The 1974 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 49th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and the 48th year of greyhound racing in Ireland.

Roll of honour Major Winners Award Name of Winner1974 English Greyhound Derby Jimsun 1974 Irish Greyhound Derby Lively Band 1974 Scottish Greyhound Derby Cosha Orchis 1974 Welsh Greyhound Derby Dankie Greyhound Trainer of the Year John Coleman Greyhound of the Year Westpark MustardIrish Greyhound of the Year Lively Band

Summary A black bitch called Westpark Mustard won the £300 Longcross Cup at White City in February at odds of 4–11, beating Heavy Sleeper and litter brother Westpark Onion by six lengths. It was the fifth successive victory by the bitch. She then completed ten wins in a row, when successful in the GRA stakes. The greyhound went on to record 15 successive victories before breaking into season on 12 May. Trained by Tom Johnston at Wembley she was homing in on Mick the Miller's record of 19. After seasonal rest her connections entered her for one off open races, deciding to avoid the Gold Collar and Cesarewitch. Five open race wins secured the new European record feat of 20 successive victories with the 20th win aptly named the Mick The Miller Record Stakes.

The annual National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) returns were released, with totalisator turnover at £63,950,885 and attendances recorded at 6,083,334.

Unbeknown to the industry the GRA Property Trust was on the verge of financial disaster due to the property slump, the company mismanagement continued with the securing of significant loans (Including £10 million from the ICI pension fund) in an attempt to maintain the share price, in addition to buying a 23% stake in the Coral Leisure Group, in the spring for £5.7 million.

Tracks The GRA closed Clapton Stadium on 1 January, the Scurry Gold Cup competition was subsequently moved Slough Stadium. Rayleigh Weir Stadium also closed on 8 March.

Ipswich joined the NRGC banner under a new permit scheme and held their first race on 2 February; the track was under the control of Ernie Wedon who was also responsible with Len Franklin for Yarmouth stadium being constructed in 1940. Other independent tracks to follow suit during the year were Halifax (owned by Jack Wardman and Owlerton director Mr J Carter), Rye House (an independent since 1960) and Cambridge. Norton Canes and Watford switched to NGRC rules in the latter part of the year to complete a group of six. The Watford track was on the inside of Watford FC's ground and was promoted by the GRA; it attracted Barbara Tompkins as a trainer and soon became a Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Service (BAGS). Ultimately the NGRC were disappointed that only six independents took advantage of the new licensing available. Cambridge reverted to an independent after just five months after promoter Laurie Boost claimed that the tracks costs had increased. Independent track Newton Abbott had their grand opening on 2 May, the track sited on the national hunt racecourse itself featured a grandstand that could be dismantled when horse racing takes place.

News Former Clapton Racing Manager Hugh Richardson became GRA's chief Racing Manager whilst trainers Adam Jackson and Tom Foster moved to White City. The closures of tracks forced trainers Kenric Appleton, Jim Sherry, Charlie Smoothy, Margaret Barker and Don Thornton into early retirement. However Thornton would join Maidstone two years later.

Two Wimbledon trainers retired, Paddy McEllistrim and Stan Martin, they were replaced by Paddy's daughter Norah and Sam Sykes a former head lad to Clare Orton. Owlerton's Ted Brennan also retired after 43-year career and was replaced by Harry Crapper. Further trainer changes saw David Kinchett join White City from Shawfield and Jim Cremin became an Assistant Racing Manager at Brighton under Peter Shotton. Tony Smith became Willenhall Racing Manager after moving from Leeds.

The Retired Greyhound Trust was formed with the task of finding homes for ex racers and Con Stevens resigned from the board of directors at Wimbledon bringing to an end his 46 years of association with the track.

Jim Layton became Racing Manager at Catford Stadium and Victor Chandler Sr. died leaving a 20% stake of Walthamstow Stadium to Victor Chandler Jr.

Competitions Patricias Hope failed in an attempt to become the first greyhound to win three English Greyhound Derby's. A greyhound called Volvo won the Mount Vernon Derby earning £450, a remarkable figure for an independent track. The year's major winners were overshadowed by the exploits of Westpark Mustard.

Ireland Dunmore and Celtic Park endured serious disruptions due to the troubles in Belfast. The National power was continuing in Britain and Ireland and many tracks were in crisis, the 1973 ban on floodlighting continued into 1974 and many tracks had to purchase a generator. Derry in Northern Ireland came closest to closing after being unable to maintain racing in the afternoon.

After travelling to Shelbourne Park, Westpark Mustard's run of 20 wins was ended when beaten by Tommy Astaire.

Principal UK races

Grand National, White City (April 13 525y h, £750) PosName of GreyhoundTrainerSP TimeTrap 1st Shanneys Darkie Colin West 10-1 29.43 42nd Andreda 11-2 29.75 33rd Silver Breeze 14-1 30.07 64th Heath Grange Charlie Coyle 6-4f 30.43 15th Strebor Gem David Kinchett 9-2 30.71 26th Sammic Blue Noreen Collin 3-1 30.91 5

Laurels, Wimbledon (May 17, 500y, £3,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Over Protected John Coleman 7-4 28.00 42nd Deneholme Chief Norah McEllistrim 6-1 28.08 53rd Slippery Slave Colin West 10-1 28.14 34th Ahaveen Dandy Pat Casey 4-1 28.17 15th Huberts Cato 16-1 28.25 66th Handy High Paddy Milligan 6-4f 28.39 2

The Grand Prix, Walthamstow (May 25, 700y, £1,500)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Ballyglass Hope Don Thornton 7-1 40.58 42nd King David George Curtis 4-1 40.70 13rd Chain Gang Frank Melville 6-1 40.86 54th Leading Pride George Curtis 7-4f 40.87 25th Silver Sceptre Reg Young 9-2 40.89 66th Rally Round Frank Melville 10-1 41.01 3

Welsh Derby, Arms Park (Jul 13, 525y £1,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Dankie Colin West 4-1 29.72 62nd Black Banjo Barney O'Connor 8-1 29.96 53rd Soft Light Joe Bennett 5-4f 29.97 44th Silver Thought 10-1 30.51 25th Sibbens Frank Baldwin 9-4 30.53 16th Cowboy Jo Mick Hawkins 12-1 30.61 3

Skol Scottish Derby, Shawfield (Aug 3, 525y, £2,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Cosha Orchis Jimmy Meechan 12-1 29.20 52nd Sibbens Frank Baldwin 5-1 29.44 33rd Two P.M Norman Oliver 5-2f 29.48 64th Ahaveen Dandy Pat Casey 3-1 29.54 15th Cheerful Bill J Doyle 9-2 29.60 46th Bealkilla Diver Jim Glass 3-1 30.00 2

St Leger, Wembley (Sep 2, 700y, £2,500)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Cute Caddie David Kinchett4-1 41.17 22nd Blackwater Champ Peter Payne 6-4f 41.23 63rd Black Banjo Barney O'Connor 6-1 41.33 34th Streaky Sheila Charlie Coyle 3-1 41.35 55th Annettes Diamond John Coleman 9-2 41.41 16th Michaels Duchess 10-1 41.97 4

Scurry Gold Cup, Slough (Sep 7, 475y £1,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Westmead Valley Hugh McEntyre 11-10f 26.24 62nd Sweetly 8-1 26.62 53rd Mahon Valley Colin West 5-1 27.18 24th Tipper Tar 16-1 27.24 35th Parazoo Mrs.J.Hawkins 9-2 27.34 46th Solar Mars Sam Ray 9-2 27.44 1

Gold Collar, Catford (Sep 21, 610y, £2,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Leaders Champion Dave Geggus 8-11f 35.02 12nd Gay Kathy Tom Johnston Jr. 6-1 35.60 43rd Merry ChampionLuckhurst 3-1 36.06 34th Ballytegan Ken Usher 6-1 36.12 65th Breakaway Steve 25-1 36.34 56th Millcock Peter Payne 7-1 36.60 2

Cesarewitch, Belle Vue (Sep 28, 880y, £2,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Westbrook Quinn John Coulter 7-2 52.17 52nd Pitmans Brief Jim Singleton 7-4f 52.31 43rd Silver Sceptre Reg Young 4-1 52.39 24th Chain Gang Frank Melville 2-1 52.49 35th Kiwis Buster D Exley 10-1 52.71 1N/R Lizzies Girl E.Williams 6

Oaks, Harringay (Nov 8, 525y, £1,500)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Lady Devine Sid Ryall 3-1 28.7652nd Gay Kathy Tom Johnston Jr. 4-1 28.9413rd Bo Bo's Jane 8-1 29.26 24th Pineapple GrandFrank Baldwin 1-1f 29.34 35th Sweeping View 50-1 29.5466th Ballinderry Lass Clare Orton 16-1 29.66 4

BBC TV Trophy, White City (Nov 20, 880y, £1,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Stage Box Natalie Savva 51.75 16-1 42nd Streaky Sheila Charlie Coyle 51.91 4-7f 13rd Silver Sceptre Reg Young 51.99 12-1 34th Pitmans Brief Jim Singleton 52.43 7-2 25th Gay Knight Norman Oliver 52.47 16-1 66th Harmless Gossip 52.71 16-1 5

Totalisator returns

The totalisator returns declared to the licensing authorities for the year 1974 are listed below.

StadiumTurnover £London (White City) 7,509,284London (Walthamstow) 5,957,636London (Wimbledon) 4,914,878London (Harringay) 4,398,843London (Catford) 3,159,847London (Wembley) 2,900,581Romford 2,221,780Manchester (Belle Vue) 2,356,127Brighton & Hove 1,918,806Edinburgh (Powderhall) 1,903,889Birmingham (Perry Barr, old)1,903,161Crayford & Bexleyheath 1,544,869Glasgow (Shawfield) 1,476,621Birmingham (Hall Green) 1,458,788Southend-on-Sea 1,371,804

StadiumTurnover £Newcastle (Brough Park) 1,341,640Slough 1,336,330Leeds (Elland Road) 1,264,409Sheffield (Owlerton) 1,202,636London (Hackney) 1,116,943Bristol (Eastville) 957,041Manchester (White City) 934,147Wolverhampton (Monmore)930,048Gloucester & Cheltenham 894,448Cardiff (Arms Park) 758,377Rochester & Chatham 730,422Manchester (Salford) 708,763Newcastle (Gosforth)698,706Derby666,492Willenhall 591,226

StadiumTurnover £Oxford585,823Poole511,236Portsmouth 490,234Ramsgate (Dumpton Park) 426,285Cradley Heath 381,572Hull (Old Craven Park) 328,724Middlesbrough 317,448Leicester (Blackbird Rd) 266,733Swindon 260,046Ipswich 249,389Preston 193,721Milton Keynes179,433 Rye House 109,102 London (Watford) 86,703

References