1955 English Greyhound Derby

1955 English Greyhound Derby
Location White City Stadium

The 1955 Greyhound Derby took place during June with the final being held on 25 June 1955 at White City Stadium. [1] The winner Rushton Mac received £1,500.[2]

Final result

At White City (over 525 yards):[3]

Position Name of Greyhound Breeding Trap SP Finish Time Trainer
1st Rushton Mac Rushton News - Rushton Panda 25-128.97 Frank Johnson (Private)
2nd Barrowside Ballymac Ball - Nifty Bella 31-2f29.03 Jack Harvey (Wembley)
3rd Coolkill Chieftain Celtic Chief - Coolkill Darkie 4100-729.39 Jack Harvey (Wembley)
4th Gulf of Honduras Imperial Dancer - Daring Belle 68-129.47 Jack Harvey (Wembley)
5th Home Straight Jeffs Pal - Honey Bear 1100-629.61 Tom Lightfoot (White City - London)
6th Duet Leader Champion Prince - Derryluskin Lady 510-129.85 Tom 'Paddy' Reilly (Walthamstow)

Distances

¾, 4½, 1, 1¾, 3 (lengths)

Competition Report

The ante-post favourite was Hi There trained by Paddy McEvoy and a winner of the National Sprint in Ireland the previous year. Other leading contenders included defending champion Pauls Fun, Barrowside and the Frank Johnson litter brothers Rushton Mac and Rushton Spot. The Trafalgar Cup winner Golden Sail failed to gain selection in the 48 runner event resulting in his owner Mr Hughes quitting the sport.

After the eight heats the fastest qualifier was Barrowside (28.82 sec). Pauls Fun and Hi There both underperformed but progressed. During the second round Hi There finished lame but would become a legendary stud dog. Pauls Fun now trained by Joe Booth also succumbed to injury being withdrawn from his heat. Duet Leader a fawn dog trained by Tom Reilly won easily and Barrowside remained unbeaten.

The semi-finals produced another victory for Barrowside and the Grand National champion was installed as the hot favourite to win the final. The second semi-final was won by Rushton Mac following a tough battle with Laurels champion Coolkill Chieftain.

Wembley trainer Jack Harvey had three of the finalists in his attempt to gain a second Derby title. Barrowside started at very short odds of 1-2 and made a good start followed by Home Straight and Rushton Mac. Rushton Mac moved towards the rails and took the lead on the back straight only for Barrowside to respond and take the lead by the fourth bend but Rushton Mac came again to win by three quarters. Coolkill Chieftain ran on well for third place.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hobbs, Jonathan (2007). Greyhound Annual 2008 page 90. Raceform. ISBN 978-1-905153-53-4.
  2. ↑ Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing page 110. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 07207-1106-1.
  3. ↑ "1955". Greyhound Data.
  4. ↑ Dack, Barrie (1990). Greyhound Derby, the first 60 years page 98/99. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-36-8.
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