When the Star Sports Greyhound Derby Finalist connections were awarded their mementos for reaching the last six of the worlds greatest race at Towcester on Monday, they probably were not aware that they were personalised that morning at 7am, by Burridge Trophies.
Director Mark Burridge, a keen greyhound owner and GBGB Greyhound Ambassador, made sure it was done early so there would be plenty of time to get these and all the trophies for Saturdays Gala Card up to the Northamptonshire venue in time for the traditional Derby Lunch.
The prize money is lovely – but each of these comes with a memory
“The Greyhound Derby night is THE best evening of the year to me, so really enjoy making suggestions to race sponsors about a trophy that might suit their respective brand and budget. As I always suggest to anyone, choose something you’d like to win, or take home yourself.
“To see owners or trainers admiring their trophies and mementos after the buzz of a win is something that means an awful lot to both me and my Dad.”
Derek Burridge Trophies was started by former England table tennis star Derek once he retired from the sport in 1960 and they have supplied the greyhound world with trophies since 1976.
Mark said: “My father met Bill Holmes, a real gent, from White City (GM) through a business contact and it went from there.’
“I remember many of the great characters and names from yesteryear, through GRA tracks or sponsors, such as John Edmonds at Slough, Colin Betteridge, Frank Melville, John Blake at Oxford, Graham Sharpe & Mike Raper of William Hill, Bob Rowe, Eddie Ramsay at Powderhall, the Chandlers at The ‘Stow along with Chris Page, Phil Donaldson at Catford as well as Peter Miller & Jim Cremin at Wembley who are all still involved’.
“Can even remember the Intertrack event that was so popular & successful and working on the logistics for that’. Even when I spent a few years away from the business I loved to still be involved with ideas for the logistics of various events.
“When you are fortunate to supply an industry/sport where you share the passion of the people involved then you are more than lucky’
“Our lead crystal trophies are of the highest quality yet we supply at the most competitive trade prices plus we have so many different designs. Quality glass trophies are far more popular than silver trophies and I don’t see that changing unless their becomes a supply issue from Europe”
The company not only supplies most of the greyhound world with trophies but has good support from other sports & industries.
Mark said: “We supply a number of the horse racecourses in the UK as well as forward trophies for leading bookmakers, already this year we have supplied the Coral Scottish Grand National Trophy at Ayr, plus golf is also enjoying a boom again as more people are working from home leading to a surge in new memberships’
So what are the most memorable trophies that have been commissioned?
Mark said: ‘We supply the Virgin London Marathon trophies each year and I do remember supplying The Sports Personality of the Year Award through an agency and we had to sign a document which involved not betting on the result! It was 1992 and Linford Christie had won the Olympic 100 metres gold.
“So not surprisingly he was about 1/100 anyway!
“There have been a few PGA Tour & Seniors golf events over the year where we’ve supplied the trophies too but the most memorable ones I’ve seen here to update with winners have been greyhound related.
“Most of the big names such as The Laurels, The Springbok, TV Trophy, St Leger etc were made by master craftsmen many years ago and the attention to detail in design is extraordinary.
“I’m not sure if the originals are still around but I feel they should be treasured in a greyhound museum of sorts, to be enjoyed by the stakeholders and friends, they represent the tradition of the sport and our heritage must be embraced.”
“Of course the one everyone wants to win is The Greyhound Derby and just looking at the base alone with evoke memories of the great finals, the greyhounds you never forget, the ones that make you smile, the champions that made you fall in love with the breed, the races where you can still recall the iconic commentaries’
Got to take care of the old girl
“At Nottingham two years during the Derby ago Rachel (Corden) asked me if I could take the trophy back to be straightened, cleaned and updated with the previous winner in time for the Final. Staying locally overnight I took the trophy to bed. Even if only for a memorable photo. After all, we all dream of waking up with the trophy. Only a fortunate few can experience that.”
So with the Derby trophies all done for this weekend is it now time to relax and enjoy the build up to Saturday?
Mark said: “With events now coming back there’s plenty to keep us busy and all our engraving is produced on site, which means we can always have a better chance against short deadlines. Every week there’s a few last minute requirements but we are better geared to deal with that than others in our field and we always do our very best to please everyone, as you obviously would’
“As of now I’m just off to Ascot to take trophies for Saturdays racing card on behalf of a bookmaker, ordered yesterday, engraved today. Our customers are extremely loyal and that is much appreciated by us as we work together as a partnership and try and deal with every challenge.”
