Reformed and founded again in 1967 with the first meeting being held at the Norton Recreational Ground. Later transferring to Tilery Sports fields. The Club is still active to this present day in 2014 .Whippet racing in the Portrack area of Stockton goes as far back as 1932. In earlier times it is written that Mr George Roper from Stockton on Tees made reference to whippets being in Stockton in 1870. Whippet racing was all the rage then with the working class’s.
A meeting was held in Ragworth Hotel.
Members attending. Joe Manion, Barney Dolan, Denis & John Sudren, Peter Jennings, Brian Gill and Arthur Sheppard shown opposite on the right of the picture.
Over the years the track for one reason or another had a short change of venue however always returning to the Tilery playing fields.
In the early years Stockton Wrc
Unable to boost of Champion whippets and its members soon realised that they had to acquire better racing and breeding stock.
The 70’s saw a dramatic change
Some of the best breeding in the country being brought into Stockton Wrc. Pups purchased from litters such as: ( Tinlegs X Stelko) ( Blue Fawn x Silver X) (Blue Peter x Spotted Dog)
(Tinlegs x Magpie) even then it was to be many more years before Stockton members seen their first titled Champion whippet.
The club had some very good dogs but members failed to travel and often run in local time handicaps or scratch races. Rarely yard per pound racing.
As the years went on into the 80’s
Things began to change and at last members were competing in Yard per pound events. Also attending the local opens with some success.
Open Scratch racing was a big event here in the North East and attracted great interest always being the first races of any meeting.
Stockton over time can claim to have had some of the best Mad Era, Crazy Lady, Polly's Bluff, Ploughman, Empty Pockets Bizzie Lizzie.
More recently Mad Hatter, Scruffy, Match Point Simply the Best ,Casino, Son of a Bitch Desperate Dan,Stormbird, Gypsy Queen and Springwell Ruby. the latter all winning either Rch or Nch Scratch Titles including some Supreme Scr Titles.
Yards per lb racing Stockton Wrc has held its own over the years with such dogs as Saddler, Mad Lady, Bizzie lizzie, Meatloaf, Caribbean Blue, Pistachio, Dawn Run, Tony's Gift Candy Rock,Tina Marina and Tiger Kitten.
The Highest accolades going to twice Top Ten Winner and Sup Rch/Nch Shooting Star trained By Ian Wallas owner Malcolm Clarke.
Top bitch Sup Rch/Nch-ch Peggy Sue. Trained and Owned Sue & Martin Smithson.
The younger members are now stepping forward with Andrew Mullen taking Rch & Nch with his Charlie Pig.
Good Luck to all members for 2014
