Scurlogue Champ
Scurlogue Champ is a famous racing greyhound from the 1980s. Along with Mick the Miller and Ballyregan Bob he is arguably one of the greatest three hounds that ever raced in Britain.[1] [2]
| Sire | Sand Man |
|---|---|
| Dam | Old Rip |
| Sex | Dog |
| Whelped | July 1982 |
| Color | Black |
| Owner | Ken Peckham/D Folan |
| Trainer | Ken Peckham / George Drake |
Early Life
Scurlogue Champ was a black dog whelped in July 1982 by Sand Man, out of Old Rip. He was bred by Francis Kent from Levittstown, County Wexford and was one of a litter of six dogs and two bitches.[3] [4] He moved to John Byrne on a farm where he received his name before being sold to Jim Sutton, who reared him.[3]
After several races in Ireland he was put up for sale at the May 1984 Shelbourne Park sales. Owner/trainer Ken Peckham took him to England, after agreeing a price for £1,700, with Irish trainer Brendan Matthews who had won the sales bidding at 1500 guineas.[1] [3]
Racing career
He was handled by trainer Ken Peckham for the majority of his career but also spent some time with George Drake (as a result of an NGRC order that he ran in Drakes name for the Cesarewitch. The NGRC had visited Drake's kennels and found the dog in residence there, instead of being with owner Ken Peckham at his kennels).[3] [5]
Scurlogue Champ would be renowned for the strongest finishes ever seen over long distance racing. The crowds would adore him and could not believe how he could win his races from being so far behind.[6]
He won the Cesarewitch in 1985 and the BBC Television Trophy in 1985 and 1986. The superstar finished with a record of 51 wins from 63 races and set twenty track records.[1] [2]
Scurlogue Champ's 20 track records
| Date 1984 |
Distance (metres) |
Venue | Starting Price | Trap | Win distance (lengths) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19 | 810 | Ipswich | 4-6f | 6 | 6 ½ | 51.44 |
| Oct 20 | 718 | Catford | 1-1f | 1 | 8 ½ | 45.58 |
| Nov 23 | 688 | Harringay | 4-7f | 4 | 6 ¼ | 42.50 |
| Dec 1 | 815 | Hall Green | 1-2f | 5 | 15 ¼ | 52.51 |
| Date 1985 |
Distance (metres) |
Venue | Starting Price | Trap | Win distance (lengths) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 27 | 663 | Hall Green | 11-10f | 4 | Nk | 41.56 |
| Mar 2 | 750 | Romford | 4-11f | 6 | 8 ¾ | 46.80 |
| Apr 16 | 715 | Romford | 1-2f | 5 | 4 | 44.18 |
| May 15 | 815 | Monmore | 1-3f | 5 | 13 ¼ | 51.80 |
| May 22 | 815 | Monmore | 1-5f | 5 | 9 ¾ | 51.64 |
| June 5 | 888 | Catford | 2-13f | 6 | 15 ½ | 58.00 |
| June 11 | 825 | Brough Park | 1-8f | 4 | 11 | 52.62 |
| July 1 | 855 | Ramsgate | 1-5f | 6 | 6 | 54.26 |
| Sep 21 | 853 | Belle Vue | 4-7f | 6 | 10 | 54.78 |
| Sep 28 | 853 | Belle Vue | 1-3f | 6 | 6 | 54.62 |
| Oct 17 | 754 | Nottingham | 2-5f | 5 | 4 | 47.30 |
| Nov 16 | 764 | Derby | 1-3f | 3 | 19 ¾ | 49.04 |
| Nov 22 | 830 | Whitwood (Castleford) | 1-4f | 6 | 18 | 54.45 |
| Date 1986 |
Distance (metres) |
Venue | Starting Price | Trap | Win distance (lengths) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23 | 825 | Brough Park | 1-3f | 4 | 7 | 52.26 |
| June 19 | 888 | Catford | 1-3f | 3 | 8 | 57.60 |
| July 12 | 855 | Poole | 4-11f | 2 | 8 | 54.86 |
References
- Genders, Roy (1990). NGRC book of Greyhound Racing, pages 195-196. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 0-7207-1804-X.
- Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
- "Hall of Fame". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
- "Scurlogue Champ". Greyhound Data.
- "Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When 1985) September edition". Greyhound Star.
- Barnes/Sellers, Julia/John (1992). Ladbrokes Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-22-8.
- Racing Post Greyhound Year, pages 32-33. Racing Post. 1986. ISBN 0-9512081-0-1.
- Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, pages 393-394. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.