Oaks (English greyhound race) explained

Surface:Sand
Class:Group 1 and Original Classic
Horse Race:Oaks
Location:Perry Barr Stadium
Inaugurated:1927
Sponsor:Premier Greyhound Racing
Distance:480 metres
Qualification:Bitches only
Purse:£20,000 (winner)

The Oaks is an original classic greyhound competition, held at Perry Barr Stadium.

It was first run at White City Stadium from 1927[1] until 1958,[2] [3] and gained classic status in September 1939, becoming the seventh classic race but due to the war it was suspended until 1945.[4] The race was held at Harringay Stadium from 1959 until 1987 and then to Wimbledon Stadium in 1988 until 2012.[5] [6]

In 2013 the Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) decided to move the event to sister track Belle Vue Stadium and just five years later, during 2018, it switched to Towcester following the decision by GRA to reduce their major race schedule.[7] A sixth change of venue was necessary in 2018 following the sudden closure of Towcester, leading owner John Turner stepped in to save the event with a late scheduling being organised in December at Swindon Stadium.[8]

In 2021, the race was switched from Swindon to Perry Barr due to the ongoing saga surrounding Swindon's redevelopment.[9] The event stayed at Perry Barr and with the introduction of new sponsors in the form of Premier Greyhound Racing the prize money pot was increased significantly for the 2022 edition.

Venues and distances

Past winners

width=50Yearwidth=200Winnerwidth=300Breedingwidth=250Trainerwidth=50Time (sec)width=50SPwidth=180Notes
1927Three of Spades Mutts Brother - ElnoraSid Jennings (Harringay) 29.96 5/1
1928Moselle Lax Law - Fly AgainJimmy Quinn (Private) 30.50 1/2f
1929Bewitching Eve Beaded Rock - Oriental ActionRichard Cooper (Clapton) 30.33 3/1
1930Faithful Kitty Mutton Cutlet - Old Bridge LassStan Biss (West Ham) 30.02 4/6f
1931Drizzle De Novo - Edna BestHarry Woolner (White City) 30.00 4/6f
1932Queen of the Suir Mutton Cutlet - BuretteStan Biss (West Ham) 30.89 9/4
1933Queen of the Suir Mutton Cutlet - BuretteStan Biss (West Ham) 30.23 2/5f
1934Gallant Ruth Mick the Miller - Melksham DamselHarry Buck (Harringay) 30.22 10/11f
1935Kitshine Macoma - Pleasant NoteArthur'Doc'Callanan (Wembley) 30.12 11/2
1936Genial Radiance Johnny Peters - ReymerstonAustin Hiscock (Belle Vue) 29.86 4/6f
1937Brave Queen Deemster - BuretteStan Biss (West Ham) 29.62 4/9f
1938Quarter Day Lawyers Fee - House KeeperJoe Harmon (Wimbledon) 29.494/5f
1945Prancing Kitty Tanist - Be Careful KittyPaddy Fortune (Wimbledon) 29.54 13/8
1946Dumbles Maid [10] Toward Point - Flash And FlareStan Biss (Clapton) 29.42 13/8
1947Rio Cepretta Flying Dart - Rio CzarinaStan Biss (Clapton) 29.32 6/5f
1948Night Breeze Mad Tanist - Charity MaidStan Biss (Clapton) 29.19 4/1
1949Still Drifting Shannon Shore - Bilting AntointetteSidney Probert (Wembley) 29.48 11/2
1950Caledonian Faith Train - Caledonian DesireArthur Mountfield (Private) 29.62 8/1
1951Ballinasloe Mona Rimmells Black - Girlie O'ConnorJack Harvey (Wembley) 29.286/4f
1952Flos Pet Terrible Rebel - Drapers AssistantPaddy Fortune (Wimbledon) 29.608/1dead-heat
1952Monachdy Girlie Local Interprize - Golden GleamJimmy Jowett (Clapton) 29.60 10/1dead-heat
1953Lizette Master Captain - Dorothy AnnPaddy Fortune (Wimbledon) 29.18 6/4f
1954Ashcott Winsome Chittering Choice - Winsome ComplexionBert Heyes (White City) 29.39 100/6
1955Lizette [11] Master Captain - Dorothy AnnJack Harvey (Wembley) 29.52 6/4
1956First But Last Cheerful Chariot - Here At LastJack Harvey (Wembley) 29.08 2/7f
1957Dark Rose Polonius - ExhibitionistW.G.Brown (Private) 29.02 4/6f
1958Antarctica Fire Prince - Spitland JoyJimmy Jowett (Clapton) 29.12 7/2
1959Gurteen Scamp Hi There – Dunmore ClaudiaGeorge Waterman (Wimbledon) 29.90 11/2
1960Wheatfield Countess Hi There - Wheatfield SatelliteStan Martin (Wimbledon) 29.33 5/4f
1961Ballinasloe Blondie Northern King - Ballinasloe ChickenJack Harvey (Wembley) 29.58 2/7f
1962Ballinasloe Blondie [12] Northern King - Ballinasloe ChickenJack Harvey (Wembley) 29.68 1/2f
1963Cranog Bet [13] Knock Hill Chieftain - Don't BetPhil Rees Sr. (Private) 29.317/2
1964Cranog Bet [14] Knock Hill Chieftain - Don't BetPhil Rees Sr. (Private) 29.024/9fequalled track record
1965Marjone Crazy Parachute - AnjoneMick O'Toole (Ireland) 29.37 4/1
1966Merry Emblem Printers Prince - One For The MajorMatt Bruton (Ireland) 29.58 7/4
1967Solerina Crazy Parachute - Primrose PrincessJanice Thistleton (Catford) 29.50 12/1
1968Shady Parachute Crazy Parachute - Shady ContemporaPhil Rees Sr. (Wimbledon) 29.38 1/2f
1969Shady Bracelet Printers Prince - Shady CrocusPeter Collett (Private) 28.63 7/4f
1970Perth Pat Maryville Hi - Hiver SwankyJim Morgan (Oxford) 28.81 13/8f
1971Short Cake The Grand Silver - She Is LandingDavid Geggus (Walthamstow) 28.98 5/1
1972Decimal Queen Dusty Trail - Roamin BeautyMick Hawkins (Private) 28.60 6/4f
1973Miss Ross Myross Again - Rich LifeTom Johnston Jr. (Wembley) 28.63 8/1
1974Lady Devine Supreme Fun - Funny FlashSid Ryall (Wembley) 28.763/1
1975Pineapple Grand The Grand Silver - Pineapple BabyFrank Baldwin (Perry Barr) 28.85 8/11f
1976Ballinderry Moth [15] Kilbelin Style - Skipping ChickBarney O'Connor (Walthamstow) 28.60 4/6f
1977Switch Off Westpark Mint - Kudas PinchJim Singleton (Harringay) 28.696/4f
1978Kilmagoura Mist Yanka Boy - Kilmagoura FairTom Johnston Jr. (Wembley) 28.55 10/1
1979Sunny Interval Itsachampion - Cloheadon PussyPhilip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) 28.7712/1
1980Devilish Dolores Itsachampion - Dancing DoloresErnie Gaskin Sr. (Private) 28.72 20/1
1981Thanet Princess Instant Gambler - Isle Of ThanetDick Hawkes (Walthamstow) 28.8211/2
1982Duchess of Avon Ballintee Star - Quarry BlazeAdam Jackson (Wembley) 28.72 1/1f
1983Major Grove Knockrour Tiger - Sandras MelodyEric Pateman (Wimbledon) 28.59 6/1
1984Sandy Sally Sand Man - Ballyderg MothJack Coker (Milton Keynes) 28.699/2
1985Spiral Super Cooladine Super - Spiral MintGeorge Curtis (Brighton) 28.57 10/11f
1986Sullane Princess Oran Jack - Muileann AmerePeter Payne (Romford) 28.79 20/1
1987Lucky Empress Citizen Supreme - Dark EmpressAllen Briggs (Private) 28.43 2/1
1988Wendys Dream Tamarac - Up Town GirlTommy Foster (Wimbledon) 28.81 4/5f
1989Nice and Lovely Plunket Tim - Luisa DaniellaDerek Tidswell (Private) 29.029/4
1990Liberal Girl Easy And Slow - Ballinvard RoseDerek Knight (Brighton) 28.95 5/1
1991Simple Trend Moral Support - Woodside BreezeErnie Gaskin Sr. (Walthamstow) 29.06 2/1f
1992Skelligs Smurf Skelligs Tiger - Speedy SmurfBob Gilling (Reading) 29.71 11/8f
1993Pearls Girl Flashy Sir - Desert PearlSam Sykes (Wimbledon) 28.55 8/11f
1994Westmead Chick[16] I'm Slippy - Westmead MoveNick Savva (Walthamstow) 28.60 8/11f
1995Saddlers Return April Trio - Velvet CoatErnie Gaskin Sr. (Walthamstow) 28.76 3/1
1996Annies Bullet Slippys Quest - O'Hickey KylieNick Savva (Walthamstow) 28.76 7/4jf
1997Flashy Get[17] Murlens Slippy - Flashy FionaErnie Gaskin Sr. (Walthamstow) 28.75 14/1
1998Sarah Dee[18] Arrigle Buddy - Castlegannon PopNick Savva (Walthamstow) 28.82 6/4f
1999Springtime Vintage Prince - MeantimeGer Watson (Ireland) 28.97 4/9f
2000Ragga Juju Justright Melody - Cent Her ForwardJoanne Page (Milton Keynes) 29.29 7/1
2001Talktothehand Top Honcho - Merry BluebellJimmy Gibson (Belle Vue) 29.06 6/4jf
2002Purley Queen Frisby Flashing - Traceys WhisperNorah McEllistrim (Wimbledon) 29.14 8/1
2003Cooly Pantera Spiral Nikita - Direen HavanaBrian Clemenson (Hove) 29.18 11/8f
2004Tidyplayroom Smooth Rumble - Toss StellaDerek Knight (Hove) 29.27 5/–1
2005Droopys Stacey [19] Droopys Kewell – Droopy RobertaIan Reilly (Ireland) 29.10 4/6f
2006Dilemmas Flight [20] Droopys Vieri – Early FlightNick Savva (Private) 28.96 7/1
2007Blonde Jeannie [21] Daves Mentor – Easy and BreezyJohn Mullins (Private) 28.76 2/1
2008Meenala Amy [22] Droopys Shearer – Lassana JennyKim Billingham (Monmore) 28.99 10/1
2009Shaws Dilemma [23] Droopys Vieri – Saffron BorderLiz McNair (Private) 28.525/2
2010Freedom Emma [24] Brett Lee – Miss FrecklesRichard Yeates (Oxford) 28.68 5/2
2011Silverview Perky [25] Head Bound - Owens RoverCharlie Lister OBE (Private) 28.40 1/1f
2012Droopys Hope [26] Ace Hi Rumble – Droopys DarjinaLiz McNair (Private) 28.83 2/1
2013Droopys Danneel Rumble Impact – Droopys Bubble27.97 7/4f
2014Cashen Maureen [27] Cashen Legend – Leigh Fantastic27.99 4/6f
2015Domino Storm [28] Makeshift – Swift Erin27.595/2
2016Forest Twilight [29] Ace Hi Rumble - Forest May Hayley Keightley (Private) 27.796/4f
2017Wuheida [30] Head Bound - Droopys Thrill 28.7411/4
2018Ravenswood Flo[31] Laughil Blake - Ravenswood May 28.823/1
2019Bull Run Byte[32] Romeo Recruit –Tullowmac Java 28.297/4
2020Ballymac Trend[33] Ballymac Best – Motobar AbigailAngie Kibble (Swindon)28.4125/1
2021Billys Diva[34] Good News – Jaytee SaharaMarie Kennedy (Ireland)28.882/1f
2022Slick Sakina[35] Droopys Sydney – Droopys RingPatrick Janssens (Towcester)27.8511/8ftrack record
2023No Rush[36] King Elvis – Vahsel BayCarol Weatherall (Monmore)28.1815/8f

Sponsors

Notes and References

  1. News: Greyhound Racing . West London Observer . 14 October 1927 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 28 October 2023.
  2. Book: Barnes, Julia. Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, pages 171-174. 1988. Ringpress Books. 0-948955-15-5.
  3. Web site: Home . thedogs.co.uk.
  4. News: Remember When - September 1939. 2012. Greyhound Star.
  5. Book: Genders, Roy. The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. 1981. Pelham Books Ltd. 07207-1106-1.
  6. Book: Hobbs, Jonathan. Greyhound Annual 2008, pages 142-144. 2007. Raceform. 978-1-905153-53-4.
  7. Web site: Towcester gets the Oaks, Leger Stays at the Barr. 23 July 2018. Greyhound Star.
  8. Web site: Oaks to be run in December. 8 November 2018. Greyhound Star.
  9. Web site: ARC takes Oaks to Perry Barr . 8 September 2021 . Greyhound Star . 11 September 2021.
  10. News: Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When) September edition. 2015. Greyhound Star.
  11. Web site: Remember When - October 1955. 7 October 2018. Greyhound Star.
  12. News: Remember When - July 1962. Greyhound Star | News from the Greyhound Industry. 28 July 2018. Greyhound Star.
  13. Web site: Remember When July. 28 July 2019. Greyhound Star.
  14. News: Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When) July edition. 2012. Greyhound Star.
  15. News: Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When 1976) November edition. 2012. Greyhound Star.
  16. Book: Fry, Paul. The Official NGRC Greyhound Racing Yearbook. 1995. 38. Ringpress Books. 186054-010-4.
  17. News: . 1 . 16 . January 1998 . That's Four Ernie . Greyhound Star.
  18. Web site: Remember When December . 6 December 2020 . Greyhound Star . 10 December 2020.
  19. Web site: 2005 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  20. Web site: 2006 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  21. Web site: 2007 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  22. Web site: 2008 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  23. Web site: 2009 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  24. Web site: 2010 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  25. Web site: 2011 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  26. Web site: 2012 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  27. Web site: 2014 final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  28. Web site: 2015 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  29. Web site: 2016 RPGTV final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  30. Web site: 2017 Oaks. GBGB.
  31. Web site: 2018 English Oaks Final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  32. Web site: 2019 English Oaks Final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  33. Web site: The Property192 Oaks 2020 Final . Greyhound Board of Great Britain . 20 December 2020.
  34. Web site: 28 October Race meeting. Greyhound Board of Great Britain. 30 October 2021.
  35. Web site: PREMIER GREYHOUND RACING OAKS FINAL . Greyhound Board of Great Britain . 5 November 2022.
  36. Web site: Perry Barr, Saturday 28 October . Greyhound Board of Great Britain . 2 November 2023.