owner-trainers were allowed to race their greyhounds at the track and included paddy sweeney a respected veterinary surgeon. in 1957 racing manager john hare introduced the two year old produce stakes. bill higgins (10) and jack young (9) won the first 19 oxford trainer championship titles between them from 1939-1957. higgins died in 1958 and was replaced by joe farrand for a second spell at oxford.