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    SHOWCASE: From left, The Weekly Advertiser editor Dean Lawson, Horsham Greyhound Racing Club manager Justin Brilliant and Greyhound Racing Victoria northern region marketing manager Brad Williams display some of the region’s historic trophies. Mr Lawson is holding the 1920 Waterloo Cup, the dog-coursing equivalent to the Melbourne Cup, won by his great-grandfather David Lawson’s dog British Foot. The other cup is the 1913 Sheep Hills Plumpton Coursing Club Cup won by Brave Heart. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Horsham Greyhound Cup a part of racing history

Horsham greyhound racing officials have used the build-up to Saturday’s 2021 CHS Group Horsham Cup to delve into the sport’s rich Wimmera history.

Horsham Greyhound Racing Club has operated at Horsham Showground since 1973, but the Wimmera’s association with the breed started almost a century earlier with coursing a popular pastime.

Live coursing started in Horsham in the early 1900s off Plumpton Road and in 1920 the list of approved coursing clubs in Victoria also included Beulah, Brim, Charlton, Hopetoun, Kalkee, Murtoa, Nhill, Sheep Hills and Stawell. 

Such was the strength of the sport in the region that David Lawson-owned British Foot won the 1920 Waterloo Cup, the greyhound equivalent at the time of the Melbourne Cup.



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British Foot ran second the following year and then went to stud for 10 pounds per service.

Lawson, a prominent Kalkee farmer, had earlier entered British Foot in match or challenge races in Horsham, and one had a buy-in of 100 pounds, a figure representing a fortune at the time. His dog won.

Horsham club manager Justin Brilliant said cup events were prominent sporting fixtures across the region and the 1913 Sheep Hills Cup trophy would be on display during this weekend’s Horsham Cup carnival.

“Horsham Greyhound Racing Club formed in 1971 and a public meeting in Horsham Town Hall attracted a large crowd of vocal greyhound supporters,” he said. “Further meetings followed and former Member for Lowan Jim McCabe became the club’s first president.”

1920 Waterloo Cup winner Brave Heart. Greyhounds.
1920 Waterloo Cup winner British Foot. 

Mr Brilliant said the club had since operated strongly from the showground precinct. 

“The club has seen some of the best greyhounds in the country race over recent years including former track record holder Tempix, superstar Brett Lee and current Horsham Cup holder Tiggerlong Tonk,” he said.  

He said the club was gearing up for the Horsham Cup despite COVID-19 restrictions hampering efforts to host a big crowd.

“This year’s cup will no doubt be a great spectacle with arguably the fastest greyhound in the country lining up in Shima Shine for Andrea Dailly,” he said.

“Having blown his opposition, and the old track record, away in Friday’s heats he seems primed to take out the $47,000 winner’s purse.

“Dailly, Australia’s leading trainer, will line up four of the eight finalists and could easily fill the trifecta on the night.”

Mr Brilliant said the night would also honour club stalwart Sylvia Penny, who devoted much of her adult life to the club before her death in 2011.

He said due to COVID-19, this year’s event was a ticketed-only affair with allocated seating and areas.  

People wanting to attend should book online at trybooking.com or ring the club on 5382 4329. 

The entire March 3, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!