The 1962 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 37th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and the 36th year of greyhound racing in Ireland.
Roll of honour Major Winners Award Name of Winner1962 English Greyhound Derby The Grand Canal 1962 Irish Greyhound Derby Shane's Legacy 1962 Scottish Greyhound Derby Dromin Glory 1962 Welsh Greyhound Derby Summerhill Fancy Greyhound Trainer of the Year John HaynesGreyhound of the Year Dromin Glory
Summary The decrease in attendances continued as a result of the Betting and Gaming Act 1960, which contributed to more track closures. Boundary Park Stadium in the Hellesdon area of Norwich closed on 1 December 1962, to become a redeveloped site for the Eastern Electricity Company. Rochdale switched to independent status and Charlton Stadium closed after difficulties (it would re-open four years later however), in the meantime their top event the Cloth of Gold would take place at Wandsworth Stadium.
English Greyhound Derby finalist Dromin Glory, a brindle dog trained by John Bassett had a brilliant year winning both the Scottish Greyhound Derby and Cesarewitch at West Ham Stadium in consecutive months. This was achieved in addition to lifting the Birmingham Cup, Gymcrack and Select Stakes and was voted Greyhound of the Year.
Competitions The Grand National at White City was finally given recognition as a classic event; the race offered £500 for the first time in 1961 a winner's prize worthy of its status.
Avis won the TV Trophy and the George Waterman trained brindle dog Summerhill Fancy had an excellent year, winning the Welsh Greyhound Derby, the International, the Chelsea Cup, the Flying Four and Evening Standard Trophy.
News As a result of the death of Leslie Reynolds, Wembley appointed Jack Kinsley to take up the vacant range at the Wembley kennels. This in turn allowed Stan Gudgin to take over Jack Kinsley's range at Park Royal Stadium. Tom Johnston Sr. retired and his son Tom Johnston Jr. took over his range at West Ham Stadium. Johnston Sr. had won the 1928 English Greyhound Derby with Boher Ash when based in Scotland.
Following the decision to cover all sports the Greyhound Express is renamed the Sporting and Greyhound Express.
Francis Steward Gentle chairman of the Greyhound Racing Association and president of the NGRS died on 25 September, he leaves an estate of £181,750.
Coronation Street featured an episode at Raikes Park Greyhound Stadium and a racing greyhound called Lucky Lolita (real name Black Star).
Ireland The Grand Canal, the English Derby winner and Easter Cup returned a hero when returning to Irish shores, after winning the English Derby.
1962 Irish Greyhound Derby winner Shanes Legacy was sold after the final presentation by owner Bob McCann, for £2,500 to London building contractor Bob Gough who put the greyhound with Tony Dennis. Dark Baby went on to win the Laurels at Cork and break the track record.
Principal UK races
Grand National, White City (April 28 525y h, £500) PosName of GreyhoundTrainerSP TimeTrap 1st Corsican Reward Gordon Hodson 9-4f 30.15 22nd January Prince 11-4 30.35 13rd Sabena's Prince Les Parry 4-1 30.36 34th R.S.11 George Waterman 8-1 30.66 45th Aughadown Dante 6-1 31.38 66th Stanbrook Rob 100-7 00.00 5
Gold Collar, Catford (May 19, 440y, £1,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Super Orange Pam Heasman 4-1 25.51 52nd Shannon Spirit Phil Rees Sr. 5-4f 25.87 33rd Her Brumas Barney O'Connor 12-1 25.93 44th Tuturama Frank Sanderson 3-1 26.01 25th Cassagh Major Bob Burls 12-1 26.17 66th Thornhill Imp 12-1 26.18 1
Welsh Derby, Arms Park (Jul 7, 525y £500)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Summerhill Fancy George Waterman 3-1 29.07 12nd Laurdella Dancer Bob Burls 100-6 29.27 23rd In Town Tonight Jim Irving 6-1 29.41 44th Trip To DublinHugo Spencer 6-4f 29.61 55th Bell Song 20-1 29.85 36th Black July Harry O'Neill 5-2 29.86 6
Oaks, Harringay (Jul 9, 525y, £500)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Ballinasloe Blondie Jack Harvey 1-2f 29.68 52nd Polos Fancy 33-1 30.30 23rd Badge of Shamrock 9-1 31.02 34th Artisan Bid Len Drewery 7-1 00.00 65th Nans Princess 5-1 00.00 1N/R Bell of Penzance
Scurry Gold Cup, Clapton (Jul 28, 400y £1,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Hi Darkie Ray Wilkes 6-4f 22.95 12nd Hey There Merry Hugo Spencer 10-3 23.13 33rd All There 5-1 23.39 44th Renmore McAll Stan Martin 16-1 23.45 25th Paddys Fairy 25-1 23.51 66th Courtly Regent Gordon Hodson 3-1 23.52 5
Laurels, Wimbledon (Aug 17, 500y, £1,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st TuturamaFrank Sanderson4-6f 27.83 12nd Hey There MerryHugo Spencer 20-1 28.15 33rd Moyne Rocket Jack Harvey 6-1 28.55 44th Alvas PrinceStan Martin 100-6 28.61 55th Prince Rory 33-1 28.62 26th Dancing Point Clare Orton 4-1 28.72 6
St Leger, Wembley (Sep 3, 700y, £1,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Powerstown ProspectRonnie Melville 8-1 40.02 32nd Master MacMurragh Cyril Beaumont 4-5f 40.05 23rd Loyal Blue 50-1 40.19 44th Any Harm Ronnie Melville 7-2 40.25 15th Hack It About Jack Harvey 11-4 40.28 56th Alassio Bambino Joe Pickering 66-1 40.36 6
Scottish Greyhound Derby, Carntyne (Sep 8, 525y, £750)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Dromin GloryJohn Bassett 4-1 29.09 32nd Hey There Merry Hugo Spencer 14-1 29.25 63rd Laurdella Dancer Bob Burls 10-1 29.41 44th Greenane Toast Bessie Lewis 1-1f 29.42 25th Tall Boy Ollie 10-1 29.58 56th Free Hand 4-1 29.74 1
Cesarewitch, West Ham (Oct 5, 600y, £1,000)PosName of Greyhound TrainerSP Time Trap 1st Dromin Glory John Bassett 11-10f 32.97+ 62nd Any Harm Ronnie Melville 5-1 33.33 43rd Kilcarbery Park Bill Kelly 10-1 33.45 34th Prairie Flash Jack Harvey 7-2 33.69 55th Master MacMurragh Cyril Beaumont 11-4 33.73 26th Knocagh Pride 10-1 33.85 1
+ Track record
Totalisator returns
The totalisator returns declared to the licensing authorities for the year 1962 for the London area.
StadiumTurnover £London (White City) 4,821,421London (Harringay) 3,412,683London (Walthamstow) 2,488,522London (Wimbledon) 2,354,784London (Clapton) 2,180,033London (Wembley) 2,126,317
StadiumTurnover £London (Catford) 1,732,635London (West Ham) 1,723,914London (Wandsworth) 1,700,422London (Park Royal) 1,344,642London (Stamford Bridge) 1,320,316London (Hendon) 1,196,655
StadiumTurnover £London (New Cross) 1,116,281Romford 1,048,161London (Hackney) 1,024,437London (Charlton) 600,000London (Dagenham) 588,425
References