Levy payments for greyhound racing went down again from £10 million to £8.5 million. Betting exchanges were impacting major bookmakers which in turn affected greyhound racing.[1] Jimmy Lollie finished the year with a remarkable 35 open-race wins after winning the semi-final of the Scurry Cup at Belle Vue. Trained by Seamus Cahill the brindle dog went on to be voted greyhound of the year which was unusual for a sprinter. He was withdrawn from the final of the Scurry but did win the National Sprint, set four new track records [2] and passed 50 career wins.[3]
Portsmouth Stadium under the control of manager Eric Graham closed under controversial circumstances. Within weeks of the unsuccessful application for a lease renewal Graham stated that the company would be wound up with immediate effect.[4][5][6]
There was a new track in Limerick when the Limerick Greyhound Stadium was opened in October by minister of agriculture, fisheries and food Brendan Smith. It was built on the site of the old Greenpark Racecourse costing €18 million. The Irish Greyhound Board's latest showpiece had the facilities and comforts of a world-class stadium. The new venue was also served by a new tunnel linking Clare and Limerick.[7]
Toomaline Jack was an unlucky loser in the Grand National final, the Dolores Ruth trained Irish entry set a new hurdle track record but went lame leaving Plane Daddy to win the first prize.[8] The Greyhound Racing Association decline continued with open race prize money decreases including the St Leger; the event was won by Droopys Bradley.
Bad weather during December resulted in many meetings cancelled all over the country. The Henlow Gold Cup suffered when several attempts to run the event were cancelled. Elsewhere huge numbers of greyhounds were required to grade on again (re-qualify) at many tracks, after they ran out of time under the sport's 28 day rule. Temperatures on Boxing Day (daytime) meetings were held at temperatures of minus 7 Celsius and below.
Four current and former leading trainers died. Philip Rees Jr., a long-time successful Wimbledon trainer died aged 67. Pam Heasman 85, Arthur Hitch 77 and Terry Duggan 77 also died during 2010.[10][11] A former leading on-course bookmaker Tony Morris also died in March, aged 73.[12]
