# 2001 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2001 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 75th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

## Roll of honour

Major Winners :
| Award | Name of Winner |
| 2001 English Greyhound Derby | Rapid Ranger |
| 2001 Irish Greyhound Derby | Cool Performance |
| 2001 Scottish Greyhound Derby | Sonic Flight |
| Greyhound Trainer of the Year | Linda Jones |
| Greyhound of the Year | Rapid Ranger |
| Irish Dog and Bitch of the Year | Late Late Show / Marinas Tina |
Trainers Championship, Hove (March 29) :
| Pos | Name of Trainer | Points |
| 1st | Charlie Lister | 54 |
| 2nd | Paul Young | 41 |
| 3rd | Brian Clemenson | 34 |
| 4th | John Mullins | 32 |
| 5th | Linda Jones | 27 |
| 6th | John McGee | 20 |

## Summary

The National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) released the annual returns, with totalisator turnover at £91,969,298 and attendances recorded at 3,887,265 from 6180 meetings.
Rapid Ranger trained by Charlie Lister was voted Greyhound of the Year after winning his second English Greyhound Derby. The brindle dog joined an elite band of three greyhounds to win the Derby twice. Only Mick the Miller and Patricias Hope had previously achieved the feat.
Linda Jones won the Greyhound Trainer of the Year but it was fellow trainer John McGee Sr. that once again hit the headlines, with a controversy regarding the trainer's championship to be held at Hove. McGee qualified for the top six Trainers' Championship by virtue of finishing fifth in the 2000 standings but was upset at the fact that John Mullins was allowed to take the place of his mother Linda Mullins. John Mullins had taken control of the kennels following Linda's retirement but an angry John McGee stated "I read that it was an unanimous decision" referring to the announcement made by the Professional Greyhound Trainers' Association (PGTA), "but unanimous by who? "They should have asked the five other trainers who have qualified what they thought, not just changed the rules because they wanted John Mullins in." The anger was brought on by the fact that he had been denied an invitation to run in the 1988 championship after taking over the kennel from Fred Wiseman, who led the 1987 standings. "I was head man to Fred Wiseman, but everyone knew I was doing the dogs and we won everything that year". The Championship went ahead and was won by Charlie Lister but the controversy surrounding McGee continued, when later in the year he had a positive urine sample taken from Apple Rambler at Wimbledon. The NGRC once again withdrew his licence and he was told that no further application would be considered until January 2003.

## Tracks

Advanced plans by the Greyhound Racing Association to open a 2,000 seater stadium at Fazakerley in the north of Liverpool failed to materialise following opposition from residents. Liverpool had lost greyhound racing in 1973 despite having four prominent profitable tracks at one stage.
Castleford Whitwood Stadium held its final meeting in February; it had existed in spells as a licensed and independent track since 1938.

## News

Trainer Graham Holland left Oxford to join Hove and was replaced by Nick Colton. Carly Philpott took out her first licence following in the footsteps of her father Paul Philpott and Maxine Locke joined Catford. Leading owner Len Ponder moved all of his greyhounds from trainer Ray Peacock and transferred them to Seamus Cahill.
Owen McKenna son of Ger McKenna decided to return to Ireland to train mainly for David Miles (responsible for the Reactabond prefix) in Ballyclerihan. Despite having a contract at Wimbledon, McKenna had expressed concerns over lack of races and poor prize money.

## Competitions

The Nick Savva trained Sonic Flight won a strong Scottish Greyhound Derby, a competition that saw the shock disqualification in the first round of prolific open race winner El Boss, who was subsequently retired. Sonic Flight also won the Select Stakes and Irish Laurels.
The veteran Palace Issue now trained by John Mullins retired after failing to win the Golden Jacket but winning 69 of his 111 races and picking up £65,000 in prize money.
No Can Waltz enjoyed a good year, the Linda Jones trained white and brindle had finished second in the Arc final and third in the Scottish Derby and won the Test before a good Grand Prix campaign at Walthamstow Stadium came to an end losing to Slick Tom. He finished the year by reaching the St Leger final, he was arguably the best stayer ahead of Solid Magic who claimed the first Cesarewitch to be held at Oxford and the Olympic title.

## Ireland

2001 was a vintage year for stars, in the United Kingdom Rapid Ranger had dominated the news and Sonic Flight had a great year. In Ireland Cool Performance won the Derby but he was overshadowed by two of the finalists, Late Late Show and Droopys Kewell. Late Late Show owned by Pat Kenny and duly named after the popular show The Late Late Show became the nation's favourite greyhound. The black dog won the Easter Cup and Shelbourne 600, in addition to finishing runner-up in the Derby and being a finalist in the Champion Stakes. Droopys Kewell won three major events; the National Produce, St Leger and Champion Stakes. In any other year Droopys Kewell would have been Irish Greyhound of the Year but the accolade went to Late Late Show.

## Principal UK races

Grand National, Wimbledon (Mar 28, 460m h, £7,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Kish Jaguar | Norah McEllistrim | 10-1 | 28.60 | 6 |
| 2nd | Opus Air | Pat Thompson | 6-1 | 28.72 | 5 |
| 3rd | Kanturk Canon | Jason Foster | 12-1 | 28.90 | 1 |
| 4th | Apple Rambler | Linda Jones | 7-4jf | 29.00 | 2 |
| 5th | Rossa Ranger | John Counsell | 7-4jf | 29.22 | 3 |
| 6th | Kerbal Go Free | Philip Rees Jr. | 50-1 | 29.40 | 4 |
Regal Scottish Derby, Shawfield (Apr 21, 480m, £20,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Sonic Flight | Nick Savva | 5-4 | 29.19 | 1 |
| 2nd | Droopys Vieri | Paul Young | 11-10f | 29.47 | 2 |
| 3rd | No Can Waltz | Linda Jones | 6-1 | 29.53 | 6 |
| 4th | Droopys Honcho | Paul Young | 20-1 | 29.57 | 5 |
| 5th | Harsu Super | Janis Carmichael | 20-1 | 29.59 | 4 |
| 6th | Glengar Visit | Graeme Frew | 50-1 | 30.11 | 3 |
Scurry Gold Cup, Catford (Jun 23, 385m, £3,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Kalooki Jet | Sonja Spiers | 7-4jf | 23.90 | 6 |
| 2nd | Reactabond Slick | Paul Young | 7-4jf | 24.02 | 2 |
| 3rd | Aulton Topper | Cheryl Miller | 5-1 | 24.16 | 3 |
| 4th | Breeze Encore | Arthur Hitch | 12-1 | 24.28 | 4 |
| 5th | Bearas Heather | Wayne Wrighting | 8-1 | 24.40 | 1 |
| 6th | Soul Pretender | Liz Redpath | 7-1 | 24.46 | 5 |
Reading Masters, Reading (Jul 8, 465m, £20,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Marshals June | Richard Stiles | 11-4 | 27.99 | 3 |
| 2nd | Top Jock | Seamus Cahill | 15-2 | 28.09 | 4 |
| 3rd | Pinewood Blue | Linda Jones | 9-4jf | 28.21 | 5 |
| 4th | El Joker | John McGee Sr. | 20-1 | 28.27 | 6 |
| 5th | Carhumore Cross | Nick Savva | 9-4jf | 28.43 | 2 |
| 6th | El Jolson | John McGee Sr. | 12-1 | 28.49 | 1 |
Gold Collar, Catford (Sep 15, 555m, £7,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Haughty Ted | Dinky Luckhurst | 2-1 | 35.26 | 6 |
| 2nd | Serious Dog | Paul Young | 9-1 | 35.44 | 4 |
| 3rd | Sandyhill Dee | Paul Young | 12-1 | 35.70 | 2 |
| 4th | Droopys Candice | Brian Clemenson | 12-1 | 35.98 | 5 |
| 5th | Larkhill Blackie | Owen McKenna | 8-1 | 36.02 | 3 |
| 6th | Senahel Ridge | Owen McKenna | 1-1f | 36.14 | 1 |
Countrywide Steel & Tubes TV Trophy, Wimbledon (Oct 2, 868m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Killeacle Phoebe | Brian Clemenson | 1-1f | 54.27 | 1 |
| 2nd | Metric Tiger | John Haynes | 2-1 | 54.45 | 5 |
| 3rd | Sexy Delight | Charlie Lister | 3-1 | 54.83 | 3 |
| 4th | Xamax Xylograph | Norah McEllistrim | 10-1 | 54.95 | 2 |
| 5th | Rosden Amy | Seamus Cahill | 100-1 | 56.11 | 4 |
| 6th | Let Us Know | Elaine Parker | 20-1 | 57.73 | 6 |
Grand Prix, Walthamstow (Oct 6, 640m, £10,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Slick Tom | Owen McKenna | 9-2 | 40.02 | 3 |
| 2nd | Kegans Flyer | Linda Jones | 5-2 | 40.05 | 5 |
| 3rd | No Can Waltz | Linda Jones | 5-6f | 40.09 | 4 |
| 4th | Penalty Shootout | John Mullins | 12-1 | 40.15 | 1 |
| 5th | Sandyhill Dee | Paul Young | 33-1 | 40.35 | 2 |
| 6th | Ballyhoe Cyclone | Ernie Gaskin Sr. | 25-1 | 40.37 | 6 |
Laurels, Belle Vue (Oct 23, 465m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Pack Them In | Andy Heyes | 6-4f | 27.55 | 4 |
| 2nd | Magnum Tom | Charlie Lister | 13-2 | 27.83 | 5 |
| 3rd | Codology | Barrie Draper | 11-4 | 27.89 | 2 |
| 4th | Blues Best Mike | Nicki Chambers | 9-1 | 27.97 | 6 |
| 5th | Vancouver Jet | Linda Jones | 6-1 | 28.13 | 3 |
| 6th | Master Blackster | Elaine Parker | 8-1 | 28.17 | 1 |
William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (Nov 6, 660m, £12,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Frisby Folly | Harry Crapper | 3-1 | 40.74 | 2 |
| 2nd | Droopys Rhys | Ted Soppitt | 8-1 | 40.96 | 1 |
| 3rd | Form of Magic | Brian Clemenson | 7-2 | 41.00 | 3 |
| 4th | Lenson Cody | Brian Clemenson | 20-1 | 41.20 | 4 |
| 5th | No Can Waltz | Linda Jones | 7-4f | 41.30 | 6 |
| 6th | Kegans Flyer | Linda Jones | 7-1 | 41.42 | 5 |
RD Racing Cesarewitch, Oxford (Nov 24, 645m, £5,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Solid Magic | Brian Clemenson | 11-10f | 39.72 | 6 |
| 2nd | Cuba | Brian Clemenson | 5-4 | 39.86 | 1 |
| 3rd | Broadacres Butch | Graham Holland | 10-1 | 40.06 | 5 |
| 4th | Breaking Ball | Ron Dix | 40-1 | 40.10 | 3 |
| 5th | Lottys Magic | Brian Clemenson | 8-1 | 40.22 | 4 |
| 6th | Valdex | Julie Curran | 40-1 | 40.76 | 2 |
Oaks, Wimbledon (Dec 4, 480m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Talktothehand | Jimmy Gibson | 6-4jf | 29.06 | 6 |
| 2nd | Aegean Dream | Charlie Lister | 6-1 | 29.20 | 3 |
| 3rd | Olyadne | John Mullins | 6-4jf | 29.28 | 5 |
| 4th | Druids Glory | Claude Gardiner | 6-1 | 29.30 | 2 |
| 5th | Clefairy Doll | John McGee Sr. | 16-1 | 29.48 | 1 |
| N/R | El Zita | John McGee Sr. | | | |

## Principal Irish finals

Easter Cup Shelbourne (May 12, 525y, €31,743) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Late Late Show | 9-10f | 28.60 | 6 |
| 2nd | Marinas Tina | 7-2 | 29.02 | 3 |
| 3rd | Kishlawn Gold | 75-1 | 29.16 | 2 |
| 4th | Cregane Trade | 6-1 | 29.17 | 5 |
| 5th | Sporting Huzzar | 14-1 | 29.19 | 1 |
| 6th | Brother Jim | 6-1 | 29.36 | 4 |
National Produce Thurles (May 27, 525y, €31,743) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Droopys Kewell | 5-2 | 28.95 | 1 |
| 2nd | Paddock Magic | 9-2 | 29.02 | 6 |
| 3rd | Zagato | 25-1 | 29.54 | 5 |
| 4th | Long Valley Max | 2-1f | 29.96 | 2 |
| 5th | Toms Electrabuzz | 7-2 | 30.24 | 4 |
| 6th | Hinton Admiral | 7-2 | 30.45 | 3 |
Shelbourne 600 Shelbourne (Jun 19, 600y, €31,743) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Late Late Show | 2-7f | 32.20*TR | 6 |
| 2nd | Cregane Trade | 7-1 | 32.76 | 4 |
| 3rd | Amber Joe | 12-1 | 33.00 | 1 |
| 4th | Articifer | 16-1 | 33.11 | 3 |
| 5th | Making Merry | 16-1 | 33.16 | 5 |
| 6th | Extra Dividend | 12-1 | 33.86 | 2 |
St Leger Limerick (Jun 30, 550y, €31,743) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Droopys Kewell | 5-2 | 30.37 | 4 |
| 2nd | Barefoot Ridge | 5-1 | 30.47 | 2 |
| 3rd | Tyrur Bello | 25-1 | 30.68 | 5 |
| 4th | Magna Mint | 6-4f | 30.86 | 3 |
| 5th | Kildrum Black | 16-1 | 30.93 | 6 |
| 6th | Ormond Park | 3-1 | 31.03 | 1 |
Oaks Shelbourne (Jul 21 525y, €31,743) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Marinas Tina | 4-7f | 28.60 | 1 |
| 2nd | Coolfadda Lady | 7-1 | 28.95 | 5 |
| 3rd | Fast Lizzy | 14-1 | 29.16 | 6 |
| 4th | Market Elm | 20-1 | 29.33 | 2 |
| 5th | You Said So | 7-1 | 29.40 | 3 |
| 6th | Twenty To Ten | 10-1 | 29.46 | 4 |
Champion Stakes Shelbourne (Aug 30, 550y, €25,394) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Droopys Kewell | 7-4jf | 30.07 | 6 |
| 2nd | Tinys Bud | 10-1 | 30.08 | 5 |
| 3rd | Long Valley Max | 20-1 | 30.10 | 3 |
| 4th | Late Late Show | 7-4jf | 30.12 | 4 |
| 5th | Droopys Vieri | 3-1 | 30.19 | 1 |
| 6th | Wish Kid | 40-1 | 30.43 | 2 |
Puppy Derby Harolds Cross (Sep 28, 525y, €31,743) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Rutland Budgie | 5-2 | 28.34 | 2 |
| 2nd | Judicial Rebel | 5-2 | 28.65 | 5 |
| 3rd | Airport Express | 7-4f | 28.71 | 3 |
| 4th | Priceless Rebel | 10-1 | 28.74 | 1 |
| 5th | The Other Master | 8-1 | 29.09 | 6 |
| 6th | Aranock Lance | 33-1 | 29.30 | 4 |
Laurels Cork (Oct 20, 525y, €31,743) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Sonic Flight | 4-1 | 28.41 | 2 |
| 2nd | Micks Mystic | 4-1 | 28.44 | 3 |
| 3rd | Larkhill Lo | 5-1 | 28.48 | 5 |
| 4th | Premier County | 4-1 | 28.62 | 6 |
| 5th | Barefoort Joe | 20-1 | 28.65 | 4 |
| 6th | Long Valley Max | 2-1f | 28.83 | 1 |

## Totalisator returns

Extended content :
The totalisator returns declared to the National Greyhound Racing Club for the year 2001 are listed below.
Stadium
Turnover £
Walthamstow13,759,061
Wimbledon9,388,927
Romford7,902,983
Belle Vue6,195,752
Brighton & Hove5,306,629
Hall Green5,230,576
Peterborough4,191,293
Sheffield3,796,116
Catford3,756,371
Perry Barr2,737,707
Oxford2,596,375
Stadium
Turnover £
Sunderland2,476,715
Crayford2,468,397
Milton Keynes2,025,326
Nottingham1,989,139
Yarmouth1,951,991
Shawfield1,808,404
Poole1,785,626
Monmore1,709,821
Portsmouth1,653,280
Swindon1,573,085
Brough Park1,528,081
Stadium
Turnover £
Sittingbourne1,398,496
Reading1,131,332
Harlow891,481
Kinsley756,527
Stainforth730,441
Hull464,525
Mildenhall306,889
Henlow259,952
Rye House198,000 :