St Leger (English greyhound race) explained

Surface:Sand
Class:Original classic - Category 1
Horse Race:St Leger
Location:Perry Barr Stadium
Inaugurated:1928
Sponsor:Premier Greyhound Racing
Distance:710 metres
Purse:£20,000 (winner)

The St Leger is an original classic greyhound competition.[1]

Venues and Distances

Sponsors

History

It was run at Wembley Stadium from 1928 until 1998 but when the Wembley Greyhounds ended it moved to Wimbledon Stadium in 1999.[2] The race is considered to be the premier stayers (between 500 and 700 metres) competition in greyhound racing.[3]

The competition came to an end at Wimbledon after the 2016 running before being switched to GRA sister track Perry Barr.[4] The prize money has reduced in recent times due to financial issues in 2010 and the loss of a Sky TV contract more recently.[5] [6] However, Premier Greyhound Racing doubled the winner's prize money to £20,000 in 2022.

Past winners

[7]

width=50Yearwidth=180Winnerwidth=270Breedingwidth=250Trainerwidth=80Timewidth=50SPwidth=100Notes
1928Burletta Jock's Lodge - Fasten Fast41.91 sec 5/2
1929Loughnagare Loafer - Hands OffPaddy McEllistrim (Wimbledon) 42.76 sec 4/9f
1930Maiden's Boy Guiding Hand - Maiden HymnSamuel Young (Private) 41.48 sec 4/9f
1931Glorious Event - Na Boc LeiSidney Orton (Wimbledon) 41.31 sec 1/1f
1932Fret Not Lenin - Laughing LadyLeslie Reynolds (White City) 41.35 sec 7/2
1933The Daw Service Kit - Crazy Margaret41.24 sec 6/4f
1934Bosham Hertford - White CapLeslie Reynolds (White City) 41.17 sec 13/8
1935Satans Baby Blower - Golden ValleyLes Parry (White City) 40.95 sec 10/11f
1936Ataxy Inler - Gosha BeadLeslie Reynolds (White City) 40.39 sec 6-4
1937Grosvenor Bob Golden Hammer - Wonderful Expression41.13 sec 1-2f
1938Gretas Rosary Mick the Miller - Greta RaneeEddie Wright (Harringay) 40.82 sec 7-4jf
1939Gayhunter Dans Leg - Trianon LassEddie Wright (Harringay) 41.79 sec 7-4
1945Robeen Printer Dans Leg - DeocDeireannachGeorge McKay (Coventry) 40.03 sec 2-5f
1946Bohernagraga Boy Tact - Crony39.92 sec 1-1f
1947Dante II Well Squared - Olives Idol39.70 sec 2-9f
1948Streets After Midnight Street Rebel - Midnight BiddyLes Parry (White City) 40.40 sec 5-2
1949Lovely Rio Fish Hill - Rio Czarina40.77 sec 7-1
1950Fawn Mack Yankee Mack - Light BuzzerGeorge Curtis (Park Royal) 40.56 sec 11-10f
1951Black Mire [8] Darkies Gift - Kelton FlashJack Toseland (Perry Barr) 40.19 sec 2-1
1952Funny Worker [9] Funny Mick - Monas Lamb40.50 sec 6-1
1953Astras Son - Saucy DameTom 'Paddy' Reilly (Walthamstow) 39.88 sec 7-4f
1954Pancho Villa Mad Birthday - Golden Withins40.99 sec 1-1f
1955Title Role Celtic Chef - Coolkill Darkie40.78 sec 4-1
1956Jakfigaralt The Grand Champion - Prairie VixenJoe Booth (Private) 40.50 sec 7-2
1957Duke of Alva Ballymac Ball - Marchioness MinnieDicky Myles (Coventry) 39.97 sec 4-6f
1958Barrys Prince Champion Prince - Ballyglass Again40.01 sec 4-1
1959Wincot Clifford Fly Prince - WhooshJack Toseland (Perry Barr) 40.25 sec 5-4f
1960Jungle Man Man of Pleasure - Seafield BiddyHarry Tasker (Private) 40.08 sec 2-1
1961Clonalvy Pride [10] Solar Prince - Asmena39.64 sec 4-7f
1962Powerstown Prospect Hi There - FaoideRonnie Melville (Harringay) 40.02 sec 8-1
1963Friendly Lass Hi There - Sallys GossipTony Dennis (Private) 40.15 sec 2-1
1964Lucky Hi There Hi There - Olives BonnyJimmy Jowett (Clapton) 39.90 sec 1-2f
1965Greenane Flash Prairie Flash - Greenane ItemJimmy Quinn (Perry Barr) 40.13 sec 2-1
1966Summer Guest Chieftains Guest - Summer LadyWilf France (Harringay) 40.03 sec 11-8f
1967O'Haras Rebel Odd Venture - Pure Hand39.54 sec 6-1
1968Forward King Crazy Parachute - Supreme WitchTed Brennan (Owlerton) 39.98 sec 9-4
1969Crefogue Dancer [11] Printers Present - Crefogue39.65 sec 8-1
1970Spotted Rory Shanes Legacy - Dainty FlashPaddy McEllistrim (Wimbledon) 40.28 sec 2-1f
1971Newdown Heather - Come on DoloresHerbert White (Private) 40.03 sec 1-2f
1972Ramdeen Stuart Sallys Story - Any StreakNorman Oliver (Brough Park) 39.82 sec 2-1
1973Case Money Booked Out - Jamboree JudyTed Parker (Harringay) 39.89 sec 6-4jf
1974Cute Caddie Red Barrel - Fellside TinyDavid Kinchett (White City) 41.17 sec 4-1
1975Tartan Khan Spectre - Chilled SweetGwen Lynds (Bletchley) 39.45 sec 7-2 Track Record
1976Westmead Champ Westmead County - HacksawPam Heasman (Hackney) 39.90 sec 9-4
1977Stormy Spirit Spectre - Nora AgainJoe Pickering (White City) 40.22 sec 10-1
1978Westmead Power Westmead County - Westmead DamsonNatalie Savva (Coventry) 39.67 sec 4-5f
1979Kilmagoura Mist Yanka Boy - Kilmagoura Fair40.04 sec 9-2
1980Fair Reward Flip Your Top - Modest StyleBob Young (Private) 40.46 sec 5-2
1981Fox Watch Ritas Choice - Queen of MorayJill Holt (Private) 40.17 sec 5-2jf
1982Huberts Shade Luminous Lad - Huberts Fate39.83 sec 13-2
1983Easy and Slow Sand Man - Lucky Arrival40.37 sec 5-2
1984Gizzajob Knockrour Bank - Move 'n' GrooveJohn Coleman (Romford) 40.28 sec 33-1
1985Jet Circle Jet Control - Kielduff Fun40.14 sec 11-4
1986Lone Wolf Yankee Express - Breeze ValleyGeorge Curtis (Brighton) 39.99 sec 9-2
1987Life Policy Lindas Champion - Lucky FriendBob Young (Brighton) 39.96 sec 12-1
1988Exile Energy Gambling Fever - Princess NoraGary Baggs (Walthamstow) 39.76 sec 9-2
1989Manx Marajax Easy And Slow - Darian IvyNigel Saunders (Belle Vue) 39.87 sec 33-1
1990Match Point Tico - Cuddles SandyTerry Kibble (Bristol) 39.92 sec 7-1
1991Temps Perdu Coolmona Man - Miss TicoAlbert Hill (Private) 40.18 sec 9-4jf
1992Airmount Flash Mr John Dee - Airmount MaryJimmy Gibson (Belle Vue) 39.81 sec 3-1
1993Galleydown Boy Flashy Sir - Annies LastJohn Copplestone (Reading) 40.06 sec 13-2
1994Ballarue Minx[12] Greenpark Fox - Ballarue SuzyBill Masters (Hove) 39.65 sec 7-2
1995Kens Dilemma Murlens Slippy - Daisys SpiritTheo Mentzis (Rye House) 39.80 sec 2-1f
1996Spring Rose Galtymore Lad - Rachels BabyCharlie Lister OBE (Nottingham) 39.29 sec 2-5f
1997Tralee Crazy Ratify - Dennys DaisyNick Savva (Walthamstow) 39.41 sec 4-1
1998Droopys Pacino Phantom Flash - Droopys FergieTony Bullen (Private) 39.67 sec 4-1
1999Dilemmas Lad Frightful Flash - Kens DilemmaNick Savva (Milton Keynes) 40.56 sec 5-1
2000Palace Issue Deerpark Jim - Clear IssueLinda Mullins (Walthamstow) 40.74 sec 1-2f
2001Frisby Folly Toms the Best - Frisby FanfareHarry Crapper (Sheffield) 40.74 sec 3/1
2002Alibuk Lad Toms The Best - Glencoe StarDilys Steels (Private) 40.95 sec 10/1
2003Bite the BulletBonus Prince - Hit the DollarWayne Brunt (Private) 41.38 sec 20/1
2004Roxholme Girl Pacific Mile – Gilded ChoiceHayley Keightley (Private) 41.32 sec 3-/1
2005Greenacre Lin[13] Top Honcho – First To ReturnBrian Clemenson (Hove) 41.16 sec 7/4f
2006Ninja Blue[14] Roanokee – Ballycummer JilCharlie Lister OBE (Private) 41.52 sec 11/4
2007Spiridon Louis[15] Droopys Vieri – Early FlightLorraine Sams (Crayford) 40.86 sec 4/1
2008Bubbly Totti[16] World Class – Droopys SevilleTed Soppitt (Private) 41.06 sec 1/4f
2009Kinda Easy[17] Just The Best – Kinda SleepyMark Wallis (Harlow) 40.57 sec 2/1jf
2010Droopys Bradley [18] Droopys Kewell – Droopys MoPaul Donovan (Wimbledon) 41.48 sec 1/2f
2011Aero Majestic [19] Hondo Black – Rough IllusionMark Wallis (Yarmouth) 41.62 sec 11/4
2012Blonde Reagan [20] Hometown Boy Nga – Swift Babe Mark Wallis (Yarmouth) 41.87 sec 5/2f
2013Farloe Tango [21] Hondo Black – Farloe OysterCharlie Lister OBE (Private) 41.40 sec 5/4f Track Record
2014Roxholme Dream [22] Timor Blue – Lemon BlossomHayley Keightley (Swindon) 41.68 sec 7/4f
2015Fizzypop Buddy [23] Tubbertelly Dubh – Saleen QueenJune Harvey (Wimbledon) 41.49 sec 9/2
2016Ferryforth Fran [24] College Causeway - Diegos Lady Mark Wallis (Towcester) 41.90 sec 20/1
2017Rubys Rascal [25] Razldazl George – Swift Eva Mark Wallis (Towcester) 42.99 sec 3/1
2018Calico Ranger [26] Holdem Spy – Wont Fall BehindCarol Weatherall (Henlow) 43.09 sec9/4
2019Redzer Ardfert [27] [28] Paradise Madison – Have You OneBrendan Maunsell (Ireland) 43.12 sec5/4f
2020Smallmead[29] Opinion – Ballymac RazlJohn Mullins (Yarmouth) 43.37 sec 10/1
2021Space Jet[30] Droopys Jet – VolcanoMatt Dartnall (Central Park)42.59 sec10/3Track record
2022Havana Lover[31] Laughil Blake – Love HoneyLiz McNair (Private)43.10 sec11/10f
2023Droopys Clue[32] Out Of Range ASB – Droopys NataliaSeamus Cahill (Hove)42.33 sec4/9fTrack record

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Home . thedogs.co.uk.
  2. Book: Genders, Roy. The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. 1981. Pelham Books Ltd. 07207-1106-1.
  3. Book: Barnes, Julia. Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, pages 175-177. 1988. Ringpress Books. 0-948955-15-5.
  4. Web site: Wimbledon to close. 16 October 2016. Greyhound Star.
  5. Web site: Remember When - September 2010. 9 September 2018. Greyhound Star.
  6. Web site: Reduced St Leger is On. 5 September 2018. Greyhound Star.
  7. Book: Hobbs, Jonathan. Greyhound Annual 2008, pages 159-161. 2007. Raceform. 978-1-905153-53-4.
  8. Web site: Remember When - September 1951. 30 September 2018. Greyhound Star.
  9. Web site: Remember When - September 1952. 30 September 2018. Greyhound Star.
  10. Web site: Remember When - April 1962. 7 April 2018. Greyhound Star.
  11. Web site: Remember When - August 1969. 2018. Greyhound Star.
  12. Book: Fry, Paul. The Official NGRC Greyhound Racing Yearbook. 1995. 36–37. Ringpress Books. 186054-010-4.
  13. Web site: 2005 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  14. Web site: 2006 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  15. Web site: 2007 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  16. Web site: 2008 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  17. Web site: 2009 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  18. Web site: 2010 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  19. Web site: 2011 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  20. Web site: 2012 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  21. Web site: 2013 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  22. Web site: 2014 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  23. Web site: 2015 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  24. Web site: 2016 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  25. Web site: 2017 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  26. Web site: 2018 St Leger final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  27. Web site: 2019 St Leger Final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  28. Web site: Redzer Seals Irish Double. 17 November 2019. Greyhound Star.
  29. Web site: 2020 St Leger final . Greyhound Board of Great Britain . 28 November 2020.
  30. Web site: ARENA RACING COMPANY ST LEGER FINAL. Greyhound Board of Great Britain. 1 October 2021.
  31. Web site: PREMIER GREYHOUND RACING ST LEGER FINAL . Greyhound Board of Great Britain . 6 October 2022.
  32. Web site: Perry Barr meeting 23 Sep . Greyhound Board of Great Britain . 20 September 2023.