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Group Racing Hall of Fame (Greyhounds)

The Australian Greyhound Racing Association introduced its Group Racing Hall of Fame in 1998. Tenthill Doll and Flying Amy two modern day superstars of the Australian Greyhound Racing Scene were the inaugural inductees.

Nominations for the Hall of Fame status are considered at Annual General Meetings of the AGRA . To be eligible for nomination, greyhounds must have won at least four Group races, at least two of which must have been at Group 1 level. Greyhounds must have officially completed their racing career prior to nomination.

In the year 2000, AGRA elected to broaden its criteria for Hall of Fame entry by providing for honorary access for greyhounds which raced prior to 1990 (the starting point of AGRA's Group racing format). Greyhounds inducted via the honorary route are also subject to prior nomination to the AGRA Annual General Meeting and are required to have a race winning record of the highest order. Immortals Chief Havoc, Zoom Top and Highly Blessed were the first honorary inductees in 2000.

Up until 2008, Hall of Fame induction was only afforded to greyhounds based on racing performances. At the August 2007 Annual General Meeting of the Australian Greyhound Racing Association it was agreed that the 2007 Greyhound Of The Year award would also include a presentation of a Trainer Hall of Fame inductee and various other levels of induction could also be added to the Hall of Fame. The criteria for these awards was further refind and endorsed at the August 2008 AGM.

To see the list of of the expanded Group Racing Hall of Fame held in conjunction with the Australian Greyhound of the Year click here.

The full list of Inductees for the Group Racing Hall of Fame (Greyhounds) is as follows:

Tenthill Doll
Black Bitch
(Malawi 's Prince x Tenthill Flyer)

Whelped March 1993
Trainer: H. Sarkis/C.Reinke
Owners: M. Valenti and R. Richards
Year of Induction 1999
56 starts: 31 wins, 10 seconds, 7 thirds
Career Prizemoney $382,660
1995 and 1996 NSW Greyhound of the Year
Held three metropolitan track records concurrently; Wentworth Park 520m (29.92); Sandown 515m (29.65) and Cannington 530m (30.67)
Won three Group 1 events in succession – 1996 Golden Easter Egg, Perth Cup and Australian Cup.

For Neil Brown's tribute to Tenthill Doll click here

Flying Amy
Brindle Bitch
(Amerigo Man x Tenthill Flyer) Whelped May 1992

Trainer: R.Ball
Owners: M.Ball and P.Tedford
Year of Induction 1999
59 starts: 42 wins, 5 seconds, 5 thirds
Career prizemoney $354,105
1994 and 1995 Queensland Greyhound of the Year
Track record-holder Albion Park 520m
Major career wins included:
1995 Eukanuba Cup Final 520m Albion Park
1995 National Sprint Championship Grand Final 511m Sandown
1994 and 1995 Gold Coast Cup Final 457m Gold Coast
1994 Queensland Puppy Classic 520m Albion Park

For Neil Brown's tribute to Flying Amy click here

Rapid Journey
Red Brindle Dog
(Amerigo Magic x Miss Courtney) Whelped May 1995

Owner-Trainer: J.Carruthers
Year of Induction 1999
54 starts: 33 wins, 6, seconds, 5 thirds
Career Prizemoney $530,995
Track record-holder Wentworth Park 520m, Dubbo 516m, Cannington 530m and Beenleigh 555m
Major Career Wins Included:
1998 Adelaide Cup 512m Angle Park
1998 Golden Easter Egg 520m Wentworth Park
1998 Perth Cup 530m Cannington
1998 National Sprint Grand Final 530m Cannington
1998 Melbourne Cup 515m Sandown Park
1998 Topgun 515m Sandown Park
By winning the 1998 Topgun at Sandown, Rapid Journey became the world prizemoney record holder, smashing American champion Mo Kick's record.
Rapid Journey has won races at every metropolitan venue on mainland Australia .

For Neil Brown's tribute to Rapid Journey click here

Highly Blessed
Black Bitch
(Chariot Supreme x I'm Blessed)

Whelped February 1998
Owner-Trainer: L.Ferrami
Year of Induction 2000
55 starts: 38 wins, 2 seconds, 3 thirds
Career Prizemoney $294,565
Track record-holder Sandown 511m
Major Career Wins Included:
1990 Gold Collar 511m Olympic Park
1990 Shepparton Cup 440m Shepparton
1990 Melbourne Cup 511m Sandown
1990 XXXX Trophy Cup 558m Gabba
1991 Adelaide Cup 512m Angle Park
1991 Golden Easter Egg 520m Wentworth Park
1991 McRae Honda Trophy 511m Sandown
1991 Schweppes Cup 511m Sandown
In 1991, Highly Blessed was awarded All World Greyhound Field selection by the World Greyhound Racing Federation.
Highly Blessed had been voted by the WGF as one of the world's best eight greyhounds, and has been one of only two Australian greyhounds to be selected in the All World Greyhound Field.

For Neil Brown's tribute to Highly Blessed click here

Chief Havoc
White and Fawn Dog
(Trion x Thelma's Mate)

Whelped September 1944
Owner-Trainer: J.Millerd
Year of Induction 2000
Feature Career Wins Included:
1946 NCA Stake Harold Park
1947 800 Yards Championship Harold Park
Track Records:
Chief Havoc attempted to set six track records times
440 yards – 23.5 sec
500 yards – 26.8 sec equalled track record
660 yards – 36.9 sec
700 yards – 38.7 sec
750 yards – 41.4 sec
800 yards – 44.3 sec
When Chief Havoc made his first appearance at Harold Park in November 1946, he blitzed his contender by six lengths and the time was 27, 2/5 th of a second outside the course record. This race attracted more than 16,000 race goers to the course, with several thousand leaving immediately after the big race.
Chief Havoc's brilliant career was showcased when he won the 800 yards Championship at Harold Park in 1947,in a time of 44 seconds, beating Electronic by six lengths. Chief Havoc's time, which was actually a world record, unfortunately was not recognised in the official English register as the race was “manually clocked”.

For Neil Brown's tribute to Chief Havoc click here

Zoom Top
Fawn Bitch
(Black Top x Busy Beaver)

Whelped August 1966
Owner, Trainer, Breeder H.Watt
Year of Induction 2000
136 starts: 68 wins, 25 seconds, 14 thirds
1968 and 1969 NSW NCA Greyhound of the Year
Major Career Wins Included:
1968 Association Cup 800 yards Harold Park
1968 Sydney Cup 790 yards Wentworth Park
1968 NSW St Leger 580 yards Wentworth Park
1969 Olympic Park Distance Championship
Zoom Top was regarded by many experts as arguably the most versatile champion of all time, who could win over 800 yards, then drop back to 300 yards in the space of less than a week and win again.

For Neil Brown's tribute to Zoom Top click here

Macareena
Brindle Bitch
(Chef Havoc x Casson)

Whelped June 1951
Owner-Trainer: L.Taylor
Year of Induction 2001
96 stars: 50 wins, 32 placings
Track Records:
Dubbo 425 yards (23.0)
Gunnedah 600 yards (32.9)
Gunnedah 375 yards (20.3)
Harold Park 500 yards (26.5)
Newcastle 530 yards (29.0)
Maitland 550yards (30.0)
Wentworth Park 580 yards (31.4)
Newcastle 530 yards (28.8)
Gunnedah 475 yards (25.5)
Dubbo 425 yards (22.8)
Young 550 yards (30.0)
Tamworth 493 yards (26.6)
Lithgow 310 yards (17.1)
Jack Woodward (the Editor of the Greyhound Recorder for 25 years) rated Macareena as the equal of Zoom Top. Her winning strike rate for a greyhound, which had close to 100 starts, was quite remarkable.
During 1954, many rival camps refused to nominate their dogs against Macareena unless their charge was given a six or eight yard head start under handicap conditions; quite simply they had resigned themselves to defeat.

For Neil Brown's tribute to Macareena click here

Rookie Rebel
White and Fawn Dog
(Dream's Image x lady Janellen)

Whelped December 1954
Owner: P.Herman
Trainer: W.Hooper
Year of Induction 2001
Feature Career Wins Included:
1957 Melbourne Cup
1958 Australian Cup
1957 Hobart 1000
Rookie Rebel won the Hobart 1000 and Melbourne Cup double in 1957. The Melbourne Cup was a handicap race that year, with Rookie Rebel giving away a start of two yards, yet speeding home to score by six lengths. He completed the clean sweep of the major three features winning the Australian Cup at North Melbourne in February 1958.

For Neil Brown's tribute to Rookie Rebel click here

Sandi's Me Mum
Brindle Bitch
(Red Swinger x Sandilock)

Whelped June 1987
Trainer: G.O'Keefe
Owner: G.O'Keefe and B.Lorrimar
Year of Induction 2001
92 stars: 62 wins and 18 placings
1989 and 1990 WA Greyhound of the Year
In 1990, the World Greyhound Federation voted her one of the world's eight best greyhounds
Career prizemoney: $272,831
Feature Career Wins Included:
1989 Sandown Laurels
1989 West Australian Winter Cup
1989 National Sprint Title, Cannington
1989 Cannington Invitation
1990 Anniversary Cup, Cannington
1990 Adelaide Cup, Angle Park
1990 WA Winter Cup, Cannington
1990 National Sprint Title, Sandown
1991 All Star Classic, Cannington
1991 Mandurah Cup
1991 Ansett Breeders Stake, Cannington
Career Track Records:
1989 Anniversary Cup, Cannington – (31.59)
1990 West Australian Winter Cup, Cannington – (31.24)
1990 Qualifying State Final Cannington – (31.67)
Sandi's Me Mum was fortunate to only ever suffer a shoulder injury in her illustrious career.
Sandi's Me Mum was crowned Western Australia 's 1989 Greyhound of the Year in a unanimous 8-0 vote.
Sandi's Me Mum became only the fourth greyhound to secure the prestigious Adelaide Cup-Anniversary Cup double in the same year and went on to become the first greyhound to clinch back to back National Sprint titles in the event's 26 year history.
She was again crowned Western Australian Greyhound of the Year in 1990, and was also voted one of the world's best eight greyhounds for 1990 by the World Greyhound Federation in Massachusetts , United States .
Sandi's Me Mum was officially retired at four years of age.

For Neil Brown's tribute to Sandi's Me Mum click here

Brett Lee
Black Dog
(Gun Law Osti x Sobbing Sal)

Whelped January 1999
Trainer: D.McDonald
Owners: K.Johnstone & D.McDonald
Year of Induction 2002
39 Starts: 31 Wins 8 Placings
Career Prizemoney: $405,106
Feature Career Wins Included:
2001 Golden Easter Egg, 520m Wentworth Park
2001 Adelaide Cup, 515m Angle Park
2001 Australian Cup, 525mThe Meadows
2001 The Maturity, 525m The Meadows
2001 Warrnambool Classic
2001SA Interstate Challenge
2001 Geelong Guineas
Career Track Records:
Horsham 480m (26.94)
Warragual 424m (23.68)
Angle Park 515m (28.88)
Shepparton 440m (24.22)
Geelong 457m (25.19)
Ballarat 450m (24.95)
Brett Lee was rated as one of the quickest greyhounds of all time, and broke the first of many track records, at his second race start on the Horsham 480m track. From that point the black speed freak stormed into the annals of Australian greyhound racing folklore with a string of group wins and track records.
Brett Lee's first Group 1 success came with a record breaking win in the Adelaide Cup and was followed by victories in the Australian Cup, Maturity Classic, while his crowning glory came with a devastating triumph in the Golden Easter Egg.
It has been said that Brett Lee was the greyhound, that greyhound racing needs every one or two seasons to keep the sport in the headlines, and he certainly delivered.

For Neil Brown's tribute to Brett Lee click here

Bold Trease
Fawn Dog
(Roy Trease x Irish Temptress)

Whelped March 1984
Trainer: N.McCullagh
Owners: J.Rule, R.Hay, A.McCullagh & N.McCullagh
Year of Induction 2002
Career Prizemoney: $127,600
104 Starts: 51 Wins, 22 Seconds and 12 Thirds
Feature Career Wins Included:
Sandown Cup, Sandown 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989
Bold Trease was responsible for one of Australian greyhound racing's most remarkable feats winning four consecutive Sandown Cups between 1986 – 1989. He was voted Victorian Greyhound of the Year in 1987 after winning his second Sandown Cup.
This amazing achievement is a great moment in greyhound racing history, and the many people who had the privilege to witness Bold Trease unleash his customary spine-tingling burst to the finish line, will never forget it.

For Neil Brown's Tribute to Bold Trease click here

National Lass
Black Bitch
(Chief Dingaan x Waroo Lass)

Whelped September 1982
Trainer: R.Dean
Owner: R.Zammit
Year of Induction 2003
1984 and 1985 NSW NCA Greyhound of the Year
Career Prizemoney: $82,000
63 Starts: 40 Wins and 15 placings
Feature Career Wins Included:
1984 Coca Cola Cup, Gabba
1984 Sun Toy Fund Cup, Wentworth Park
1985 Sydney Cup Final, Wentworth Park
1985 Summer Cup, Wentworth Park
1985 Sun Toy Fund Cup, Wentworth Park
1985 Christmas Gift, Richmond
1986 Wentworth Park Gold Cup
Career Track Records:
Gosford 689m (41.20)
Wentworth Park 722m (42.70)
Richmond 620m (37.20)
Richmond 620m (37.03)
Richmond 537m (31.24)
Dapto 722m (42.82)
For her brief but electrifying staying career, and outstanding efforts as a sprinter, National Lass was named New South Wales Greyhound of the Year in 1984,
and she claimed the prestigious award for the second time in 1985.
Injury brought a premature end to National Lass's career, although she did go on to have three litters, the best performed offspring was Little Deaver (by Worth Doing), which was the only greyhound in history to win the big NCA ‘classic double' the 1991 St. Leger and 1992 National Derby.

For Neil Brown's tribute to National Lass click here

Winifred Bale
Fawn and White Bitch
(Temlee x Emiline Bale)

Whelped August 1980
Owner-Trainer: A.Wheeler Jnr.
Year of Induction 2003
Career Prizemoney: $100,740
1982 and 1983 NSW NCA greyhound of the Year
81 Starts: 41 Wins and 28 placings
Feature Career Wins Included:
1982 Sandown Laurels, Sandown
1982 NSW St. Leger, Wentworth Park
1983 Appin Opal, Appin
1983 Ladies Bracelet, Harold Park
1983 National Futurity, Wentworth Park
1983 Richmond Oaks, Richmond
1983 National Sprint Championship, Harold Park
For her ultra-consistent efforts, Winifred Bale was crowed New South Wales Greyhound of the Year in 1982.
In 1983 Winifred Bale, in fantastic form, completed a clean sweep of all major races for bitches conducted in New South Wales, including the Richmond Oaks, Ladies Bracelet, National Futurity and Appin Opal.
Winifred Bale was retired after suffering a dropped back muscle, and in a gala presentation dinner, the classy bitch was crowed 1983 NSW Greyhound of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Winifred Bale will remain an inspiration to newcomers and experienced breeders alike in their quest to unearth that elusive champion.