| 1935 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year | |
|---|---|
 Hendon opened during 1935 | |
← 1934 1936 → |
The1935 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the tenth year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.[1]
| Major Winners | |
|---|---|
| Award | Name of Winner |
| 1935 English Greyhound Derby[2] | Greta Ranee |
| 1935 Irish Greyhound Derby[3] | Roving Yank |
| 1935Scottish Greyhound Derby[4] | Olives Best |
The sport remained extremely popular, with attendances exceeding 20 million for a fourth successive year. Racing was an affordable national pastime in the United Kingdom and Ireland and profits made by the tracks enabled the greyhound companies to flourish. Major-General Lord Loch (chairman) announced that the nations leading Greyhound company, theGreyhound Racing Association (GRA) made an operating profit of over £136,000 during 1935 (a substantial figure at the time).[5]
The construction of new tracks had slowed considerably but the GRA announced their plans to buildHarringay Arena[5] and also purchasedStenhouse Stadium.[6]
Greta Ranee won the1935 English Greyhound Derby before a record crowd of 88,700.[2][7]
Brilliant Bob was retired to stud.
Clyde F.C.'s financial difficulties led to them sellingShawfield Stadium to the Shawfield Greyhound Racing Company Ltd, continuing to play there as tenants. A similar problem arose atEast End Park, home toDunfermline Athletic F.C., the introduction of greyhound racing saved the club from going bankrupt. Four new directors joined the original three to form Romford Stadium Ltd and atRomford Greyhound Stadium they invested £17,000 to build extra stands and kennels. The company would also soon take ownership of the nearbyDagenham Greyhound Stadium.[8]
The Dearne Athletic and Sports Stadium closed resulting in the directors applying for a licence at Oaks Lane, off the Doncaster Road in Barnsley, but it was refused.Park Royal Stadium was enlarged for use by Acton and Willesden rugby league club and Captain Ramsbottom soldTowneley Stadium to the Burnley Corporation who then closed the track in November.
| Date | Stadium/Track | Location | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 March | Hendon Greyhound Stadium | London | [9] |
| 3 August | Chester Greyhound Stadium | Chester | [10] |
| 11 September | Ipswich Stadium | Ipswich | [11] |
| unknown | Rye House Stadium | Hertfordshire | |
| unknown | Mexborough Greyhound Stadium | Mexborough | |
| unknown | Aldershot Stadium | Tongham, Farnham |
The pre-Derby events got underway and theGold Collar sawSt Leger champion Bosham defeat1934 English Greyhound Derby runner-up Grey Raca by a head with hot favourite Jacks Joke and promising newcomer Great Ranee both unplaced in the final.[12][13]
For a third year running Creamery Border reached theScurry Gold Cup final only to be beaten by a short head by Jack's Joke in a track record time of 23.15.[14] Jack's Joke had already set a new track record of 23.27 in round one. The time set by Creamery border in his defeat was 23.19, the second ever fastest time. Despite the fact that he was coming up to five years old he went on to win the Chelsea Cup atStamford Bridge, beating Ripe Cherry and setting a new track and world record of 28.01 seconds for 500 yards. When he was retired to stud he became a prominent sire and died aged fourteen and a half.[15]
Ataxy returned toWhite City in August and set a new 550 yard record when recording 30.97 sec and then set a second record over 525 yards recording 29.56 sec. After this Kitshine beat Curleys Fancy and Stout Heart in theLaurels final.[16][17]
The St Leger went to Satans Baby (winner of the 1934 and 1935 Daily Mirror Trophy) after defeating a field that including Bosham. Kitshine completed a successful season when winning theOaks. Ataxy had timed his runs too late for the Derby but was installed as hot favourite for the forthcomingCesarewitch. The brindle defeated Brilliant Bob by twelve lengths in round one at odds of 1-6f, defeated Bosham in the second round opposition by over ten lengths and set a national record of 33.67. In the semi-final Ataxy broke the world record time over 660 yards, he ran in eight lengths clear of Grand Flight II recording 33.50. Unfortunately in the final Ataxy found considerable trouble and came home fourth.[16][17]
A new competition called thePall Mall Stakes took place atHarringay Stadium. Shove Halfpenny, sired by Town Treasure out of Princess Karl and whelped in July 1933 was the winner, despite the fact that it was his first important race, After winning his qualifying heats; he defeated his rival, Grand Flight II, in the final by a head after being baulked on the first bend. The final was actually held on 4 January 1936 being the last major event of year the heats were in December.[16][17]
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