Scurlogue Champ is a famous racing greyhound from the 1980s. Along with Mick the Miller and Ballyregan Bob he is arguably one of the greatest three hounds that ever raced in Britain.
Early life Scurlogue Champ was a black dog whelped in July 1982 by Sand Man, out of Old Rip. He was bred by Francis Kent from Levittstown, County Wexford and was one of a litter of six dogs and two bitches. He moved to John Byrne, Scurlogue, Duncormick, County Wexford on a farm where he received his name before being sold to Jim Sutton, New Ross, County Wexford, who reared him on his farm.
After winning his only two races in Ireland, the first over 525yds in Waterford and the second shortly after over 600yds in Enniscorthy when trained by Patrick Sutton, he was put up for sale at the May 1984 Shelbourne Park sales where he won his 600yds trial. Owner/trainer Ken Peckham took him to England, after agreeing a price for £1,700, with Irish trainer Brendan Matthews who had bought him before entering the sales ring for 1500 guineas.
Racing career
He was handled by trainer Ken Peckham for the majority of his career but also spent some time with George Drake (as a result of an NGRC order that he ran in Drakes name for the Cesarewitch. The NGRC had visited Drake's kennels and found the dog in residence there, instead of being with owner Ken Peckham at his kennels).
Scurlogue Champ would be renowned for the strongest finishes ever seen over long distance racing. The crowds would adore him and could not believe how he could win his races from being so far behind.
He won the Cesarewitch in 1985 and the BBC Television Trophy in 1985 and 1986. The superstar finished with a record of 51 wins from 63 races and set twenty track records.
Scurlogue Champ's 20 track records
+Date1984Distance(metres)VenueStarting PriceTrapWin distance (lengths)Time Sep 19 810 Ipswich 4-6f 6 6 ½ 51.44Oct 20 718 Catford 1-1f 1 8 ½ 45.58Nov 23 688 Harringay 4-7f 4 6 ¼ 42.50Dec 1 815 Hall Green 1-2f 5 15 ¼ 52.51 +Date1985Distance(metres)VenueStarting PriceTrapWin distance (lengths)Time Feb 27 663 Hall Green 11-10f 4 Nk 41.56Mar 2 750 Romford 4-11f 6 8 ¾ 46.80Apr 16 715 Romford 1-2f 5 4 44.18May 15 815 Monmore 1-3f 5 13 ¼ 51.80May 22 815 Monmore 1-5f 5 9 ¾ 51.64June 5 888 Catford 2-13f 6 15 ½ 58.00June 11 825 Brough Park 1-8f 4 11 52.62July 1 855 Ramsgate 1-5f 6 6 54.26Sep 21 853 Belle Vue 4-7f 6 10 54.78Sep 28 853 Belle Vue 1-3f 6 6 54.62Oct 17 754 Nottingham 2-5f 5 4 47.30Nov 16 764 Derby 1-3f 3 19 ¾ 49.04 Nov 22 830 Whitwood (Castleford) 1-4f 6 18 54.45 +Date1986Distance(metres)VenueStarting PriceTrapWin distance (lengths)Time Apr 23 825 Brough Park 1-3f 4 7 52.26June 19 888 Catford 1-3f 3 8 57.60July 12 855 Poole 4-11f 2 8 54.86
Pedigree
See also List of individual dogs
References