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

Roll of honour
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

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

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

Ireland

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.

UK

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

Principal Irish finals

UK Category 1 & 2 competitions
Competition Date Venue Winning Greyhound Winning Trainer Time SP Notes
Coral Essex Vase 22 JanRomfordAntigua RomeoMark Wallis (Henlow)34.668-1[26]
TRC Health & Hygiene Blue Riband 6 FebTowcesterKilara LionPatrick Janssens (Central Park)29.7311-8f[27]
Ladbrokes Puppy Derby 27 FebMonmoreJaguar MacieGraham Rankin (Pelaw Grange)28.049-2[28]
Ladbrokes Winter Derby 27 FebMonmoreSignet AceKevin Hutton (Monmore)28.086-1[29]
Coral Golden Sprint 19 MarRomfordBockos Jon JoPatrick Janssens (Towcester)23.7710-11f[30]
BGBF British Breeders Stakes 22 MarNottinghamKing LouisLiz McNair (Private)29.639-2[31]
Northern Puppy Derby 31 MarNewcastleJaguar MacieGraham Rankin (Pelaw Grange)28.5213-8f[32]
Cearnsport Springbok 4 AprCentral ParkDroopys RexDavid Mullins (Romford)29.947-2[33]
TRC Health & Hygiene Northamptonshire Sprint 13 AprTowcesterBockos Jon JoPatrick Janssens (Towcester)16.101-2f[34]
Arena Racing Company Grand Prix 20 AprSunderlandCoolavanny BaniAngela Harrison (Newcastle)39.217-2[35]
RPGTV Juvenile 20 AprTowcesterBallymac TrendKevin Boon (Towcester)29.627-1[36]
KAB Maiden Derby 18 MayTowcesterThorn FalconPatrick Janssens (Towcester)29.2410-11f[37]
Arena Racing Company Northern Flat 19 MayNewcastlePacemaker TedTom Heilbron (Newcastle)28.379-4f[38]
George Ing St Leger 29 MayYarmouthBlue Tick GeorgeJim Daly (Crayford)40.3111-10jf[39]
Ladbrokes Kent St Leger 26 JunCrayfordBo Shine BulletMark Wallis (Henlow)45.551-1f[40]
Ladbrokes Guys and Dolls 26 JunCrayfordPunk Rock DollStuart Maplesden (Hove)23.004–1[40]
Ladbrokes Kent Vase 26 JunCrayfordBallynabee JetSamantha West (Hove)34.03100–30[40]
Stadium Bookmakers Juvenile Classic 20 JulTowcesterBrookside RichieDavid Mullins (Romford)29.4811–10f
Coral Regency 31 JulHoveAayamza RoyaleMark Wallis (Henlow)41.5611–4[41]
Coral Sussex Cup 31 JulHoveDrumcrow BrentMark Wallis (Henlow)29.895–1[41]
Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic 21 AugMonmoreCoolavanny BaniAngela Harrison (Newcastle)37.874–1[42]
Ladbrokes Gold Cup 21 AugMonmoreMinglers PopeyeStuart Tighe (Newcastle)28.4511–2[42]
Stadium Bookmakers Marathon Trophy 22 AugTowcesterSavana VolcanoDiane Henry (Towcester)58.272–1[43]
ARC Puppy Classic 30 AugNottinghamBubbly ApachePaul Young (Romford)29.532–1[44]
Select Stakes 30 AugNottinghamSignet AceKevin Hutton (Towcester)29.729/4f[45]
Gain Nutrition 3 Steps to Victory 7 SepSheffieldSavana EruptionDiane Henry (Towcester)39.1415–8f[46]
75th Produce Stakes 19 SepSwindonPocket LolaSeamus Cahill (Brighton)28.155–6f[47]
Coral Romford Puppy Cup 24 SepRomfordBrookside RichieDavid Mullins (Romford)23.681–3f[48]
Stadium Bookmakers Empress Stakes 26 SepTowcesterCoolavanny AuntyAngela Harrison (Newcastle)29.3413–8f[49]
M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup 30 SepPerry BarrCandy ManCarol Weatherall (Sheffield)28.105–1[50]
Property 192 Graders Derby 10 OctTowcesterDeanridge AwesomAllison Kelly-Pilgrim (Crayford)29.574–6f
BGBF Puppy Cup 17 OctTowcesterMoments of MagicKevin Hutton (Towcester)27.6211–2[51]
Kent Derby 17 OctCentral ParkGalaxy FreedomStuart Maplesden (Hove)29.2628–1[52]
Coral Champion Stakes 22 OctRomfordNight Time DannySteve Rayner (Henlow)34.943–1[53]
1st Containers Marathon Trophy 24 OctTowcesterSpace JetMatt Dartnall (Central Park)56.677–4f[54]
Scurry Gold Cup 28 OctPerry BarrCrossfield DustyPatrick Janssens (Towcester)16.2610/11f[23]
Bresbet Steel City Cup 30 OctSheffieldForest GoldKevin Hutton (Towcester)28.713/1[55]
Stadium Bookmakers Hunt Cup 14 NovTowcesterSalacres PippyPeter Harnden (Towcester)42.909/4Track record[56]
ARC Classic 18 NovSunderlandNarcos The GreatGeorge Cunningham (Private)26.8413/2[57]
Ladbrokes Kent Rosebowl 27 NovCrayfordIcaals RoccoJohn Mullins (Towcester)23.388/1[58]
Ladbrokes Gold Collar 27 NovCrayfordWarzone TomLiz McNair (Private)33.584/6f[59]
Eclipse 6 DecNottinghamSignet AceKevin Hutton (Towcester)29.4111/10f[60]
Coral Olympic 18 DecHovePrince of TroyDavid Mullins (Romford)30.2125/1[61]
Coral Brighton Belle 18 DecHoveLights OutKevin Hutton (Towcester)30.289/4[62]
The Puppy Derby 19 DecTowcesterMake NoiseSeamus Cahill (Hove)29.7115/8[63]
ARC Champion Hurdle 19 DecCentral ParkToolmaker DaddyRicky Holloway (Private)30.2611/1[64]
ARC National Sprint 20 DecNottinghamCrossfield DustyPatrick Janssens (Towcester)17.658/11f[65]
BGBF British Bred Derby 21 DecSheffieldFabulous AzurraPatrick Janssens (Towcester)28.735/2[66]
All England Cup 28 DecNewcastleMoanteen MikeyAngela Harrison (Newcastle)28.7211/4f[67]
Coronation Cup cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

Irish feature competitions
Competition Date Venue Winning Greyhound Winning Trainer Time SP Notes
Shelbourne 600 2 JanShelbourneBallymac KingdomLiam Dowling32.30No SPNO SP due to COVID-19 [68]
Best Car Parks Gold Cup 6 FebShelbourneInforapennyKieran Lynch28.975-1[69]
Greyhound & Petworld Juvenile Classic 12 MarTraleeSingalong SallyPat Buckley28.58No SPNo SP due to COVID-19[70]
Ballymac Anton at Stud McCalmont Cup 26 MarKilkennyDark DevilMartin (Murt) Leahy28.86No SPNo SP due to COVID-19[71]
Waterford Select Stakes 20 AprWaterfordSkywalker BarryMark O'Donovan28.14No SPNo SP due to COVID-19[72]
SIS Irish Cesarewitch 16 MayMullingarAmazing AlicePatrick Guilfoyle33.209-4[73]
SIS Race of Champions 19 JunTraleeExplosive BoyPatrick Guilfoyle29.36No SPNO SP due to COVID-19[74]
Corn Cuchulainn 17 JulShelbournePriceless JetPaul Hennessy41.399-4f[75]
Champion 550 17 JulShelbourneDeadly DestroyerKarol Ramsbottom29.364/1[75]
Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup 7 AugThurlesFreedom EpicKathleen Pomfret29.02No SPNO SP due to COVID-19[76]
Kingdom Derby 21 DecTraleeGood CodyPatrick Guilfoyle28.259/4[77]
Dundalk International cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

References
  1. "GBGB Open Race calendar". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  2. "Arc confirm open race plans for 2021". Greyhound Star. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  3. "Arc confirm open race plans for 2021". Arena Racing Company. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  4. "2021 Irish Features and Classics". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  5. "ARC/Entain Trainers' Judgement Night". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  6. "Entain and ARC form media JV to revitalise greyhound racing's appeal". SBC News. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  7. "THE IMPLICATIONS". Greyhound Star. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  8. "Entain And ARC Sign Ground-Breaking Media Rights Deal". Arena Racing Company. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  9. "ARC AGREES TO ACQUIRE CEARNSPORT LTD – PRESS RELEASE". Greyhound Star. 15 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  10. "Greyhound racing news: Latest updates including 'new' Derby home". Sporting Life. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  11. "Star Sports/TRC Events & Leisure English Greyhound Derby 2021 Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  12. "British performances of the week". Greyhound Star. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  13. "Hutton to Towcester, Rankin to Monmore". Greyhound Star. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  14. "ARC/Entain Trainers' Judgement Night". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  15. "Oxford Stadium managing director reveals more plans and insists greyhound racing is safe". Oxford Mail. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  16. "ARC takes Oaks to Perry Barr". Greyhound Star. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  17. "Winning is Finishing Ssecond for Janssens". Greyhound Star. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  18. "Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby victory for Susie Sapphire". Radio Kerry. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  19. "LADBROKES TV TROPHY 2021 FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  20. "THE 2021 LADBROKES GOLDEN JACKET - Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  21. "LADBROKES TV TROPHY 2021 FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  22. "ARENA RACING COMPANY ST LEGER FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  23. "28 October Race meeting". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  24. "The 2021 Ladbrokes Easter Cup 550 Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  25. "Larry O'Rourke National Produce Stakes Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  26. "Coral Essex Vase". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  27. "Towcester Blue Riband". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  28. "LADBROKES PUPPY DERBY FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  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.
  31. "BGBF British Breeders Stakes - Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  32. "Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  33. "Cearnsport 2021 Springbok". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  34. "TRC Health & Hygiene Northamptonshire Sprint FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  35. "THE ARC GRAND PRIX FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  36. "RPGTV Juvenile". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  37. "KAB Maiden Derby Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  38. "Arena Racing Company Northern Flat Finall". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  39. "The George Ing St Leger - Grand Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  40. "Crayford race meeting". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  41. "Crayford race meeting". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  42. "Saturday 21 August Monmore Green". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  43. "Stadium Bookmakers Marathon Trophy Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  44. "ARC Puppy Classic - Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  45. "Arena Racing Company Select Stakes". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  46. "Tough Way to gain victory". Greyhound Star. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  47. "The Seventy Fifth Produce Stakes 2021 - Final". Greyhound Star. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  48. "CORAL ROMFORD PUPPY CUP FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  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.
  51. "BGBF PUPPY CUP FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  52. "Arena Racing Company Kent Derby Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  53. "CORAL CHAMPION STAKES FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  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.
  56. "THE STADIUM BOOKMAKERS HUNT CUP - FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  57. "The ARC Classic Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  58. "LADBROKES.COM KENT ROSE BOWL - Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  59. "THE 2021 LADBROKES GOLD COLLAR - Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  60. "Arena Racing Company Eclipse Stakes - Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  61. "Coral Olympic - Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  62. "Coral Brighton Belle - Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  63. "RPGTV English Puppy Derby final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  64. "ARC Champions Hurdle final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  65. "Arena Racing Company National Sprint - Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  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.
  68. "Shelbourne 600 final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  69. "Gold Cup final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  70. "Greyhound & Petworld Juvenile Classic Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  71. "Ballymac Anton @ Stud McCalmont Cup A1 Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  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. "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.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.