Championship Brian Clemenson who had announced his retirement. In addition to McEllistrim, the track would also recruit Dean Childs and Paul Garland. John Mullins returned to Yarmouth and Paul Sallis moved from Hall Green to Monmore.
The GRA released the Grand National out of their control allowing Sittingbourne to host it. A bid by the well-known professional gambler and owner Harry Findlay to re-open Coventry finally went ahead after being licensed by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Kevin Boothby took over sole control of Henlow Stadium following Bob Morton's departure.
Clonmel and Tralee earned contributions from the Irish Greyhound Board. Mystery surrounded the closure of independent track Westhoughton Greyhound Track near Bolton, just months before it was due to reopen following a £100,000 facelift. The stadium had undergone £30,000 improvements the previous year and a 20-year lease had been secured by a new owner, but work came to a halt and the site closed.

### Competitions

The blue riband events, the 2012 English Greyhound Derby and 2012 Irish Greyhound Derby were won by Blonde Snapper and Skywalker Puma respectively; both went on to win the accolade greyhound of the year. Nick Savva claimed a surprise Trainers Championship success at Perry Barr; it was the fourth time he had secured the championship.
The youngster Farloe Warhawk impressed during the Laurels winning the event unbeaten before being rested for the winter. The black dog also won the Puppy Derby in August pipping kennelmate Ballymac Eske.

### News

The new Racing Post TV channel (RPGTV) started in February when it featured the heats of the Golden Jacket at Crayford Stadium. The channel had been set up in the partnership of Hills, Ladbrokes, Coral, bet365 and Betfair.
Champion sprinter Jimmy Lollie was retired to stud in June after finishing lame at Hove. Mark Wallis sealed a fourth trainers title.

## Roll of honour

Major Winners :
| Award | Name of Winner |
| 2012 English Greyhound Derby | Blonde Snapper |
| 2012 Irish Greyhound Derby | Skywalker Puma |
| Greyhound Trainer of the Year | Mark Wallis |
| Greyhound of the Year | Blonde Snapper |
| Irish Dog and Bitch of the Year | Skywalker Puma/Milldean Tally |
Betfair Trainers Championship, Perry Barr (21 Mar) :
| Pos | Name of Trainer | Points |
| 1st | Nick Savva | 41 |
| 2nd | Charlie Lister OBE | 38 |
| 3rd | Chris Allsopp | 37 |
| 4th | Seamus Cahill | 31 |
| 4th | Dean Childs | 31 |
| 6th | Mark Wallis | 30 |
BAGS/SIS Track Championship, Perry Barr (23 Dec) :
| Pos | Track | Points |
| 1st | Newcastle | 79 |
| 2nd | Peterborough | 49 |
| 3rd | Hove | 48 |
| 4th | Belle Vue | 45 |
| 5th | Monmore | 35 |
| 6th | Swindon | 23 |

### Principal UK finals

Ladbrokes Golden Jacket, Crayford (18 Feb, 714m, £15,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Blue Bee | Matt Dartnall | 7-2 | 45.95 | 1 |
| 2nd | Blackrose Monarch | Eric Cantillon | 4-1 | 45.99 | 2 |
| 3rd | Farley Zach | Kim Billingham | 11-4 | 46.07 | 4 |
| 4th | Lottes Girl | Heather Dimmock | 5-1 | 46.08 | 3 |
| 5th | Wise Signal | Frank Gray | 5-2f | 46.16 | 6 |
| 6th | Springwood Bob | Barry O’Sullivan | 20-1 | 46.62 | 5 |
Bettor.com Scottish Derby, Shawfield (14 Apr, 480m, £25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Barefoot Allstar | Paul Hennessy | 7-4f | 28.76 | 2 |
| 2nd | Mill Bling Bling | Kelly Macari | 3-1 | 28.84 | 3 |
| 3rd | Bowtime Sykes | Julie Bateson | 7-1 | 29.08 | 6 |
| 4th | Mill Pegasus | Kelly Macari | 4-1 | 29.22 | 1 |
| 5th | Tudor Prince | Harry Williams | 5-1 | 29.24 | 4 |
| 6th | Droopys Cristian | Elaine Parker | 10-1 | 00.00 | 5 |
William Hill Classic, Sunderland (12 Jul, 450m, £25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Loughteen Blanco | Seamus Cahill | 5-1 | 26.95 | 3 |
| 2nd | Wells Honour | Craig Dawson | 2-1 | 27.30 | 6 |
| 3rd | Droopys Loner | Dean Childs | 7-4f | 27.46 | 2 |
| 4th | Blue Artisan | Harry Williams | 4-1 | 27.51 | 1 |
| 5th | Holycross Prince | John Mullins | 25-1 | 27.60 | 4 |
| 6th | Mill Bling Bling | Kelly Macari | 4-1 | 27.63 | 5 |
William Hill Grand Prix, Sunderland (12 Jul, 640m, £15,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Swabys Princess | Paul Young | 6-1 | 40.49 | 3 |
| 2nd | Dixies Air | Mark Wallis | 3-1 | 40.50 | 4 |
| 3rd | Swift Reagan | Mark Wallis | 4-1 | 40.63 | 6 |
| 4th | Derrane Jake | Jimmy Wright | 1-1f | 40.64 | 1 |
| 5th | Pond Shefelia | Harry Williams | 7-1 | 40.70 | 2 |
| 6th | Ballintine Molly | Mark Wallis | 16-1 | 40.72 | 5 |
Cearnsport Grand National, Sittingbourne (21 Aug, 480mH, £7,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Baran Bally Hi | Derek Knight | 3-1 | 29.53 | 4 |
| 2nd | Faithful Ranger | Arun Green | 20-1 | 29.92 | 5 |
| 3rd | Olivers Twist | Lisa Stephenson | 7-4jf | 30.27 | 2 |
| 4th | Clonkeen Theo | Jason Foster | 10-1 | 30.41 | 3 |
| 5th | Mullpark Too | Barry O'Sullivan | 25-1 | 30.52 | 1 |
| 6th | Lenson Teddy | Tony Collett | 7-4jf | 30.70 | 6 |
Ladbrokes East Anglian Derby, Yarmouth (20 Sep, 462m, £15,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Bubbly Phoenix | Paul Young | 4-5f | 27.36 | 5 |
| 2nd | Taylors Sky | Charlie Lister OBE | 9-4 | 27.42 | 1 |
| 3rd | Millwards Matt | Paul Young | 6-1 | 27.46 | 6 |
| 4th | Pennys Midas | Ray Pleasants | 16-1 | 27.73 | 2 |
| 5th | Fifis Legend | Chris Allsopp | 9-1 | 28.00 | 3 |
| 6th | Guinness Dusty | Seamus Cahill | 40-1 | 28.17 | 4 |
Ladbrokes TV Trophy, Monmore (25 Oct, 835m, £8,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Blonde Reagan | Mark Wallis | 9-4 | 51.98 | 6 |
| 2nd | Storm Pockets | Jason Foster | 1-1f | 52.04 | 2 |
| 3rd | Aero Gaga | Paul Young | 7-2 | 52.52 | 3 |
| 4th | Pantone Ava | David Mullins | 8-1 | 52.60 | 5 |
| 5th | Lottes Girl | Heather Dimmock | 7-1 | 52.68 | 4 |
| N/R | Tynwald Tom | Terry Munslow | Lame | | 1 |
Ladbrokes Laurels, Belle Vue (13 Nov, 470m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Farloe Warhawk | Barrie Draper | 4-5f | 28.26 | 2 |
| 2nd | Longwood Fantasy | Colin Callow | 6-1 | 28.29 | 4 |
| 3rd | Taranis Rex | Kevin Hutton | 16-1 | 28.30 | 1 |
| 4th | Alien Planet | Stuart Mason | 3-1 | 28.36 | 3 |
| 5th | Fridays Daryl | Julie Bateson | 12-1 | 28.54 | 6 |
| 6th | Boher Chieftain | Charlie Lister OBE | 10-1 | 28.86 | 5 |
William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (22 Nov, 687m, £15,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Blonde Reagan | Mark Wallis | 5-2f | 41.87 | 5 |
| 2nd | Ballyard Buddy | Stuart Mason | 11-4 | 41.98 | 4 |
| 3rd | Droopys Xavier | Claude Gardiner | 20-1 | 42.00 | 3 |
| 4th | Peggys Style | Chris Allsopp | 3-1 | 42.04 | 6 |
| 5th | Musical Gaga | Dean Childs | 9-1 | 42.29 | 1 |
| 6th | Blonde Fletch | Mark Wallis | 4-1 | 42.43 | 2 |
William Hill Oaks, Wimbledon (20 Dec, 480m, £15,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Droopys Hope | Liz McNair | 2-1 | 28.83 | 6 |
| 2nd | Skate On | Liz McNair | 7-1 | 28.98 | 5 |
| 3rd | Forest Mollie | Kevin Hutton | 25-1 | 29.10 | 2 |
| 4th | Droopys Loner | Dean Childs | 11-8f | 29.11 | 1 |
| 5th | Lemon Velvet | Adrian McPherson | 4-1 | 29.21 | 4 |
| N/R | Aero Scramble | Dean Childs | o/c | | 3 |

### Principal Irish finals

College Causeway/Killahan Phanter Easter Cup, Shelbourne (14 Apr, 550y, €25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Tyrur Big Mike | Conor Fahy | 2-1f | 29.73 | 1 |
| 2nd | Razldazl George | Dolores Ruth | 5-2 | 29.77 | 2 |
| 3rd | Kingo | Dolores Ruth | 12-1 | 29.81 | 3 |
| 4th | Razldazl Will | Dolores Ruth | 9-2 | 29.93 | 6 |
| 5th | Pablo Supreme | Owen McKenna | 4-1 | 30.05 | 4 |
| 6th | Tyrur Willyjoe | Conor Fahy | 6-1 | 30.17 | 5 |
Connolly's Red Mills Produce, Clonmel (6 May, 525y, €20,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Power of God | Pat Curtin | 7-2 | 28.65 | 2 |
| 2nd | Ballybough Hawke | Murt Leahy | 8-1 | 28.82 | 1 |
| 3rd | Airforce Zulu | Paul Hennessy | 6-1 | 29.00 | 4 |
| 4th | Paradise Martini | Pat Buckley | 5-4f | 29.01 | 3 |
| 5th | Camas | Owen McKenna | 3-1 | 29.08 | 6 |
| 6th | Cashen Mafuma | Chris Houilhan | 5-1 | 29.15 | 5 |
Bettor.com Northern Irish Derby, Drumbo Park (23 June, 550y, €25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Captain Scolari | Ger Holian | 4-1 | 29.67 | 5 |
| 2nd | Ruthless Man | John McGee Sr. | 7-2 | 29.83 | 2 |
| 3rd | Star Head | Brian Macklin | 3-1 | 30.07 | 1 |
| 4th | Devilacare | Tony McCloskey | 6-1 | 30.23 | 4 |
| 5th | Lolos Joe | Ronnie Craven | 2-1f | 30.39 | 3 |
| N/R | Royal Patrol | Ollie Bray | | | 6 |
Sporting Press Oaks, Shelbourne (23 Jun, 525y, €25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Milldean Tally | John O'Flynn | 9-4 | 28.75 | 1 |
| 2nd | Cabra Millie | Graham Holland | 6-4f | 28.95 | 3 |
| 3rd | Rockburst Delta | Graham Holland | 7-1 | 29.31 | 4 |
| 4th | Tantallons Kay | Domnik Rennicks | 5-1 | 29.43 | 2 |
| 5th | Solo Star | John McGee Sr. | 12-1 | 29.67 | 6 |
| 6th | Millbank Lola | Padraig Hickey | 3-1 | 32.07 | 5 |
Townviewfoods.com Champion Stakes, Shelbourne (21 Jul, 550y, €20,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Droopys Jet | Fraser Black | 5-2jf | 29.46 | 1 |
| 2nd | Ballymac Vic | Liam Dowling | 5-2jf | 29.66 | 3 |
| 3rd | Tibetan Skies | Owen McKenna | 9-1 | 29.70 | 5 |
| 4th | Sparta Maestro | Philip Gough | 3-1 | 29.90 | 6 |
| 5th | Razldazl Bugatti | Dolores Ruth | 4-1 | 29.98 | 4 |
| 6th | Razldazl Black | Dolores Ruth | 33-1 | 30.30 | 2 |
HX Bookmakers Puppy Derby, Harolds Cross (5 Oct, 525y, €25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Razldazl Luke | Dolores Ruth | 5-2 | 28.52 | 5 |
| 2nd | Isabels Boy | Gary Silcock | 3-1 | 28.96 | 2 |
| 3rd | Ballyhill Sub | Plunkett Matthews | 2-1f | 28.98 | 1 |
| 4th | Barefoot Printer | Joe Carey | 7-1 | 29.06 | 4 |
| 5th | Castlelyons Cofi | Eddie Fitzgerald | 5-2 | 29.22 | 6 |
| 6th | Glenardan | Liam Kirley | 14-1 | 29.34 | 3 |
Connolly's Red Mills Laurels, Cork (20 Oct, 525y, €30,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Knockglass Billy | Graham Holland | 2-1f | 28.30 | 1 |
| 2nd | Razldazl Rioga | Dolores Ruth | 3-1 | 28.90 | 6 |
| 3rd | Boherna House | Richard Wheeler | 3-1 | 28.98 | 4 |
| 4th | Confident Rankin | Owen McKenna | 7-2 | 29.26 | 3 |
| 5th | Allen Master | Marie Gilbert | 7-1 | 29.34 | 2 |
| 6th | Tinas Nova | Sean Muldoon | 14-1 | 29.46 | 5 |
Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger, Limerick (23 Nov, 550y, €25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Cashen Mafuma | Chris Houlihan | 8-1 | 29.57 | 4 |
| 2nd | Priceless Sky | Paul Hennessy | 4-6f | 29.58 | 1 |
| 3rd | Skywalker Puma | Frances O'Donnell | 6-4 | 29.72 | 3 |
| 4th | Tibetan Skies | Owen McKenna | 9-2 | 29.79 | 5 |
| 5th | Head For Fame | Tommy Bolton | 20-1 | 30.24 | 6 |
| 6th | Kingo | Dolores Ruth | 8-1 | 30.52 | 2 |