Greyhound Racing Legends: Scurlogue Champ

In the rich history of greyhound racing, a few names echo across the decades as true racing legends of the track. Among them, Scurlogue Champ holds a place of honour, not merely for his remarkable record, but for the way he transformed every race into an unforgettable drama. From the mid-1980s until his retirement, the black powerhouse captivated crowds with a style so thrilling that many still consider him the greatest distance runner the sport has ever seen.

Born in July 1982 in County Wexford, Ireland, Scurlogue Champ was bred by Francis Kent. He came from a modest litter, with little at first to suggest he would one day command stadiums full of roaring fans. After being reared on rural farms, his early career was anything but glamorous. At one point, he was even traded for a cow when farm priorities shifted.

Yet beneath this ordinary start lay extraordinary potential. He showed promise in his handful of Irish races, enough to attract attention at the Shelbourne Park sales in Dublin. There, future owner-trainer Ken Peckham struck a deal to bring him across the Irish Sea, setting the stage for one of the most astonishing careers in British greyhound racing.

The Racing Style That Made Him a Star

What set Scurlogue Champ apart was not simply his speed, but how he used it. Where most greyhounds would need to lead from the traps to win, Champ wasn’t most greyhounds. Spectators would gasp, shake their heads, even mutter that he was beaten and then the magic would begin. Watch some of his best races .

He made his way past rivals with a relentless stride that seemed to grow stronger the further he ran. By the final bend, the impossible often became inevitable: Scurlogue Champ would surge forward, sweeping past the leaders in a blur of power, claiming victory in the dying strides. It was a style so improbable that he earned the reputation of a “freak” but to the crowds, it was pure theatre.

Between 1984 and 1986, Scurlogue Champ competed 63 times, winning an astonishing 51 races. Even more remarkable, he was sent off as favourite in 60 of those starts, such was the confidence in his ability. Over the course of his career, he shattered 20 track records at distances ranging from 663 to 888 metres, a testament to his dominance over the longer tests of stamina.

His greatest triumphs included victories in the prestigious Cesarewitch and back-to-back wins in the BBC Television Trophy, achievements that cemented his status as one of the sport’s all-time icons.

But Scurlogue Champ was more than a race winner. He was a phenomenon. Grandstands would pack when his name appeared on the card and fans greeted him with chants more often heard at football grounds: “Scurrrrrlogue, Scurrrrrlogue…” The dog had crossed the boundary from athlete to entertainer, capable of bringing joy even to those who rarely cared for racing. 

His charisma was such that many compared him to a film star, a leading man of the canine world whose presence alone was worth the price of admission. 

He was regarded as one of the greatest greyhounds of all times, alongside racing legends like Mick the Miller and Ballregan Bob.

When Scurlogue Champ finally retired, he left behind more than a glittering record. He left memories of nights when thousands held their breath as he trailed hopelessly behind, only to erupt in disbelief as he stormed home.

Decades later, Scurlogue Champ remains a benchmark for brilliance in greyhound racing. Few before or since have matched his combination of heart-stopping style, unshakable stamina and ability to thrill a crowd. He was, quite simply, the dog who turned every race into a masterpiece.