Magourna Reject

Magourna Reject
Sire Astra's Son
Dam Saucy Dame
Sex Dog
Whelped March 1950
Color Blue Brindle and white
Breeder John Murphy
Owner Mrs Frances Chandler
Trainer Tom Reilly, Noreen Collin
Record
St Leger
Cesarewitch
Trafalgar Cup
Wood Lane Stakes
Stewards Cup
Key

Magourna Reject was a racing greyhound during the 1950s, he won two classic races and was one of the leading greyhounds of the decade.[1]

Early life

He was bred by John Murphy, in Coachford and whelped during March 1950.[2]

Racing career

After winning the 1951 Trafalgar Cup, a major competition for puppies, Magourna Reject went into the 1952 English Greyhound Derby as the ante post favourite.[3] He was trained by Noreen Collin at Walthamstow Stadium and owned by Mrs Frances Chandler, the wife of William Chandler.[1] [4] [5] He disappointed and was eliminated during the first round and his great rival Endless Gossip went on to win the competition.[6] [7] Magourna Reject then reached the Welsh Greyhound Derby final but once again lost out to Endless Gossip.[8]

He then stepped up in distance to the longer trip of 700 yards and became a crowd favourite with his running style and exceptional pace. However he ended the year without winning a classic race after failing to win both the St Leger and Cesarewitch when priced odds-on during both finals.[8]

In the early part of 1953 he came under the training of Tom 'Paddy' Reilly because Noreen Collin had relinquished her post at the Walthamstow kennels and was replaced by Reilly. Despite a second failed attempt at the English greyhound Derby, Magourna Reject won the Key at Wimbledon, the Stewards' Cup at Gloucester (including a track record) and the Wood Lane Stakes at White City during 1953, but it was the two classic wins which sealed his place in an elite group of greyhounds.[8] [4] [5]

In the St Leger at Wembley, 30,000 people turned up on 14 September, to watch the final, a race that was also seen by several million on television (the first televised classic race). His supporters were rewarded as he easily won by five lengths and then he defeated his rivals in the Cesarewitch final on 16 October, winning by three and a half lengths from Oaks champion Lizette, his time of 33.24 seconds being the fastest ever for the trip at West Ham Stadium.[8] [4] [5] [9]

Retirement

Magourna Reject was retired to stud, demanding 35 guineas for a mating.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 Genders, Roy (1975). The Greyhound and Racing Greyhound. Page Brothers (Norwich). ISBN 0-85020-0474.
  2. ↑ "Magourna Reject profile". Greyhound Data.
  3. ↑ Dack, Barrie (1990). Greyhound Derby, the first 60 years. Ringpress Books. pp. 93–95. ISBN 0-948955-36-8.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 07207-1106-1.
  5. 1 2 3 Genders, Roy (1990). NGRC book of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 0-7207-1804-X.
  6. ↑ ""Sports in Brief." Times [London, England] 30 June 1952". The Times Digital Archive.
  7. ↑ "1952". Greyhound Data.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Hall of Fame". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  9. ↑ Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
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