Ballynennan Moon

Ballynennan Moon was a famous racing greyhound during World War II. He is regarded as being one of the greatest racing greyhounds and was denied the opportunity to win the English Greyhound Derby because of the postponement of the event during the war years.

Racing career 1939 & 1940 He was born just before the start of the war in April 1939 and was owned and trained by leading Irish trainer Billy Quinn. His first significant win in Ireland was the North Kilkenny Stakes and his first twenty races resulted in eight wins.

His last race in Ireland was at Shelbourne Park where he broke the 29 second barrier. Leading owner Mrs Jessie Cearns (the wife of the Managing Director of Wimbledon, W.J. Cearns) purchased him and put him with trainer Sidney Orton. He won five more races before suffering from illness and being laid off until 1942.

He then went on to record another eight successive wins during a five-month period and became a household name. He won the Wimbledon Spring Cup, the 1,000 Guineas at Park Royal Stadium, the Wembley Summer Cup, the Eclipse at Coventry, the Stewards Cup at Walthamstow Stadium and at the end of the year the International at Wimbledon Stadium at odds of 1/5f. Moon broke track records at Bristol, Coventry and Wandsworth.

1943 After 52 career wins, he was rested for two months following defeat at White City. He returned to win the Metropolitan Cup at Clapton Stadium and the Charlton Spring Cup at Charlton Stadium. He won 65 races out of 91 and won 38 trophies winning over £4,000 in prize money.

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