1930 GREYHOUND DERBY

This race was run at the White City.

Mick the Miller wins again ! For further details see Mick The Miller.

Thanks are due to Gerald Tinsley for the picture of Mick the Miller.

1930 PRE-FINAL

There was an anticipation that the fourth Greyhound Derby was to be a one dog race, Mick being considered so much superior to his rivals. He duly won his opening heat by 15 lengths in a time of 30.14 but this was to be bettered by Deemster in 29.90, while Jack Bob was not seen as a forlorn hope. In the second round Mick was anything but impressive. He was led for most of the race by firstly Moss Knowe and then Swashbuckler, but eventually took command just holding off the challenge of Jack Bob by a length and a half. The supporters of heavily backed Deemster were upbeat, but this was shortlived. Deemster, although strong favourite for his second round heat, broke a hock and his challenge to Mick’s supremacy was over. In the semi final the press began to oppose Mick because of his lacklustre display in the previous round. He was opposed by Dresden and Tipperary Hills. Tipperary led from the traps and used track craft to pen Mick in on the rails. A good tussle developed down the back straight with Dresden and Mick challenging Tipperary. Once Mick got to the front the battle was not over and his two main opponents challenged him right to the line. Jack Bob made his way to the final from the other semi.

1930 FINAL

Although Mick was made the 9/4 on favourite the 1930 final was not seen as a foregone conclusion. He was opposed by a staying bitch, Bradshaw Fold, and by the previous years Irish Derby winner Jack Bob. Mick was drawn on the inside and this proved to be to his advantage. Although he was led at the first bend he railed cleverly and left his opponents standing down the back straight. His biggest asset was his superb trackcraft and he won convincingly by 3 lengths, in a time of 30.24, from the trap 3 bitch, Bradshaw Fold, with the Irish Derby winner bringing up the rear.

WINNERS PROFILE

Mick, named after Father Brophy’s handyman, Mick Miller, continued to be a sensation the second time he contested the Derby. Even though he was frequently drawn in trap 4 he won every heat, semi final and final in the first 2 years of contesting the event. Between Derbies he won the International event at West Ham, the Champion Stakes at Wimbledon, but was narrowly beaten by a short head in the final of the London Cup at the White City. Amazingly, just a couple of days after winning the Derby he contested the Cesarewitch at West Ham and won all his heats and the final. Any distance seemed to suit Mick. He finished his racing career on 3^rd October 1931 at Wembley, winning the St Leger over a distance of 700 yards. His racing career consisted of 15 wins from 20 races in Ireland, and 46 wins from 61 English races. He lived to the age of 13.

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