Page 18 - THE SLOUGHI REVIEW SPECIAL ISSUE 7 B

T H E S L O U G H I R E V I E W 1 8

6. Fr Martin Brophy, Macoma, Mick the Miller and
Michael Greene at the coach house in Millbrook where
both dogs were born. circa 1927

In July 1929 Fr Brophy decided to take Mick to England for a try at the English
Greyhound Derby. In his first trial run at London`s White City Stadium, Mick
equalled the track record. In his next race, he set a new world record becoming
the first dog ever to run 525 yards in under 30 secs. Fr Brophy was inundated
with offers to buy Mick and he sold him to bookmaker Albert Williams for a fee
of £800. Part of the deal was that Fr Brophy would get the trophy and
prizemoney if the dog went on to win the final. Mick did indeed go on to win the
final and Fr Brophy collected the £700 cheque and the silver trophy . After the
race Fr Brophy was transported around the stadium on a lap of honour to the
cheers of the 40,000 strong crowd. Interestingly at that time Fr Brophy was
officially registered in the greyhound stud book as Mr B Murphy and the Sunday
Independent in Ireland ran a front page article headlined, `Revealed The True
Identity Of Mick The Miller`s Owner`. On his return home to Killeigh Fr Brophy
was honoured with a torchlit procession into the village. There was also a party
held on the village green with a bonfire and barrells of porter to celebrate Mick`s
great victory.