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08 Dec 12
22:55
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05 Jan 10
The Frankle of Greyhounds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg_KnXhhG3I&feature=g-high-u
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Great run and nt takin away from it but the track is running shockingly fast! Needs to be sorted, startin to become ridiculous
Darrell Williams betfair.co.uk
MICK THE MILLER
Still the most famous greyhound who ever raced, Darrell Williams tells the tale of this most remarkable racer.
Mick The Miller is without doubt the most famous greyhound ever to have raced. The fact his career coincided with the sport's formative years probably helped, but quite simply what he achieved is highly unlikely ever to be repeated.
Bred by a gambling mad priest, Father Martin Brophy, Mick was one of a litter of ten born in June 1926.
Various stories about his early days have been told, often highlighting his weakness as a pup, but he was certainly diagnosed as suffering from distemper, most likely around May 1928, by which time he had already won four races for trainer Mick Horan having made a successful debut at the then new track of Shelbourne Park in Dublin a month earlier.
Reportedly cared for by the track's veterinary surgeon Arthur Callanan, Mick did not return to the track until March 1929, although it is believed he did compete in local coursing meets during the previous winter. Successful in 11 of his 15 races in Dublin during the next three months, including three major prizes, it was then decided to continue his career in England, and in particular the Derby.
His introduction to White City could not have been more remarkable. In a solo trial over 525 yards he broke the track record, before days later clocking a world record time of 29.82 in the first round of the 1929 Derby, becoming the first greyhound ever to break the 30 second barrier.
Unsurprisingly numerous offers were made to buy Mick at this time, with Wimbledon bookmaker Albert Williams securing the successful bid, but on the understanding that Father Brophy would keep the prize money if he won the Derby. Win he did, but only in a re-run after the original race was declared void - something that wouldn't happen nowadays - when three of the runners, Mick included, were knocked over.
Within weeks Mick had another new owner, Arundel Kempton, who paid 2000 guineas for him, a huge sum considering his Derby win had netted Brophy 800 pounds, and he joined trainer Sydney Orton.
Mick's career went from strength to strength, winning the International at West Ham - he thrived on the big galloping tracks, where his trackcraft was best served - finishing a short-head second in the London Cup at White City, before claiming the Champion Stakes at Wimbledon on New Years Day 1930.
He also won any number of 'match' races, one off 'winner takes all' contests against one other rival before winning the Spring Cup at Wembley in March 1930. His victory in the semi-final of that event would start a sequence of 19 consecutive victories, which would include a successful defence of his Derby crown as well as unbeaten runs in both the Welsh Derby and Cesarewitch, setting world record times twice in both events.
Injured in the Laurels in August 1930, Mick was not to see the track again until March 1931, returning to again win the Spring Cup in track record time, before bidding for a third Derby in June 1931. At the age of five, time was perhaps beginning to catch up with Mick, as he was beaten in all three qualifying rounds, but still went off as favourite for the final. His incredible third victory however would amount to nothing, as once again the race was declared void and a re-run staged. The two races in one night were simply too much for Mick and he trailed in fourth.
But Mick's story was still not fully told. Expected to be retired, he was stepped up to 700 yards for the St Leger in September 1931, the longest trip he had ever attempted. To his eternal credit, Mick achieved the remarkable feat of going unbeaten through the event, becoming the first dog to win the Derby and Leger, and the only ever to have also won the Cesarewitch.
His career on the track was over, but Mick was still in demand, even starring in a film, Wild Boy in 1935, and making numerous guest appearances, sharing time with celebrities and even royalty.
Mick passed away in May 1939, his body was embalmed and to this day he remains at the British Natural Museum in Tring.
MICK THE MILLER
Still the most famous greyhound who ever raced, Darrell Williams tells the tale of this most remarkable racer.
Mick The Miller is without doubt the most famous greyhound ever to have raced. The fact his career coincided with the sport's formative years probably helped, but quite simply what he achieved is highly unlikely ever to be repeated.
Bred by a gambling mad priest, Father Martin Brophy, Mick was one of a litter of ten born in June 1926.
Various stories about his early days have been told, often highlighting his weakness as a pup, but he was certainly diagnosed as suffering from distemper, most likely around May 1928, by which time he had already won four races for trainer Mick Horan having made a successful debut at the then new track of Shelbourne Park in Dublin a month earlier.
Reportedly cared for by the track's veterinary surgeon Arthur Callanan, Mick did not return to the track until March 1929, although it is believed he did compete in local coursing meets during the previous winter. Successful in 11 of his 15 races in Dublin during the next three months, including three major prizes, it was then decided to continue his career in England, and in particular the Derby.
His introduction to White City could not have been more remarkable. In a solo trial over 525 yards he broke the track record, before days later clocking a world record time of 29.82 in the first round of the 1929 Derby, becoming the first greyhound ever to break the 30 second barrier.
Unsurprisingly numerous offers were made to buy Mick at this time, with Wimbledon bookmaker Albert Williams securing the successful bid, but on the understanding that Father Brophy would keep the prize money if he won the Derby. Win he did, but only in a re-run after the original race was declared void - something that wouldn't happen nowadays - when three of the runners, Mick included, were knocked over.
Within weeks Mick had another new owner, Arundel Kempton, who paid 2000 guineas for him, a huge sum considering his Derby win had netted Brophy 800 pounds, and he joined trainer Sydney Orton.
Mick's career went from strength to strength, winning the International at West Ham - he thrived on the big galloping tracks, where his trackcraft was best served - finishing a short-head second in the London Cup at White City, before claiming the Champion Stakes at Wimbledon on New Years Day 1930.
He also won any number of 'match' races, one off 'winner takes all' contests against one other rival before winning the Spring Cup at Wembley in March 1930. His victory in the semi-final of that event would start a sequence of 19 consecutive victories, which would include a successful defence of his Derby crown as well as unbeaten runs in both the Welsh Derby and Cesarewitch, setting world record times twice in both events.
Injured in the Laurels in August 1930, Mick was not to see the track again until March 1931, returning to again win the Spring Cup in track record time, before bidding for a third Derby in June 1931. At the age of five, time was perhaps beginning to catch up with Mick, as he was beaten in all three qualifying rounds, but still went off as favourite for the final. His incredible third victory however would amount to nothing, as once again the race was declared void and a re-run staged. The two races in one night were simply too much for Mick and he trailed in fourth.
But Mick's story was still not fully told. Expected to be retired, he was stepped up to 700 yards for the St Leger in September 1931, the longest trip he had ever attempted. To his eternal credit, Mick achieved the remarkable feat of going unbeaten through the event, becoming the first dog to win the Derby and Leger, and the only ever to have also won the Cesarewitch.
His career on the track was over, but Mick was still in demand, even starring in a film, Wild Boy in 1935, and making numerous guest appearances, sharing time with celebrities and even royalty.
Mick passed away in May 1939, his body was embalmed and to this day he remains at the British Natural Museum in Tring.
It was not the greatest run ever, his run 2 weeks ago was better.
Paradise Madison is one serious hound and is in the capable hands of Ollie Bray. The sky is the limit for this dog. Shelbourne Park is .30 to .50 spots fast for the last few years and after 2 dogs breaking 28.00 last night it might be looked at.
Take nothing away from the dogs as they would do similar runs elsewhere.
Take nothing away from the dogs as they would do similar runs elsewhere.
Droopys Jet is not a 27.92 dog and that run, coupled with a few runs in the Oaks has taken away from an amazing Paradise run.
I don't like the idea of the top track in the country being 20 spots or 30 spots fast. Maybe they should try and do something with the sand or better still bring back the grass!!
I don't like the idea of the top track in the country being 20 spots or 30 spots fast. Maybe they should try and do something with the sand or better still bring back the grass!!
Gant and Distant View have this spot on.......its a disgrace that the premier track is throwing up such silly times, and this at a time when life-long owner/breeders are leaving the sport in droves. On talking dogs we see the good news man reporting that two tracks are calling out for entries for stakes, ie Clonmel and Dundalk. If the manager at Clonmel thinks he is going to fill a 72 dog un-raced stake in the current climate, well like the heads at IGB., he has his head in the sand. The sand at Shel Pk., was changed just prior to the Derby and its been getting faster by the day since. This must be looked at tomorrow by the IGB., and the track should be rated fast and brought into line with other tracks. Its fast, very fast, and its not hepling the sport for it to remain so. These are great dogs but lets be real here. IMHO I would rate it 30 fast, its probably, in reality,35 /40 fast.
There is no question that it needs addressing.
It is ludicrous to suggest that Madison would do 27.37 around Longford and that is what the current system tells us.
It is ludicrous to suggest that Madison would do 27.37 around Longford and that is what the current system tells us.
Annaglogs , good retrieval on Mick the Miller . Have some interest in the story as Mick Horan used to train my fathers dogs way way back in the forties .
Also heard some of the old timers talking about Mick the Miller running up here , huge crowd for that . Sadly our premier tracks , Celtic and Dunmore have disappeared along with a lot of the history and characters who made that scene vibrant once upon a couple of decades . Over 40,000 at Celtic once ( at least ) for a greyhound meeting in the 1930's , my father and one of his sisters were there . 200 bookies on the "outside " . Unbelievable in relation to nowadays when 4 bookies at Dundalk greyhounds under cover is deemed acceptable .
Also heard some of the old timers talking about Mick the Miller running up here , huge crowd for that . Sadly our premier tracks , Celtic and Dunmore have disappeared along with a lot of the history and characters who made that scene vibrant once upon a couple of decades . Over 40,000 at Celtic once ( at least ) for a greyhound meeting in the 1930's , my father and one of his sisters were there . 200 bookies on the "outside " . Unbelievable in relation to nowadays when 4 bookies at Dundalk greyhounds under cover is deemed acceptable .
Last 2 meetings i was at were Dungannon and Derry 
Dundalk's just down the road and i seen ycamore Dan win the sprint that's the last time i was in it.
Dundalk's just down the road and i seen ycamore Dan win the sprint that's the last time i was in it.
Anaglogs, I can't believe you were not in Dundalk on the night of the 'ringer', I was suir you were on that one.........
GANTOO7, would one of those old hawks be, ah, am,ok have a first name that goes b4 ale, and mixes well with brandy, and have a second name which mite sound like the Memory Man's surname ?
and didn't the steward do a buster parnell
and didn't the steward do a buster parnell
Is there something about the greyhound scene that encourages people being barred . From contacts I know that people were regularly barred from Celtic , Dunmore , and Dungannon here in the north .
In a few cases the reason they were barred , as far as my information went , because they had pulled a stroke or because they had upset the powers that be in the tracks by disrupting some plan which they had formulated . Knew one of the racing managers well , and he definitely had his favourites and buddies , who knows what the overall scheme was and how many innocent owners or punters got the wrong end of an incident . Bookies were also banned occasionally . Dog eat dog , not literally , and when money is tight people often have to struggle . Tough scene compared with when there was plenty of money and punters ( and bookies ) floating about .
In a few cases the reason they were barred , as far as my information went , because they had pulled a stroke or because they had upset the powers that be in the tracks by disrupting some plan which they had formulated . Knew one of the racing managers well , and he definitely had his favourites and buddies , who knows what the overall scheme was and how many innocent owners or punters got the wrong end of an incident . Bookies were also banned occasionally . Dog eat dog , not literally , and when money is tight people often have to struggle . Tough scene compared with when there was plenty of money and punters ( and bookies ) floating about .
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