1929 GREYHOUND DERBY

This race was run at the White City on Thursday 25th July 1929

Probably the most famous greyhound ever.

Thanks are due to Gerald Tinsley for providing the picture of Mick the Miller. I am extremely grateful to Joe Sloan for the following tale about the great Mick the Miller. His father, a greyhound racing enthusiast throughout his life, was at the opening of both the Celtic Park Stadium in Belfast and the Dunmore Park Stadium. Born in 1910, he would have been 18 when greyhound racing was launched in Ireland and would have travelled to the stadium by bus from Ballynahinch. He fondly recalls that he was at a meeting one day in 1928 when one of the handlers needed to relieve himself and asked his father to hold his dog until he returned. On returning he advised his father to keep a look out for the dog, telling him it was Mick the Miller. Joe was told by his father that Mick did not win that day!
Mick the Miller ran many times at Shelbourne Park, but never did race at Dunmore. However, the great news is that very early on in his career he ran 3 times at Celtic Park in Belfast:-
On Wednesday 25th April 1928 Mick the Miller contested the 1st Round of the Abercorn Cup over 526.6 yards. He ran from Trap 3 and won at 1/5 favourite in 30.80.
On Monday 7th May 1928 Mick ran in the semi-final of the Abercorn Cup. He was in Trap 2 and won at 5/2 favourite in 30.60.
On Friday 11th May 1928 he was third in the Abercorn Cup from Trap 1 at 5/1 despite running a 30.40. The Evens favourite for the race was Dick’s Son, commonly known as the ‘Kilkenny Crack’, whilst his main rival was an Ulster dog called Moorland Rover at 11/8. In the event it was Moorland Rover who beat Dick’s Son by a short head with Mick the Miller just ½ a length back in third. This was almost certainly the race that Joe’s father was at, handling the great Mick the Miller whilst his handler took a leak!

1929 PRE-FINAL

By the time of the third Greyhound Derby the competition was becoming extremely popular and competitive. Boher Ash was attempting to retain his crown, while Mutable, Palatinus and Buckna Boy challenged for favouritism. Palatinus was one of the first to run and won, at 1/3,in a time of 30.22. Given that Buckna Boy had done a solo in 30.38, which in itself was seen as something special, it was thought that Palatinus was the business. Enter an almost unknown greyhound called Mick the Miller for his solo trial, and does an unbelievable time of 30.03 secs which was one spot lower than the world record for 525 yards. The question, could it be bettered in the thick of the action, was answered in some style by Mick when he won his heat in a time of 29.82 secs. Furthermore, the ante post favourite, Mutable, was knocked out in the first round. The expectation, by the time of the second round, was visible for all. Mick won the opening second round heat in 30.45, being 8 lengths clear of his nearest rival. Boher Ash, the 1928 winner, bit the dust in the second round, while Palatinus was beaten in his second round heat. However, all was not plain sailing for Mick because another greyhound, Entomb, managed to equal Mick’s time and was favoured by the punters. In the first semi final Entomb missed his break but made up the ground rapidly and went on to score by an impressive 4 lengths. In the second semi Palatinus led Mick early traps but was overhauled, and Mick won by 2 lengths in a time of 29.98. The other semi had been won in 30.16. All was set for an exciting final.

1929 FINAL

For the only time in history the 1929 final was to be contested by just 4 runners. The organisers wanted a clean run race and thought that 4 competitors would guarantee this.

Three of the 4 runners had their supporters. Mick the Miller, running from trap 4, was made the 7/4 on favourite, while Palatinus, from trap 2, was installed at 3/1. Entomb, from County Clare, had been ante post favourite, but from trap 3 was allowed to go off at 9/2. The rag from trap 1 was Beadsman who went off at 25/1.

Sensationally, the guaranteed clean race involving just 4 runners was not to be. Palatinus led on the rails and won as he liked, because the other three runners collided and a no race was declared. Just 30 minutes later the Derby was re-run and Palatinus led once again on the rails, but Mick was close up at the first bend and took over at the second. He went on to win in a time of 29.96, scoring by 3 lengths from Palatinus, with Entomb back in third.

WINNERS PROFILE

Mick was a sensation. He was one of a litter of 12, born in June 1926 and bred by a parish priest, Father Brophy, in Ireland from a mating between his own bitch, Na Boc Lei, and Glorious Event. It seems incredible in hindsight that Mick started his racing career late after suffering a life threatening bout of distemper at the end of his first year. He was sent to Arthur ‘Doc’ Callanan at Shelbourne Park and cared for day and night. He took his time to recover but eventually returned to Shelbourne Park to be schooled. His trainer was Mick Horan, who tried Mick over hurdles as well as running him on the flat. His first race was at Shelbourne Park on 18^th April 1928, which Mick won in style. After winning his heat his owner was offered £500. However, he thought that Mick was worth more and the White City racing manager organised an auction. He was purchased by bookmaker A. Williams for 800 guineas. He went on to win his remaining heat, his semi final and final, and was to return the next year to claim the Derby a second time. He finished his racing career on 3^rd October 1931 at Wembley, winning the St Leger over a distance of 700 yards.

The racecard is a heat of the Champion Stakes which was run on 20th December 1929. Mick the Miller won the heat in 33.15. After winning his semi final he was beaten in the final by Buckna Boy by 8 Lengths, the winning time was 32.99. My thanks to Tony Nash for providing the racecard scan and information.

WELSH GREYHOUND DERBY (Cardiff White City)

SCOTTISH GREYHOUND DERBY (Carntyne)

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