The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) and the Greyhound Writers’ Association (GWA) are delighted to announce Norah McEllistrim as winner of the GWA Lifetime Achievement Award 2023.
Hugely popular and successful during her many years as a trainer, Norah has trained a host of champions and landed big-race trophies aplenty, including Grand Nationals, Gold Collars and an Oaks – not forgetting Derby finalists along the way!
However, it is her lifelong commitment to the greyhounds themselves which earns her this ultimate recognition from the sport. Norah loves greyhounds – and they adore her.
The name McEllistrim is one of the most famous names in greyhound racing given Norah’s dad, Paddy, was one of the first Wimbledon trainers when the track opened in 1928. He remained at Plough Lane until the early 1970s, winning the 1971 St Leger with Spotted Rory, by which time Norah was a well-established kennelhand with her father.
Becoming a trainer in her own right in 1974, McEllistrim is a former chair of the Greyhound Trainers’ Association as well as legendary home-finder; her love and care of ex-racers matching her skills on the track as a handler with greyhounds such as Purley Queen, Lenson Billy, Face The Mutt, Bobcol, Knight Raft and Cloheena Cash.
