Scurlogue Champ is a famous racing greyhound from the 1980s. Along with Mick the Miller and Ballyregan Bob he is arguably one of the greatest three hounds that ever raced in Britain.

Early life

Scurlogue Champ was a black dog whelped in July 1982 by Sand Man, out of Old Rip. He was bred by Francis Kent from Levittstown, County Wexford and was one of a litter of six dogs and two bitches. He moved to John Byrne, Scurlogue, Duncormick, County Wexford on a farm where he received his name before being sold to Jim Sutton, New Ross, County Wexford, who reared him on his farm.

After winning his only two races in Ireland, the first over 525yds in Waterford and the second shortly after over 600yds in Enniscorthy when trained by Patrick Sutton, he was put up for sale at the May 1984 Shelbourne Park sales where he won his 600yds trial. Owner/trainer Ken Peckham took him to England, after agreeing a price for £1,700, with Irish trainer Brendan Matthews who had bought him before entering the sales ring for 1500 guineas.

Racing career

Scurlogue Champ in action

He was handled by trainer Ken Peckham for the majority of his career but also spent some time with George Drake (as a result of an NGRC order that he ran in Drakes name for the Cesarewitch. The NGRC had visited Drake's kennels and found the dog in residence there, instead of being with owner Ken Peckham at his kennels).

Scurlogue Champ would be renowned for the strongest finishes ever seen over long distance racing. The crowds would adore him and could not believe how he could win his races from being so far behind.

He won the Cesarewitch in 1985 and the BBC Television Trophy in 1985 and 1986. The superstar finished with a record of 51 wins from 63 races and set twenty track records.

Scurlogue Champ's 20 track records

Date 1984Distance (metres)VenueStarting PriceTrapWin distance (lengths)Time
Sep 19810Ipswich4-6f66 ½51.44
Oct 20718Catford1-1f18 ½45.58
Nov 23688Harringay4-7f46 ¼42.50
Dec 1815Hall Green1-2f515 ¼52.51
Date 1985Distance (metres)VenueStarting PriceTrapWin distance (lengths)Time
Feb 27663Hall Green11-10f4Nk41.56
Mar 2750Romford4-11f68 ¾46.80
Apr 16715Romford1-2f5444.18
May 15815Monmore1-3f513 ¼51.80
May 22815Monmore1-5f59 ¾51.64
June 5888Catford2-13f615 ½58.00
June 11825Brough Park1-8f41152.62
July 1855Ramsgate1-5f6654.26
Sep 21853Belle Vue4-7f61054.78
Sep 28853Belle Vue1-3f6654.62
Oct 17754Nottingham2-5f5447.30
Nov 16764Derby1-3f319 ¾49.04
Nov 22830Whitwood (Castleford)1-4f61854.45
Date 1986Distance (metres)VenueStarting PriceTrapWin distance (lengths)Time
Apr 23825Brough Park1-3f4752.26
June 19888Catford1-3f3857.60
July 12855Poole4-11f2854.86

Pedigree

My Friend Lou
Friend Westy
Westy Blubber
Sand Man
Tell You Why
Miss Gorgeous
Miss Dilly Mar
Scurlogue Champ
Newdown Heather
MotorLight
Marillis
Old Rip
Sirius
Old Bib
Monalee Peg

See also