1 - Race Grade
In this section, I mention famous greyhound races held in the United Kingdom and their associated track venues and compare English and Irish greyhound grades with Australian and American grades. I also list recent winners, trainers and dates of classic races and include some general information on greyhound racing speeds.
Grade of Race?
In the U.K. an 'Open Race' (greyhound form statistic OR) represents the highest standard of greyhound racing grades. In America all top class race contests are known as RSA's or SA's (Racing Secretaries A Class) See "Night of the Stars". In Australia the very best competitions are classified as 'Group Races' and are referred to as FFA's (Free for All's).
Greyhound Predictor v2.0 lets you predict races run at all standards of middle-distance grades!
UK Open Racing
Major Greyhound Racing Events and Race Venues:
Out of all the Greyhound Classics held annually, the English Greyhound Derby (Wimbledon) first staged at White City Stadium, London in 1927 - won 11/06/11 by Taylors Sky trained at Newark, Nottinghamshire by Charlie Lister OBE (Unatt) and the Irish Greyhound Derby (Shelbourne Park, Dublin) first run in 1934 - won 10/09/11 by Razldazl George trained in Ireland by Dolores Ruth - are respectfully the two most important races that all trainers and owners want to win.
Other National "derbies" run in the British Isles include the Scottish Derby (Shawfield) - won 16/04/11 by Taylors Cruise trained by C.R.lister (Unatt) - first held at Carntyne, Glasgow in 1928. Northern Irish Derby - won 25/06/11 by Loughview Gem trained by Francie O'Brien (NI) - (Drumbo Park) and the previously held Welsh Derby (Swansea) first run in 1928 at the old White City, Cardiff.
Famous English dog races include the St Ledger originally run in 1928 at the old Wembley Stadium - won 04/10/11 by Aero Majestic trained at Yarmouth by Mark Wallis, and Oaks - won 08/12/11 by Silverview Perky trained by C R Lister - (Wimbledon). Laurels - won 08/11/11 by Eden Star trained by Barry Draper, Scurry Gold Cup - won 20/10/11 by Drumcove Lad trained at Monmore by "2011 champion trainer" Chris Allsopp, and Gold Collar (Belle Vue). Blue Riband - won 19/04/11 by Express Shuttle trained by C Allsopp (Hall Green). Henlow Derby - won 27/10/11 by Taylors Sky (Henlow). Coronation Cup - won 18/01/12 by Rathglass Hero trained at Wimbledon by Norah McEllistom, Champion Stakes - won 07/09/11 by the sadly ill fated Droopys Hestor trained at Newcastle by Jimmy Wright, and Essex Vase - won 14/12/11 by Westmead Melanie trained at Henlow by Nick Savva - (Romford). Produce Stakes - won 10/10/11 by Go Go Sonic trained at Hall Green by Paul Sallis, Eclipse - won 30/11/11 by Mill Bling Bling trained at Sunderland by Kelly Macari - (Nottingham). Pall Mall - won 28/06/11 by Brittons Empire trained by Chris Allsopp, and 79th Cesarewitch - won 10/11/11 by Farloe Kraven (Paddy Curtin) & Westmead Palace (Graham Holford) both dead heated 1st - (Oxford). Arc - won 30/03/11 by Jolly Poacher trained at Oxford by Nick Colton - (Swindon). Midland Gold Cup - won 26/08/11 by Taylors Sky - (Monmore). Golden Jacket - won 26/02/11 by Bush Paddy trained at Sittingbourne by Kelly Findlay - (Crayford). All England Cup - won 12/10/11 by Mill Bling Bling trained by K A Macari - (Newcastle). Steel City Cup - won 23/08/11 by Mill Bling Bling - (Sheffield). Sussex Cup - won 26/07/11 by Longwood Days trained by Colin Callow (Unatt), and Regency - won 10/05/11 by Blonde Fletch trained by Mark Wallis - (Hove). Classic and Grand Prix - won 14/07/11 by Blonde Snapper and Blonde Fletch respectively both trained by M A Wallis - (Sunderland). 65th East Anglian Derby - won 15/09/11 by Ballymac Ace trained by C Allsopp - (Yarmouth).
Famous Irish races include the Irish St Ledger - won 02/07/11 by What a Tornado trained by Paul Hennessy, (Limerick). Irish Cesarewitch - won 02/04/11 consecuitively by Definate Opinion trained in Tipperary by Pat Guilfoyle - (Mullingar). Guineas - won 03/09/11 by Droopys Chris trained by Nicky Turner, and Masters - won 12/11/11 by Piercestown Sand trained by Seamus Whelan - (Waterford). Irish Champion Stakes - won 23/07/11 by Uncle Eoin trained in Ireland by James Robinson, Irish Oaks - won 25/06/11 by Droopys Twirl trained by John Linehan, Open 600 - won 14/05/11 by Kingo trained by Dolores Ruth, Tote Gold Cup - won 19/01/11 by Slippery Bob trained by Larry Dunne, Easter Cup - won 16/04/11 by Makeshift trained by Dolores Ruth - (Shelbourne Park), Red Mills Produce Stakes - won 01/05/11 by Whiteys Hawk trained by Declane Byrne (Clonmel), Irish Laurels - won 22/10/11 by Razldazl Rioga trained by Dee Ruth - (Cork). Irish Sprint Cup - won 14/08/11 by Shoemakers Lad trained by Tom Harte - (Dundalk). Irish National Sprint, Cox Cup, Newbridge Oaks - won 12/11/11 by Nikitas Scut trained by J Melia - (Newbridge). Longford Derby - won 15/07/11 by Pepsi Billy trained by P Fallon (Longford). Kingdom Derby - won 17/12/11 by Pablo Supreme trained by Owen McKenna, Tipperary Cup won - 31/07/11 by Glideaway Ace trained by Peter Cronin - (Thurles). Corn Cuchulainn - won 15/07/11 by Fleeting Image then trained by Dolores Ruth, and Ted Hegarty Marathon won 24/12/11 by Aero Gaga trained at Clonmel by Sally Williams - (Harolds Cross). Gold Cup - won 05/11/11 by Lemon Velvet trained by Darren Ferris - (Drumbo Park).
Other famous UK races include the Cock o' the North - won 04/08/11 by Droopys Arshavin trained by S Mason (Belle Vue). Boxing Day Marathon - won 26/12/11 by Ministry Magpie trained by K J Findlay - (Crayford). Derby Plate - won 11/06/11 by Romeo Spartan trained by C R Lister, and Dorando Marathon - won 11/06/11 by Lottes Girl trained by Heather Dimmock - run on derby night at Wimbledon Stadium. This years T.V. Trophy final will be staged on the 21st March at Perry Barr Stadium (Birmingham). Last year it was held at "Central Park" Sittingbourne (Kent) and won 04/05/11 by Knockies Hannah locally trained by John Mullins at the 'Dillymore Kennels' near Ipswich.
International greyhound events include the Anglo-Irish International Dundalk - won 12/07/11 for the second year in succession by Definate Opinion. Clonmel Festival (Clonmel), Galway Festival (Galway), Festival of Racing (Lifford) and American-Irish Challenges. The new Dublin festival week of racing took place last year at Harolds Cross and Shelbourne Park and included 1st round heats of the Irish Derby.
There are also "special meetings" like the Trainers Championship (TC) held 22/03/11 at Wimbledon Stadium and won for the fifth time by Charlie Lister. Other types of 'Invitational races' (IR's) include The Select Stakes - won 03/08/11 for the second year in succession by Jordansollutions trained by Charlie lister - (Nottingham). Anglo-Irish Invitation (Wimbledon), Dransfield Invitation (Sheffield) and the odd Showdown - Match Racing (M).
Minor Open Events
Important UK Open Class Races (OR's) include: Northern Flat - won 15/09/11 by Mountjoy Rock trained by Elaine Parker, and Gorton Cup (Belle Vue). Midland Flat (Hall Green). Kent Derby - won 21/08/11 by Jazz Apollo trained by Mark Wallis, and Silver Salver (Sittingbourne). Guy's and Dolls, Kent St Ledger and Memorial Rose Bowl - won 26/11/11 by Ministry Mayhem trained by Kelly Findlay - (Crayford). St Mungo Cup (Shawfield). Birmingham Cup (Perry Barr). Olympic - won 30/06/11 by Diesel Malc trained by M H Fawsitt (Unatt), and Brighton Belle - won 25/08/11 by Westmead Melanie trained by N Savva - (Hove). Prestige - won 10/01/12 by Express Trend trained by E McNair - (Hall Green). Golden Sprint (Romford). Golden Jubilee 509, Pride of the West (Swindon). Oxfordshire Gold Cup and Trafalgar Cup - won 31/03/11 by Spencers Lad trained by Angie Kibble (Oxford). National Sprint - won 19/12/11 by Drumcove Lad trained by C Allsopp (Nottingham). Angel of the North Oaks won 12/10/11 by Pond Shefilia trained by Harry Williams (Newcastle). Regal Gold Cup (Sunderland). Peterborough Derby - won 06/08/11 by Mountjoy Rock trained at Sheffield by Elaine Parker and Fengate Collar (Peterborough). Golden Crest and Super Paws - won 26/11/11 by Brittons Empire trained by Chris Allsopp - (Poole). Yorkshire Oaks (Sheffield), Yorkshire St Ledger - won 16/11/11 by Lonely Boy trained by C R Lister - (Doncaster) and many other cup and trophy events.
There are 'Open Races' for both Puppies and Veterans and are represented in the formlines by a standard race prefix: (P) = Puppy and (V) = Veteran. In Ireland puppies begin their careers in Novice grade (N1-N3) although competitions are sometimes held for dogs previously unraced!
UK Puppy Events include: The English Puppy Derby - won 09/08/11 by Eden Star trained at Sheffield by Barrie Draper, English Puppy Oaks and Juvenile (Wimbledon). Puppy Cup - won 23/09/11 by Eden Star (Romford). Puppy Classic - won 29/08/11 by Farloe Iceman trained by Matt Dartnall - (Nottingham). Westmead Puppy Derby (Henlow). 65th Two-Year-Old Produce Stakes - won 23/07/11 by Romeo Metro trained by David Firmager (Unatt) - (Swindon). Cesarewitch and Puppy Derby - won 27/04/11 by Monleek Sloopy trained locally by David Pruhs (Peterborough). Northern Puppy Derby - won 12/10/11 by Unreal Timmy trained by K A Macari - (Newcastle). Midland Puppy Derby - won 17/03/11 by Droopys Greg trained by Nick Savva - (Monmore). Manchester Puppy Cup - won 01/12/11 by Roker Liam trained at Newcastle by Dave Spraggon - (Belle Vue). Breeders Forum Stakes (Hall Green). Sussex Puppy Trophy - won 22/12/11 by Tullig Joy trained by P A Sallis (Hove). Gymcrack Puppy Championship - won 19/07/11 by Taranis Rex trained by Nick Colton - (Kinsley). Veteran races include the famous Senior's Derby (Peterborough).
Irish Puppy Races include: The Irish Puppy Derby - won 07/10/11 by Sparta Maestro trained by Philip Gough, and Irish Puppy Oaks - won 05/08/11 by Millbank Flight trained by Padraig Hickey - (Harolds Cross). National Puppy Stake - won 17/12/11 by Hanover Laddie trained in England by Laurence Jones (Shelbourne Park), Munster Puppy Cup (Clonmel), Future Champion Unraced - won 06/10/11 by Kingsmill Messi trained by Aidan and John Roche (Enniscorthy). Champion Unraced Stake - won 29/05/11 by Bulgaden Gypsy trained by Mr & Mrs Conal Kelly (Kilkenny), Puppy Derby (Newbridge), Juvenile Classic (Tralee). Kasko Open Unraced Stake - won 22/07/11 by Milldean Panther (formerly known as Bellmore Panther) trained by John O'Flynn jr (Thurles Park).
All 'Open Competitions' attract the best quality of greyhounds and represent the top UK standard of dog racing class.
Hurdle Racing
Other standard prefixes that precede the race grading and indicate the type of race include: (H) = Hurdle and (CH) = Chase - two extra hurdles are added. Trainers may sometimes opt to give a dog a 'hurdle handslip' - the greyhound isn't released from the traps but is 'hand slipped' usually along the straights - in order to slowly introduce them to hurdling. Please note: any runner previously competing in a hurdle race or trial, and was then switched back to race on the flat, is always a good sign to look for, as the hurdles concentrate a dog's mind on it's racing and therefore sharpens them up!
The first UK hurdle race was held at Belle Vue at it's opening meeting on 24th July 1926 - won by Melksham Autocrat. Famous races include the English Grand National originally run in 1927 at the old White City Stadium (London) - won 30/08/11 by Victoria Falls trained by R Rees, Springbox - won 08/02/11 by Clonkeen Theo trained by Jason Foster, Champion Hurdle - won 11/06/11 by Plane Daddy trained at Crayford by Gemma Davidson - (Wimbledon). Irish Grand National - won 28/10/11 by Olivers Twist trained at Sheffield by Lisa Stephenson - (Harold's Cross - HX), Kent National Hurdle - won 17/12/11 by Aero Vegas trained locally by John Luckhurst (Crayford) etc.
Greyhound Racing Speeds
The very best of these 'canine racing machines' are capable of clocking greyhound speeds close to 40 mph / 65 km/ph! Although, the very fastest speeds may only be achievable on first class greyhound circuits "galloping tracks" with big track circumferences, long racing straights and wide sweeping cambered bends!
The fastest time recorded over 515 metres or 563 yards is 28.88 seconds set by Australian "wonder dog" Brett Lee trained by Darren McDonald from Peacedale (Victoria) in the final of the Adelaide Cup, a Group 1 race held (25/01/01) at Angle Park, South Australia, (track circumference 457 metres) and represents an average speed of 39.87 mph!
Interestingly, the fastest UK time for 515 metres is 29.20 seconds set by the "brilliant" Barnfield On Air trained by Samuel Poots (Unattached) in the 2007 Sussex Cup Final, a Category One race run at Brighton and Hove greyhound stadium (track circumference 455 metres) and represents an average cruising speed of 39.44mph!
Alternatively, the quickest time in the UK achieved over 480 metres or 525 yards was recently set 21/06/11 by "puppy sensation" Eden Star trained by Barrie Draper when recording a new distance record of 27.39 seconds in the Nicol Alloy Monkey Stakes held at Sheffield (track circumference 425 metres) and represents an average speed of 39.21 mph.
The Irish national record for 525 yards or 480 metres was recorded by Leeveiw Jet trained by Graham Holland when setting new figures of 27.88 secs - equilavent to an average speed of 38.52 mph - when winning the final of the Tennants Gold Cup run 23/10/10 at Drumbo Park (Belfast). The previous record was held by Catunda Harry trained by Owen McKenna, who became the first greyhound to dip under 28 seconds on an Irish track, when recording 27.99 seconds in a heat of the Ballygodoon stud Puppy Stakes run at Limerick 17/06/07.
The quickest ever time recorded in the Irish Greyhound Derby, held at Shelbourne Park (track circumference 425 yards) over 550 yards = 503 metres was achieved by 2009 Irish derby champion College Causeway trained by Pat Buckley (Ire) when recording the sensational time of 29.21 seconds in the 1st round - equivalent to an average speed of 38.51mph.
Top greyhound acceleration speeds along the straights close to 45 mph / 72 km/h have reportedly also been achieved!
Graded Racing
The vast majority of races held at greyhound tracks worldwide are known as 'Graded Races' (GR) and for the benefit of the 'Predictor' have been divided into 3 middle-distance race grade categories:-
U.K. - Top Grade - (A1 - A3) equilavent to American race grades (A, AA, B) and Australian dog grades (1, 2). Many of these "top graders" will also compete in major events and are capable of averaging speeds between 38-39 mph.
U.K. - Middle Grade - (A4 - A6) equilavent to American dog grades (C, D) and Australian grades (3, 3/4, 4). Some average-graded dogs regularly run at the very best greyhound tracks and maybe be the equal of 'A1' graded dogs running at lesser not so good tracks. These racing hounds average speeds between 37-38 mph.
U.K. - Low Grade - (A7 - A11) equilavent to American grades (E, F, and Maidens) and Aussie grades (4/5, 5 and Maidens). Most dogs will begin or finish their race career's in the lowest grades and record speeds between 35-37 mph.
When fully fit 'graded runners' generally run more frequently then 'open racers' and usually compete in a race at least once a week, although twice and sometimes three times a week is not uncommon. However, any dogs thought 'over raced' will normally see a decline in racing form and may need a rest to freshen them up!
Occasionally other types of racing grades take place during a meeting, these grade statistics are once again represented in the formlines by a standard greyhound racing prefix, eg: (KC) = Kennel Championships, (KS) = Kennel Sweepstakes, (IT) = Intertrack Racing, (Hcp) = Handicap Racing and the very occasional (QS) = Quickstakes - 2 or 3 semi-finals take place with the final being held at the same meeting.
Knowing the grade of a greyhound race is extremely important, as it's an approximation to the expected level of racing performance and therefore, implies to the overall race standard. I generally, consider a greyhound's grade should reflect past performances and be relative to previously recorded racetimes!
All "dog gamblers" when studying graded race form, will be faced with the same age old dilemma, as whether to back (or include in combinations) a good dog 'lowered in class' running badly or a not so good dog 'raised in class' running well?
"If only I had a crystal ball" I hear you say!!
This is just one of the many decisions that face all 'greyhound punters', when trying to predict tightly graded dog races.
I believe successfully predicting Graded Races (GR's), will invariably be more challenging than forecasting Open Races (OR's) as "the grader" grades the races very closely, with only minute differences in racetimes between the runners.
Therefore, to obtain the best results from the 'Predictor' I suggest you choose the very best races to predict, such as UK Opens, Irish AO's, American SA's or Australian FFA's, as the runners in these the highest standard of greyhound grades, are not only considered more consistent in race performances, but also allow 'canine competitors' to compete with slightly greater differences in racing ability. This can be most noticeable during the early rounds of major competitions and theoretically makes the "open grade" more predictable than a graded race. Although, these differences in the dog's standards, will always no doubt be reflected in the individual prices quoted as the odds of a greyhound race!
For all Greyhound Predictors who wish to "RACE AGAIN" to simulate dogs that are perhaps 'raised or lowered in grade', then one of the best ways to represent a change in a dog's grade, would be to alter a dog's time! For example, if you consider a certain greyhound to be 'upped in class' - ie: for winning races or running well - then perhaps you should add on approximately 0.10 or 0.15 seconds to their fastest time, as any greyhound running against marginally better class dogs, will theoretically have less chance of performing well against greyhounds of a 'higher class' or 'better standard'. Therefore up-graded dogs maybe less likely to obtain the necessary trouble free run in a race, in order to reproduce their very fastest racetimes. Although, often to the contrary, certain 'strong improving greyhounds' may actually appreciate a quicker overall travelling speed throughout a race and will be towed along in the 'faster slipstreams' of other initially speedier racing dogs and despite being 'raised in class' will continue to produce and even improve on their fastest times. For further information on entering times, see racetimes section.
Alternatively, if you wished to simulate greyhounds that may have been 'dropped in class', ie: long losing runs or running badly, then surprisingly perhaps, you may need to take off approximately 0.10 or 0.15 secs. from that dog's fastest time. As any greyhounds raced recently at a higher standard, will theoretically when 'lowered in class' have a better chance of performing well against lesser rivals with fractionally slower overall times. Therefore downgraded dogs maybe afforded more 'racing room' in a lower grade, to achieve and perhaps even improve on their quickest racing times, and indeed yes, you may deduct an appropriate amount of race-time that best simulates greyhounds lowered in racing grade.
I would however, also like to mention, in the interests of 'The Science of Greyhound Racing Prediction' that since it is generally thought that the dogs themselves, remain completely unaware of the 'racing class' they are currently racing in or have previously competed at, you may therefore, wish to simulate this by perhaps leaving the fastest/best time of a greyhound as it is, the choice is always yours!
Now check the racing formlines in your newspaper.
The stat grade of a dog race is usually located next to the race length which is found at the top of each race heading.
Now select the correct grade category and Press Spacebar to enter!
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