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Fellow Members,
Firstly, let me apologise for the delay in updating you on what has been happening since I was elected as chairman of the GTA in mid June. I have not been idle during this time; it is just this update that was delayed owing to Brian undergoing two operations.
Since I was elected, I have been doing my best to arrange a meeting with the GTA committee members. This has now been achieved, and we will meet within the next week or so to discuss, amongst other things, a date for the AGM.
As most of you will already know, Welfare of the greyhounds is my passion, and with this in mind, one of my first objectives was to become a member of the BGRB welfare committee and the BGRB racing committee. Both objectives achieved, and I have just this last week attended my first two meetings. Everyone was very welcoming and helpful, and all appear to have the welfare of greyhounds at heart.
However, my main priority as chairman remains the same as it was before the election, and that is to achieve an increase in the prize and run money for our greyhounds.
This is not a quick fix to patch up a gaping wound in a sport which is slowly bleeding to death. It is a long term investment which will benefit the greyhound racing industry as a whole, and I cannot understand why the promoters and the bookmakers who earn their living from this sport are being so short sighted about this issue.
The immediate benefits of increased prize and run money will filter down to improve every aspect of greyhound racing.
1. It can turn the image of greyhound racing around. It will no longer be seen as a cheap and nasty industry, where the stars of the show have little value and are seen as disposable commodities.
2. It will encourage new owners into the sport, who won’t feel that they are being short-changed, and will feel that they are being rewarded for their patronage.
3. Trainers will be able to raise their kennel fees and actually start earning a living, instead of subsidising this industry as they have been doing for too many years.
4. Loyal and hardworking kennel staff, undervalued for far too long, will be able to earn a decent wage. Too many trainers lose much valued members of staff simply because those staff cannot continue to live on what they are being paid. The wages at present do not reflect the skills and commitment of the kennel staff and they do not attract new people into the job, who would then view it as an apprenticeship into a profession with long term prospects.
5. Trainers will be able to raise the standard and quality of care that they give their greyhounds, and take pride in raising the benchmark.
As trainers I know that you are all too familiar with these arguments and can understand the logic of what I am proposing.
I am in the process of sending out renewal forms for this year’s membership. It is imperative that you all join, and we show those who would take us for granted that we are united and we are strong.
Arrangements are being made for our AGM. We are looking to hold it within the next 3 – 4 weeks, and will notify you as soon as the date is set. Keep watching the GTA website for updates.
And remember;
There are none so blind as those who will not see. It is up to us to make them see.
Norah McEllistrim
FUNERAL DETAILS FOR JOHN COUNSELL
Thursday 29th November at 4.30pm
West Suffolk Crematorium
Nr Risby
Bury St Edmunds
IP28 6RR
Flowers can be ordered on 01353 721 336 and sent to
C.E Fuller & Co
Hall Street
Soham
or donations to 2 charities that were close to John's heart:
Retired Greyhound Trust
Woodlands Trust
both can be accessed through the internet.
SUBMISSION BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GTA TO THE 2008 BGRB BUDGET PROCESS
This presentation is on behalf of the trainers and kennel staff of theUK who are the backbone of our sport. For many years they have subsidised both the greyhound racing industry and the bookmaking industry.
The prize money budget is the single most important budget ever set by the BGRB as our sport is going through an unprecedented period of change. We are being scrutinised by government, by greyhound sport protestors, by betting industry and greyhound authorities as never before. Greyhound trainers have become more professional and necessarily have had to adapt to new working practices. As in any business there should be financial rewards that reflect this change, unfortunately this is not the case.
There are professional trainers, assistant trainers and kennel staff who constantly work below the minimum wage threshold, a practice that is illegal in this country.
In this submission, I will show the working practices of two kennels from two different tracks. These tracks work at either end of the spectrum and as in any business you would expect differing working practices as a consequence of this. The welfare issues each kennel deal with cost exactly the same.
In the real illustrations below, Kennel 1 is regarded as the top track in London.
- This is based on 180 runners during the month of July.
- In July there were 13 evening meetings and 9 BAGS meetings.
- On average there are two members of staff present at each meeting and trial session.
- The trainer and staff are away from the kennels for 7 hours per meeting.
Kennel 2 is a generally lower grade and has a lesser quality of dog.
- This is based on 70 dogs travelling to the track (66 runners, 4 reserves) in July
- In July there were 12 evening meetings.
- There were two evenings when there were two members of staff working.
- All other meetings there were one.
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Kennel 1 |
Kennel 2 |
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Trainer’s bonus from employers |
£2,221.00 |
£0.00 |
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BGRF trainer’s bonus |
£ 81.90 |
£0.00 |
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TOTAL Income |
£2302.90 |
£0.00 |
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Expenditure solely for racing |
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Staff wages evening racing |
£1,320.00 |
£420.00 |
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Staff wages trials |
£ 240.00 |
- |
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Vehicle running costs |
£ 375.00 |
£250.00 |
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TOTAL Outgo |
£1935.00 |
£670.00 |
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Trainers wages for the month |
£ 367.90 (GAIN) |
- £670.00 (LOSS) |
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Kennel 2 has made a loss of £670.00 in the month. This kennel survives on owners’ prize money, paid to the trainer. In this example, July, she received £1,281.00 for the month. This included the prize money for 10 winners, and would be regarded as a good month
You may tell me that trainers charge kennel fees for their services. This is very far from the truth. As a consequence of fewer owners coming into our sport, more and more trainers are taking in greyhounds with no fees charged just to get greyhounds into their kennel. This is purely to satisfy their contractual requirements.
There are fewer owners because of huge drops in prize money in real terms. Also, whereas owners previously owned two or three dogs any one time, now the trend is for three or four people to own one greyhound.
Where trainers are trying to offer a professional service, prize money levels dictate what he or she can charge in kennel fees. Boarding kennels in my area charge between £12.00 and £15.00 per day for a greyhound yet greyhound trainers at Romford are instructed to charge £6.00 per day. Trainers’ bonuses at our stadium have remained stagnant over the last 6 years whilst expenses in all aspects of our business have risen dramatically. We are competing in the market place for staff that can earn £7.50 per hour rising to £8.00 per hour with experience in supermarkets stacking shelves. The intensity of the service greyhound trainers are expected to give has risen rapidly over the last few years; our time-table at Romford is: racing Monday, trials Tuesday, racing Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday morning and Saturday night with 30/40 owners at the kennel on a Sunday. In between this we have to train the greyhounds and run a business.
In 2007 Romford Track lost over £40,000 from the 2006 budget. The effect that this prize money cut had on my business was dramatic, as we had a drop in annual turnover of 20% with our owner base dropping from 105 paying customers to 87 in the month of January 2007. My paying customers are the same as my greyhound numbers. In 30 years experience, my kennel went from operating at a profit for the first time operating at a loss.
This will have an alarming effect over the next few years. Breeding in Ireland has dropped considerably over the last year yet the greyhound transporters are doubling up on journeys to the UK as trainers are bringing full litters of pups over to ensure sure kennel numbers do not drop below critical levels. What long term welfare problems will this cause?
Prize money determines how professionally trainers run their kennel. The more prize money the more professional they can be. I have kennel bills from the 1970s which clearly shows that greyhounds graded on the card had the facility to cover kennel costs without over intensified running. Everyone in our sport recognises that keeping greyhounds is a sport and will cost them money in the long term, but if a dog runs four or five times per month and is generating monies for both the promoters and the betting industry, why should trainers not expect to at least cover most of their costs during this period.
An example of how things should work is illustrated by the investment that has gone into Newcastle track when it was taken over by William Hill. Prize money increased dramatically and this has allowed trainers to run proper businesses and be professional in their outlook as opposed to living below the bread line. In contrast, at Hull where there were very low levels of prize money, a political minefield arose regarding welfare issues and public perception of how our sport is run. The BGRB and the BGRF should be seen to be encouraging the Newcastle system and discouraging the Hull system and all the problems that go with it.
I know many bookmakers do not pay into the BGRB fund because they see large sums of money going directly to their business competitors. For example, Ladbrokes received just under £900,000 last year. I feel that if the monies collected go straight into greyhound racing through prize money we would see a rise in the payments made into the fund. I am also of the opinion that when tracks and trainers apply to the fund, assistance should be an interest free loan and not a hand out. This would ensure that the development had been thought through and that the investment was helping promoters and trainers that want to invest in our sport for long term benefit. The kennels at Rye House are a perfect example of waste. This waste would not have happened if it was the promoters own money that had been invested.
I thank you for your time and efforts in reading this report. I would like to emphasize that the agenda that I am proposing is not an anti-promoter agenda. The prize money put forward by the BGRF allows trainers to provide a professional service to their race tracks. Trainers are supplying a service for well below the basic minimum wage. The prize money is therefore their life blood and determines among other things the level of welfare in all aspects of our sport.
In conclusion I submit that the level of prize money should be increased to the 2005 level which equates to £7 per dog; this would be the minimum figure that anyone working in our industry should agree to unconditionally. Taking a more radical viewpoint it could be argued that all stadium grants should be put on hold for a 2 year period and all monies put to prize money, this would allow us to asses the affect this has on our industry and on all welfare issues. This would also send out a strong message to everyone either for or against our industry that welfare is top of our agenda.
Yours sincerely
James W Reynolds
Chairman of the Greyhound Trainers Association
NEW INJURY DETECTION AND TREATMENT SEMINARS
The BGRB today launches two, new, one-day seminars on the subject of injury detection and treatment.
Both seminars will take place in October and feature presentations and demonstrations from internationally renowned greyhound vet Plunkett Devlin plus Keith Simmonds of treatment machine distributor, Therapy World. Representatives from the BGRB and Hazel Bentall from the NGRC will also update those present on the latest industry news.
The seminars will take place at Coral Romford Stadium on Monday 29th October and at Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield on Wednesday 31st October. Both events are open to any NGRC licensed person and attendance is free of charge, however attendees must register in advance on a first-come, first-served basis.
BGRB Training Co-ordinator David Parker explained:
“Training is a fundamental part of the BGRB’s strategy to raise welfare standards and make greyhound racing a more professional sport. So far, the BGRB has launched an NVQ qualification for kennel hands, run introductory courses for those new to the sport and offered first aid and manual handling training.
“Now we are launching one-day seminars, primarily designed for trainers but open also to licensed kennel hands and vets. These are great opportunities for those at all levels of the sport to develop and enhance their skills and knowledge, at no cost!
"With the focus on greyhound injury detection and treatment, I am absolutely delighted that Plunkett has agreed to speak on both days, along with Keith. Our research tells us that both are highly respected across the greyhound industry and both will be able to share their vast knowledge and experience with those present.
“Spaces at the venues are limited so we are asking people to register in advance by completing the form on the advert and returning it to me. We will operate on a first come first served basis so people should register early to avoid disappointment.
“Subject to demand and the feedback that the events generate, I hope that these will be the first in a series of seminars that we will organise, in conjunction with the Greyhound Trainers Association and NGRC. I would be delighted to hear from anyone who has ideas for future topics and speakers.”
For more information or to register your place, contact David Parker on 01280 824751 or 07971 519156
PAYMENT OF PRIZE MONEY
The following is the NGRC rule relating to the payment of prize money by tracks:
NGRC Rule 93 - Payment of prizes and prize money
i. The full amount of all prize money and other prizes for a Race, as advertised, or shown on the Racecard in the case of a Race not previously advertised, shall be paid to the Owners, Lessees, Authorised Agents, or other persons entitled to it, only when a 21 Day period elapsed after the completion of the Race or Competition, but within 28 Days of the end of the Month of the Race, except that, pending the determination of an Objection or Inquiry, the prize in respect of the Greyhound concerned may be withheld.
ii. Subject to the provision of Rule 94 the payment or award by a Racecourse Executive or by any other donor, of prize money or any other prize in a Race, in accordance with the Result of such Race as known at the time of such payment or award, shall operate as a full, complete and unconditional discharge of such Racecourse Executive or donor in respect of all liability for such prize money or prize and, in the event of any subsequent alteration in the Result of the Race, whether in consequence of an Objection or for any other reason, neither the Racecourse Executive nor such donor shall be under any further liability or obligation in respect of such prize money or prize.
AUGUST UPDATE FROM JIM REYNOLDS, GTA CHAIRMAN
Once again there have been a plethora of issues to deal with that trainers require assistance or mediation; this is time consuming but very rewarding when problems are brought to sensible conclusions
I have spent the day at the NGRC offices in London talking to and getting an understanding of the change that is currently being undertaken at the NGRC. This was very productive regarding the changes from trainers prospective; such as owners and trainers issues. I would like to see a contract brought in that is incorporated into the NGRC registration paper work so that every owner and trainer are working to a contract that looks after both their interests; a trainers has a duty of care to look after each greyhound with accountability and owners have a duty to make sure all accounts are paid. Solicitors are looking at the legal implications regarding working practices on this matter.
It was good to see old faces at the NGRC; it has long been muted that the NGRC were not aware of the working practices of kennels or racing offices. This has been rectified with a young experienced team that have worked as racing managers and kennel hands; they have an understanding of what our day to day working conditions are.
There is a pilot scheme up and running just now at 2 tracks where identity books are not issued; they are replaced with monogrammed identity cards issued over the internet, this will assist in speeding up the registration procedure. We still need the pigeon post for paper work being sent to the NGRC but I hoped that owners who already have their details logged with the club will be able to make applications on-line in the near future.
Both myself and Nottingham’s general manager Rachel Corden was guest of honour at the greyhound writers Select Stake Lunch at the Cheshire Cheese Club in Fleet Street, it was a pleasant and relaxing afternoon. There is a wealth of greyhound experience in the writer’s ranks that span across many decades and it was interesting and informative taking in the various points of views regarding how our sport should go forward.
The BGRB are in the process of arranging a seminar for trainers and kennel staff at both Romford and Sheffield Stadiums on the 29th and 31st September. Greyhound vet specialist Plunkett Devlin will take us through the day covering all areas of greyhound welfare and health checks, with Keith Simmonnds from Therapy World giving advice on the most up to date treatments available. These seminars are open to everyone working in the greyhound industry.
I have 2 appointments next Monday; 1st off is an early start for the Tanya Stevens Golf Classic in aid of the retired greyhound trust. This was a very well attended event last year and was won by a team of sharks headed by Stephen Rea, It is hoped that many thousands of pounds will be raised for the RGT again this year. Later on it is back to Romford Stadium for the BAGS 40TH anniversary dinner with the directors of BAGS.
There have been many teething problems settling into my new roll as chairman of the GTA, the main issue is a letter issued by some members of the GTA committee. This letter has meant that the trainers association does not have a functional committee working together for what should be the common good, it reads
An apology to John Haynes and the GTA committee
After a GTA committee meeting where procedures were explained to me, I now realize I was wrong to castigate John Haynes and the GTA committee for any failure of duties. For this I unreservedly apologise.
The GTA has done great work for the professional trainers, and achieved more than I realised. With the guidance of the committee I intend to carry forward these foundations and go on to greater goals.
James W Reynolds
To which my reply was:
20/08/2007
To the GTA committee,
Your draft letter which you have asked me to sign is unacceptable for the following reasons
At no time did I castigate John Haynes personally, my complaint was a system that allowed the announcement of an AGM in the press on a Saturday morning for the following day; a Sunday in Belle Vue Manchester. This was wrong at the time, and I said so and it is still wrong. My criticism at all time was against the system.
At no time have I cast aspersions on members of the committee, and for the short time I have worked with GTA I realize that there is an amount of work done behind the scenes to further the cause of the trainers and our sport in general. There have been acknowledgements in the press at my instigation confirming the good work of the committee.
I would be very disappointed if I was on a committee and my chairman were to put his name to a letter with this tone and content, and I am very disappointed as chairman that members of my committee have asked me to do this. I have stated that I want to have a good working relationship with the current committee and hope that we can bring this to a conclusion and concentrate on the work we have been chosen to do as a team.
Yours sincerely
Jim Reynolds
Cc Lord Lipsey
I find it ridiculous that with so many important issues on the GTA agenda that the committee are entrenched with infighting that serves no purpose; there is a BGRB prize money funding budget on the 19th Sept that will determine prize money levels from the BGRF next year that should be close to everyone’s heart that works in the racing industry. This is where we should be channelling all our energies at this time. I suppose it serves some peoples cause that once again the trainers are split and divided instead of working together on what is a very important time.
I hope that common sense prevails and this matter is resolved allowing us to show a united front on what is a very important time for the greyhound racing industy
3/8/07
Latest top ten standings in the 2007 Trainers Championship:
TRAINER POINTS
Charlie Lister 630
Mark Wallis 576
John Mullins 496
Barrie Draper 313
Nick Savva 300
Seamus Cahill 253
Ernie Gaskin 249
Lance Burford 230
Jim Reynolds 216
David Pruhs 214
JULY UPDATE FROM JIM REYNOLDS, GTA CHAIRMAN
It has been a busy month dealing with various issues that our members have been involved with; most of these have had satisfactory outcomes with a few issues still ongoing.
I have been meeting with and learning from many of the BGRB board members regarding the various ongoing problems of governing our sport and have had sound advice on the politics and history of the BGRB.
There is a meeting hosted by the NGRC on the 25th July which I will be attending; these meetings are hosted monthly for various bodies within greyhound racing. If there is any issues that you feel we should highlight I will take these points forward; I realize that this is short notice but I hope to be in a position to allow for more time in future.
We now have 276 members in our association; I would be interested in any ideas that would encourage all trainers to join. There has been a huge amount of interest from non professional NGRC licensed trainers wanting to have a voice in our sport through our association; I would like to get feedback from all of the committee and members on the merits and the downside on this matter. I personally feel that our association would benefit from their input. Could it be possible to allow both them and assistant trainers to have an association within our body for half the fee with one representative voted onto the committee? The Greyhound Writers Association have invited me to attend the Select Stakes luncheon on the 8th Aug, I feel that this body has our sports best interests at heart and it is important that we have a good working relationship with them.
There has been no let up from the poor weather conditions and once again I would encourage any trainers adversely affected by the floods to contact myself or members of the committee to see what help can be given through the trainers’ hardship fund.
As stated before I am learning every day of the various duties I am required to do; I hope that any issues requiring my attention or the GTA’s committees attention we can be contacted through our web site www.greyhoundtrainersassociation.co.uk or telephone 01708 862016.
STATEMENT FROM NGRC FOLLOWING DISCOVERY OF SHOT GREYHOUND
The NGRC were notified yesterday (17.07.07) about the circumstances surrounding a greyhound which had been shot and abandoned in Ayrshire in Scotland. The greyhound has been identified and our preliminary investigations are underway.
We have identified the person associated with this greyhound and the Senior Steward of the NGRC has issued an instruction for the person to be temporarily “warned off” the sport pending an inquiry.
The NGRC as the regulatory body responsible for licenced racing at 29 tracks in Britain, has the integrity of racing and greyhound welfare as its top priority and will not tolerate anyone who is identified as mistreating or causing cruelty to greyhounds in Britain.
Anyone with any information related to this case or any associated matter involving the cruelty of greyhounds should call the NGRC Hotline on 0870 626 0721 so the matter can be fully and thoroughly investigated.
The greyhound racing public will be appalled at this latest incident and like the NGRC are committed to rid the sport of those who would seek to cause it so much damage and have such disregard for their racing greyhound.
22/6/07
Latest top ten standings in the 2007 Trainers Championship:
TRAINER POINTS
Mark Wallis 516
Charlie Lister 513
John Mullins 434
Ernie Gaskin 227
Graham Hutt 205
Jim Reynolds 204
Seamus Cahill 196
Lance Burford 160
David Pruhs 158
Barrie Draper 150
15/6/07
Latest top ten standings in the 2007 Trainers Championship:
TRAINER WINS / RUNS POINTS
Charlie Lister 125 / 440 507
Mark Wallis 146 / 642 505
John Mullins 110 / 409 422
Ernie Gaskin 69 / 332 217
Jim Reynolds 63 / 271 204
Graham Hutt 51 / 132 203
Seamus Cahill 78 / 278 189
Lance Burford 26 / 70 158
David Pruhs 47 / 164 156
Barrie Draper 49 / 142 144
5/6/07
BIG RACE WINNER: Spiridon Louis wins the TV Trophy, held this year at Yarmouth for Lorraine Sams
25/5/07
Latest top ten standings in the 2007 Trainers Championship:
TRAINER WINS / RUNS POINTS
Charlie Lister 109 / 380 473
Mark Wallis 131 / 561 450
John Mullins 89 / 341 375
Ernie Gaskin 66 / 291 211
Graham Hutt 44 / 111 188
Seamus Cahill 67 / 231 158
Lance Burford 22 / 56 154
Jim Reynolds 58 / 245 146
Elaine Parker 25 / 157 140
Nick Savva 34 / 90 132
24/5/07
BIG RACE WINNERS: The William Hill Festival concludes at Sunderland with MAHERS BOY winning the £40K William Hill Classic for Elaine Parker and GO EDIE HONDA landed the William Hill Grand Prix for Graham Hutt
23/5/07
BIG RACE WINNER: Zigzag Dutchman takes the Carling British Produce Stakes at Nottingham for Charlie Lister
18/5/07
Latest top ten standings in the 2007 Trainers Championship:
TRAINER WINS / RUNS POINTS
Charlie Lister 105 / 363 444
Mark Wallis 126 / 538 439
John Mullins 86 / 319 349
Ernie Gaskin 61 / 272 201
Lance Burford 22 / 54 154
Seamus Cahill 62 / 217 148
Jim Reynolds 57 / 234 143
Graham Hutt 39 / 98 119
Tony Collett 55 / 192 110
Barry Draper 36 / 112 107
11/5/07
Latest top ten standings in the 2007 Trainers Championship:
TRAINER WINS / RUNS POINTS
Charlie Lister 103 / 343 440
Mark Wallis 123 / 517 420
John Mullins 81 / 295 315
Ernie Gaskin 57 / 259 193
Lance Burford 22 / 52 154
Seamus Cahill 58 / 209 140
Jim Reynolds 54 / 223 131
Graham Hutt 36 / 89 113
Barry Draper 35 / 103 105
Alan Stevens 46 / 322 103
9/5/07
BIG RACE WINNER: Jos Cigar wins the Betfair Grand National in fantastic style, giving first season trainer Steve Willey the perfect start to his career.
3/5/07
BIG RACE WINNER: Iceman Vader takes the William Hill Blue Riband by two and a half lengths over Fear Armani. For trainer Lance Burford, it is a second category one winner of the year.
28/4/07
BIG RACE WINNER: Centaur Decree blows the opposition away to win the Ocean Trailers Puppy Stakes at Walthamstow by nine lengths for trainer Mark Wallis.
27/4/07
BIG RACE WINNER: Black Taxi gives John Mullins his first Category One winner at Romford when winning the Golden Sprint
27/4/07
Latest top ten standings in the 2007 Trainers Championship:
TRAINER WINS / RUNS POINTS
Charlie Lister 90 / 301 381
Mark Wallis 112 / 465 368
John Mullins 65 / 243 233
Ernie Gaskin 52 / 236 167
Jim Reynolds 49 / 190 112
Seamus Cahill 43 / 177 99
Lance Burford 19 / 46 99
Graham Hutt 28 / 73 97
Terry Dartnall 16 / 61 96
Alan Stevens 41 / 286 94
25/4/07
BIG RACE WINNER: Spiridon Louis takes the Coral Regency at Hove for Lorraine Sams
24/4/07
BIG RACE WINNER: Blonde Pearl, trained by John Mullins takes the Grolsch Grand Prix for the second year running.
22/4/07
GTA Chairman John Haynes has announced he is to retire from the position as soon as a new chair is elected. See home page for more details.
20/4/07
Latest top ten standings in the 2007 Trainers Championship:
TRAINER WINS / RUNS POINTS
Charlie Lister 86 / 281 373
Mark Wallis 106 / 440 350
John Mullins 60 / 218 198
Ernie Gaskin 49 / 223 155
Jim Reynolds 44 / 178 102
Lance Burford 17 / 42 95
Terry Dartnall 15 / 56 94
Graham Hutt 24 / 65 88
Seamus Cahill 39 / 163 87
Alan Stevens 38 / 274 87
16/4/07
FEAR HARIBO provides Charlie Lister with his fifth Scottish Derby title as he beats Irish raider Groovy Stan. Previously Lister has won this Derby with Fear Me, Farloe Verdict, Micks Mystic and Some Picture
13/4/07
Latest top ten standings in the 2007 Trainers Championship:
TRAINER WINS / RUNS POINTS
Mark Wallis 99 / 416 338
Charlie Lister 82 / 265 311
John Mullins 50 / 199 170
Ernie Gaskin 45 / 212 149
Jim Reynolds 43 / 162 100
Lance Burford 17 / 40 95
Terry Dartnall 15 / 54 94
Graham Hutt 23 / 57 85
Alan Stevens 36 / 255 83
Seamus Cahill 36 / 152 81
12/4/07
After a quiet start to the year, Nick Savva takes his first major competition of 2007 as WESTMEAD PRINCE leads from trap to line in the final of the Peterborough Puppy Derby
4/4/07
Charlie Lister looked to have BALLYMAC CHARLEY back to his brilliant best as the son of Daves Mentor romped the Pall Mall at Oxford
2/4/07
MITZIE wins the NGRC Stewards Cup at Walthamstow for local handler Mick Puzey.
30/3/07
Latest top ten standings in the 2007 Trainers Championship:
TRAINER WINS / RUNS POINTS
Mark Wallis 93 / 372 323
Charlie Lister 71 / 219 236
John Mullins 43 / 172 150
Ernie Gaskin 41 / 191 140
Lance Burford 14 / 35 91
Terry Dartnall 12 / 46 84
Jim Reynolds 37 / 141 77
Elaine Parker 15 / 96 77
Mick Puzey 11 / 46 76
Alan Stevens 29 / 210 71
28/3/07
In a thrilling finish, MICHAEL WALSH's Larkhill Bird pips Westmead Olivia to take the Betdirect Prestige over 645m at Hall Green
23/3/07
Latest top ten standings in the 2007 Trainers Championship:
TRAINER WINS / RUNS POINTS
Mark Wallis 87 / 339 310
Charlie Lister 62 / 195 211
John Mullins 39 / 158 142
Ernie Gaskin 38 / 180 131
Lance Burford 13 / 32 91
Terry Dartnall 12 / 44 84
Elaine Parker 13 / 92 70
Patsy Cusack 9 / 52 70
Mick Puzey 8 / 41 70
Graham Hutt 17 / 40 68
20/3/07
Congratulations to CHARLIE LISTER who won the 2007 Betfair Trainers Championship at Hall Green. Comisserations are due to MARK WALLIS who took the contest to the wire. For a full report on the meeting, click here
16/3/07
John Mullins takes the Monmore Puppy Derby in brilliant style with the exciting ROUGH RONALDINHO. This event has a history or producing future category one winners so this pup is certainly one to keep an eye on in future. Mullins reports that he will now be Shawfield-bound for the Scottish Derby
15/3/07
Its a clean sweep for the Irish at Cheltenham as LIKETHECLAPPERS wins the Byrne Group Festival Sprint and MULCAIR JO takes the supporting invitation, both for trainer Gerry Holian
9/3/07
The build-up to the Trainers Championship meeting continues with five of the competing trainers enjoying a lunch at the Langham Hotel, London.
7/3/07
GTA Chairman and BGRB Welfare Consultant is to oversee track alteration work at Hall Green ahead of the Prestige, Trainers Championship meeting and Blue Riband. The work will involve raising the hare rail and adjusting the banking on the second bend, thus making it easier to negotiate.
2/3/07
Latest top ten standings in the 2007 Trainers Championship:
TRAINER WINS / RUNS POINTS
Mark Wallis 69 / 266 268
Charlie Lister 40 / 141 167
Ernie Gaskin 30 / 133 109
Lance Burford 11 / 27 87
Patsy Cusack 8 / 37 68
Mick Puzey 6 / 32 66
John Mullins 27 / 106 62
Alan Stevens 17 / 130 50
Terry Dartnall 10 / 33 47
Seamus Cahill 19 / 96 45
Meanwhile the SCOTTISH DERBY has been confirmed as starting on Tuesday April 3rd. Sponsored for the first time this year by John R Weir (a leading Scottish Mercedes dealership), the final will take place on Saturday April 14th and will be worth £20,000 to the winner
1/3/07
MICK PUZEY won his second Arc at Walthamstow as TOO RISKY just held off the challenge of Zigzag Dutchy. For Too Risky it was a second major competition win, adding to victory in the Peterborough Puppy Derby last year.
28/2/07
Shelbourne Laura scoops the Provincial Cup final at Nottingham for CHARLIE LISTER. Lister was also on the mark on the supporting card with Fear Me winning his first race back following a long absence.
25/2/07
EYE ONTHE VETO wins his second major competition following success in the Essex Vase last year. This time it’s the Emerald 480 Cup at Coventry worth £7000 for connections and trainer Mark Wallis
NICK SAVVA announces his withdrawal from the Betfair Trainers Championship meeting at Hall Green, concerned that he does not have a sufficiently strong team to participate. JOHN MULLINS takes his place.
18/2/07
Ernie Gaskin wins the first hurdle competition of the year, the Betfair Springbok at Wimbledon with BLACKMAGIC JAMIE
4/2/07
ZIGZAG DUTCHMAN wins the Tony Campbell Birmingham Cup at Perry Barr for Charlie Lister
21/1/07
Lance Burford trains ICEMAN BRUTUS to win the Zigzag Puppy Championship at Coventry, beating favourite Butterbridge Ali
Meanwhile, IN THE WOODS causes a shock by taking the Tony Williams Coronation Cup at Romford for local trainer Peter Payne at odds of 10/1
CHARLIE LISTER is presented with the Champion Trainer trophy at the BGRB Annual Awards in London. Gemma Davidson, assistant to father John, is awarded Kennelhand of the Year.
14/1/07
UK-based trainers were out of luck in the first major event of the year, the RACING POST JUVENILE as Owen McKenna’s EXPRESS EGO romped home ahead of Ernie Gaskin Jnr’s COBRA STRIKING
7/01/07
The 2007 BETFAIR TRAINERS CHAMPIONSHIP meeting will take place at Hall Green on Tuesday 20th March. The meeting will be sponsored by Betfair and shown live on Sky Sports. Last year’s winner Mark Wallis will attempt to defend his title against Charlie Lister, Brian Clemenson, Nick Savva, Seamus Cahill and Ernie Gaskin Jnr.
20/11/06
CHARLIE LISTER had three chances to win the Betfred Eclipse at Nottingham, and Clash Harmonica provided the Newark handler with success in the £8,000 final, in typically strong-running style. Lister trained the winner, third and fourth.
15/11/06
ELAINE PARKER and her new assistant trainer Carly Philpott teamed up to send out Ballymackey Lark to win the Lady Godiva Stakes final at Coventry, the Sheffield kennel also striking on the undercard.
14/11/06
One of the richest racenights of the year - Racing Post Festival Grand Finals night at Walthamstow - saw major victories for SEAMUS CAHILL (Swift Maggie, Puppy Stayers and Confident Foe, Dual Distance), GARY BAGGS (Annes Honcho, Veterans), MAXINE LOCKE (Forest Express, Maiden Derby), MARTYN WILEY (Westdale Blue, London Scurry), DAVID MULLINS (En It, Marathon), WAYNE WRIGHTING (Westmead Alec, Puppy Stakes), TED SOPPITT (Calzaghe Frisby, Festival Stayers) and PETER RICH (Wheres Yer Man, British-bred).
7/11/06
In one of the tightest finishes in the history of the stayers' Classic, Ninja Blue held off Westmead Olivia to win the William Hill St Leger at Wimbledon, as CHARLIE LISTER closed on the Trainers' Championship title.
4/11/06
Lambstown Blue made all to win the first event of the Racing Post Festival at Walthamstow for ANDY JOHNSON in the final of the Countrywide Steels & Tubes Goodwood Cup.
20/10/06
MARK WALLIS sent out back-to-back winners of the Coral Puppy Cup at Romford as Roswell Starship stormed down the back-straight to strike for owner Evan Herbert, so adding to the owner's Grand Prix win with January Tiger.
15/10/06
Soul Lady held off her rivals to cause a surprise but deserved win in the zigzagkennels.com Bitches 480 for Bicester handler GRAHAM HOLFORD.
14/10/06
Dods Delight made full use of his rails draw at Crayford to win the £2,500 John Smiths Kent St Leger for Harlow trainer SEAN WALSH.
13/10/06
NICK SAVVA plundered his seventh Breeders Forum Produce Stakes title as puppy Dilemmas Flight struck gold in the £15,000 final at Hall Green. On the same card at the Birmingham venue, Larkhill Bird added the Wafcol Midland Oaks to her Doncaster St Leger title for MICHAEL WALSH.
11/10/06
GRAHAM CLEVERLEY sent out track special Rhyzome Wizard to win the Compton Bassett Pride of the West at Swindon, the favourite scoring for the tenth time in 11 starts at the Blunsdon venue in the decider.
10/10/06
TED SOPPITT landed back-to-back victories in the event as Droopys Mcandrew edged out Vatican Jinky in a thrilling £8,000 William Hill Northern Puppy Derby final at Sunderland.
3/10/06
Suit Man's early pace laid the foundation for victory in the £7,500 William Hill Grand National final at Wimbledon for local trainer BERNIE DOYLE, the three-year-old turning a first-bend lead into a winning one.
2/10/06
FARLOE RIO became the first Irish-trained winner of the Masters when making almost all in the £20,000 final for PAUL HENNESSY at Reading. Breaking well, Farloe Rio went to the bend just ahead of Geordie Parker, one of four Charlie Lister runners in the final, and used his draw inside the ‘jolly’ to scoot clear, with Noirs Ted running on for second.
1/10/06
JANUARY TIGER helped complete home-based trainer MARK WALLIS’s total domination of the VCbet Grand Prix when outgunning Fear Robben to claim the £10,000 prize for owner Evan Herbert at Walthamstow. Wallis had no less than five runners in the final and had a 1-2-3-4-6, with victory landed in 39.47sec.
25/9/06
HARRY WILLIAMS once again sent out the winner of the Carling National Oaks at Nottingham when Amolee Classic emulated Zigzag Kit when scoring a trap-to-line win the 500m decider.
23/9/06
Bookmakers were laughing all the way tothe bank as 25-1 chance Womble landed a deserved but surprise all-the-way win from Fear Me in the William Hill Steel City Cup final at Sheffield for local trainer BRIAN RUMNEY.
21/9/06
DELWOOD SENIOR led home litter-brother Delwood Burrow for a one-two for both owner Neil Farrar and trainer GRAHAM CALVERT JNR in the Keith Swain Manchester Puppy Cup at Belle Vue
19/9/06
Husband and wife team Norman and BARBARA ELSWORTH enjoyed heat and final success with Riverview Toby leading off the front of the handicap to win the William Hill Northumberland Plate at Brough Park.
15/9/06
MICHAEL WALSH scored his biggest success as a trainer when Austrialian-bred Larkhill Bird run unbeaten through the Yorkshire St Leger at Doncaster.
14/9/06
CHARLIE LISTER continued his love affair with Yarmouth when striking gold in the 60th East Anglian Derby final when Geordie Parker made all to land Lister's seventh win in the race.
Westmead Alec struck a local blow for Hove trainer WAYNE WRIGHTING when taking the Anna Derkson Sussex Puppy Trophy final at the Sussex venue, winning in a blanket finish in 30.05sec.
5/9/06
Whiskey Coffee landed another Walthamstow final for local trainer SEAMUS CAHILL when making all in the final of the Star Racing Puppy Stakes over 475m, winning in 28.92sec.
2/9/06
ANDY HEYES sent out Two Cool Cats to win the RD Racing Gold Cup final at Oxford, the 10-1 chance racing to a fast 26.76sec win in the £2,500 final.
31/8/06
Lady Sky made it a third straight win for BRIAN CLEMENSON in the bitches-only Roy Pook Brighton Belle over 515m at Hove. The two-year-old, owned by 'The Sky Boys' syndicate, trapped well to turn closer to the action and her pace from bends two to three saw her overhaul leader Jazz Hurricane just past halfway.
29/8/06
Roxholme Girl once again proved herself one of the greats by regaining her Totesport Gold Collar crown at Belle Vue. A winner of the Select Stakes over four bends, and the TV Trophy over eight, the triumph added to her six-bend Gold Collar and St Leger wins in 2004. Owned by Hayley and Mark Keightley, and trained by CARLY PHILPOTT, the three-year-old made all to beat staying-on Westmead Aoifa in this latest Top Dog event.
28/8/06
MARK WALLIS sent out his second successive Puppy Classic winner when FEAR ROBBEN won the Carling-backed youngsters' showpiece at Nottingham for owners Simon Wooder and Ian St Pier. OrIginally trained by his breeder Barry 'Allglaze' Bolton, the strong-running sort was given the Grand Prix as a target after leading at the fourth bend and holding Iceman Ross to the line.
22/8/06
CARLY PHILPOTT kept up the pressure on Charlie Lister in the race to be champion trainer with a 1-2 in the final of the £8,000 Betfair Scurry Gold Cup final at Perry Barr, fast-starting BALLYMAC ROOSTER leading home kennelmate Roxholme Freddie, and shaking the track record in the process.
22/8/06
Tony Collett landed a popular local victory in Sittingbourne's major event of the year, the John Smith's Kent Derby final, when CARLIN HONCHO, owned by Kelvin Caulfield, produced a strong-running effort to claim the £10,000 first prize from Blonde Trooper. The event was the latest Top Dog event.
12/8/06
Ernie Gaskin once again had to thank the evergreen SEOMRA ROCK for another major prize, this time in the John Smith's Extra Smooth Peterborough Derby. Already winner of the Pall Mall at Oxford and Veterans' Derby at Peterborough, the John, James and Jermaine Wright-owned runner blasted out to make all from Riverside Lark and take the £10,000 prize.
8/8/06
Chris Allsopp and Paul Sallis shared the training honours at Hall Green with final victories for their ROSSHILL VIEW (Allsopp) and JILLS FAULT (Sallis) in the Bet Macauleys in Spain Midland Flat and Midland Champion Hurdle finals respectively. Rosshill View reeled in pacesetter Novohal Lass before holding market rival Headitonjordan to the wire over the eight-bend trip, while over the jumps Jills Fault edged out Stradeen Ouzo in a stirring finish.
3/8/06
Brian Clemenson continued his top-of-the-table battle with Charlie Lister in the Trainer of the Year reckoning by sending out SHELBOURNE POOPA to make all the running in the Sussex Cup final at Hove. On a gala night at the south coast venue, Clemenson enjoyed victory in two other finals, as well as the £10,000 showpiece for owners Cameron and Lauren Whyte.
1/8/06
Carly Philpott put herself in Trainer of the Year contention with victory for ROXHOLME BOY in the Wafcol Cock O'The North final at Belle Vue, the winner coming home in a canter in his first major six-bend campaign. The Hayley Keightley-owned dog had set a new track-record in the heats
26/7/06
Chris Lund continued his fantastic 2006 by sending out DROOPYS TOPS to win the William Hill Puppy Derby at Wimbledon. Courts Ad Queen broke in front, but had no answer to the early pace of Droopys Tops, who then held off the strong finish of the Tony Lucas-trained Temple Lad to claim the £6,000 prize.
8/7/06
Ernie Gaskin enjoyed great success in the Graphite (UK) Puppy Derby at Walthamstow, scoring on the supporting card, as well as landing the £4,000 youngsters' decider with COBRA STRIKING. A runaway victory in the final, and a lightning winning time of 28.52sec (calc), completed an unbeaten run through the 475m competition.
4/7/06
Carly Philpott sent out FEAR HARIBO to win the Skybet Gymcrack at Hall Green, the dog completing a heat, semi-final and final rout in his first three races to defeat Unruly. Connections afterwards targetted the Puppy Derby at Wimbledon for the Simon Wooder-owned youngster.
2/7/06
Brian Clemenson continued his fine run of form with victory in the Nigel Flowers Coventry Derby courtesy of all-the-way scorer COVENTRY BEES upsetting the odds on the Westmead pair of Liz and Joe. The latest Top Dog event, Coventry Bees is owned by track promoter Avtar Sandhu and his operations manager Malcolm Francis.
3/6/06
NICK SAVVA celebrated his second successive William Hill Derby victory with Westmead Hawk taking the £100,000 prize to become only the fourth dog to complete the Derby double. Savva, who came out of retirement to train the May 2003 whelp, saw the greyhound christened the 'peoples' champion' reel in long-time leader Mineola Farloe to spark some joyous scenes at Wimbledon.
21/5/06
CHRIS LUND landed his biggest win as a trainer when JEDDIES LIBERTY, having only the third race of his career, took the honours in the Stones Puppy Silver Collar at Sheffield, the youngster get up on a wet night to deny Fear Armani. The Category Two event, worth £7,500 to the winner, carried Top Dog points.
25/5/06
NICK SAVVA sent out a 1-2 in the final of the William Hill Prestige at Hall Green, Westmead Olivia leading home litter sister, and favourite Westmead Aoifa. The Prestige was the ninth event in the Top Dog series.
29/4/06
SEAMUS CAHILL sent out a 1-2 in the final of the Ocean Trailers Puppy Stakes final at Walthamstow, all-the-way winner Gottabe Rooney leading home kennelmate Noirs Ted to continue the Keston handler's great run since joining Walthamstow as a contract trainer at the turn of the year.
25/4/06
WAYNE WRIGHTING, based at Hove, landed his second Regency title at his home track when CALOONA STRIKER made all in the £7,500 feature. The trainer's Dunbarton Cross won in 2002 and crowd favourite Caloona Striker was winning his 13th straight race at the Sussex venue to claim maximum Top Dog points.
23/4/06
Walthamstow trainer MICK PUZEY lifts the Peterborough Puppy Derby for the second time in three years with TOO RISKY racing to victory in the £3,000 Britvic-backed youngsters' annual.
18/4/06
It's a one-two for ERNIE GASKIN in the William Hill Pall at Oxford, SEOMRA ROCK leading home Greenlough Power in this Top Dog event. Gaskin's father, Ernie snr, won the 2005 Pall Mall with Lisnafulla Flash. |
