Class A is the most prevalent category in UK greyhound racing, encompassing distances from 380m to 520m. In contrast, the shorter sprint distances found in Class D, ranging from 200m to 300m, are less favoured. Most owners prefer stayers, with sprinters being a secondary choice.
Jimmy Lollie, born in August 2007, likely had a different trajectory if his trainer hadn’t categorised him as a sprinter. In fact, his career may not have existed at all had a true sprinter been assigned to stayer racing, as was the case when the brindle greyhound first began his racing life.
Trainer Seamus Cahill recalls how he came into ownership of Jimmy Lollie. Ted Soppitt expressed a desire to rehome one of his puppies, clearly looking to part ways with the dog, a recognised sprinter. Eventually, a father and son from Romford acquired him from Seamus for the same £4,000 he had initially paid. However, they soon returned Jimmy Lollie, dissatisfied with his performance, and requested a refund. They explained that they had entered him in multiple 400-metre races at Romford, where even the slowest competitors outperformed him, leading to the cancellation of the deal.
Old friends of Seamus, Steve Gamblin and Peter Reid, were in search of a quality dog. They saw potential in Jimmy Lollie—his character, demeanour, and physical structure—and decided to become his joint owners. In hindsight, this decision proved to be a fortunate one.
Understanding Sprinters
Sprinters and stayers are distinguished not only by the distances they race but also by their physical attributes and strengths.
A sprinter requires explosive speed, a powerful burst of energy, and a seamless track performance since there’s little time to rectify mistakes. They navigate their two turns with remarkable swiftness. Conversely, stayers depend on endurance, maintaining high speeds over longer distances.
The physiological differences between the two types of runners are pronounced. Sprinters rely on muscle fibres that function in anaerobic conditions, meaning they do not require oxygen to produce energy. This allows for powerful and efficient muscle performance but leads to rapid fatigue. Consequently, sprinters, like Jimmy Lollie, excel in the initial seconds of a race but tire quickly over longer distances. On the other hand, stayers have muscles designed for greater oxygen consumption, enabling them to sustain their energy over extended runs with a slower metabolism.
Though it’s often claimed that a natural sprinter can be trained to become an effective long-distance runner, the opposite transformation—from a class A dog to a class D dog—is not feasible.
Jimmy Lollie's Career Overview
Jimmy Lollie's racing career spanned 3 years and 4 months, during which he participated in 134 races. His remarkable performance included 76 victories, 26 second-place finishes, 9 third, 11 fourth, 7 fifth, and 5 sixth places. Trainer Seamus Cahill praised him as a highly skilled sprinter with a powerful start, seemingly unaffected by the starting box and solely focused on the racing hare, which allowed him to dominate his competitors.
In September 2009, Jimmy faced challenges in 400m races at Romford. However, trainers Seamus and Teresa Cahill successfully shifted his focus to sprinting, resulting in a string of victories. For his outstanding accomplishments, he was named British Sprinter of the Year in both 2009 and 2010.
2010 Highlights
In 2010, Jimmy Lollie established himself as a champion sprinter, winning 37 out of 53 races—a record for a single season. This performance generated significant excitement, with comparisons to iconic racers from the 1980s, such as Ballyregan Bob and Scurlogh Champ. By the year's end, he won the National Sprint in Nottingham for the second time, having first claimed the title in 2009.
Despite finishing second in a highly publicised attempt to secure his 38th victory, Jimmy maintained a strong fanbase and was awarded the GBGB Greyhound of the Year title—only the second sprinter to receive this honour since Tims Crow in 2003. His popularity drove a surge in betting activity, with bookmakers embracing him as a star. Seamus Cahill, benefiting from the success of his team led by Jimmy, was honoured as Trainer of the Year for having amassed 939 points and numerous race victories.
2011-2012 Developments
Jimmy Lollie's impressive winning streak continued into 2011, where he secured his second Festival Flyer title in Sunderland and triumphed in the Coral Sprint at Hove. After a total of 125 races, he officially retired in October 2011. However, he returned to competition for the 2012 Trainers' Championship, where he was beaten by the eventual 2012 Sprinter of the Year, Drumcove Lad. That year, he achieved four wins from seven Open races before suffering an injury.
Jimmy's final race occurred at Hove, Sussex, on June 7, 2012. Over his career, he set course records at venues including Swindon, Wimbledon, and Hove, demonstrating an adaptability to different racing boxes. Notably, he was never defeated while racing from the sixth box, which seemed to be his preferred and luckiest position.
In his retirement years, Jimmy transformed from a champion racer into a cherished pet, living in south-east London with co-owner Steve Gamblin. When diagnosed with lymphoma, Gamblin devoted himself to caring for Jimmy during his final days. The beloved greyhound passed away on April 5, 2017, at the age of 9. His presence in the racing industry was akin to a refreshing spark, revitalising interest in greyhound racing in the UK and solidifying its appeal to fans, media, and bookmakers alike.