Prince Lawrence and Ardskeagh Ville claimed the pre-derby classics, theGrand National andGold Collar respectively.[7]Jack Harvey went on a significant three classic winning run; his Gold Collar finalist Demon King captured the sprinters classic theScurry Gold Cup.[10] The following month during theLaurels, atWimbledon Stadium Coolkill Chieftain picked up the £1,000 first prize and then in September his Laurels runner up Pancho Villa secured a four and half-length victory in theSt Leger final. In addition he also won thePuppy Derby with Gulf of Darien.[11]
TheScottish Greyhound Derby moved to October in an attempt to gain more entries and this seemed to work when the competition received a good entry, including a pair of brothers who emerged to dominate the event. Rushton Mac (by Rushton News out of Rushton Panda) defeated his brother Rushton Spot, who was eliminated from the English Derby at the semi-final stage. Rushton Mac had previously won theEdinburgh Cup. The kennel brothers were trained by Frank Johnson and Rushton Mac won thePall Mall Stakes andSelect Stakes titles.[12][13][11][10]
West Ham Stadium received a star studded line up for theCesarewitch final in October. Matchlock beat a field in the final by seven lengths that included Derby champion Pauls Fun, St Leger champion Pancho Villa, Title Role and Barrowside. The last major event of the year was theGrand Prix and the Rushton brothers took the first two places again, only this time in a reversal of the Scottish Derby final.[14][11][10]
The totalisator returns declared to the licensing authorities for the year 1954 are listed below. Tracks that did not have a totalisator in operation are not listed.[9]
