2015 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
# 2015 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2015 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 90th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

## Summary

Trainer Kevin Hutton secured a last race success with El Pedro that helped him lift his first Trainers Championship. The English Greyhound Derby attracted 273 entries and was won by Rio Quattro while the Irish equivalent was won by Ballymac Matt.

Barry Faulkner the Chief Executive of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain who explained that the projected budget from the bookmakers for the fund for the year would be well below £7 million. This meant that it was over 40% lower than 2008 and the seventh consecutive annual decrease was blamed on reduced betting shop greyhound turnover. Online streaming of BAGS (Bookmakers’ Afternoon Greyhound Service) racing started via SIS and Mediastream was announced by BAGS chairman Dominic Ford as a possible new revenue source that could benefit the industry.

Two trainers George Andreas and Tony Collett switched back to Sittingbourne from Wimbledon and Patsy Cusack handed over his licence to head man Mark Fenwick. Former Racing Manager Jim Layton and trainer Henry Chalkley both died. At Wimbledon the Merton Council passed the AFC Wimbledon plans for a new football stadium meaning that help was now required from London mayor Boris Johnson. The GRA lease ended in July, which brought the end of greyhound racing in London ever nearer.

The year ended with Towcester's team manager Andy Lisemore steering the track to the BAGS/SIS Championship after winning the final at Perry Barr. Swift Hoffman was named Greyhound of the Year and Mark Wallis picked up the champion trainer accolade and in the process equalled the record of seven set by John 'Ginger' McGee Sr.

## Roll of honour

Major Winners :

| Award | Name of Winner |
| - | - |
| 2015 English Greyhound Derby | Rio Quattro |
| 2015 Irish Greyhound Derby | Ballymac Matt |
| Greyhound Trainer of the Year | Mark Wallis (Towcester) |
| Greyhound of the Year | Swift Hoffman |
| Irish Greyhound of the Year | Ballymac Matt |

GTA Chelsea Glass Trainers Championship, Sittingbourne (23 March) :

| Pos | Name of Trainer | Points |
| - | - | - |
| 1st | Kevin Hutton | 53 |
| 2nd | Mark Wallis | 46 |
| 3rd | Seamus Cahill | 38 |
| 4th | Paul Young | 32 |
| 5th | John Mullins | 29 |
| 6th | Dean Childs | 26 |

BAGS/SIS Track Championship, Perry Barr (23 December) :

| Pos | Track | Points |
| - | - | - |
| 1st | Towcester | 67 |
| 2nd | Newcastle | 57 |
| 3rd | Hall Green | 51 |
| 4th | Belle Vue | 37 |
| 5th | Romford | 37 |
| 6th | Monmore | 31 |

### Principal UK finals

Ladbrokes Golden Jacket, Crayford (24 February, 714m, £17,500) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Wiki Waki Woo | 4 | 6-1 | 44.99 | Angie Kibble |
| 2nd | Bubbly Time | 3 | 5-1 | 45.07 | Tony Gifkins |
| 3rd | Racenight Jenny | 1 | 1-1f | 45.41 | Tony Collett |
| 4th | Black Francis | 2 | 5-1 | 45.42 | Mark Wallis |
| 5th | Millwards Amy | 5 | 20-1 | 45.60 | Paul Young |
| 6th | Malls Pride | 6 | 8-1 | 45.86 | Paul Young |

Racing Post Scottish Derby, Shawfield (12 April, 480m, £20,000) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Swift Hoffman | 6 | 6-4f | 28.98 | Pat Rosney |
| 2nd | Cashen Maureen | 5 | 10-1 | 29.24 | June McCombe |
| 3rd | Coolavanny Jap | 1 | 7-2 | 29.58 | Pat Buckley |
| 4th | Lenson Sanchez | 3 | 6-1 | 29.66 | Pat Buckley |
| 5th | La Cuchilla | 2 | 3-1 | 29.74 | Steve Race |
| 6th | Save The Don | 4 | 7-1 | 00.00 | Fraser Black |

William Hill Classic, Sunderland (15 July, 450m, £25,000) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | No But | 2 | 5-2 | 27.00 | Julie Calvert |
| 2nd | Pinpoint Finas | 1 | 7-2 | 27.07 | Kelly Macari |
| 3rd | Bubbly Ninja | 3 | 5-1 | 27.14 | Paul Young |
| 4th | Conna Trigger | 6 | 2-1f | 27.37 | Kelly Macari |
| 5th | Jolly Tricks | 4 | 7-2 | 27.42 | Kevin Hutton |
| N/R | Laughing Gravy | 5 | | Lame | David Pruhs |

William Hill Grand Prix, Sunderland (15 July, 640m, £15,000) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Bubbly Gold | 1 | 4-1 | 39.79 | Paul Young |
| 2nd | Dinzeo | 5 | 7-2 | 39.84 | Harry Crapper |
| 3rd | Farley Rio | 4 | 5-2 | 39.86 | Kevin Boon |
| 4th | Toottoottootsie | 6 | 6-4f | 39.97 | Paul Prior |
| 5th | Teejays Panther | 2 | 4-1 | 39.98 | Paul Young |
| N/R | Jaytee China | 3 | | Lame | Paul Young |

Colossus Bets TV Trophy, Towcester (18 August, 906m, £8,000) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Ballymac Bonnie | 4 | 2-1jf | 55.44 | Liam Dowling |
| 2nd | Bubbly Time | 1 | 9-2 | 55.72 | Tony Gifkins |
| 3rd | Ribble Atom | 2 | 5-1 | 55.80 | Mark Wallis |
| 4th | Droopys Cottage | 5 | 2-1jf | 55.86 | Dean Childs |
| 5th | Droopys Tamera | 6 | 8-1 | 55.95 | Dean Childs |
| 6th | Alma Prince | 3 | 20-1 | 56.00 | Alec Stone |

Totepool 69th East Anglian Derby, Yarmouth (16 September, 462m, £15,000) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Do It For Twiggy | 1 | 13-8f | 27.82 | Erica Samuels |
| 2nd | Southfield Jock | 4 | 3-1 | 27.88 | Seamus Cahill |
| 3rd | Calco Flyer | 3 | 9-2 | 28.01 | Mark Wallis |
| 4th | Urban Road | 5 | 20-1 | 28.06 | Ray Pleasants |
| 5th | Farloe Brae | 2 | 20-1 | 28.26 | Richard Devenish |
| 6th | Ballymac Brogan | 6 | 2-1 | 28.32 | Seamus Cahill |

Chelsea Glass Grand National, Sittingbourne (6 October, 480mH, £8,000) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Mo's Bullet | 4 | 7-1 | 29.80 | Ricky Holloway |
| 2nd | Julius George | 1 | 7-2 | 29.82 | Tony Taylor |
| 3rd | Soviet Jackson | 6 | 7-4f | 29.89 | John Mullins |
| 4th | Bizarro | 2 | 20-1 | 29.99 | Tony Taylor |
| 5th | Affane Duke | 3 | 6-1 | 30.12 | Tony Taylor |
| 6th | Castlelyons Cofi | 5 | 5-2 | 30.51 | Tony Taylor |

William Hill St Leger, Wimbledon (10 November, 687m, £25,000) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Fizzypop Buddy | 3 | 9-2 | 41.49 | June Harvey |
| 2nd | Droopys Tamera | 5 | 10-1 | 41.88 | Dean Childs |
| 3rd | Roxholme Dream | 2 | 7-2 | 41.99 | Hayley Keightley |
| 4th | Teejayspowerhawk | 1 | 16-1 | 42.06 | Paul Young |
| 5th | Ferryforth Fran | 6 | 33-1 | 42.31 | Mark Wallis |
| 6th | Diego Flight | 4 | 8-11f | 42.45 | Liz McNair |

ECC Timber Oaks, Belle Vue (9 December, 470m, £15,000) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Domino Storm | 3 | 5-2 | 27.59 | Mark Wallis |
| 2nd | Evanta Evita | 5 | 5-1 | 27.85 | Mark Wallis |
| 3rd | Bromwich Sue | 1 | 12-1 | 27.93 | Lynn Cook |
| 4th | Tyrur Caroline | 2 | 1-1f | 28.06 | Charlie Lister OBE |
| 5th | Roxholme Hottie | 4 | 6-1 | 28.17 | Hayley Keightley |
| 6th | Newinn This Way | 6 | 20-1 | 28.24 | Carla Hendy |

ECC Timber Laurels, Belle Vue (9 December, 470m, £6,000) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Millwards Whitey | 3 | 6-4f | 27.87 | Dean Childs |
| 2nd | Taranis Bolt | 6 | 3-1 | 28.01 | Kevin Hutton |
| 3rd | On Alert | 4 | 3-1 | 28.18 | Hayley Keightley |
| 4th | Blakes Turbo | 2 | 12-1 | 28.55 | Geraldine Kovac |
| 5th | Rock Me Kewell | 5 | 16-1 | 28.62 | Michael Hurst |
| 6th | Ballymac Ricky | 1 | 9-2 | 28.68 | Leonard O'Hanlon |

### Principal Irish finals

Dandelion Bar & Nightclub Easter Cup, Shelbourne (21 March, 550y, €25,000) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Sidarian Blaze | 2 | 6-4 | 29.52 | Graham Holland |
| 2nd | Slippery Fred | 1 | 5-4f | 29.59 | Larry Dunne |
| 3rd | Coran Sky | 3 | 5-1 | 29.83 | Graham Holland |
| 4th | Gaytime Hawk | 4 | 16-4? | 29.85 | Graham Holland |
| 5th | Highview Premier | 6 | 14-1 | 29.96 | Gerry Merriman |
| 6th | Laughil Duke | 5 | 10-1 | 30.13 | Patrick Guilfoyle |

Con & Anne Kirby Memorial Stakes, Limerick (4 April, 525y, €80,000) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Cable Bay | 4 | 6-1 | 28.11 | Brendan Matthews |
| 2nd | Rural Hawaii | 6 | 5-4f | 28.25 | Graham Holland |
| 3rd | Country Legend | 1 | 4-1 | 28.39 | Maurice Heffernan |
| 4th | Droopys Braedon | 3 | 5-2 | 28.40 | Sharlene Higgins |
| 5th | Ivy Hill Bart | 5 | 10-1 | 28.71 | Noel Hehir |
| 6th | Beaming Boost | 2 | 5-1 | 28.82 | Pat Buckley |

Irish Independent Laurels, Cork (9 May, 525y, €30,000) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Midtown Raffa | 2 | 2-1f | 28.31 | Maurice O’Connor |
| 2nd | Burgess Rumble | 5 | 7-1 | 28.69 | Sheila Spillane |
| 3rd | Mimis Ace | 6 | 5-1 | 28.70 | John Kiely |
| 4th | Drive On Royal | 4 | 7-2 | 28.84 | Thomas O’Donovan |
| 5th | Skywalker Echo | 1 | 8-1 | 29.16 | Frances O’Donnell |
| 6th | Knocktoo Garry | 3 | 5-2 | 29.17 | Neilus O’Connell |

B.I.F National Produce, Clonmel (14 June, 525y, €30,000) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Ballybough Mondo | 2 | 3-1 | 28.55 | Murt Leahy |
| 2nd | Amazing Dude | 1 | 1-2f | 28.65 | Graham Holland |
| 3rd | Haughty Slippers | 5 | 7-1 | 28.69 | Frank Clune |
| 4th | Justice Matters | 3 | 8-1 | 28.83 | Jerry Griffin |
| 5th | Maggies Lucy | 6 | 7-1 | 28.90 | James Robinson |
| 6th | Ballybough Mike | 4 | 5-2 | 29.11 | Murt Leahy |

Sporting Press Oaks, Shelbourne (20 June, 525y, €25,000) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Ballydoyle Honey | 1 | 1-5f | 28.47 | Graham Holland |
| 2nd | Hovex Princess | 5 | 8-1 | 28.52 | Graham Holland |
| 3rd | Ravenswood Emily | 2 | 14-1 | 28.70 | Gerard Barber |
| 4th | Awaywitdepixies | 6 | 20-1 | 28.77 | Paul Hennessy |
| 5th | Piercestown Lucy | 3 | 8-1 | 28.87 | Thomas Coleman |
| N/R | Jumeirah Dancer | 4 | | | Jimmy Buckley |

Doire Construction Champion Stakes, Shelbourne (25 July, 550y, €15,000) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Sidarian Vega | 1 | 2-1jf | 29.64 | Graham Holland |
| 2nd | Budgie Bypass | 6 | 8-1 | 29.81 | Paul Hennessy |
| 3rd | Paradise Maverick | 4 | 4-1 | 29.87 | Pat Buckley |
| 4th | Riverside Pat | 2 | 6-1 | 30.04 | Graham Holland |
| 5th | Barefoot Artist | 5 | 14-1 | 30.64 | Paul Hennessy |
| 6th | Midtown Raffa | 3 | 2-1jf | 30.85 | Maurice O’Connor |

Dublin Coach Puppy Derby, Harolds Cross (16 October, 525y, €22,500) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Anopheles | 3 | 10-1 | 28.54 | Liam Dowling |
| 2nd | Hee Haws Sheriff | 1 | 2-1 | 28.57 | Ian Reilly |
| 3rd | Jaytee Dutch | 6 | 4-5f | 28.58 | Paul Hennessy |
| 4th | Black Alder | 2 | 6-1 | 28.76 | Peter Comerford |
| 5th | Trade Freddie | 4 | 7-1 | 28.81 | John Touhy |
| 6th | Skywalker Archie | 5 | 14-1 | 28.99 | Patrick Guilfoyle |

Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger, Limerick (31 October, 550y, €25,000) :

| Pos | Name of Greyhound | Trap | SP | Time | Trainer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Skywalker Rory | 6 | 7-2 | 29.47 | Patrick Guilfoyle |
| 2nd | Sidarian Vega | 4 | 6-1 | 29.89 | Graham Holland |
| 3rd | Offshore Bound | 1 | 2-1jf | 30.31 | Owen McKenna |
| 4th | Jaytee Valencia | 2 | 6-1 | 30.59 | Paul Hennessy |
| 5th | Peregrine Falcon | 3 | 2-1jf | 30.69 | Patrick O'Brien |
| 6th | Tyrur Tommy | 5 | 7-2 | 00.00 | PJ Fahy |
