“Our families have been around greyhounds all our lives. My parents bred the ‘Gan On’ dogs. Mum trained at Gosforth. Melanie’s mum (Yvonne Bell) is also a vastly experienced trainer. I have been lucky enough to handle some great greyhounds, like Slippy Blue, when I was a youngster, Louis Saha, Tobermory Boy, Geordie Parker, Lil Risky to name but a few.
“Then a dog like Ice On Fire comes along and it just transforms your life. For Mel and myself, for Laura, Hannah, Callum and everybody who helps out here, you are suddenly living on cloud nine.
“We have had so many kind calls and wishes, but one stands out this morning. Charlie Lister phoned up to say that he watched Ice On Fire win at Newcastle and last night at Nottingham, and said he rates him as the best he has seen since Some Picture. Now that just makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.”
There can be very few people reading this article who didn’t see Ice On Fire produce another stunning performance to land the Carling Select at Nottingham on Monday night. Click on the result below to watch a replay of the race.
It was Ice On Fire’s 14th win in 17 races, his third Category One win in 2019 and the Greyhound of the Year title – can, realistically only be heading back to the North East on January 26.
Ice is the star of a Morpeth based kennel who are enjoying an amazing year because in Look Like Power, who runs at Sheffield tonight, they have a dog who looks far better than a supporting act.
Jimmy said: “He came over from the same people as Ice On Fire and just had one trial at Shelbourne Park, a 28.83 at 15 months old. He won A1 at Newcastle third time out but then had a couple of bad trap draws in opens.
“Although it wasn’t the toughest puppy race, he won a supporting open on All England Cup night in 28.78 and then did a calculated 27.67 in an open at Sheffield. He is only a March pup still has some of a wooly puppy coat so I would expect him to continue to improve.”
Plans are still fluid for Power though plans are already in place for another of the kennel’s stars, Dilly Dilly.
Jimmy said: “She beat a really good class field at Newcastle last week in a calculated 28.14. I believe that would make her the fastest bitch ever at Newcastle. The plan is to take her down to Swindon next Tuesday for a solo and if she runs the track well enough, we would have to be thinking about the Oaks. She is certainly good enough to take her chance.”
Nottingham’s Nathan Corden (centre) presents the Carling Eclipse trophy to Ice On Fire’s owner Dave Spraggon and his wife Pat (right), with Jimmy and Melanie Fenwick holding the winner. Photo: © Steve Nash
ICE ON FIRE enjoys a post Eclipse drink as Jimmy and Mel Fenwick enjoy the moment Photo: © Steve Nash
