2018 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

2018 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year

The 2018 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year will be the 93rd year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Roll of honour

Major Winners
Award Name of Winner
2018 English Greyhound Derby Dorotas Wildcat (Kevin Hutton)
2018 Irish Greyhound Derby Ballyanne Sim (James Robinson)
Greyhound Trainer of the Year
UK Greyhound of the Year
Irish Greyhound of the Year

Summary

The year revolved around two major events, the first was the ongoing battle for broadcasting rights between Satellite Information Services (SIS) and the Arena Racing Company (ARC). The second was the devastating news that Towcester racecourse was put into administration. On 23 August KPMG were appointed as administrators and 134 out of 137 members of staff at the racecourse were made redundant.[1] The last greyhound meeting was on 12 August and eight of the trainers joined Henlow, including Mark Wallis and Nick Savva while Kevin Hutton joined Monmore.

Other News

On 9 April bookmakers and betting exchanges informed the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport whether they were going to contribute to the British Greyhound Racing Fund. The fund which is pivotal for the welfare of greyhounds involved in Greyhound Board of Great Britain licensed racing is voluntary and based on the profits. Betfair and Sky Betting & Gaming were the high profile companies that refused to contribute which attracted criticism from the industry.[2] [3] One month later on 17 May, it was announced by Culture secretary Matt Hancock that betting stakes on fixed-odds betting terminals (known as FOBTs) would be reduced to £2 maximum. Consequently income generated by betting shops could reduce, which could affect the general health of both the horse racing and greyhound racing industries and lead to an uncertain period ahead.[3] [4]

Tracks

Mildenhall Stadium closed to greyhound racing on 15 January following the ongoing problems experienced by the track, leaving 22 registered stadia with the Greyhound Board of Great Britain. The proposed Swindon Stadium development showed no further progress in relation to a new track layout, new housing now bordered the existing track and it had now passed the three year mark since Clarke Osborne (MD) had informed the greyhound connections that work was due to start.[5]

Competitions

Mark Wallis won a third Trainers Championship stopping Kevin Hutton from winning a fourth consecutive title.[6] The Other Reg secured the Scottish Greyhound Derby title.[7] Hutton then made amends by winning his first Derby title with Dorotas Wildcat.[8]

As a result of the Towcester administration three major events, the ECC Timber Puppy Derby, the Oaks and the TV Trophy were left uncontested in the racing schedule. The rights for the TV Trophy were held by Greyhound Board of Great Britain with a possible rescheduling to be arranged but the other two events futures were left in doubt.[9]

Principal UK finals

Principal Irish finals

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