Classic dynasty ready to return

A dynasty of the turf is returning to Britain's race tracks with the decision by the Aga Khan to end his boycott. When winning the Derby three times during the Eighties, he was merely continuing a family tradition.

His grandfather, also the Aga Khan, was the outstanding figure in European racing for a quarter of a century from the mid-Twenties, winning the Derby no less than five times. His winners were: Blenheim (1930), Bahram (1935), Mahmoud (1936), My Love (1948) and Tulyar (1952). In addition, there were numerous victories in the Oaks, the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas and the St Leger. When his Firdaussi took the 1932 St Leger, four of the first five finishers carried his colours.

But after his death in 1957, it was not until the Seventies that his grandson restored the old style, investing heavily in bloodstock and, for the first time in 15 years, sending horses to be trained in Britain in 1979.

nThe executive of the Perry Barr track has been fined £1,000 by the stewards of the National Greyhound Racing Club following the alleged doping of a greyhound. Son Of Jack, owned and trained by J S Peckham, supplied a positive sample, containing cyclizine, prior to a grading trial on 10 November. In his defence, Peckham said security at the track had been poor and that the kennels had been left unlocked during the trials.