Ballyregan Bob


Ballyregan Bob was a racing greyhound who, along with Mick the Miller and Scurlogue Champ, is one of the most revered racing hounds in British greyhound racing.
Ballyregan Bob was a brindle dog and was whelped in May 1983. Trained by George Curtis he would become world famous for breaking the world record for consecutive race wins.

Racing career

In 1985 Ballyregan Bob won three major events, the Olympic at home track Brighton, the Test at Walthamstow and the Essex Vase at Romford. Whilst winning these events he remained unbeaten and was on his way to setting the world record.
He also qualified for the final of the classic race the St Leger at Wembley but was a non runner in the final.
Wins and track records continued to come his way in 1986 until on 9 December he lined up for the Racing Post Challenge at Brighton and duly broke the world record held by American greyhound Joe Dump by winning his 32nd consecutive race.

Retirement and death

After retirement Bob was put to stud and sired many litters. In 1990 he returned from the United States where he had undertaken stud duties and was sent to Germany where he stood with breeder Franz Joseph Gillett, before eventually returning to Britain.
Ballyregan Bob has the unique distinction of being the only dog ever nominated as Guest of Honour at the commissioning of Royal Navy patrol boat HMS Pursuer - an accolade awarded because of the depiction of a greyhound in the ship's badge.
After his death of old age in 1994, the greyhound was exhibited in the Natural History Museum at Tring along with Mick the Miller.

World record

Date
1986
Distance
VenueStarting PriceTrapWin distance TimeRace
Mar 22695 Hove-511 ¾ 42.21Open
Apr 2655 Wembley1-859 ½39.57Trainers Championship
Apr 10680 Nottingham1-75341.99Open
Apr 19660 Wimbledon1-9513 ¾40.15 TROpen
Apr 26650 Powderhall1-10514 ¼39.60 TROpen
May 8670 Brough Park1-951541.15 TROpen
May 17660 Wimbledon1-555 ¾40.23Racing Post International
Nov 13695 Hove1-56942.36S1 Graded
Nov 21688 Harringay1-7410 ½ 42.00Open
Nov 28688 Harringay1-1051641.74 TROpen
Dec 9695 Hove1-469 ¼42.04 TRRacing Post Challenge