Popular owner Kevin Perisi has announced that the forthcoming Trafalgar Cup will be his last sponsorship. In the letter below, he explains the reasons for his decision. But first, a profile of the two people, Slim Somerville and Rhys Bramwell, in whose name this year’s Trafalgar Cup will be run.

Slim’s profile was written by daughter Lana

Slim Somerville  was born in Portobello but we lived in Leith for most of our lives so he was most definitely a Leither.

He was a great bookmaker at all the flapping tracks. Although he also bet at the the trotting and horse racing his favourite was definitely the dogs. Over the years he was at Wallyford, Armadale, Musselburgh, Kelso, Ayr, Corbiewood,Thornton, Kirkcaldy, Linlithgow, Cowdenbeath, Shawfield and not forgetting Powderhall. He sold lots of raffle tickets so that the pensioners always had a Christmas Day out which they really enjoyed. He was a total gentleman and an absolute character with a sense of humour second to none. He’s got 5 grand children (all boys) lol. He had a heart off gold and was wider than trap 6. He is missed dearly by family and friends.

 

Rhys’ profile was written by his dad Paul

Rhys Aiden Robbie Bramwell was born on the 10th of November 2016, to Paul and Kelly Bramwell and big brother Rueben. He was born in the royal Victoria hospital in Belfast at 4.37. He weighed in at a very respectable 8lb 1oz considering he was born with quite severe form of congenital heart disease.  Rhys had to have surgery within his first couple of days and was on constant medication to keep him alive. Rhys was born with left sided hyperplasic heart, were the left side hasn’t formed properly so cannot pump blood around the body and to his lungs properly. This usually requires a 3 part procedure called a fontan which the 1st part is either getting a shunt/stent to help regulate the blood flow. Unfortunately with left side hyperplasic there can be other problems usually connected to this condition. Rhys had a complex heart condition which included :
AVSD – heart chambers not formed properly
Pulmonary stenosis – narrowing of veins
Right sided isomerism – 2 right sided organs
Asplenic – No spleen

Bowel malrotation – twisting of bowels.

We were in the Royal Victoria Children’s Hospital for a month until Rhys required the 1st stage of his heart surgery in Birmingham children’s hospital, who specialise in complex heart condition. We got back from Birmingham after 2 weeks of the surgery being successful, he was doing well and we managed to get back home for one day on Christmas day, it was such a special day for us all, after what we had been through already.  Just a few days later Rhys was well enough to come home with home call supervision from a community nurse. We had about 8 medicines that we had to administer to Rhys every day, which got reduced to 6 in time. 2 months later we had a call from the community nurse who checked his sats and were rushed back to Belfast as his sats had dropped. It became clear that he had developed a case of sepsis and had become very ill whilst in the hospital and were admitted to PICU. We had Rhys christened at this time as he was very ill by our local pastor, with myself, Kelly and Reuben present. Through all the odds and with the amazing work by the doctors and nurses done pulled through and we were sent back to Birmingham for more open heart surgery to correct the shunt procedure, as this is were the infection was forming and effecting his sats. We had another month in total at Birmingham this time and it was at this point were I met Kevin Perisi at the Monmore Puppy Derby Final. He had a spare place and I said I was over with Rhys, at this point he was doing well after the 2nd surgery and was nice to get away from the hospital environment for one night.
We headed back to Belfast were Rhys was to stay in hospital for 3 months to administer the drugs for the sepsis, until it cane to the point he was ready for his 2nd part of the fontan procedure. We had been sent to Birmingham again but eventually it became clear the Rhys wasn’t able to go through the 2nd procedure and nothing could be done. Rhys passed away on 1st of July 2017 aged 7 months, which was biggest day in the greyhound calender the final of the English Derby. I had booked tickets to go a few weeks earlier as Rhys had been doing so well, but things just changed so quickly. We had Rhys cremated in a very private ceremony at Perry Barr Cremetorium 2 weeks later.  We cannot thank the doctors, nurses and consultants on both sides of the water for their help and support throughout it all. Also a few charities who helped us out and Ronald McDonald house in Birmingham. Also the bereavement staff in the hospital and the staff at the funeral parlour who were so helpful. Birmingham should be so proud that they have one of the best hospitals in the country.
When Kevin had asked if he could use Rhys’s name, I honestly didn’t have to think twice. For Rhys to remembered along with Slim Somerville in the Trafalgar Cup, such a trophy with such a history, is an honour for us as a family and for Rhys. I hope it helps make chd awareness In children a bit more prevalent as it kills more children under the age of one, than any other disease. I have currently a greyhound that was given to me by a couple of great friends, which will run in Ireland trained by myself, my 1st greyhound with all monies going to the charities that helped us so much. The thing that I will always take from this, is whatever Rhys was going through and however ill, he may have been at the time, he always found time to smile.

Sadly this will be my last sponsorship of the Trafalgar Cup a competition I resurrected a few years ago.

I’ve always tried to stick to a theme with greyhound greats: Des Loughrey (Pat Curtin’s idea) and then George Curtis (mine and Debbie Dash’s idea) and then deserving children and adults who have touched others lives in a special way. The people like Kai Laidlaw, Rhys Bramwell and Slim Somerville.

I have also decided to refrain from buying any more greyhounds in the future. It is a breed I truly love.

However, I feel its far to hard to keep up with bills etc and feel bookmakers seem to run the whole show now and us owners and trainers are at the bottom of the ladder.

Where else does it cost you so much when you are providing a product for others to make lots of money from?

I know its a ‘hobby sport’ as some call it but I can tell you now it’s an expensive one and for most of us, a way of life.

I also feel for the trainers who are in a situation where they are scared to speak out and challenge those running our sport. Their livelihoods could be in jeopardy if they speak out.

Welfare, for me, is the most important subject and for me a lot more needs to be done regarding track surfaces and of course re-homing.

It can take 10 months to re-home a dog and that puts extra pressure on owners and kennels alike.

I love the fight many owners are putting up against the anti brigade. It is about time others got to know how much we love our greyhounds and the false accusations many are brain washed into believing.

I will keep supporting my dogs until the day comes they can no longer race. Then it will be a case of trying to find homes for them all apart from Keeperlit who will come home to me.

I must say this is one of hardest decisions I have ever made and apart from the amazing breed, I will miss the people.

They have been a big big reason why I have stuck it out so long especially, the Pat Curtin kennel who I have been friends with for well over 35 years.

Thank you Monmore Green as well who have always been so kind to me in every way.

Best wishes, safe and sound

Kevin Perisi