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Springbok (greyhounds)

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The Springbok
ClassCategory 2
LocationCentral Park Stadium
Inaugurated1937
SponsorArena Racing Company
Race information
Distance480 metres hurdles
SurfaceSand
QualificationHurdlers only
Purse£5,000 (winner)

The Springbok is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Central Park Stadium.

History

[edit]

The event was inaugurated in 1937[1] at the White City Stadium in London. The origins of the race came from a contingent of greyhounds that included Hawtrey, Raven Arms and Bobby Sparks that travelled to South Africa in the winter of 1936/1937 as a series of race tests for the country. In return the South African Greyhound Racing Association gifted a trophy to the Greyhound Racing Association and a perpetual award for a new race was created.[2]

The event was held at White City until its closure in 1985 when it switched to Wimbledon Stadium. The event is the leading competition for novice hurdlers.[3] [4]

In 2017 the race switched to Central Park Stadium in Sittingbourne following the closure of Wimbledon Stadium. The relocation of the competition to Central Park continued a family legacy for the Cearns family who had been connected with the race when it was first held in 1937.[5] In 2023, the race was held at Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium while track renovation was taking place at Central Park.[6]

Venues and distances

[edit]
  • 1937–1985 (White City (London), 550y hurdles)
  • 1986–2010 (Wimbledon, 460m hurdles)
  • 2011–2016 (Wimbledon, 480m hurdles)
  • 2017–2022 (Central Park, 480m hurdles)
  • 2023–2023 (Hove, 500m hurdles)

Sponsors

[edit]
  • 1994–1995 (John Henwood)
  • 2000–2006 (William Hill)
  • 2007–2007 (Betfair)
  • 2008–2009 (Stan James Bookmakers)
  • 2010–2016 (William Hill)
  • 2017–2021 (Cearnsport)
  • 2022–2022 (Arena Racing Company)
  • 2023–2023 (Coral)

Past winners

[edit]
Year Winner Breeding Trainer Time SP Notes/ref
1937 Curious Jester Sidney Orton (Wimbledon) 30.98 7/4f [7]
1938 Bantown Banner Eric Hiscock (Harringay) 30.85 5/4f
1939 Corporal of Waterhall Paddy Fortune (Wimbledon) 30.42 3/1
1946 Alvaston Commando Bill Cowell (Coventry) 32.33 7/4f
1947 Kids Delight Albert Jonas (Stamford Bridge) 32.55 3/1
1948 Neff Miss J Griffiths (Walthamstow) 30.97 4/7f
1949 Mighty Maharatta Jerry Hannafin (Wimbledon) 30.94 5/4f
1950 Sunny Abbey Jerry Hannafin (Wimbledon) 30.26 9/4
1951 Devil O'Leer Bahs Choice – Baytown Nightingale Norman Merchant (Private) 31.03 3/1
1952 Wild Der Border Keeper – Gilmours Glory Paddy McEllistrim (Wimbledon) 30.32 15/8
1953 Oriel Idol Shaggy Lad – Rushton Curly Dal Hawkesley (West Ham) 30.20 5/2
1954 Ventry Record Record Choice – Anvil Block Henry Parsons (Crayford) 33.60 8/1
1955 Riot O'Leer Despot O'Leer – Magic Blissful Jack Chadwick (Private) 32.66 7/2
1956 Harlington Harrier Dal Hawkesley (West Ham) 32.80 7/1
1957 Racing Max Ballybeg Surprise – Racing Fool Reg Bosley (Hackney) 32.92 6/1
1958 Highway Tim Magourna Reject – Hunston Bell Mrs Rosealie Beba (Private) 32.25 5/1
1959 Downside Barrowside – Celtic Beauty Jack Harvey (Wembley) 32.24 9/4
1960 Shannon Dasher Prince of Bermuda – Shannon Drive Jimmy Maw (Private) 32.15 7/2
1961 Ballydrislane Customer Quare Customer – Cold Lady George Waterman (Wimbledon) 31.78
1962 Barrel Kissane Champion Prince - Yoblstrap Barney O'Connor (Walthamstow) 31.47 2/1 [8]
1963 Longstreet Barrowside – Sallyscross Lady Jack Harvey (Wembley) 31.88
1964 The Grange Destiny The Grand Fire - Delienne George Waterman (Wimbledon) 31.98 7/4
1965 Darn Hall Crazy Parachute - Penicola Bob Burls (Wembley) 32.33
1966 Husky Breeze Pigalle Wonder – Jet Dancer John Bassett (Private) 32.20
1967 High St Boy Champion Tipp – Fire Siren Colin McNally (Perry Barr) 31.50
1968 Haydens Star Fairys Chum – Haydens Fire Nora Gleeson (Private) 31.60 6/1
1969 Happy Harry Crazy Society – Hiver Swanky Phil Rees Sr. (Wimbledon) 31.92 7/4
1970 Bawnies Rocket Come On Bawnie – Toor Lassie Phil Rees Sr. (Wimbledon) 31.86 2/1
1971 Ragtime Super Orange – Maggie From Cork John Coleman (Wembley) 32.10 5/4f
1972 Jacks Ship Rocket Ship – Amelia’s Pet Bob Burls (Wembley) 32.16 11/10f
1973 Killone Flash Forward Flash – Dancing Barrier Randy Singleton (White City - London) 31.53 9/2
1974 Weston Pete Monalee Champion – New Kashmir Colin West (White City - London) 32.04 2/1
1975 Ashgrove Road Spectre II – Ashgrove Star Paddy McEvoy (Wimbledon) 31.51 9/2
1976 Stuart Captain Ramdeen Stuart – Here For You John Coleman (Wembley) 30.70 2/1f
1977 Autumn Groves Itsachampion – Green Line Frank Melville (Harringay) 31.31 9/4
1978 Super Hunter Gaultier Fox – Fire Hunter Phil Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) 30.47 8/15f
1979 Westmead Manor Mels Pupil – Westmead Silver Natalie Savva (Private) 31.28 6/4
1980 Bobcol Westpark Mint – Black Katty Norah McEllistrim (Wimbledon) 31.17 2/1
1981 Clashing Ash Clashing – Ballycline Sara Phil Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) 30.57 6-/1
1983 Space Top Crazy Top – My Little Cugeen Paddy Hancox (Perry Barr) 31.94 5/1
1984 Scarcely Unknown Hunday Dook – Speech Mistress Derek Knight (Hove) 30.69 6/4f
1985 Knight of Raft Paradise Spectre – Lady Raft Norah McEllistrim (Wimbledon) 28.65 8/11f
1986 Raffles Nitespot Yankee Express – Raffles Bridge Linda Mullins (Harringay) 28.59 5/1
1987 Lemon Yachtsman Lindas Champion – Lemon Pearl Philip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) 28.36 7/2
1988 Skyline Prince Sheskin Rocket – Apache Laura David Kinchett (Wimbledon) 28.59 5/1
1989 Lemon Chip Sinbad – Lemon Lisa Philip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) 28.87 6/1
1990 Ranger Supreme Citizen Supreme – White Ranger Norah McEllistrim (Wimbledon) 28.80 5/4f
1991 Fennessys Gold Soda Fountain – Fast Mission Ray Peacock (Catford) 28.41 5/1
1992 Double Rock Printers Present – Dolores Daughter Philip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) 28.62 25/1
1993 Arfur Daley Pond Mirage – Blue Mint II Bert Meadows (Oxford) 27.80 3/1 Track record[9]
1994 Avoid The Rush Manorville Star – Smokey Snowdrop Bernie Doyle (Private) 29.44 7/2 [10]
1995 Arrogant Prince Ballinderry Flash - Proverbia Tom Foster (Wimbledon) 28.35 7/4jf [11]
1996 Colorado Joker Green Gorse – Denver Minnie Philip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) 28.32 4/1
1997 Simon Simon Murlens Abbey – Lovely Lovely Gary Baggs (Walthamstow) 28.21 5/1
1998 Frisco Sir Flashy Sir – Forever Roving Ray Peacock (Wimbledon) 28.05 3/1
1999 Ballinabola Gale Batties Whisper – Ballinaboola Lil Jason Foster (Catford) 28.11 1/1f
2000 Lenson Eddie Perfect Whisper – Culbidagh Rose Ray Peacock (Wimbledon) 28.70 8/13f [12]
2001 Rossa Ranger Come On Ranger – Emmerdale Pine John Counsell (Private) 28.92 1/1f [13]
2002 Opus Joe Roanokee - Glin Abbey Sharp Pat Thompson (Crayford) 28.51 7/4 [14]
2003 Deep Sensation Spiral Nikita – Sensational Jim Reynolds (Walthamstow) 28.51 3/1jf [15]
2004 Farloe Chinook Thorgil Tex – Seanos Peer Maxine Locke (Wimbledon) 29.23 20/1 [16]
2005 Druids Mickey Jo Top Honcho – Druids Villa Seamus Cahill (Wimbledon) 28.14 8/13f [17]
2006 Kaysers Hill Roanokee – Aghadown Phantom Tom Foster (Private) 28.61 6/4f [18]
2007 Blackmagic Jamie Daves Mentor – Glown Mist Ernest Gaskin Jr. (Walthamstow) 28.62 8/1 [19]
2008 Hotdog Jack Droopys Vieri – Hare Star Seamus Cahill (Wimbledon) 28.38 1/2f [20]
2009 Bomber Bailey Confident Choice-Garry Special Mark Wallis (Harlow) 27.96 6/1 [21]
2010 Royal Honcho Honcho Classic-Prina Donna Seamus Cahill (Hove) 28.59 5/4f [22]
2011 Clonkeen Theo Top Honcho-Good Luck Jason Foster (Wimbledon) 29.47 8/1
2012 Westmead Melanie Droopys Maldini – Mega Delight Nick Savva (Private) 29.59 10/11f [24]
2013 Westmead Meteor Droopys Vieri – Westmead Olivia Ricky Holloway (Wimbledon) 29.38 9/4f [25]
2014 Cornamaddy Jumbo Ardkill Jamie – Cornamaddy Maid Mark Wallis (Yarmouth) 29.45 11/8f [26]
2015 Reculver Ozzie Farley Turbo – Lemon Bolt Barry O'Sullivan (Crayford) 30.05 8/11f [27]
2016 Ballymac Manix Ballymac Vic – Moyar Kite Seamus Cahill (Hove) 29.11 2/1 [28]
2017 Yassoo Martin Blackstone Gene – Droopys Quinta George Andreas (Central Park) 29.88 8/1 [29]
2018 Lenson Wilson Scolari Me Daddy – Killduff Kerry Ricky Holloway (Central Park) 29.63 4/9f [30]
2019 Burgess Brandy Vans Escalade – Borna Helena Ricky Holloway (Central Park) 29.67 9/4 [31]
2020 Burgess Doc Droopys Jet – Badminton Maid Lee Field (Monmore) 30.06 6/4f [32][33]
2021 Droopys Rex Duke Special – Droopys Start David Mullins (Romford) 29.94 7/2 [34]
2022 Lenson Doolin Azza Azza Azza – The Other Tessa Ricky Holloway (Private) 29.39 1/4f [35]
2023 Droopys Chaser Laughil Blake – Droopys Zero Paul Young (Romford) 29.67 2/1f [36]
2024 Not held

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 07207-1106-1.
  2. ^ "S. Africa Sends Us Dog Trophy". Daily Express. 17 August 1937. Retrieved 2 February 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ^ Hobbs, Jonathan (2007). Greyhound Annual 2008, page 158. Raceform. ISBN 978-1-905153-53-4.
  4. ^ Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, pages 148-149. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
  5. ^ "The family legacy spanning right back to when it all began". Racing Post.
  6. ^ "Sensational Central". Greyhound Star. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  7. ^ "White City". Reynolds's Newspaper. 24 October 1937. Retrieved 2 February 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ^ "White City". Sunday Express. 4 March 1962. Retrieved 2 February 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. ^ "Remember When series (March 2020)". Greyhound Star. March 2020.
  10. ^ Fry, Paul (1995). The Official NGRC Greyhound Racing Yearbook. Ringpress Books. p. 15. ISBN 186054-010-4.
  11. ^ "1995 John Henwood Springbok". Greyhound Data.
  12. ^ "2000 William Hill Springbok". Greyhound Data.
  13. ^ "2001 William Hill Springbok". Greyhound Data.
  14. ^ "2002 William Hill Springbok". Greyhound Data.
  15. ^ "2003 William Hill Springbok". Greyhound Data.
  16. ^ "2004 William Hill Springbok". Greyhound Data.
  17. ^ "2005 William Hill Springbok". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  18. ^ "2006 William Hill Springbok". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  19. ^ "2007 Betfair Springbok". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  20. ^ "2008 Stan James Springbok". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  21. ^ "2009 Stan James Springbok final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  22. ^ "2010 William Hill Springbok". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  23. ^ "2011 William Hill Springbok". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  24. ^ "2012 William Hill Springbok". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  25. ^ "2013 William Hill Springbok". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  26. ^ "2005 William Hill Springbok". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  27. ^ "2015 Result". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  28. ^ "2016 Result". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  29. ^ "Springbok Result". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  30. ^ "Springbok Result". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  31. ^ "Cearnsport Springbok Final meeting". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  32. ^ "Cearnsport Springbok Final meeting". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  33. ^ "Doc's Bok". Greyhound Star. 2 March 2020.
  34. ^ "Cearnsport 2021 Springbok". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  35. ^ "Arena Racing Company Springbok Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  36. ^ "Coral Springbok final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
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