The 1931 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the sixth year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom. and the fifth year of greyhound racing in Ireland. The total annual attendance across the country for 1931 increased to 17,906,917 from 17,119,120 (in 1930), a fifth consecutive annual increase.

Summary Mick the Miller was a now household name in the United Kingdom following his achievement in winning a second English Greyhound Derby. A third Derby win was the primary target for the year but before the event started he successfully defended his Wembley Spring Cup title during March. He won the heat and semi final before claiming the final on 23 March 1931 in a track record time of 30.04. After three more races he then participated in the 1931 English Greyhound Derby. The exploits of Mick the Miller was propelling many other greyhounds to national fame at the time. He retired on a high with an undefeated run to St Leger glory. The final opposition had included Virile Lad, the brilliant bitch Bradshaw Fold and the Derby champion Seldom Led. He was retired to stud with Jack Masters in Norfolk and later starred in a film called Wild Boy produced by Gainsborough Pictures, along with stars of the day, Sonnie Hale, Bud Flanagan and Chesney Allen.

Tracks At least 17 new tracks opened during 1931, including a new stadium on the Park Royal site in London. The Associated Greyhound Company that owned the tracks of Towneley and Darnall and the lease at Craven Park went bankrupt. Towneley was then bought by Captain Ramsbottom.

The Duchy of Cornwall proposed allowing greyhound racing to take place at The Oval, to generate income for the Kennington area, the proposal failed following protests from neighbours and Christian groups. The Greyhound Racing Association's (GRA) Hook Estate and Kennels at Northaw opened.

Ireland Following a meeting by the Irish Coursing Club on 4 August, the idea of a major racing calendar schedule was discussed and circulated to the Irish tracks. The Kilkenny dog Little Chummie completed a significant double by winning the National Cup at Shelbourne Park and the unofficial 1931 Irish Greyhound Derby at Harold's Cross Stadium.

Competitions A greyhound called Future Cutlet arrived on the scene, sired by Mutton Cutlet he had come over from Ireland after being purchased for £600 by W.A. Evershed to race at Wembley Stadium. He was trained by Sidney Probert and was then entered for the 1931 Cesarewitch at West Ham Stadium. He set a new national record for the 600 yards in the heats before winning the event. Mick the Miller finished runner-up.

Altamatzin won the Welsh Greyhound Derby before defeating Mick the Miller in a match race on 15 August 1931, at the Welsh White City. Future Cutlet secured a second major trophy by virtue of winning the Laurels at Wimbledon. Another greyhound that had appeared during the year was a brindle dog called Wild Woolley, the April 1930 whelp, came to prominence when winning the Trafalgar Puppy Cup.

Bradshaw Fold confirmed her status as the leading bitch by reaching a third consecutive Oaks final but a third-place finish meant that she would retire with only a Coronation Stakes to her name.

Tracks opened DateStadium/TrackLocation 31 January GER Sports Ground March, Cambridgeshire 22 February Park Royal Stadium London 20 March Clonmel Greyhound Stadium Clonmel 3 April Ashby-de-la-Zouch Ashby-de-la-Zouch 4 April Peterborough Greyhound Stadium Peterborough 10 April Coldham Lane Cambridge 11 May Millmoor Rotherham 23 May Warrington Greyhound Stadium Warrington 23 May Virginia Park Caerphilly 25 May East End Park Dunfermline 25 May Portsmouth Stadium Portsmouth 10 July Recreation Ground, Tredegar Tredegar 20 September Romford Greyhound Stadium Romford 24 October Southall Greyhound Stadium London 7 November Halifax Greyhound Stadium Halifax 14 November Reading Stadium Reading 11 December Cliftonhill Glasgow unknown Luton Stadium Luton unknown Syston Sports Stadium Leicestershire

Roll of honour Major Winners Award Name of Winner1931 English Greyhound Derby Seldom Led1931 Irish Greyhound Derby+ Little Chummie1931 Scottish Greyhound Derby Sister Olive1931 Welsh Greyhound Derby Altamatzin + unofficial National Derby

Principal UK races

Cesarewitch, West Ham (July 18, 600y, £700) PosName of GreyhoundTrainerSP TimeTrap 1stFuture Cutlet Sidney Probert 10-11f 34.03 12nd Mick the Miller Sidney Orton 5-2 34.43 33rd Lulla Von Roberts 100-7 34.83 2uFive of Hearts Thomas Cudmore 100-8 4u Mahers Prospect Williams 10-1 5uClandown Sweep Sidney Orton 10-1 6

Scottish Greyhound Derby, Carntyne (Jul 25, 525y, £150)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1stSister Olive Collins WC Glasgow 5-1 30.65 32nd Telepathy (Powderhall) 5-2 30.66 63rd Qua Iboe (Carntyne) 10-1 30.82 1uLocknavon 2-1 u Man Friday 6-4f uGood Cheer 50-1

Grand National, White City (Jul 25, 525y h, £300)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1stRule The Roost Joe Harmon 5-2 31.17 32nd Knave of Hearts Bob Burls 6-4f 31.41 43rd Merry Matt Bob Burls 5-2 31.45 14thHoneymans Last Chapman 7-1 2

Scurry Gold Cup, Clapton (Aug 1, 400y, £300)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1stBrave Enough Harry Buck 7-1 23.62 42nd Odd Minister 100-7 23.63 13rd Lions Share Arthur Doc Callanan 1-2f 23.67 2uLulla Von Roberts 8-1 3u Debonie Arthur 'Doc' Callanan 10-1 5uDublin Fred Wilson 10-1 6

Welsh Derby, White City (Cardiff) (Aug 3, 525y, £102)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1stAltamatzin Arthur Doc Callanan 2-1 29.88 42nd Dee Swift Mrs D Firman 3-1 53rd Prince Fern Stanley Biss 10-1 6uRory the Hill Thomas Cudmore 2u Morris's Mistake (WC Cardiff) 3

Laurels, Wimbledon (Sep 11, 500y, £1,330)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1stFuture Cutlet Sidney Probert2-5f 28.52 42nd Tipperary Boy Jerry Hannafin 10-1 28.92 63rd Melksham Gnat Sid Jennings 100-6 29.16 1uIrish Wit Jerry Hannafin 10-1 5u Luvett Darlington 8-1 3uBentley Stanley Biss 25-1 2

St Leger, Wembley (Oct 3, 700y, £750)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1stMick the Miller Sidney Orton 1-1f 41.31 32nd Virile Bill Sid Jennings 9-2 41.33 23rd Bradshaw Fold Stanley Biss 8-1 41.36 14thSeldom Led Wally Green 9-4 4

Oaks, White City (Oct 17, 525y, £300)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1stDrizzle Harry Woolner 4-6f 30.00 42nd Clear Bead Jerry Hannafin 6-1 30.40 23rd Bradshaw Fold Stanley Biss 4-1 30.56 1uQueen of the Hills 10-1 3u Shusan (Belle Vue) 100-7 5uMelksham Gnat Sid Jennings 33-1 6

Principal Irish finals

Easter Cup, Shelbourne (525y, 23 May) PosName of Greyhound SP Time 1st Lion's Share (Edward Lyng) 30.71

Trigo Cup, Celtic Park (640y, 5 June) PosName of Greyhound SP Time 1st Bright Brindle (John Baird) 6-4f 37.672nd Drumcrow (F Allen) 6-1 37.743rd Maori Maid (D Walsh) 7-2 37.88u Straight Road (W Slater) 5-1 u Wackabite (Hebbleditch) 7-2

Key U = unplaced 0.08 sec = 1 length

References