British greyhound competition
Horse race
Gymcrack Night Trooper was the 1996 champion
Location Owlerton Stadium Inaugurated 1994 Sponsor BresBet Distance 500 metres Surface Sand Qualification Juveniles only (15-24 months old) Purse £17,500 (winner)
The Gymcrack is a category 1 greyhound competition held at Owlerton Stadium .[ 1]
History
Initially run at Hackney Wick Stadium in 1994 the race was discontinued in the mid 1996, despite winners such as Moral Standards, Night Trooper and Staplers Jo.[ 2] It was re-introduced in 2000 at Hall Green Stadium but switched to Kinsley in 2011.[ 1]
The competition has grown in stature since 2000 and is competed for by puppies (greyhounds over 15 months old but under two years of age). In 2017, the race was won by an Irish entry for the first time [ 3] but the 2019 event was in danger of being cancelled following problems over securing a sponsor.[ 4]
In 2018, Brinkleys Poet broke the Kinsley track record winning the final.[ 5]
In 2024, the event switched Owlerton Stadium and regained category 1 status, with a first prize of £17,500.
Venues & Distances
1994–1994 (Hackney, 484m)
1995–1995 (Hackney, 442m)
1996–1996 (Hackney, 480m)
2000–2010 (Hall Green, 480m)
2011–2023 (Kinsley, 462m)
2024–2024 (Sheffield, 500m)
Past winners
Year
Winner
Breeding
Trainer
Time
SP
Notes
1994
Moral Standards[ 6]
Flag Star - No Way Jose
Tony Meek (Hall Green)
7-4f
1995
Staplers Jo
Dempsey Duke – Perfect Rhythm
Nick Savva (Walthamstow)
26.59
1-8f
1996
Night Trooper
Portrun Flier – Suir Orla
Nikki Adams (Rye House)
29.48
5-1
2000
Droopys Woods
Top Honcho – Droopys Fergie
Paul Young (Romford)
28.00
2-1jf
2001
Reactabond Ace
El Premier – Droopys Kylie
Paul Young (Romford)
28.22
1-1f
2002
Louis Saha
Toms The Best – Any Chewing Gum
Barrie Draper (Sheffield)
28.26
3-1
2003
Moynies Cash
Joannestown Cash – Glanamoon
Charlie Lister OBE (Private)
28.45
13-2
2004
Roman Road
Droopys Vieri – Madam Alright
Andrew O'Flaherty (Stainforth)
28.69
7-4
2005
Go Commando [ 7]
Soviet Ferrari – Lady Devika
Mark Wallis (Walthamstow)
28.11
11-4
2006
Fear Haribo [ 8]
Larkhill Jo – Yamila Diaz
Carly Philpott (Private)
28.56
5-4f
2007
Farloe Hurricane [ 9]
Larkhill Jo – Farloe Oyster
Barrie Draper (Sheffield)
28.41
5-6f
2008
Mottos Star [ 10]
Bucks Honcho – Mottos Friend
Charlie Lister (Private)
28.48
3-1
2009
Droopys Bogart [ 11]
Droopys Scolari – Droopys Gucci
Liz McNair (Private)
28.09
2-1jf
2010
Blue Artisan [ 12]
Droopys Maldini – Poolie Pride
Harry Williams (Sunderland)
28.18
5/4f
2011
Taranis Rex [ 13]
Droopys Vieri – Blackstone Kate
Nick Colton (Oxford) /(Swindon)
27.21
1/1f
Track record
2012
Droopys Hope [ 14]
Ace Hi Rumble – Droopys Darjina
George Oswald (Private)
27.21
5/1
2013
Young Golden [ 15]
Premier Fantasy – Final Golden
Paul Young (Romford)
27.45
33/1
2014
Mill Jolson [ 16]
Slip The Lark – Sniper Betty
Kelly Macari (Sunderland)
27.88
4/1
2015
Stay Loose [ 17]
Kinloch Brae – Cornamaddy Tiny
Elaine Parker (Sheffield)
27.50
5/1
2016
Droopys Trapeze [ 18]
Tullymurry Act – Droopys Blossom
Jimmy Wright (Newcastle)
27.23
2/1
2017
Cometwopass [ 19]
Ballymac Eske – Zero Two
Peter Cronin (Ireland)
27.18
11/10f
2018
Brinkleys Poet[ 5]
Scolari Me Daddy – Kilara Lizzie
Matt Dartnall (Towcester)
26.95
4/7f
Track Record
Not held from 2019 to 2022
2023
Stormy News[ 20]
Good News – Bonito Fox
Michael Hurst (Private)
27.75
11/10f
2024
Wicky Ned[ 21]
Droopys Sydney – Ballycowen Lucy
James Fenwick (Newcastle)
28.51
4/9f
References
UK & Irish greyhound competitions
English competitions
Current competitions
Former competitions
Irish competitions
Current competitions
Former competitions