The Grand Prix Explained

Surface:Sand
Horse Race:The Grand Prix
Location:Walthamstow Stadium
Inaugurated:1945
Last Run:2007
Sponsor:Victor Chandler Bookmakers
Distance:640 metres

The Grand Prix was a classic greyhound competition held at Walthamstow.[1]

It was first run in 1945 and in 1971 it was granted classic status. The race came to an end following the closure of Walthamstow in 2008.The race is not to be confused with the Arena Racing Company Grand Prix held at Sunderland.[2] [3]

The competition was not run from 1952 until 1953 due to insufficient entries[4] and again from 1964 to 1965. The event was cancelled in 1965 following the refusal by the National Greyhound Racing Club to allow a change in race distance.[5]

Venue and Distances

Past winners

width=50Yearwidth=200Winnerwidth=300Breedingwidth=250Trainerwidth=80Timewidth=50SPwidth=100Notes
1945Magic Bohemian Jesmond Cutlet – Magic PoolLeslie Reynolds (Wembley) 30.03 sec 10-11f
1946Tonycus Manhattan Midnight – Dashing BLeslie Reynolds (Wembley) 30.19 sec 6–1
1947Mondays News Orlucks Best – Monday NextSidney Orton (Wimbledon) 30.41 sec 2–1
1948Ruby Cut Ruby Border – VolcutJohn Bott (Private) 30.31 sec 11–4
1949Red Wind Dysertmore Prince – Light BiddyFrank Davis (Private) 29.82 sec 10-11f
1950Arrow Boy Dew Bob – Daintys Blue GrassJack Harvey (Wembley) 30.28 sec 5–1
1951Rushton Smutty Mad Tanist – Summer FrockFrank Johnson (Private) 29.80 sec 4-6f
1954Rushton Spot Rushton News – Rushton PandaFrank Johnson (Private) 29.57 sec 100–30
1955Duet Leader Champion Prince – Derryluskin LadyTom 'Paddy' Reilly (Walthamstow) 29.42 sec 13-8f
1956Land of Song Fire Prince – Old Blarney GiftBob Burls (Wembley) 29.70 sec 7–2
1957Klcaskin Kern Magourna Reject – PavonaTony Dennis (Private) 29.25 sec 8-11f
1958Granthamian Barrowside – Silver SplashJack Harvey (Wembley) 29.98 sec 1-1f
1960Dunstown Paddy Champion Prince – Geffs LinnettTom 'Paddy' Reilly (Walthamstow) 28.26 sec 11–4
Clonalvy Romance Solar Prince – AsmenaW Taylor (White City) 28.57 sec 9–2
1963Mondays Ranger Toast The Champ – Mondays SopranoTom 'Paddy' Reilly (Walthamstow) 28.03 sec 4-5f
1966Westpark Bison The Glen Abbey – Little ScrollBarney O'Connor (Walthamstow) 40.14 sec 8-11f
1968Carmen John Crazy Parachute – CreggandoveskeyJ Millis (Private) 41.16 sec 10–1
1969Chame Sparrow Mad Era – Avenue EastBarney O'Connor (Walthamstow) 40.75 sec 6–1
1970Baton Annard – Pine BlacktopJack Durkin (Walthamstow) 40.39 sec 9-4f
1971Breachs Buzzard Maryville Hi – Breach's BlizzardColin McNally (Perry Barr) 40.00 sec 4-5f
1973Pendys Mermaid Merry Newdown – Linnetts VentureDave Geggus (Walthamstow) 40.65 sec 11-8f
1974Ballyglass Hope Faithful Hope – Deise IvoryDon Thornton (Private) 40.58 sec 7–1
1976Manderlay King[6] Crazy Top – ShandarobaGeoff De Mulder (Hall Green) 40.21 sec 9–2
1977Paradise Spectre Spectre – Paradise WonderPat Mullins (Private) 40.19 sec 6-4f
1978Paradise Spectre Spectre – Paradise WonderPat Mullins (Private) 40.03 sec 3-1jf
1979Frame That Ritas Choice – The Grand LoveTed Dickson (Slough) 39.57 sec 11–2
1980Sport Promoter Breakaway Town – Kensington QueenPat Mullins (Cambridge) 40.17 sec 2-1jf
1981Rathduff Solara Ivy Hall Solo – Rathduff GazelleTony Dennis (Southend) 40.71 sec 2-1jf
1982Huberts Shade Luminous Lad – Huberts FateAdam Jackson (Wembley) 39.73 sec 11-8f
1983Flying Duke Gaily Noble – Shans FantasiaPaddy Coughlan (Crayford) 40.49 sec 4–1
1984Sunrise Sonny Armagh Rocket – Kerry WeddingGeorge Curtis (Hove) 40.00 sec 25–1
1985Slaneyside Gold Sand Man – Prince of RocksJim Sherry (Walthamstow) 40.00 sec 5–1
1986Westmead Move Whisper Wishes – Westmead TaniaNick Savva (Private) 39.35 sec 10-11f
1987Olivers Wish Whisper Wishes – Westmead TaniaNick Savva (Private) 39.86 sec 7–2
1988Digby Bridge[7] Yellow Band – Ballylough JudyJohn Malcolm (Hall Green) 40.14 sec 50–1
1989Waltham Abbey Manorville Sand – Mona LisaErnie Gaskin Sr. (Private) 39.91 sec 2–1
1990Dempseys Whisper Whisper Wishes – Lemon GemPatsy Byrne (Canterbury) 39.07 sec 4-11f
1991Dempseys Whisper Whisper Wishes – Lemon GemPatsy Byrne (Canterbury) 39.20 sec 2-1f
1992Westmead Darkie Airmount Grand – Westmead MoveNick Savva (Private) 39.36 sec 2-1f
1993Redwood Girl Ardfert Sean – Redwood SueErnie Gaskin Sr. (Walthamstow) 39.89 sec 5–1
1994Redwood Girl[8] Ardfert Sean – Redwood SueErnie Gaskin Sr. (Walthamstow) 39.74 sec 2–1
1995Suncrest Sail Low Sail – Sarahs SurpriseCharlie Lister OBE (Private) 39.62 sec 11-10f
1996Spring Rose Galtymore Lad – Rachels BabyCharlie Lister OBE (Nottingham) 39.05 sec 4-7fTrack record
1997El Grand Senor Leaders Minstrel – Without EqualLinda Mullins (Walthamstow) 39.38 sec 12–1
1998Dans Sport New Level – Any BandCharlie Lister OBE (Private) 39.79 sec 6–1
1999Palace Issue Deerpark Jim – Clear IssueLinda Mullins (Walthamstow) 40.32 sec 9-4f
2000Palace Issue Deerpark Jim – Clear IssueLinda Mullins (Walthamstow) 39.32 sec 1-3f
2001Slick Tom Toms The Best – Slick MelOwen McKenna (Wimbledon) 40.02 sec 9–2
2002Sheriff Bow Wow Frisby Flashing – Spilt MilkJohn Mullins (Walthamstow) 40.05 sec 8–1
2003Special Trick Spiral Nikita – Castlerea DeliaLinda Jones (Walthamstow) 39.85 sec 4–1
2004Ronnies Flight Sonic Flight – Tina at LastLinda Jones (Walthamstow) 40.03 sec 11-8f
2005Clonbrin Show[9] Late Late Show – Clonbrin JewelMick Puzey (Walthamstow) 39.55 sec 5-2f
2006January Tiger[10] Droopys Vieri – January VixenMark Wallis (Walthamstow) 39.47 sec 9–2
2007Foulden Special[11] Droopys Kewell –Smoking BabyDerek Knight (Hove) 39.45 sec 1-1f
Discontinued

Sponsors

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Home . thedogs.co.uk.
  2. Book: Hobbs, Jonathan. Greyhound Annual 2008, pages 133–135. 2007. Raceform Compton. 978-1-905153-53-4.
  3. Book: Barnes, Julia. Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, pages 181-182. 1988. Ringpress Books. 0-948955-15-5.
  4. Web site: Remember When - September 1952. 22 September 2018. Greyhound Star.
  5. Web site: Remember When – March 1965. 24 March 2019. Greyhound Star.
  6. News: Manderlay to get back on winning road . Birmingham Mail . 25 November 1976 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 20 April 2024.
  7. Web site: Remember When – September 1988. 2 September 2018. Greyhound Star.
  8. Book: Fry, Paul. The Official NGRC Greyhound Racing Yearbook. 1995. 109–110. Ringpress Books. 186054-010-4.
  9. Web site: 2005 VC Bet Grand Prix Final. Greyhound Data.
  10. Web site: 2006 VC Bet Grand Prix Final. Greyhound Data.
  11. Web site: 2007 Grand Prix Final. Greyhound Data.