A look at the Greyhound Derby in the last hundred years (1960-1969)-part 4
The 60s was a decade of revolution in Europe and this revolution engulfed greyhound racing as well. Apart from the introduction of new political reforms and Beatles, the 60s also brought an improved era for Greyhound Derby.
Greyhound Duleek Dandy won the 1960 Greyhound Derby.
He finished the race in 29.15 seconds, beating the runner-up, Clonalvy Romance, by a huge margin of two and a quarter of a length. The difference between the winner and runner-up clearly reflects that it was a one dog race.
In 1961, greyhound Palms Printer emerged victorious. He won the race by one and quarter of a length in 28.84 seconds beating the runner up Oregon Prince. The spectators recall that the final was a two dog race. Runner up Oregon prince fought all the way
to the finish line but lady luck favoured Palms Printer.
The year 1962 brought victory for greyhound Great Canal in the Greyhound Derby Final.
He beat the runner-up, Powerstown Prospect, by one length in 29.09 seconds. The winner had been sired by Champion Prince who also sired the winner of 1959 Greyhound Derby.
Greyhound Lucky Boy Boy was the winner of 1963 Greyhound Derby. He finished the race in 29 seconds.
He won by a huge margin of six and three quarters of a length beating the runner up Greenane Worker. The difference between the winner and the runner up shows that it was a one-dog race through and through in the final.
Hack up Cheiftan won the 1964 Greyhound Derby even thought the odds in his favour were quiet low.
He finished the race in a minimal time of 28.92 seconds beating the runner up Die Cast by one and a quarter of a length.
The following year greyhound Chittering Clapton won the Greyhound Derby, crossing the finish line in 28.82 seconds.
He beat the runner-up, Sunbow, by a substantial difference of five and three quarters of a length. Like the Greyhound Derby of 1963, the winner had a lead from the start and there was not much doubt about his victory.
Faithfull Hope beat Greenane Flash in the 1966 Greyhound Derby final by a margin of four and a quarter of a length.
He finished the race in 28.52 seconds and like Greyhound Derby of the previous year, the result of the race was clear the minute it started.
In 1967 greyhound Tric Trac emerged victorious beating the runner up Spectre by just a length.
He finished the race 29.99 seconds and the minute difference between him and the runner reflected what a close competition it was between these two greyhounds.
The second last Greyhound Derby of the 60s decade in 1968 brought victory for the greyhound Camira Flash.
He beat the runner-up, Witches Smoke, by a small difference of one length. Like the Greyhound Derby of 1967, this was a nail biting competition as well. The winner was not decided till the last moment. But lady luck smiled on Camira Flash.
Greyhound Sand Star emerged victorious in the 1969 Greyhound Derby beating the runner up Kilbelin Style by two lengths in 28.78 seconds.
Right from the start of the race, the winner kept a lead of two lengths and maintained it until he crossed the finish line.
There were some pretty exciting races in this decade whereas in some the winner was clear right from the start. The 1960s decade gave more definition to the Greyhound Derby held at White City each year.
The views expressed by the writer are his own and do not reflect the editorial policy of
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