98th year of UK and Irish greyhound racing
2023 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year Category 1 finalists Millridge Tanic (left) and Olga with trainer Pat Curtin
The 2023 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 98th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.[1]
Summary [ edit ] Open race competitions increased again, in terms of prize money and frequency, with no less than ten UK events (not including the Derby) offering a first prize of £20,000 or more, including the returning Pall Mall Stakes at Oxford Stadium and a series of events sponsored by Premier Greyhound Racing. It equalled the Irish open race calendar in terms of number of races above £20,000 or €20,000.
A petition titled The Welsh Government should support greyhound racing in Wales was due to be debated by the Senedd because over 10,000 signatures were received in support. The petition was in response to the 2022 petition.[2] A main subject of the debate was the Valley Greyhound Stadium and in August 2023, Valley received a licence from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain . The move from independent racing to GBG rules meant that only one track Thornton Stadium remained with independent status.[3]
The long running saga over live broadcast rights continued and with Entain and ARC nearing the new 2024 deal, their rival SIS published a schedule. The schedule included Oxford, Towcester, Harlow, Suffolk Downs, Henlow, Doncaster and the Valley in addition to Askern Greyhound Stadium , which would require re-opening and a GBGB licence to be included in the schedule.[4]
Mark Wallis won his 14th Greyhound Trainer of the Year title after recording 1591 points.[5] The year ended with the death of former Northern Sports group manager Mick Wheble MBE.[6] [7]
Roll of honour [ edit ] Principal UK finals [ edit ] Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket , Crayford (18 Feb, 714m, £20,000)[9] Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Bellmore Sally 4 9/4jf 44.77 Jimmy Fenwick 2nd Roll On Sydney 1 6/1 45.01 Paul Young 3rd Olga 5 6/1 45.31 Paddy Curtin 4th Minnie Bullet 2 9/4jf 45.39 Mark Wallis 5th Burgess Hannah 6 11/2 45.85 Tony Gifkins 6th Coonough Crow 3 8/1 45.75 Mark Wallis
Ladbrokes TV Trophy , Crayford (15 April, 874m, £15,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Bellmore Sally 4 10/11f 56.38 James Fenwick 2nd Ower Smasher 3 13/8 56.66 June Harvey 3rd A Mystial Love 6 12/1 56.98 Lee Pearce 4th Beach Babe 5 28/1 57.56 Tom Levers 5th Savana Queen 2 14/1 57.90 Diane Henry 6th Queen Pink 1 9/1 57.96 Liz McNair
Arena Racing Company Laurels , Perry Barr (29 Apr, 480m, £12,500) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Hawkfield Ozark 1 15/8f 28.03 Patrick Janssens 2nd Goldies Perryman 3 4/1 28.05 Paul Foster 3rd Hurry Up Jordan 6 3/1 28.27 John Lambe 4th Arkady 4 11/4 28.35 David Mullins 5th Ivanexile 5 7/1 28.45 Matt Dartnall N/R Coolavanny Shado 2 Patrick Janssens
Premier Greyhound Racing Regency , Brighton (29 Jul, 695m, £20,000)[10] Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Space Jet 3 2/1jf 41.69 Matt Dartnall 2nd Swiper 1 11/1 41.85 Matt Dartnall 3rd Lively Lauren 2 2/1jf 41.88 Matt Dartnall 4th Jacktavern Magic 6 12/1 41.99 Mark Wallis 5th Bubbly Scorcher 5 11/2 42.01 Paul Young 6th Savana Heross 4 4/1 42.05 Diane Henry
Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes , Romford (21 Oct, 575m, £20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Hollow Man 4 8/13f 34.96 Derek Knight 2nd Ninja Kerry 6 11/2 35.19 Belinda Green 3rd Whyaye Man 5 10/1 35.23 Mark Wallis 4th Havana Top Note 3 11/1 35.24 Liz McNair 5th Droopys Google 1 9/2 35.32 Nathan Hunt 6th Ballintee Noshow 2 12/1 35.60 Maxine Locke
Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks , Perry Barr (27 Oct, 480m, £20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st No Rush 6 15/8f 28.18 Carol Weatherall 2nd Jet Stream Angel 4 5/1 28.22 Kevin Hutton 3rd Droopys Ailsa 5 4/1 28.28 Robert Gleeson 4th Whats Up Eva 2 4/1 28.32 Richard Rees 5th Starshinestunner 1 7/2 28.42 Richard Rees 6th Droopys Request 3 14/1 28.84 Christopher Fereday
Principal Irish finals [ edit ] Bresbet Easter Cup , Shelbourne (8 Apr, 550y, €25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Swords Rex 1 11/8f 29.71 Graham Holland 2nd Tooklmaker Wilde 6 22/1 29.99 Robert G Gleeson 3rd Trinity Junior 2 8/1 30.02 Peter Cronin 4th Romeo Magico 5 4/1 30.09 Graham Holland 5th Galloping Sydney 4 6/1 30.16 Graham Holland 6th Bockos Crystal 3 3/1 30.23 Graham Holland
Sporting Press Oaks , Shelbourne Park (17 Jun, 525y, €25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Crafty Shivoo 1 3/1 28.14 Peter & Brian Divilly 2nd Scooby Duchess 6 8/1 28.38 Jennifer O'Donnell 3rd Glengar Martha 5 10/1 28.42 Pat Buckley 4th Bobsleigh Dream 3 6/4f 28.49 Pat Buckley 5th Quivers Magic 2 7/2 29.47 Adam Dunford 6th Droopys Timing 4 5/1 00.00 Paul Conin
Thatch Bar & Restaurant National Produce , Clonmel (25 Jun, 525y, €20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Burgess Supreme 5 20/1 28.52 Sheila Spillane 2nd Hukum 2 4/1 28.56 Adam Dunford 3rd Ower Mystery 4 7/2 28.57 Pat Buckley 4th Clonbrien Treaty 6 13/8f 28.74 Graham Holland 5th Mendelson 3 20/1 28.85 Thomas O'Donovan 6th Clona Shadow 1 11/4 28.99 Graham Holland
Boylesports Champion Stakes , Shelbourne Park (8 Jul, 550y, €20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Trinity Junior 1 5/2f 29.34 Peter Cronin 2nd The Other Kobe 5 4/1 29.48 Jennifer O'Donnell 3rd Boylesports Gift 4 12/1 29.72 Paul Hennessy 4th Droopys Nice One 6 11/2 29.73 Murt Leahy 5th Hawkfield Blue 3 9/2 30.64 Keeley McGee 6th Scaglietti 2 11/4 31.41 Patrick Guilfoyle
Time Dundalk International , Dundalk (12 Jul, 550y, €20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Raha Mofo 5 4/1 29.98 Murt Leahy 2nd Ballinabola Ed 6 4/6f 29.99 Pat Buckley 3rd Brookside Richie 3 7/1 30.11 James Fenwick (UK) 4th Cochise 1 20/1 30.25 Richard Rees (UK) 5th Bobsleigh Dream 4 11/2 30.37 Pat Buckley 6th Ballymac Whispa 2 25/1 30.44 Liam Dowling
Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup , Dundalk (15 Aug, 400y, €20,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Carrick Aldo 5 - 20.80 David Murray 2nd Who Have I 4 - 20.99 Michael J. O'Donovan 3rd Ballymac Samuel 1 - 21.04 Liam Dowling 4th Chelms Skippy 6 - 21.08 Peter Cronin 5th Rathdown Molly 3 - 21.22 Marie Gilbert 6th Radical Hero 2 - 21.27 Thomas O'Donovan
Time Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile Derby , Shelbourne Park (30 Sep, 525y, €25,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Droopys Flytline 6 15/8f 27.93 Robert G. Gleeson 2nd Short Grip 1 7/2 28.00 Patrick Cocoman 3rd Droopys Zelda 3 12/1 28.28 John A. Linehan 4th Unmatched 4 16/1 28.38 John A. Linehan 5th Highview Splash 5 4/1 28.63 Gerry Merriman 6th Ballinakill Alf 2 5/2 28.66 Graham Holland
Bar One Racing Irish Laurels , Cork (14 Oct, 525y, €30,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st High Trend 2 8/1 28.31 Graham Holland 2nd Easy Razzle 5 6/1 28.34 John A. Linehan 3rd Role Model 4 22/1 28.52 Owen McKenna 4th Jacktavern Bolt 1 2/1jf 28.83 Graham Holland 5th Carrick Aldo 6 2/1jf 28.87 David Murray 6th Glory Baz 3 4/1 28.89 Graham Holland
Will We Go Irish St Leger , Limerick (25 Nov, 550y, €30,000) Pos Name of Greyhound Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Clonbrien Treaty 6 5/4f 29.51 Graham Holland 2nd Swords Rex 3 10/3 29.54 Graham Holland 3rd Sober Glory 2 4/1 29.61 Karol Ramsbottom 4th Mr Chelm 5 14/1 29.62 Peter Cronin 5th Ballinabola Una 1 6/1 29.69 Pat Buckley 6th Beepers Lariat 4 12/1 29.80 Jack Kennelly
Calendar [ edit ] Date Competition Venue 1st prize Winner 15 Jan Cesarewitch Central Park £12,500 Cochise[12] 20 Jan Diamond Stakes Oxford £10,000 Mohican Tara 27 Jan Coral Essex Vase Romford £10,000 Aayamza Magic 27 Jan BGBF Puppy Cup Oxford £10,000 Watchhall Sid 29 Jan Stadium Bookmakers Blue Riband Towcester £10,000 Hopes Paddington 16 Feb Northern Puppy Derby Newcastle £12,500 Links Maverick 18 Feb Golden Jacket Crayford £20,000 Bellmore Sally 25 Feb Shelbourne Gold Cup Shelbourne €16,000 Bogger Hunter 4 Mar Ladbrokes Winter Derby Monmore £10,000 Coolavanny Shado 11 Mar Greyhound & Petworld Juvenile Classic Tralee €11,000 Ballymac Marino[13] 17 Mar Coral Golden Sprint Romford £10,000 Droopys Good[14] 17 Mar Coral Coronation Cup Romford £10,000 Antigua Sugar[15] 18 Mar Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby Monmore £20,000 Bradys Bullet[16] 20 Mar BGBF British Breeders Stakes Nottingham £12,500 Romeo Command[17] 24 Mar Frightful Flash Kennels McCalmont Cup Kilkenny €5,000 Lynchy Boy[18] 26 Mar RPGTV Irish Cesarewitch Mullingar €6,000 Bobsleigh Dream[19] 29 Mar Arena Racing Company Kent Plate Central Park £12,500 Fromposttopillar 30 Mar Arena Racing Company Northern Flat Newcastle £12,500 Brookside Richie[20] 2 Apr RPGTV Juvenile Towcester £5,000 Arkady[21] 8 Apr Bresbet Easter Cup Shelbourne €25,000 Swords Rex[22] 15 Apr Steel City Puppy Derby Sheffield £15,000 Droopys Fidget 15 Apr Ladbrokes TV Trophy Crayford £15,000 Bellmore Sally[23] 15 Apr Champion Hurdle Crayford £10,000 Lenson Doolin 21 Apr Arena Racing Company Grand Prix Sunderland £12,500 Coonough Crew 21 Apr Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Limerick €80,000 Clonbrien Treaty[24] 22 Apr bet365 Hunt Cup Oxford £10,000 Havana Lover[25] 23 Apr KAB Maiden Derby Towcester £10,000 Drive On Lad 29 Apr Coral Brighton Belle Hove £10,000 Betsys Bullet 29 Apr TIME Greyhound Nutrition Waterford Select Stakes Waterford €10,000 Clona Duke 29 Apr Arena Racing Company Laurels Perry Barr £12,500 Hawkfield Ozark[26] 6 May RPGTV Open Shelbourne €15,000 Ballinabola Ed[27] 7 May BresBet Gymcrack Kinsley £9,000 Stormy News[28] 27 May Ladbrokes Kent Vase Crayford £1,000 Beebee Bianco 27 May Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger Crayford £10,000 Low Pressure 30 May Three Steps to Victory Sheffield £10,000 Distant Emma 11 June ARC Kent Silver Salver Central Park £12,500 Flashing Willow[29] 16 Jun Callaway Ramber at Stud Race of Champions Tralee €15,000 Ballinabola Ed 17 Jun Sporting Press Oaks Shelbourne €25,000 Crafty Shivoo 25 Jun Thatch Bar & Restaurant National Produce Clonmel €20,000 Burgess Supreme[30] 1 Jul Star Sports & TRC Events & Leisure English Greyhound Derby Towcester £235,000 Gaytime Nemo 8 Jul Boylesports Champion Stakes Shelbourne €20,000 Trinity Junior 12 Jul Time Dundalk International Dundalk €20,000 Raha Mofo 15 Jul RPGTV Corn Cuchulainn Shelbourne €10,500 Kinturk Road 16 Jul Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup Thurles €7,500 Pape Di Oro 27 Jul ARC Angel of the North Newcastle £6,000 Magical Camilla 29 Jul Pall Mall Stakes Oxford £20,000 Links Maverick 29 Jul Premier Greyhound Racing Regency Hove £20,000 Space Jet[10] 29 Jul Coral Springbok Hove £5,000 Droopys Chaser[10] 29 Jul Coral Sussex Cup Hove £10,000 Candolim Monsson[10] 30 Jul Juvenile Classic Towcester £10,000 Droopys Clue 15 Aug Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup Dundalk €20,000 Carrick Aldo[31] 26 Aug Ladbrokes Guys and Dolls Crayford £5,000 Swift Daisy[32] 26 Aug Ladbrokes Grand National Crayford £10,000 Coppice Fox[32] 26 Aug Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic Monmore £10,000 Fromposttopillar[33] 26 Aug Ladbrokes Gold Cup Monmore £10,000 Links Maverick[33] 28 Aug JenningsBet Puppy Classic Nottingham £12,500 Glenvale Bill[34] 28 Aug JenningsBet Select Stakes Nottingham £10,000 Clona Duke[34] 2 Sep Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby Shelbourne €125,000 The Other Kobe 20 Sep Click Competitions East Anglian Derby Yarmouth £15,000 Watch The Limo[35] 21 Sep 77th Produce Stakes Swindon £13,000 Queen Joni[36] 23 Sep M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup Perry Barr £12,500 Brookside Richie[37] 23 Sep Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger Perry Barr £20,000 Droopys Clue[37] 24 Sep Empress Stakes Towcester £10,000 Crafty Shivoo 29 Sep Coral Romford Puppy Cup Romford £10,000 Romeo Crusade[38] 30 Sep Time Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile Derby Shelbourne €25,000 Droopys Flytline[39] 14 Oct Bar One Racing Irish Laurels Cork €30,000 High Trend[40] 17 Oct BresBet Steel City Cup Sheffield £8,000 Swift Iconic[41] 20 Oct Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes Romford £20,000 Hollow Man[42] 27 Oct Cowley Puppy Collar Oxford £10,000 Long Fellow 28 Oct ARC Scurry Gold Cup Perry Barr £6,000 Quarteira[43] 28 Oct Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks Perry Barr £20,000 No Rush[43] 29 Oct Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby Central Park £20,000 Churchfield Syd[44] 17 Nov ARC Classic Sunderland £12,500 Jonny Whiskers 25 Nov Ladbrokes Gold Collar Crayford £10,000 Laughil Jess[45] 25 Nov Kent Rosebowl Crayford £1,000 Oh Cosmopolitan[45] 25 Nov Yorkshire St Leger Doncaster £3,000 Fabulous Dyna[46] 25 Nov Willwego Irish St Leger Limerick €30,000 Clonbrien Treaty[47] 26 Nov RPGTV Puppy Derby Towcester £10,000 King Memphis[48] 27 Nov Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse Nottingham £20,000 Newinn Syd[49] 17 Dec bet365 Puppy Oaks Towcester £10,000 Queen Dusty 19 Dec British Bred Breeders Forum Derby Sheffield £10,000 Queen Joni 22 Dec bet365 Challenge Cup Oxford £10,000 Havana Top Note 23 Dec George Curtis/Ballyregan Bob Memorial Hove £10,000 Droopys Clue 23 Dec Coral Olympic Hove £10,000 King Memphis 26 Dec ARC National Sprint Nottingham £6,000 Bombout Bullet 28 Dec Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup Newcastle £20,000 Swift Silly
References [ edit ]
UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Years
Years
UK & Irish greyhound competitions
English competitions
Current competitions Former competitions
Irish competitions
Current competitions
Former competitions
Current greyhound stadiums in Great Britain licensed by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain
Licensed stadiums
English greyhound tracks
Unlicensed tracks (independent / flapping)
Greyhound stadiums in Ireland
Current (Republic of Ireland) Current (Northern Ireland) Former (Republic of Ireland) Former (Northern Ireland)
Scottish greyhound tracks
Unlicensed tracks (independent/flapping)
Welsh greyhound tracks
Unlicensed tracks (independent/flapping)