2022 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2022 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 97th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.[1][2]

Summary

The year started well for the industry when Kevin Boothby's Suffolk Downs was granted a Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) licence.[3] The first trial session took place on 12 January[4] and the first meeting was held on 8 February 2022, with the primary race distance being 388 metres.[5]

A parliamentary debate took place on the 28 March discussing a petition presented by Welsh Labour MP Christina Rees to abolish greyhound racing in Wales. The anonymous petitioner referred largely to the Valley Greyhound Stadium (not affiliated to the GBGB) and a stray and abandoned dogs centre called Hope Rescue (both in Wales). Parliament voted for no further action.[6][7]

Mark Wallis won his fourth Trainers Championship (marketed as Judgement Night), which was held at Monmore Green.[8] He would go on to win the Greyhound Trainer of the Year for a 13th time.[9]

The major open race circuit saw a significant increment in prize money levels. Premier Greyhound Racing (the collaboration between the Arena Racing Company and Entain increased the winning prize of two original classics, the St Leger and Oaks to £20,000. Additionally, the Golden Jacket, Champion Stakes, Regency and Eclipse also offered a £20,000 first prize. Towcester continued to hold events with a £10,000 winner's prize.[10] The addition of the new category 1 competitions resulted in the GBGB changing the rules in relation to the number of rounds held. The new ruling (from 2023) would see category 1 events, except the classics, held over three rounds instead of four.[11]

The industry was split on the new GBGB rule that stated a greyhound not to run more than once in a four day period (this included trials). This upset many of the leading figures within the industry who argued that trainers were in the best position to establish when a greyhound should race or trial. The rule was seen by some as an appeasement to welfare groups but others argued that it was a way to eliminate any excessive racing demands of a greyhound.[12]

Oxford Stadium reopened after a ten year absence, the track saw a capacity attendance for the meeting held on 2 September. The reopening of one of the sports most popular tracks was another boost for the industry. Just ten days later at the track, during the sales trials on 13 September the British sales record for a greyhound was broken when Drumcrow Mini was sold for £16,300.[13] However, Oxford still remained in the ownership of a property developer and was only operated on a lease.

Roll of honour

Major Winners
Award Name of Winner
2022 English Greyhound Derby Romeo Magico
2022 Irish Greyhound Derby Born Warrior
Greyhound Trainer of the Year Mark Wallis
UK Greyhound of the Year Coolavanny Aunty
Irish Greyhound of the Year Born Warrior

Competitions

United Kingdom

The St Leger champion Space Jet continued her fine form from 2021, when winning the prestigious Coral TV Trophy at Brighton in April. Coolavanny Aunty claimed a significant double when winning the Essex Vase and Grand Prix, as did Signet Denver who took the Laurels and Produce Stakes.

Ireland

The 2021 Irish Greyhound Derby champion Susie Sapphire impressed again when winning the Easter Cup, she started at odds of 1/3 for the final (the shortest price in the modern era).[14]

Principal UK finals

Principal Irish finals

UK Category 1 & 2 competitions

Competition Date Venue Winning Greyhound
Coral Essex Vase 28 JanRomfordCoolavanny Aunty[21]
Premarket Pets Blue Riband 30 JanTowcesterIvy Hill Skyhigh[22]
ARC Northern Puppy Derby 15 FebNewcastleFreedom Alibi[23]
Ladbrokes Winter Derby 26 FebMonmoreBurnchurch Mick
Northamptonshire Sprint 27 FebTowcesterCrossfield Dusty[24]
Coral Golden Sprint 18 MarRomfordRail Mccoy[25]
Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby 19 MarMonmoreDeelish Frankie[26]
BGBF British Breeders Stakes 21 MarNottinghamSignet Otis[27]
George Ing St Leger 26 MarYarmouthBlueberry Bullet[28]
Arena Racing Company Northern Flat 29 MarNewcastleJaguar Macie[29]
RPGTV Juvenile 3 AprTowcesterBubbly Apache[30]
Arena Racing Company Springbok 4 AprCentral ParkLenson Doolin[31]
ARC Silver Salver 4 AprCentral ParkTintreach Jet[31]
Coral Brighton Belle 9 AprHoveWhats Up Eva[32]
Arena Racing Company Grand Prix 21 AprSunderlandCoolavanny Aunty[33]
Matchbook Betting Maiden Derby 1 MayTowcesterHellofakerfuffle[34]
Jay & Kay Kent St Leger 21 MayCrayfordRising Coco[35]
Ladbrokes Guys and Dolls 21 MayCrayfordIcaals Rocco[35]
Ladbrokes Kent Vase 21 MayCrayfordBandicoot Sammy[35]
BGBF British Bred Maiden Derby 31 MayNewcastleWitton Razl
Coral Coronation Cup 10 JuneRomfordBaby Bullet[36]
RPGTV Derby Plate 25 JuneTowcesterChelms Switch
ARC Puppy Cup 30 JunSunderlandBiscuit Billy
ARC Angel of the North 26 JulNewcastleCrystal Alice
Coral Sussex Cup 30 JulHoveNinja Kerry[37]
Stadium Bookmakers Juvenile Classic 7 AugTowcesterAntigua Sugar
Ladbrokes Gold Cup 27 AugMonmoreMove Over Cha
Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic 27 AugMonmoreWarzone Tom
JenningsBet Puppy Classic 29 AugNottinghamDistant Podge
JenningsBet Select Stakes 29 AugNottinghamBrookside Richie
BresBet East Anglian Derby 14 SepYarmouthHopes Paddington
76th Produce Stakes 25 SepSwindonSignet Denver
Bet365 Empress Stakes 25 SepTowcesterFabulous Azurra
ARC Champion Hurdle 25 SepCentral ParkBorna Rhythm
M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup 29 SepPerry BarrIvanexile
Coral Romford Puppy Cup 30 SepRomfordRomeo Hotshot
BresBet Steel City Cup 15 OctSheffieldSignet Goofy[38]
Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes 21 OctRomfordWarzone Tom[39]
Stadium Bookmakers Hunt Cup 23 OctTowcesterChelms Cub[40]
ARC Scurry Gold Cup 27 OctPerry BarrGougane Jet[41]
RPGTV Cowley Puppy Collar 28 OctOxfordFromposttopillar
Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby 30 OctCentral ParkArkady[42]
Gain Nutrition 3 Steps to Victory 1 NovSheffieldCoolavanny Aunty[43]
ARC Classic 17 NovSunderlandMove Over Cha[44]
Gain Nutrition Sovereign Stakes 20 NovTowcesterBallymac Slapup
Gain Nutrition Maiden Vase 25 NovOxfordOutdoor Ice
Gain Nutrition Oxfordshire Gold Cup 25 NovOxfordSwift Iconic
Ladbrokes Gold Collar 26 NovCrayfordSavana Ruinart[45]
Ladbrokes Kent Rosebowl 26 NovCrayfordAdeles Duke[45]
Ladbrokes Grand National 26 NovCrayfordBobbing Gnavatar[46]
Bet365 Puppy Oaks 27 NovTowcesterMinnie Bullet
Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse 5 DecNottinghamSlick Sakina
Coral Olympic 17 DecHoveFromposttopillar
George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial 17 DecHoveClongeel Ozzie
ARC National Sprint 19 DecNottinghamGougane Jet
British Bred Derby 20 DecSheffieldFabulous Azurra
Bet365 Challenge Cup 23 DecOxfordChelms Cub
ARC All England Cup 27 DecNewcastleMickys Barrett
RPGTV Puppy Derby 2 Jan+Towcestern/a

+ delayed and then cancelled

Irish feature competitions

Competition Date Venue Winning Greyhound
RCETS Gold Cup 5 FebShelbourne ParkSkywalker Barry
Greyhound & Petworld Juvenile Classic 11 MarTraleeWi Can Dream
Ballymac Anton at Stud McCalmont Cup 25 MarKilkennyZoom
Waterford Select Stakes 3 AprWaterfordExplosive Boy[47]
Shelbourne 600 9 AprShelbourne ParkFast Fit Paddy[48]
RPGTV Irish Cesarewitch 15 MayMullingarMagical Mary[49]
Callaway Ramber at Stud Race of Champions 17 JunTraleeBockos Budsit[50]
Champion 550 9 JulShelbourne ParkVincenzo[51]
Corn Cuchulainn 16 JulShelbourne ParkCrafty Kokoro[52]
Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup 6 AugThurlesBobsleigh Dream[53]

References

  1. ↑ "CAT 1 & CAT 2 EVENTS 2022". Greyhound Star. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "GBGB announces 2022 Category One Schedule". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  3. ↑ "Suffolk Downs granted GBGB licence". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. 7 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  4. ↑ "Suffolk Downs first trial session". Greyhound Star. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  5. ↑ "Suffolk Downs is up and running". Greyhound Star. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  6. ↑ "Volume 711: debated on Monday 28 March 2022". Hansard. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  7. ↑ "GBGB RESPOND TO PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE". Greyhound Star. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  8. ↑ "Mark Wallis: 21 Years in Judgement". Greyhound Star. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  9. ↑ "Latest Trainer of the Year Championship Standings, up to and including Tuesday 27th December 2022". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  10. ↑ "Arc and Entain to launch Premier Greyhound Racing". Greyhound Star. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  11. ↑ "THREE-ROUND CATEGORY ONE LIMIT TO ALLOW FOR MORE COMPETITIONS". Greyhound Star. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  12. ↑ "Rule 147 – Greyhound not to run more than once in a four day period". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  13. ↑ "British Sales record smashed at Oxford". Greyhound Star. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  14. ↑ "The 2022 Breset Easter Cup Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  15. ↑ "2022 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial 525 Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  16. ↑ "2022 Larry O'Rourke National Produce Stakes". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  17. ↑ "2022 Dundalk International Open 550". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  18. ↑ "One Time Only does it twice to win Champion Stakes at Shelbourne". Australian Racing Greyhound. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  19. ↑ "The 2022 RPGTV Juvenile Derby 525 Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  20. ↑ "The 2022 Irish Greyhound Laurels Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  21. ↑ "Coral Essex Vase Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  22. ↑ "THE PREMARKET PETS BLUE RIBAND - FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  23. ↑ "The ARC Northern Puppy Derby Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  24. ↑ "Northamptonshire Sprint Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  25. ↑ "2022 CORAL GOLDEN SPRINT FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  26. ↑ "PREMIER GREYHOUND RACING PUPPY DERBY 2022 FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  27. ↑ "BGBF British Breeders Stakes - Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  28. ↑ "The George Ing St Leger - Grand Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  29. ↑ "The Arena Racing Company Northern Flat Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  30. ↑ "TRPGTV Juvenile". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  31. 1 2 "Arena Racing Company Springbok Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  32. ↑ "CORAL BRIGHTON BELLE FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  33. ↑ "The Arena Racing Company Grand Prix Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  34. ↑ "THE MATCHBOOK BETTING EXCHANGE MAIDEN DERBY FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  35. 1 2 3 "Crayford, Saturday 21 May". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  36. ↑ "CORAL CORONATION CUP FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  37. ↑ "Coral Sussex Cup Final Greyhound Racing YouTube". You Tube. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  38. ↑ "BresBet Steel City Cup Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  39. ↑ "PREMIER GREYHOUND RACING CHAMPION STAKES FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  40. ↑ "STADIUM BOOKMAKERS HUNT CUP - FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  41. ↑ "ARENA RACING COMPANY SCURRY GOLD CUP FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  42. ↑ "Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  43. ↑ "Gain Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  44. ↑ "The ARC Classic Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  45. 1 2 "Ladbrokes Gold Collar Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  46. ↑ "Bobbing Gnavatar game as ever for Barry O'Sullivan in £10,000 Ladbrokes Grand National Final, Crayford". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  47. ↑ "The 2022 Waterford Select Stakes Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  48. ↑ "The Shelbourne Open 600 Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  49. ↑ "RPGTV Irish Cesarewitch Open 600 Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  50. ↑ "Callaway Rambler @ StudRace Of Champions". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  51. ↑ "The Shelbourne Champion 550 Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  52. ↑ "The 2022 Corn Cuchulainn Open 750 Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  53. ↑ "2022 Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup Final". Greyhound Racing Ireland. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
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