Английская Википедия:2008 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

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The 2008 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 83rd year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Summary

The premier competitions were won by Loyal Honcho (2008 English Greyhound Derby) and Shelbourne Aston (2008 Irish Greyhound Derby) respectively. However their achievements were overshadowed by the closure of the sports leading stadium Walthamstow.The shareholders sold up and the track closed in August despite assurances from the owners in December 2007 that no deal had been made to sell the track. The track had been opened in 1933 by William Chandler and was still owned by the Chandler family but the directors of Walthamstow Stadium Limited agreed to the sale of the Company’s freehold property to a development consortium led by Yoo Capital and K W Linfoot plc. Formal contracts were exchanged and the final race was held on Saturday 16 August. The closure left some of the best trainers in the country pondering their futures.

Racing Manager Chris Page joined Harlow Stadium along with five trainers, John Coleman, Mark Wallis Mick Puzey, Graham Sharp and Kelly Mullins but Puzey soon relinquishes his licence. John Sherry and Dick Hawkes retired, Paul Rich who had only just taken his father's (Peter Rich) licence in February left the sport while Seamus Cahill joined Hove and Paul Garland returned to Wimbledon. Stacey Baggs relinquished her licence to work for Ricky Holloway and her father Gary Baggs (a very successful trainer) died later that year in October.

Tracks

There was a major blow when Reading in Bennet Road closed after 33 years. The council did not renew the track's lease and the site would be redeveloped despite promises from the BS Group/Gaming International to build a new modern Reading stadium. Similar BS Group plans had failed to materialise at Bristol and Milton Keynes previously.

Portsmouth city council announced that the long-term lease was nearing its end and they were considering selling the Portsmouth Stadium site for redevelopment. Leaseholders GRA allowed the track to be taken under lease by a new company registered in March 2008, called PGS Ltd headed by Portsmouth general manager Eric Graham, who would pay £1,000 per year as a peppercorn rent.

Competitions

The IbetX Scottish Greyhound Derby started in horrendous weather and the track ran 170 slow, only three heats were completed before the meeting was abandoned. This meant that some greyhounds would have to run four times in nine days leading to withdrawals headed by Charlie Lister's team that included Clash Harmonica and Farloe Reason. Heat eight would result in a remarkable two dog heat. However the competition saw superb semi-finals with Paul Hennessy’s Tyrur Kieran breaking the track record when beating Loyal Honcho in 28.69. He went on to win a very strong final that included Derby finalist Loyal Honcho and Laurels champion Kylegrove Top.

News

Leading marathon runner Spiridon Louis retired in May after reaching the Dorando Marathon final. Sprinter Horseshoe Ping made the Scurry Gold Cup final again in addition to the Guys and Dolls final and won the National Sprint at Nottingham. Lenson Joker, a white and brindle dog picked up the Cesarewitch trophy before winning the William Hill Grand Prix and Champion Stakes unbeaten. He would be voted Greyhound of the Year.

In December Irish Derby finalist Ballymac Ruso trained by Matt Dartnall recorded the fastest ever time for 480 metres (27.79 at Monmore) and Mark Wallis ended the year with the trainer's title, a remarkable achievement bearing in mind the upheaval caused when he lost his Walthamstow contract.

Former Wimbledon trainer Sydney 'Clare' Orton died on 11 May.

The Bord na gCon announced a 6% increase in prize money.

Roll of honour

Major Winners
Award	Name of Winner
2008 English Greyhound Derby	Loyal Honcho
2008 Irish Greyhound Derby	Shelbourne Aston
Greyhound Trainer of the Year	Mark Wallis
Greyhound of the Year	Lenson Joker
Irish Dog and Bitch of the Year	Shelbourne Aston / Oran Majestic

Betfair Trainers Championship, Wimbledon (Mar 18)
Pos	Name of Trainer	Points
1st	Seamus Cahill	49
2nd	Charlie Lister	43
3rd	John Mullins	34
4th	Barrie Draper	30
5th	Elaine Parker	27
6th	Mark Wallis	25

Principal UK finals

IbetX Scottish Derby, Shawfield (Apr 12, 480m, £25,000)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Tyrur Kieran	Paul Hennessy	6-4jf	29.02	1
2nd	Bubbly Totti	Ted Soppitt	4-1	29.28	6
3rd	Loyal Honcho	Seamus Graham	6-4jf	29.60	5
4th	Pond Gallileo	Harry Williams	16-1	29.64	3
5th	Kylegrove Top	Julie Bateson	12-1	29.74	2
6th	Killough Tale	Graeme Frew	8-1	29.96	4

Stan James Grand National, Wimbledon (Apr 15, 480mH, £7,500)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Kildare Lark	Jason Foster	7-4f	28.63	3
2nd	Eye On the Flame	Mark Wallis	6-1	28.66	5
3rd	Call Again	Seamus Cahill	8-1	28.72	6
4th	Be All	David Mullins	5-1	28.73	1
5th	Smooth Turbo	Jason Foster	9-4	28.74	2
6th	Morell Warrior	Lorraine Sams	8-1	28.79	4

William Hill Cesarewitch, Oxford (Jun 10, 645m, £5,000)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Lenson Joker	Tony Collett	10-11f	39.22	4
2nd	Primitive Way	David Pruhs	9-4	39.68	1
3rd	Coolanga Flyer	Mark Wallis	20-1	39.73	2
4th	Directors Chair	Mark Wallis	7-2	39.93	3
5th	Vatican Fyne	Pat Rosney	16-1	40.05	5
6th	Swift Stirling	Tony Magnasco	28-1	40.15	6

Showsec Scurry Cup, Perry Barr (June 19, 275m, £8,000)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Boherbradda Mac	Harry Williams	7-4F	15.95	4
2nd	Blonde Jet	Maria Dennis	3-1	16.06	2
3rd	Horseshoe Ping	Jim Reynolds	3-1	16.07	5
4th	Ibetx Dot Com	Tony Lucas	7-1	16.27	6
5th	Beardys Robbie	Peter Witchell	12-1	16.41	1
6th	Swift Sapphire	Pat Rosney	4-1	16.49	3

William Hill Classic, Sunderland (Jul 10, 450m, £40,000)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Lenson Express	Tony Collett	3-1	27.14	1
2nd	Bower Keane	Kelly Macari	6-1	27.32	4
3rd	Droopys Sheehy	Elaine Parker	6-1	27.40	2
4th	Droopys Wells	Liz McNair	14-1	27.63	6
5th	Kilkenny Lonjack	Seamus Cahill	5-1	27.80	5
6th	Me Buddy	Matt Dartnall	1-1f	27.82	3

William Hill Grand Prix, Sunderland (Jul 10, 640m, £20,000)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Lenson Joker	Tony Collett	4-6f	39.29	2
2nd	Romeo Turbo	David Firmager	8-1	39.64	4
3rd	Coolavanny Pius	Elaine Parker	25-1	40.05	3
4th	Bubbly Totti	Ted Soppitt	5-2	40.22	6
5th	Blonde Buzz	John Mullins	20-1	40.27	1
6th	Westmead Tina	Nick Savva	8-1	40.33	5

Totesport Gold Collar, Belle Vue (Aug 28, 590m, £10,000)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Barnfield Loreto	Pat Rosney	5-2	35.21	3
2nd	Salacres Chief	Laurence Tuffin	11-10f	35.29	2
3rd	Romeo Turbo	David Firmager	4-1	35.33	5
4th	Swift Denn	Joy Andrews	20-1	35.53	6
5th	Charlies Dream	Otto Kueres	14-1	35.67	1
6th	Southwind Harry	Kim Billingham	4-1	35.79	4

William Hill TV Trophy, Doncaster (June 24, 868m, £6,000)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Flying Winner	Chris Lund	1-2f	55.82+	1
2nd	Swift Blackfoot	Charlie Lister	40-1	56.64	5
3rd	Midway Skipper	Henry Chalkley	5-1	56.68	2
4th	Swift Jade	Darryl Porter	5-1	56.90	3
5th	Swift Ninja	Michael Harris	6-1	57.08	6
6th	Bubbly Kate	Paul Young	20-1	57.12	4

+ Track record Шаблон:Col-end Шаблон:Col-begin Шаблон:Col-2

Betfred Laurels, Belle Vue (Oct 7, 470m, £10,000)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Boherna Best	Barrie Draper	11-4	27.90	4
2nd	Farley Magic	Barrie Draper	10-1	28.08	3
3rd	Centaur Marine	Chris Allsopp	9-2	28.14	6
4th	Boherna On Air	Barrie Draper	1-1f	28.18	1
5th	Prodigious	Elaine Parker	9-2	28.28	2
N/R	Cortsway Giants	Ron Nelson			5

William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (Oct 28, 668m, £13,000)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Bubbly Totti	Ted Soppitt	1-4F	41.06	6
2nd	Midway Skipper	Henry Chalkley	7-1	41.30	5
3rd	Lenson Earl	Tony Collett	8-1	41.88	1
4th	Lavenders Grant	Paul Young	50-1	41.98	4
5th	Go Big Hitter	Laurence Tuffin	25-1	42.17	2
6th	Droopys Arsene	Pat Curtin, Ire	12-1	42.21	3

William Hill Oaks, Wimbledon (Dec 16, 480m, £6,000)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Meenala Amy	Kim Billingham	10-1	28.99	2
2nd	Ravello Drive	Philip Rees Jr.	3-1	29.02	5
3rd	Droopys Quinta	Seamus Cahill	5-2	29.14	1
4th	Steady Scholes	Mark Grady	14-1	29.15	3
5th	Dangerous Lady	David Mullins	5-4f	29.29	6
6th	Adamant Mojo	Andy Heyes	14-1	29.57	4

Principal Irish finals

BCR Print Easter Cup, Shelbourne (Apr 19, 550y, €50,000)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Tyrur Kenny	Paul Hennessy	2-1	29.91	3
2nd	Advantage Johnny	Owen McKenna	5-1	30.03	6
3rd	College Causeway	Pat Buckley	7-4f	30.15	4
4th	Caz Diamond	Pat Curtin, Ire	9-2	30.19	5
5th	Plough Lane	Seamus Graham	9-1	30.31	2
N/R	Firshill Boy	Paul Hennessy			1

Red Mills Produce, Clonmel (May 4, 525y, €30,000)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Knowsley Jake	Bernadette Connolly	3-1	28.65	2
2nd	Lemon Zamora	Martin Leahy	3-1	28.89	1
3rd	Boherash Goithe	Joan Hanrahan	16-1	29.07	4
4th	Borna Alley	Ruari Dwan	5-2f	29.21	6
5th	Iguazu Falls	Aidan Roche	3-1	29.24	3
6th	Compass Honey	Stephen Wadsworth	10-1	29.35	5

Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger, Limerick (Jun 14, 550y, €35,000)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Boherash Goithe	Joan Hanrahan	14-1	29.71	6
2nd	Goldmine Emre	Alan Higgins	5-1	29.85	2
3rd	Graigues Shadow	Jim Morrissey	2-1	30.09	1
4th	Jaxerback	John McGee Sr.	6-1	30.16	5
5th	Shaneboy Maria	Michael Kiely	6-1	30.30	4
6th	Line of Fire	Owen McKenna	7-4f	30.44	3

Sporting Press Oaks, Shelbourne (Jun 21, 525y, €35,000)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Oran Majestic	John McGee Sr.	11-10f	29.02	6
2nd	Forest Baby	Francie Murray	4-1	29.18	3
3rd	Parnell Daisy	James O’Connor	7-1	29.19	2
4th	Wilcos Sonia	Shane Murphy	12-1	29.22	1
5th	Priceless Pearl	Paul Hennessy	6-1	29.26	4
6th	Martinstown Mist	Rory McConnell	10-1	29.34	5

Boylesports Champion Stakes, Shelbourne (Jul 26, 550y, €40,000)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Shelbourne Aston	Pat Curtin, Ire	10-1	29.71	4
2nd	Killahan Phanter	Pat Buckley	2-1f	29.77	2
3rd	Advantage Johnny	Owen McKenna	8-1	29.81	3
4th	College Causeway	Pat Buckley	5-1	29.87	5
5th	Mid West Blue	Michael O’Donovan	3-1	29.88	6
6th	Tyrur Kenny	Paul Hennessy	9-2	30.56	1

HX Bookmakers Puppy Derby, Harolds Cross (Oct 10, 525y, €35,000)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Droopys Noel	John Linehan	11-2	28.49	3
2nd	Ballymac Bondi	Liam O’Rourke	5-1	28.65	5
3rd	Timor Blue	Jim Morrissey	1-1f	28.77	2
4th	Droopys Miller	Ian Reilly	5-1	28.81	4
5th	Accordello	Lar Kinsella	6-1	28.83	6
6th	Honcho Freddie	Adrian Kelly	14-1	29.31	1

Cashmans Laurels, Cork (Oct 18, 525y, €36,000)
Pos	Name of Greyhound	Trainer	SP	Time	Trap
1st	Cashen Legend	Chris Houlihan	14-1	28.74	6
2nd	Slip The Lark	Pat Buckley	5-4f	28.77	4
3rd	Tyrur Laurel	Pat Mullarkey	3-1	28.79	5
4th	Solinus	Mark Moloney	5-1	29.23	1
5th	Cabra Cool	Pat Buckley	6-1	29.29	2
6th	Chicken Supper	John Kiely	12-1	29.37	3