The Northern Flat is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Newcastle Stadium.[1] The event was switched to Newcastle in 2021 following the closure of Belle Vue Stadium where it had been held from 1927 until 2018.[2]

Northern Flat
Category 1 race
Sullane Castle, winner in 1992
LocationNewcastle Stadium
Inaugurated1927
SponsorTime Greyhound Nutrition
Race information
Distance480 metres
SurfaceSand
Purse£12,500 (winner)

It was inaugurated in 1927 making it one of the oldest competitions in the racing calendar.[3][4] The 1971 edition was an eight dog competition, the only time a major competition featured eight runners.[5][6]

Sponsors

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  • 1989–1989 (David P.Yates)
  • 1990–1991 (John Smith's Brewery)
  • 1994–1994 (Demmy Racing)
  • 1999–2009 (Ben Holmes Bookmakers)
  • 2011–2015 (Belle Vue Owners Forum)
  • 2016–2018 (BAPP Group of Companies)
  • 2021–2023 (Arena Racing Company)
  • 2024-present (Time Greyhound Nutrition)

Venue & distances

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  • 1927–1971 (Belle Vue, 500 yards)
  • 1975–1998 (Belle Vue, 460 metres)
  • 1999–2004 (Belle Vue, 465 metres)
  • 2005–2018 (Belle Vue, 470 metres)
  • 2021–present (Newcastle, 480 metres)

Past winners

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Year Winner Breeding Trainer Time SP Notes
1927 Great Chum[7] Woon - Chronic Cough Jack Buck (Belle Vue) 29.60 11/8f
1928 Mutable[8] Latto - Muffler Eddie Wright (Belle Vue) 29.08 5/2f
1929 Mutable Latto - Muffler Eddie Wright (Belle Vue) 29.34
1930 Doumergue Dago - Beaded Jean Harry Woolner (White City - London) 29.17
1931 Ross Regatta[9] Red Robin - Kaiserin Reg Bosley (Private) 29.14
1932 Wild Woolley[10] Hautley - Wild Witch Jimmy Campbell (Belle Vue) 28.49 World & Track record
1933 Deemster's Mike Deemster - Perdita Fred Livesly (Bradford) 29.08 2/1jf
1934 Kumm On Steve Halmirah - Barbara Joan Albert Jonas (White City - London) 29.42
1935 Perendar Rathwire - Ashbournes Joy Fred Livesly (Bradford) 29.00
1936 First Nobleman Generous Nobleman - Ballinard Vue Ronnie Melville (Newcastle) 29.16
1937 Demotic Mack [11] Beef Cutlet - Kaiti Hill Charles Cross (Clapton) 28.66 7/1
1938 Italian Primer Danielli - A.B.C. Thomas Callighan (Salford) 28.92 8/15f
1939 Sporting Offer Silver Seal - Live Wiring Austin Hiscock (Belle Vue) 28.74 1/3f
1946 Dante II Well Squared - Olives Idol Wilf France (Harringay) 28.35 3/1
1947 Tonycus Manhattan Midnight - Dashing B. Leslie Reynolds (Wembley) 28.09 4/7f
1948 Clan Cameron G.R Admiral - Noramac W McLean (Powderhall) 28.68 100/8
1949 Bahattan Marquis [12] Manhattan Midnight - Behattan Bob Burls (Wembley) 28.37 5/2
1950 Loyal Accomplice Mad Tanist - Belle O'Harlem Tom Paddy Reilly (Walthamstow) 28.10 6/4f
1951 Rushton Smutty Mad Tanist - Summer Frock Frank Johnson (Private) 27.95 4/6f
1952 Ballylanigan Tanist Mad Tanist - Fly Dancer Leslie Reynolds (Wembley) 27.82 2/1
1953 Baytown Caddie Bah's Choice - Baytown Blossom Jack Harvey (Wembley) 28.20 11/4
1954 Rushton Mac Rushton News - Rushton Panda Frank Johnson (Private) 28.12 6/1
1955 Rushton Mac Rushton News - Rushton Panda Frank Johnson (Private) 27.82 4/11f
1956 Duke Of Alva Ballymac Ball - Marchioness Minnie Frank Baldwin (Perry Barr) 28.68 20/1 dead-heat
1956 Wish Me Luck Marsh Harrier - Chaser Jack Brennan (Owlerton) 28.68 10/1 dead-heat
1957 Brooklands Hunter Fly Prince - Brooklands Rose H Harding (Private) 28.91 7/2
1958 Just Fame Colebreene Bell - More Fame Tom Johnston Sr. (Carntyne) 28.56 8/11f
1959 Low Pressure Hi There - Belle Of Cassagh Pam Heasman (Private) 28.09 8/13f
1960 Just Fame Colebreene Bell - More Fame Tom Johnston Sr. (Carntyne) 28.37 6/1
1961 Spider Hill Forever Cloone - She Can Can Joe Pickering (White City - London) 28.22 11/4
1962 Faithful Charlie Glittering Look - Lady Artic Jim Irving (Private) 28.32 9/4
1963 Super Car Glittering Coin - Tansys Daughter Norman Oliver (Brough Park) 27.95 12/1
1964 We'll See Knock Hill Chieftain - Bunnykins Joe Pickering (White City - London) 28.11 4/1
1965 Clonmannon Flash Prairie Flash - Dainty Sister Jim Hookway (Owlerton) 27.98 1/2f
1966 Lazy Tim Clonalvy Pride - You Little Daisy Frank Baldwin (Perry Barr) 28.08 4/1
1967 Own Luck Careless Look - Miss Kruger Joe Pickering (White City - London) 28.12 6/1
1968 Limits Crackers Odd Venture - Pats Regret Coin McNally (Perry Barr) 28.09 11/10f
1969 Infatuated Prairie Flash - Clomoney Grand Jim Irving (Private) 28.23 7/4f
1970 The Other Green Prairie Flash - The Other Flash Jim Irving (Private) 27.66 1/3f
1971 Knockmant Pride Always Proud - Bonfire Grand Bill Adams (White City - Manchester) 28.12 7/1
1972 to 1974 not held
1975 Milebush Heron Infatuated - Kellys For Cash Bill Adams (Belle Vue) 28.14 1/1f
1976 Detties Joy Wafer Thin - Silver Torch Geoff De Mulder (Hall Green) 27.91 7/4jf
1977 Colonel Pearloma Lively Band - Certral John Coleman (Wembley) 27.52 7/1
1978 Dale Lad Lively Band - Kerry Pal Geoff De Mulder (Hall Green) 27.56 4/7f
1979 Ella's Sound Monalee Champion - Current Flash Frank Baldwin (Perry Barr) 27.45 6/1
1980 Jon Barrie Clashing - Famous Heart Ray Andrews (Leeds) 27.85 11/4
1981 Thanks Kev Ahaveen Spitfire - Slide Over Baby Frank Melville (Harringay) 27.67 11/8f
1982 Oakfield Tracey Westmead Power - Pride Of Aston Rita Hayward (Perry Barr) 27.40 8/1
1983 Slender Boy Minnesota Mark - The Tunnel Ken Reynolds (Cradley Heath) 27.80 7/1
1984 Precious Prince Fred Flinstone - Minnesota Oaks Harry Crapper (Sheffield) 27.99 5/2 Track record
1985 Ebony Fox Ballyderg Fox - Pile It High Sam Salvin (Sheffield) 28.23 9/4f
1986 Fearless Action Ron Hardy - Sarahs Bunny Geoff De Mulder (Oxford) 28.04 2/7f
1987 Kingsmeadow King Lauries Panther - Millies Midget Dawn Milligan (Brough Park) 28.48 5/2f
1988 Pond Hurricane Lindas Champion - Soda Pop II Harry Williams (Brough Park) 28.30 2/5f
1989 Barnacuiga Lass Dads Bank - Lady Rossmore Geoff De Mulder (Norton Canes) 28.26 4/7f
1990 Social Circle Nelsons Dasher - Gorgeous Linda Mullins (Romford) 28.05 2/1jf
1991 Aylesbury Duck Whisper Wishes - Judys First David Budd (Peterborough) 28.14 2/1f
1992 Sullane Castle Tapwatcher - Airhill Foam Nigel Saunders (Belle Vue) 28.03 11/8f
1993 Toms Lodge Druids Lodge - Grannys Black Norman Johnson (Norton Canes) 27.59 8/13f
1994 Gold Doon[13] Top Flash - Doon Duchess Eddie Palmer (Sunderland) 28.02 6/1
1995 Countrywide Cub SatharnBeo - Free Fancy John Coleman (Walthamstow) 28.66 6/4f
1996 Rainstorm Murlens Slippy - Westmead Bubble Geoff De Mulder (Hall Green) 28.10 7/1
1997 Brannigans Gig Just Right Kyle - Castlelyons Link Charlie Lister (Nottingham) 28.00 7-/1
1998 Ratsatory Vintage Prince - Sunset Blonde Pat Ryan (Private) 28.09 5/2
1999 Killaree George Billy George - Toffee Money Dave Hopper (Sheffield) 28.43 8/1
2000 El Dante Airmount Coal - Jubilee Joy Linda Mullins (Walthamstow) 28.00 8/1
2001 Carhumore Cross He Knows - Laurdella Risk Nick Savva (Private) 27.65 4/1
2002 Cool Scenario Spiral Nikita - Bangor Jane Barrie Draper (Sheffield) 28.15 5/2cf
2003 One Yard Larkhill Jo - Gold Commentary Andy Johnson (Private) 27.74 4/7f
2004 Tarn Bay Flash Larkhill Jo - Tarn Bay Ace June McCombe (Belle Vue) 27.74 7/1
2005 Phone for Who Frisby Flashing - Suir Trio Graham Hutt (Private) 27.75 3/1
2006 Giddy Kipper Larkhill Jo - Harsu Heather June McCombe (Belle Vue) 27.70 25/1
2007 Ballymac Charley Daves Mentor - Ballymac Bargain Charlie Lister (Private) 27.70 5/4f
2008 Droopys Sheehy Droopys Cahill - Droopys Millie Elaine Parker (Sheffield) 27.79 7/4f
2009 Anhid Bertie Droopys Vieri-AnhidReta Martin Cutler (Belle Vue) 27.61 4/1
2010 Sundance Kid World Class – Droopys Kara Otto Kueres (Belle Vue) 28.19 4/1
2011 Mountjoy Rock Black Shaw – Noelles Amarillo Elaine Parker (Sheffield) 27.37 4/6f
2012 Alien Planet Droopys Scolari-Betfowl Stuart Mason (Private) 27.50 4/6f
2013 Gurrane Boy Black Shaw – Hawthorn Lily John Walton (Belle Vue) 28.04 5/1
2014 Bush Standard[14] Droopys Vieri – Lady Bluebell Pat Rosney (Perry Barr) 27.98 3/1
2015 Graigues Diva[15] Barefoot Bolt – Graigues Haze Pat Rosney (Private) 27.70 7/2
2016 Ballymac Galtee[16] Ballymac Vic – Galtee Ellie Brian Stuart (Private) 27.75 4/1
2017 Dropzone[17] Sh Avatar – Bonus Elaine Parker (Sheffield) 28.10 6/4f
2018 Fernhill Rex[18] Iso Octane – Fernhill Jess Lee Field (Doncaster) 27.56 5/2
2019 to 2020 not held
2021 Pacemaker Ted[19] Laughil Blake – Droopys Harbour Tom Heilbron (Newcastle) 28.37 9/4f
2022 Jaguar Macie[20] Droopys Jet – Droopys Breeze Graham Rankin (Monmore) 28.27 10/11f
2023 Brookside Richie[21] Droopys Sydney – Droopys Greatest James Fenwick (Newcastle) 28.15 8/15f
2024 Wicky Ned[22] Droopys Sydney – Ballycowen Lucy James Fenwick (Newcastle) 28.81 7/4f

References

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  1. ^ "ARC Confirm Open Race Plans For 2021". Arena Racing Company. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  2. ^ Hobbs, Jonathan (2007). Greyhound Annual 2008, page 142. Raceform. ISBN 978-1-905153-53-4.
  3. ^ Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 07207-1106-1.
  4. ^ Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, pages 70-72. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
  5. ^ Genders, Roy (1990). NGRC book of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 0-7207-1804-X.
  6. ^ Barnes, Julia (1991). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, Vol Two. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-61-9.
  7. ^ "Northern Flat Title". Manchester Evening News. 8 October 1927. Retrieved 22 July 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ^ "Mutable wins final at Manchester". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 3 September 1928. Retrieved 22 July 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. ^ "Greyhounds". Daily Mirror. 5 September 1931. Retrieved 22 July 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. ^ "World record broken". Birmingham Daily Gazette. 2 June 1932. Retrieved 22 July 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. ^ "Remember When - October". Greyhound Star. 27 October 2017.
  12. ^ "Greyhound Star (Remember When December)". Greyhound Star. 20 December 2018.
  13. ^ Fry, Paul (1995). The Official NGRC Greyhound Racing Yearbook. Ringpress Books. pp. 27–28. ISBN 186054-010-4.
  14. ^ "2014 Northern Flat Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  15. ^ "Belle Vue Owners Forum Northern Flat Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  16. ^ "BAPP Group Of Companies Northern Flat Championship Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  17. ^ "BAPP GROUP OF COMPANIES NORTHERN FLAT FINAL". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  18. ^ "2018 Northern Flat final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  19. ^ "Arena Racing Company Northern Flat Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  20. ^ "The Arena Racing Company Northern Flat Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  21. ^ "Arena Racing Company Northern Flat Final". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  22. ^ "2024 Northern Flat". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 26 July 2024.