The English Derby is an integral part of the history of greyhound racing and the breeding aspect has its own special niche in that story.

Although today, UK breeders only produce around 7% of the combined total with Ireland, they have more than held their own over a period of years. The first English Derby went to Entry Badge, born in Kent, the second to Boher Ash, born in Scotland.

Then there was Fine Jubilee, Chittering Clapton, John Silver, Slippy Blue, Westmead Lord, Salad Dodger. . .but if we had to select just four/five. . .

Trevs Perfection – born in Ealing and the first hound to win the Triple Crown – the 1947 English, Welsh and Scottish Derbys, a feat repeated by another Brit, Rushton Mac.

Endless Gossip, the 1952 winner was by 1948 Derby winner Priceless Border out of the British bred 1949 winner Narrogar Ann. Although born in Britain, Gossip was reared in Ireland. In addition to racing, he also won a class at Crufts and a couple of rounds of the Waterloo Cup. He was eventually sold to the USA where he was a very good producer.

Shanless Slippy – bred in Surrey by John O’Brien, reared in Ireland, and landed a 13-timer in the final having previously won the Irish Produce Stakes.

Westmead Hawk – one of only four double Derby winner, and bred by Nick Savva in Bedfordshire

 

In terms of breeding and rearing, the lines or origin have often been blurred. Derby and Leger winner Dolores Rocket was ‘Irish bred’ in terms of her paperwork, but was born and reared in Surrey, and was famously schooled at the Aldershot independent track.

Double Derby winner Rapid Ranger was born in Ireland, but reared and began his racing career at Stainforth (aka Donaster). Toms The Best was bred by an Englishman in Kildare.

Perhaps one of the most romantic stories concerns the 1957 winner Ford Spartan. In just 14 months of racing, he won the 1957 English Derby, along with the Laurels and Select Stakes.

But the most interesting thing about him was that he was ever bred at all.

His dam, Harrow Glamour, a very moderate grader, was retired with no breeding plans, to a council house in Woodford Green along with another family pet. A council change of rules allowing only one pet per household meant she had to be re-homed. She ended up with a farmer in East Grinstead, and the rest as they say, is history.

Going into Saturday’s semi finals, there was a possbility of ‘the heaviest’ final ever.

Sadly for connections, Burg Khalifa (40.2kg) and Mystical Mario (38.5kg) didn’t make it through to a decider that neverthess includes Cochise (37.7kg), Swords Rex (35kg), Gaytime Nemo (34.9kg), Romeo Command (34kg), Clona Duke (33.8kg) and Ninja Kerry (32.5kg).

So how do previous winners weigh in?

The last two Towcester Derbys were won by heavyweights Romeo Magico (37.7kg) and Thorn Falcon (38.7kg). The previous two went to the much lighter Astute Missile (31.2kg) and comparatively chunky, Dorotas Wildcat (36.9kg).

The Nottingham winners were Deerjet Sydney (32.4kg) and Priceless Blake (34.3kg)

While the last four Wimbledon winners were Jaytee Jet (37.2kg) Rio Quattro (35.5kg), Salad Dodger (31.7kg) and Sidaz Jack (32.2kg).

The moral of the story – you are big enough if you are good enough.

Droopys Sydney remained the most popular sire in Ireland in 2022 with 173 litters. Between them, the six busiest dogs fathered 36% of the toal of 2,126 litters

Sires with in excess of 100 litters: 173-Droopys Sydney, 155-Broadstrand Bono, 140-Burgess Bucks, 107-Ballymac Bolger, 104-Pestana, 101-Malachi

There are a number of potentially exciting young litters who will become eligible to commence qualifying trials at 15 months old in July. But few will be of greater interest than the Droopys Sydney batch out of Forest Natalee.

The Derby connections are plain to see. Not only is Sydney responsible for half of Saturday’s field, the sole Brit in the line-up, Romeo Command, is a son of Natalee’s Derby winning litter brother, Dorotas Wildcat.

Kevin Hutton said: “There were two dogs and eight bitches in the litter, though one little bitch was attacked and died, when they were quite young. Unfortunately these things happen in breeding.

“Three of the litter were reared locally and have had a couple of trials at Bicester Schooling Track. One of them looks particularly useful, though it is early days. The rest of the litter were reared by John (Mullins) and were sent over to David Pruhs about a fortnight ago, so are just settling in. Though it does seem that Sydney pups seem to take a minimal amount of schooling.

“The Wildcat is in good health in Ireland. I spoke to Michael (Dunphy) last week and he was saying that he is particularly busy at the moment which is nice to see.

“Though obviously a Derby win wouldn’t do him any harm!”

British bred litters eligible to qualify in July: Ballymac Best/Banabane, Ballymac Inspeed/Droopys Alina, Ballymac Micko/Droopys Enya, Chieftain Snow/Droopys Pinch, Colarhouse Gerry/Allourtomorrows, Colarhouse Gerry/Alice Golden, Droopys Sydney/Forest Natalee, Farloe Rumble/Swift Casey, Good News/Magical Lauren, Hiya Butt/Killieford Tonic, Hiya Butt/Old Love Tune, Ice On Fire/Effernogue Choco, Kilara Icon/El Nora, Panda Blue/Maysspecialtiara, Pestana/Jazz Hands, Roxholme Nidge/Paradise Ally, Roxholme Nidge/Butidontdrink.