Norahmac Racing Club & Kennels

I started going with my parents to Stamford Bridge in the late 1950’s. Racing was on straw in the winter and grass in the summer, the track was around the football pitch. I only remember one dog from that time, Hopeful Master a big 80lb black dog who won lots of races from trap 1 or 2.

In the 1960’s i started going with Ted Lloyd to Wandsworth, White City, New Cross, Hendon, Harringay, West Ham anywhere in London where racing was on. Great times!

I bought my first dog in 1972 for £100. A lovely brindle bitch called Carousel Joy who ran at White City, she did not manage to win there so i sent her to Ted Dickson at Slough. She graded in A1 but was injured in her final trial and never raced again.

In 1973 i bought Tarragon off of Gordon Hodson. He ran 15 times winning only at the 15th attempt at 14/1 . I remember Hodson rushing straight round to us looking for a drink!

He then went to Slough where he won once before being given away to run at Poole where he won plenty of races.

I took a break from having dogs until the 1980’s when Ted Lloyd joined Norah McEllistrim and i had shares with him in Head Crest and Wudythink both of which gave us lots of fun. Especially Wudythink on our travels to Portsmouth on Friday nights. We also went to Gloucester where he won The Grand National of The West breaking the clock in the final.

1984 i had Face the Game [soon disqualified] and Getaway Shane who was a fast dog who won S1 races. Unfortunatly he suffered from arthritus and was retired early.

1987 i owned Freaslannach [kennel name – Charlie], still my favourite, He went A7-A1- S3-S1 at Wimbledon.

Won the Federation Cup which was an inter-track competition the final was at Oxford, what a great night that was! Charlie ended up running 149 races winning 28 he had a long and happy retirement at Norahs.