# 2013 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2013 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 88th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

## Summary
### Tracks

The GRA was subject to a management lease buyout, Wimbledon's lease was shorter than the rest of the tracks bringing the future of the track into serious question. The Oaks was switched to sister track Belle Vue meaning that Wimbledon had now lost the Laurels, Grand National and Oaks in recent years. Leading owner John Turner stepped in to save the Puppy Derby by sponsoring the event.
In Ireland, Newbridge which was leased by Morwell Racing Ltd ceased trading and left the stadium vacant. The Irish Greyhound Board stepped in to save the track and installed a management team to run it. The third BAGS/SIS track championship went to Sheffield who outpointed defending champions Newcastle in the final at Sheffield. Coventry continued to offer excellent open race prize money but suffered a blow when Racing Manager Martyn Dore left the track.

### Competitions

Ballymac Eske secured victories in the Juvenile and Scottish Greyhound Derby. Charlie Lister OBE had a year to remember following a record breaking seventh English Greyhound Derby with Sidaz Jack and sixth trainers championship at Yarmouth.
Slippery Robert trained by Robert Gleeson took the Irish Derby. The William Hill Grand Prix resulted in a dead heat between Hometown Honey and Calzaghe Lilly.
Charlie Lister had four finalists in the St Leger final and his hot favourite Farloe Tango broke the track record when claiming the competition. Farloe Tango then won the Greyhound of the Year. Mark Wallis sealed a fifth trainer's title in nine years.

### News

The Racing Post TV channel had a significant presence in the reporting of greyhound racing but the Greyhound Star began to consider plans to go online. Ladbrokes stepped in to sponsor the Scottish Derby which was at risk of being cancelled. Jim Woods retired after 31 years as a Racing Manager at Perry Barr, Nottingham, Leeds and Monmore.
Trainer Stuart Mason had his licence removed and is fined £1,500 by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain following three cases of positive tests for amphetamine.

## Roll of honour

Major Winners :
| Award | Name of Winner |
| 2013 English Greyhound Derby | Sidaz Jack |
| 2013 Irish Greyhound Derby | Slippery Robert |
| Greyhound Trainer of the Year | Mark Wallis |
| Greyhound of the Year | Farloe Tango |
| Irish Greyhound of the Year | Locnamon Bridie |
Ladbrokes Trainers Championship, Yarmouth (27 March) :
| Pos | Name of Trainer | Points |
| 1st | Charlie Lister OBE | 55 |
| 2nd | Paul Young | 51 |
| 3rd | Mark Wallis | 36 |
| 4th | Seamus Cahill | 31 |
| 5th | Chris Allsopp | 27 |
| 6th | Barrie Draper | 22 |
BAGS/SIS Track Championship, Sheffield (23 December) :
| Pos | Track | Points |
| 1st | Sheffield | 70 |
| 2nd | Newcastle | 51 |
| 3rd | Peterborough | 45 |
| 4th | Hove | 44 |
| 5th | Romford | 37 |
| 6th | Hall Green | 33 |

### Principal UK finals

Ladbrokes Golden Jacket, Crayford (18 February, 714m, £15,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | White Soks Roks | Daniel Riordan | 4-5f | 45.48 | 6 |
| 2nd | Droopys Xavier | Claude Gardiner | 9-4 | 45.74 | 2 |
| 3rd | Pony Bride | Kevin Hutton | 20-1 | 45.76 | 3 |
| 4th | Crinkill Jewell | Kevin Hutton | 10-1 | 45.80 | 4 |
| 5th | Eden Rumble | Alma Keppie | 12-1 | 46.14 | 1 |
| 6th | Paulines Pride | Darren Whitton | 6-1 | 46.83 | 5 |
Ladbrokes Scottish Derby, Shawfield (4 May, 480m, £10,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Ballymac Eske | Barrie Draper | 4-7f | 28.75 | 1 |
| 2nd | Mags Gamble | Harry Williams | 5-1 | 29.31 | 3 |
| 3rd | Greenwell Mentor | Pat Flaherty | 12-1 | 29.35 | 4 |
| 4th | Teejays Bluehawk | Paul Young | 6-1 | 29.37 | 2 |
| 5th | Greenwell Lark | Pat Flaherty | 16-1 | 29.47 | 6 |
| 6th | Tarbrook Tornado | Frazer Black | 6-1 | 29.49 | 5 |
William Hill Classic, Sunderland (18 July, 450m, £25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Pinpoint Maxi | Kelly Macari | 4-5f | 27.02 | 1 |
| 2nd | Droopys Pride | Elaine Parker | 12-1 | 27.21 | 4 |
| 3rd | Shaneboy Spencer | Liz McNair | 5-1 | 27.35 | 2 |
| 4th | Young Golden | Paul Young | 33-1 | 27.37 | 5 |
| 5th | Shaneboy Alley | Liz McNair | 6-4 | 27.61 | 6 |
| 6th | Bubbly Rocket | Paul Young | 10-1 | 27.89 | 3 |
William Hill Grand Prix, Sunderland (18 July, 640m, £15,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st* | Hometown Honey | Mark Wallis | 5-1 | 39.95 | 5 |
| 1st* | Calzaghe Lilly | Ted Soppitt | 1-1f | 39.95 | 6 |
| 3rd | Britania Rachel | Claude Gardiner | 10-1 | 40.21 | 3 |
| 4th | Bangcrashwallop | Heather Dimmock | 6-1 | 40.23 | 2 |
| 5th | Dural Bound | Maxine Locke | 9-4 | 40.29 | 4 |
| 6th | Sidelight | Chris Allsopp | 6-1 | 40.45 | 1 |
Paddy Power TV Trophy, Yarmouth (4 September, 843m, £8,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Musical Gaga | Dean Childs | 1-2f | 52.94 | 5 |
| 2nd | Blonde Reagan | Mark Wallis | 18-1 | 53.40 | 6 |
| 3rd | Incitatus | Chris Allsopp | 9-1 | 53.53 | 4 |
| 4th | Farloe Tango | Charlie Lister OBE | 5-2 | 53.55 | 2 |
| 5th | Freedom Cache | Paul Donovan | 16-1 | 53.97 | 1 |
| 6th | Golden Donaire | David Mullins | 40-1 | 54.14 | 3 |
East Anglian Derby, Yarmouth (19 September, 462m, £12,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Any Dak | Hazel Kemp | 4-6f | 27.34 | 6 |
| 2nd | Aero Tobias | Dean Childs | 5-1 | 27.51 | 3 |
| 3rd | Bridge Honcho | Mark Wallis | 6-1 | 27.65 | 4 |
| 4th | Frettenham Flyer | Terry Hunter | 20-1 | 27.77 | 5 |
| 5th | Son of Delboy | Stuart Buckland | 3-1 | 27.90 | 1 |
| 6th | Airtech Alfie | Paul Young | 15-2 | 28.36 | 2 |
Grand National, Sittingbourne (17 October, 480mH, £7,500) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Mash Mad Snowy | Seamus Cahill | 5-2 | 29.31 | 4 |
| 2nd | Westmead Meteor | Ricky Holloway | 4-1 | 29.39 | 5 |
| 3rd | Lollylips | Julie Luckhurst | 20-1 | 29.57 | 3 |
| 4th | Droopys Lorenzo | Dean Childs | 6-5f | 29.68 | 6 |
| 5th | Mo Realta Frank | Ricky Holloway | 5-1 | 29.70 | 1 |
| 6th | Westmead Melanie | Nick Savva | 14-1 | 29.82 | 2 |
William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (12 November, 687m, £15,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Farloe Tango | Charlie Lister OBE | 5-4f | 41.40+ | 4 |
| 2nd | Fear Emoski | Charlie Lister OBE | 9-2 | 41.95 | 3 |
| 3rd | Killieford Khali | Charlie Lister OBE | 33-1 | 42.00 | 6 |
| 4th | Droopys Posh | Seamus Cahill | 6-1 | 42.08 | 2 |
| 5th | Musical Gaga | Dean Childs | 7-1 | 42.10 | 1 |
| 6th | Airforce Diva | Charlie Lister OBE | 3-1 | 42.20 | 5 |
ECC Timber Oaks, Belle Vue (19 December, 470m, £15,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Droopys Danneel | Kevin Hutton | 7-4f | 27.97 | 6 |
| 2nd | Greenwell Lark | Pat Flaherty | 11-4 | 28.05 | 5 |
| 3rd | Caribbean Trixie | Bob Hall | 10-1 | 28.25 | 4 |
| 4th | Silverview Pinky | Charlie Lister OBE | 3-1 | 28.37 | 2 |
| 5th | Droopys Loner | Dean Childs | 10-1 | 28.41 | 1 |
| 6th | Akerview Gem | Jimmy Wright | 11-2 | 28.53 | 3 |
ECC Timber Laurels, Belle Vue (19 December, 470m, £6,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Mileheight Alba | Pat Rosney | 2-1f | 27.65 | 1 |
| 2nd | Eden Star | Barrie Draper | 3-1 | 27.77 | 2 |
| 3rd | Underground Paul | Paul Young | 8-1 | 27.91 | 5 |
| 4th | Thinking Big | Phil Ward | 4-1 | 28.13 | 4 |
| 5th | Young Golden | Paul Young | 16-1 | 28.17 | 6 |
| 6th | Jaytee Lightning | Paul Young | 5-2 | 28.27 | 3 |
+ track record

### Principal Irish finals

Con & Anne Kirby Memorial Stakes, Limerick (30 March, 525y, €80,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Roxholme Bully | Owen McKenna | 11-8f | 28.35 | 1 |
| 2nd | Oran Maestro | Davy Reynolds | 9-2 | 28.45 | 4 |
| 3rd | Droopys Banner | Patrick Guilfoyle | 12-1 | 28.59 | 5 |
| 4th | Kisses For Cloda | Daniel Butler | 5-2 | 28.73 | 3 |
| 5th | Melodys Gamble | Tim O’Donovan | 9-2 | 28.80 | 2 |
| 6th | Royal Diva | Oliver Bray | 12-1 | 28.91 | 6 |
College Causeway/Killahan Phanter Easter Cup, Shelbourne (13 April, 550y, €25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | North Bound | Niall Dunne | 4-1 | 29.46 | 6 |
| 2nd | Ballymac Vic | Liam Dowling | 4-5f | 29.88 | 3 |
| 3rd | Ashfield Impact | Vinnie Morris | 5-1 | 30.19 | 4 |
| 4th | Insane Spartacus | Paul Corrigan | 10-1 | 30.30 | 5 |
| 5th | Cabra Buck | Graham Holland | 4-1 | 30.30 | 1 |
| N/R | Droopys Adler | John Linehan | | | 2 |
Connolly's Red Mills Produce, Clonmel (12 May, 525y, €20,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Christys Bolt | Owen McKenna | 2-1 | 28.58 | 3 |
| 2nd | Graduation Day | Pat Dalton | 10-1 | 28.68 | 5 |
| 3rd | Farloe Calvin | Owen McKenna | 1-1f | 28.70 | 6 |
| 4th | Fear Big Star | Owen McKenna | 5-1 | 28.84 | 4 |
| 5th | Ballyhill Jaguar | Graham Holland | 10-1 | 28.88 | 1 |
| 6th | Melodys Gamble | Patrick Collins | 5-1 | 28.91 | 2 |
Sporting Press Oaks, Shelbourne (22 June, 525y, €25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Locnamon Bridie | Paul Hennessy | 5-1 | 28.23 | 3 |
| 2nd | Badminton Girl | Donal Murphy | 4-1 | 28.37 | 5 |
| 3rd | Melodys Diamond | Declan Byrne | 4-1 | 28.39 | 1 |
| 4th | Borna Gem | Ruairi Dwan | 5-4f | 28.56 | 2 |
| 5th | Airforce Diva | Owen McKenna | 5-1 | 28.70 | 4 |
| 6th | Royal Diva | Oliver Bray | 20-1 | 28.98 | 5 |
Townviewfoods.com Champion Stakes, Shelbourne (27 July, 550y, €20,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Paradise Madison | Oliver Bray | 6-4f | 29.46 | 5 |
| 2nd | Jaxx On Fantasy | John McGee Sr. | 5-1 | 29.60 | 4 |
| 3rd | Melodys Diamond | Declan Byrne | 5-1 | 29.74 | 6 |
| 4th | Fear Big Star | Owen McKenna | 12-1 | 29.95 | 1 |
| 5th | Lodgefield Turbo | Peter Traynor | 3-1 | 30.05 | 2 |
| 6th | Droopys Adler | John Linehan | 8-1 | 30.26 | 3 |
HX Bookmakers Puppy Derby, Harolds Cross (11 October, 525y, €15,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Vanrooney | Owen McKenna | 7-2 | 28.66 | 4 |
| 2nd | Newlawn Impact | Patrick Guilfoyle | 2-1f | 28.69 | 5 |
| 3rd | Aclamon Messi | Robert Gleeson | 5-2 | 28.73 | 6 |
| 4th | El Flutter | Nick Hendy | 8-1 | 28.76 | 1 |
| 5th | Mays King | Ian Lawless | 6-1 | 28.97 | 2 |
| 6th | Killinan Baby | Pat Buckley | 6-1 | 29.22 | 3 |
Connolly's Red Mills Laurels, Cork (19 October, 525y, €30,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Lassa Expedition | Rachel Wheeler | 3-1 | 28.39 | 2 |
| 2nd | Cathys Clown | Peter Cronin | 4-1 | 28.72 | 4 |
| 3rd | Glenanore Dancer | Tom O’Neill | 5-4f | 28.90 | 5 |
| 4th | Refuge Of Sinner | Frances O’Donnell | 5-1 | 28.92 | 6 |
| 5th | Footprintsinsand | Lorraine Moore | 14-1 | 29.02 | 1 |
| 6th | Parkgate Jet | Kieran Lynch | 12-1 | 29.13 | 3 |
Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger, Limerick (23 November, 550y, €25,000) :
| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trainer | SP | Time | Trap |
| 1st | Locnamon Bridie | Paul Hennessy | 3-1jf | 29.34 | 3 |
| 2nd | Tyrur Sugar Ray | PJ Fahy | 3-1jf | 29.58 | 1 |
| 3rd | Jaytee Hellcat | Paul Hennessy | 4-1 | 29.72 | 5 |
| 4th | Skywalker Farloe | Frances O’Donnell | 4-1 | 30.04 | 6 |
| 5th | Rockview Turbo | Peter Cronin | 4-1 | 30.09 | 4 |
| 6th | General Wolf | Graham Holland | 6-1 | 30.20 | 2 |