1974 GREYHOUND DERBY

This race was run at the White City on Saturday 29th June 1974

Kevin Condron, a greyhound enthusiast all his life, writes about his memory of a famous London track and his fond memories about past Derby Finals:-

It is with a combination of nostalgia and sadness that I learnt of the closure of Catford Stadium. I attended the track on a regular basis from 1974 to 1993 before I moved to Scotland. After that I would still attend Catford every couple of months on my regular trips back to London to visit my parents. I was well known to the layers, especially with John Humphreys who was the main bookmaker. John even gave my Dad a lift, in his Rolls Royce, to the Derby at White City in the early 1980s. I grew up with greyhounds. My uncle, Paddy Keane, won both the English (1966 Faithful Hope) and Irish Derby (Pampered Rover). He also trained Tommy Astaire, who brought the great Westpark Mustard's unbeaten run to an end in the mid-seventies (pre-Ballyregan Bob). I saw some of the best dogs in the country competing for the Gold Collar, Catford's showpiece over the unusual standard distance of 555m.The competition allowed the brilliant early pace of many Derby winners to be tested against the stamina of the winners of Wembley's St Leger, remember Westmead Champ beating Mutts Silver in 1976. It was also an honour to see Scurlogue Champ break the long distance clock in 1984, a record that stood the test of time. I also had the pleasure of owning some local dogs through a syndicate which was run out of our local pub, the Blythe Hill Tavern. Many great nights were enjoyed by friends and family with the spectacle of some great racing in an exciting and happy atmosphere. The track declined in recent years due to a lack of investment and what can only be considered as neglect through poor management. The loss of the Boxing Day Marathon a few years ago and the near loss of this year's Gold Collar should have set some alarm bells ringing. Alas I was unaware of the imminent coup de grace that would spell an end to one of the happiest chapters of my life. Kevin Condron MSc BSc

IRISH GREYHOUND DERBY (Shelbourne Park)

Email me at johnwslusar@gmail.com