2021 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2021 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 96th year of greyhound racing in the Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Greyhound racing in Ireland.[1][2][3][4]

2021 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
← 2020
2022 →

Roll of honour

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Major Winners
Award Name of Winner
2021 English Greyhound Derby Thorn Falcon
2021 Irish Greyhound Derby Susie Sapphire
Greyhound Trainer of the Year Mark Wallis
UK Greyhound of the Year Signet Ace
Irish Greyhound of the Year Susie Sapphire

Summary

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The main news throughout the year was the announcement of a five-year deal between Entain and ARC for a new joint venture of live broadcast rights from 1 January 2024 until 31 December 2029. The deal was described in some news articles as revamping and revitalising greyhound racing's wider betting appeal but in truth the deal although inevitable (a bookmaker owned industry had been predicted 20 years previously) was potentially a serious problem for a third of the industry. The deal in detail meant that the Entain/Ladbrokes Coral owned tracks (Crayford, Hove, Monmore and Romford) and the ARC tracks (Newcastle, Nottingham, Perry Barr and Sunderland) would form eight of the tracks with broadcast rights and they would likely be joined by two to four more tracks. This would mean that a further six to eight tracks would be financially unstable with no broadcast rights and would face an uncertain future.[6][7][8] Shortly after the announcement Central Park Stadium was acquired by ARC, leaving Doncaster, Harlow, Henlow, Kinsley, Sheffield, Pelaw Grange, Shawfield, Swindon, Towcester and Yarmouth battling for rights before 2024.[9]

The major disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic continued with racing remaining behind closed doors until the return of crowds was allowed on 17 May. The Derby returned to Towcester Greyhound Stadium following two years at Nottingham.[10] The 2021 English Greyhound Derby was won by Thorn Falcon for Belgian born Patrick Janssens, thwarting an Irish attempt at a third consecutive success.[11]

News

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Just one week after being named the 2020 Greyhound of the Year Aayamza Royale broke the 900 metres track record at Monmore, recording 55.95 seconds.[12] In May 2021 Kevin Hutton returned to train out of Towcester following its reopening[13] and later in September 2021, won his fourth trainers championship (the first as the rebranded Judgement Night).[14]

Towcester and Henlow owner Kevin Boothby announced his intention to re-open Oxford Stadium and Mildenhall Stadium (the latter would be known as Suffolk Downs) with renovation work beginning on the tracks in July, which continued until the end of the year. Originally he had hoped to open both tracks before Christmas but this did not materialise.[15]

The Oaks was switched from Swindon to Perry Barr due to the ongoing saga surrounding Swindon's redevelopment.[16]

Mark Wallis extended his Greyhound Trainer of the Year record to twelve titles.[17]

Competitions

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Ireland

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The Champion Stakes was positioned in the racing calendar just before the Irish Derby and would give a great indication as to the form heading into the event. De Machine won the final, which contained six serious contenders for the Derby. Susie Sapphire was arguably the star in Ireland, after winning the Oaks she went unbeaten throughout the 2021 Irish Greyhound Derby and duly won the Irish greyhound of the year.[18] Others that had a great year were Good Cody, Priceless Jet and Explosive Boy; Cody won the Sprint Cup and Kingdom Derby as well as reaching the Produce final; Priceless Jet was a St Leger and Champions Stakes finalist and won the Corn Cuchulainn; Explosive Boy reached the Irish Derby and Kirby finals and won the Produce.

Havana Class won the first Laurels to be staged at Perry Barr in April and shortly afterwards trainer Ricky Holloway won his fourth Grand National, this time with Meenagh Maverick. In May, Aayamza Royale became the fourth greyhound to win the TV Trophy twice, also setting a record of fours wins for trainer Mark Wallis in the process. Royale broke the track record to complete a memorable feat.[19] In July, Aayamza Royale continued her stunning form by winning the £10,000 Regency.

Aayamza Royale was the leading contender to become the first greyhound since Westmead Hawk to win Greyhound of the Year for two consecutive years. She would be challenged by Space Jet (a newcomer that won the St Leger in a track record time), Thorn Falcon (the Derby champion), Signet Ace and Salacres Pippy. The award went to Signet Ace, who had claimed the Winter Derby, Eclipse and Select Stakes.

Principal UK finals

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Principal Irish finals

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UK Category 1 & 2 competitions

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Competition Date Venue Winning Greyhound Winning Trainer Time SP Notes
Coral Essex Vase 22 Jan Romford Antigua Romeo Mark Wallis (Henlow) 34.66 8-1 [26]
TRC Health & Hygiene Blue Riband 6 Feb Towcester Kilara Lion Patrick Janssens (Central Park) 29.73 11-8f [27]
Ladbrokes Puppy Derby 27 Feb Monmore Jaguar Macie Graham Rankin (Pelaw Grange) 28.04 9-2 [28]
Ladbrokes Winter Derby 27 Feb Monmore Signet Ace Kevin Hutton (Monmore) 28.08 6-1 [29]
Coral Golden Sprint 19 Mar Romford Bockos Jon Jo Patrick Janssens (Towcester) 23.77 10-11f [30]
BGBF British Breeders Stakes 22 Mar Nottingham King Louis Liz McNair (Private) 29.63 9-2 [31]
Northern Puppy Derby 31 Mar Newcastle Jaguar Macie Graham Rankin (Pelaw Grange) 28.52 13-8f [32]
Cearnsport Springbok 4 Apr Central Park Droopys Rex David Mullins (Romford) 29.94 7-2 [33]
TRC Health & Hygiene Northamptonshire Sprint 13 Apr Towcester Bockos Jon Jo Patrick Janssens (Towcester) 16.10 1-2f [34]
Arena Racing Company Grand Prix 20 Apr Sunderland Coolavanny Bani Angela Harrison (Newcastle) 39.21 7-2 [35]
RPGTV Juvenile 20 Apr Towcester Ballymac Trend Kevin Boon (Towcester) 29.62 7-1 [36]
KAB Maiden Derby 18 May Towcester Thorn Falcon Patrick Janssens (Towcester) 29.24 10-11f [37]
Arena Racing Company Northern Flat 19 May Newcastle Pacemaker Ted Tom Heilbron (Newcastle) 28.37 9-4f [38]
George Ing St Leger 29 May Yarmouth Blue Tick George Jim Daly (Crayford) 40.31 11-10jf [39]
Ladbrokes Kent St Leger 26 Jun Crayford Bo Shine Bullet Mark Wallis (Henlow) 45.55 1-1f [40]
Ladbrokes Guys and Dolls 26 Jun Crayford Punk Rock Doll Stuart Maplesden (Hove) 23.00 4–1 [40]
Ladbrokes Kent Vase 26 Jun Crayford Ballynabee Jet Samantha West (Hove) 34.03 100–30 [40]
Stadium Bookmakers Juvenile Classic 20 Jul Towcester Brookside Richie David Mullins (Romford) 29.48 11–10f
Coral Regency 31 Jul Hove Aayamza Royale Mark Wallis (Henlow) 41.56 11–4 [41]
Coral Sussex Cup 31 Jul Hove Drumcrow Brent Mark Wallis (Henlow) 29.89 5–1 [41]
Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic 21 Aug Monmore Coolavanny Bani Angela Harrison (Newcastle) 37.87 4–1 [42]
Ladbrokes Gold Cup 21 Aug Monmore Minglers Popeye Stuart Tighe (Newcastle) 28.45 11–2 [42]
Stadium Bookmakers Marathon Trophy 22 Aug Towcester Savana Volcano Diane Henry (Towcester) 58.27 2–1 [43]
ARC Puppy Classic 30 Aug Nottingham Bubbly Apache Paul Young (Romford) 29.53 2–1 [44]
Select Stakes 30 Aug Nottingham Signet Ace Kevin Hutton (Towcester) 29.72 9/4f [45]
Gain Nutrition 3 Steps to Victory 7 Sep Sheffield Savana Eruption Diane Henry (Towcester) 39.14 15–8f [46]
75th Produce Stakes 19 Sep Swindon Pocket Lola Seamus Cahill (Brighton) 28.15 5–6f [47]
Coral Romford Puppy Cup 24 Sep Romford Brookside Richie David Mullins (Romford) 23.68 1–3f [48]
Stadium Bookmakers Empress Stakes 26 Sep Towcester Coolavanny Aunty Angela Harrison (Newcastle) 29.34 13–8f [49]
M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup 30 Sep Perry Barr Candy Man Carol Weatherall (Sheffield) 28.10 5–1 [50]
Property 192 Graders Derby 10 Oct Towcester Deanridge Awesom Allison Kelly-Pilgrim (Crayford) 29.57 4–6f
BGBF Puppy Cup 17 Oct Towcester Moments of Magic Kevin Hutton (Towcester) 27.62 11–2 [51]
Kent Derby 17 Oct Central Park Galaxy Freedom Stuart Maplesden (Hove) 29.26 28–1 [52]
Coral Champion Stakes 22 Oct Romford Night Time Danny Steve Rayner (Henlow) 34.94 3–1 [53]
1st Containers Marathon Trophy 24 Oct Towcester Space Jet Matt Dartnall (Central Park) 56.67 7–4f [54]
Scurry Gold Cup 28 Oct Perry Barr Crossfield Dusty Patrick Janssens (Towcester) 16.26 10/11f [23]
Bresbet Steel City Cup 30 Oct Sheffield Forest Gold Kevin Hutton (Towcester) 28.71 3/1 [55]
Stadium Bookmakers Hunt Cup 14 Nov Towcester Salacres Pippy Peter Harnden (Towcester) 42.90 9/4 Track record[56]
ARC Classic 18 Nov Sunderland Narcos The Great George Cunningham (Private) 26.84 13/2 [57]
Ladbrokes Kent Rosebowl 27 Nov Crayford Icaals Rocco John Mullins (Towcester) 23.38 8/1 [58]
Ladbrokes Gold Collar 27 Nov Crayford Warzone Tom Liz McNair (Private) 33.58 4/6f [59]
Eclipse 6 Dec Nottingham Signet Ace Kevin Hutton (Towcester) 29.41 11/10f [60]
Coral Olympic 18 Dec Hove Prince of Troy David Mullins (Romford) 30.21 25/1 [61]
Coral Brighton Belle 18 Dec Hove Lights Out Kevin Hutton (Towcester) 30.28 9/4 [62]
The Puppy Derby 19 Dec Towcester Make Noise Seamus Cahill (Hove) 29.71 15/8 [63]
ARC Champion Hurdle 19 Dec Central Park Toolmaker Daddy Ricky Holloway (Private) 30.26 11/1 [64]
ARC National Sprint 20 Dec Nottingham Crossfield Dusty Patrick Janssens (Towcester) 17.65 8/11f [65]
BGBF British Bred Derby 21 Dec Sheffield Fabulous Azurra Patrick Janssens (Towcester) 28.73 5/2 [66]
All England Cup 28 Dec Newcastle Moanteen Mikey Angela Harrison (Newcastle) 28.72 11/4f [67]
Coronation Cup cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

Irish feature competitions

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Competition Date Venue Winning Greyhound Winning Trainer Time SP Notes
Shelbourne 600 2 Jan Shelbourne Ballymac Kingdom Liam Dowling 32.30 No SP NO SP due to COVID-19 [68]
Best Car Parks Gold Cup 6 Feb Shelbourne Inforapenny Kieran Lynch 28.97 5-1 [69]
Greyhound & Petworld Juvenile Classic 12 Mar Tralee Singalong Sally Pat Buckley 28.58 No SP No SP due to COVID-19[70]
Ballymac Anton at Stud McCalmont Cup 26 Mar Kilkenny Dark Devil Martin (Murt) Leahy 28.86 No SP No SP due to COVID-19[71]
Waterford Select Stakes 20 Apr Waterford Skywalker Barry Mark O'Donovan 28.14 No SP No SP due to COVID-19[72]
SIS Irish Cesarewitch 16 May Mullingar Amazing Alice Patrick Guilfoyle 33.20 9-4 [73]
SIS Race of Champions 19 Jun Tralee Explosive Boy Patrick Guilfoyle 29.36 No SP NO SP due to COVID-19[74]
Corn Cuchulainn 17 Jul Shelbourne Priceless Jet Paul Hennessy 41.39 9-4f [75]
Champion 550 17 Jul Shelbourne Deadly Destroyer Karol Ramsbottom 29.36 4/1 [75]
Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup 7 Aug Thurles Freedom Epic Kathleen Pomfret 29.02 No SP NO SP due to COVID-19[76]
Kingdom Derby 21 Dec Tralee Good Cody Patrick Guilfoyle 28.25 9/4 [77]
Dundalk International cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

References

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  29. ^ "LADBROKES WINTER DERBY FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  30. ^ "CORAL GOLDEN SPRINT FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
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  49. ^ "THE STADIUM BOOKMAKERS EMPRESS STAKES FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  50. ^ "M LAMBE CONSTRUCTION BIRMINGHAM CUP FINAL IN MEMORY OF MICHAEL LAMBE SENIOR". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
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  54. ^ "THE 1ST CONTAINERS MARATHON TROPHY FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  55. ^ "BresBet Steel City Cup Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
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  58. ^ "LADBROKES.COM KENT ROSE BOWL - Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
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  60. ^ "Arena Racing Company Eclipse Stakes - Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
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  62. ^ "Coral Brighton Belle - Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
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  64. ^ "ARC Champions Hurdle final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
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  66. ^ "BGBF British Bred Derby Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  67. ^ "Arena Racing Company All England Cup Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
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  72. ^ "The 2021 Waterford Select Stakes Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  73. ^ "SIS Irish Cesarewitch Open 600 2021 Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  74. ^ "SIS Race Of Champions Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  75. ^ a b "The 2021 Corn Cuchulainn Open 750 Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  76. ^ "2021 Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  77. ^ "Eric Browne Memorial Kingdom Derby Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 23 December 2021.