When the Updated History of the Greyhound Derby is written – Romeo Magico will have his own chapter. The story of the 2022 winner will be both unique, but also repeating so many of the stories of endeavour and determination – writes Floyd Amphlett.
History will record Romeo Magico as a very good and worthy winner who finished at the front of his field in four of his six races. He had one scare, when third, though was never really threatened of elimination in the first round. He was consistent with five of his six sectionals within six spots (4.21 to 4.27) with one flyer (4.13) on the only night the track ran +10.
Mark Pierrepont’s halfway sectionals clearly showed – that with the exception of one line of form from Priceless Jet – the run to the third bend would be between Kildare and Graham Holland’s runner, with Magico roughly a length quicker. The formbook was solid. Peter Cronin elicited the perfect run from his hound, but he found one just a bit too good on the night. Magico showed trackcraft, guts and sheer class by giving a very talented Kirby Memorial third a start and a beating.
Desite his disappointment on the night, Cronin is well wise enough to know that Kildare had overperformed. This time last year, Magico had gone out of the second round of both the Kirby Memorial and English Derby. The precocious Kildare made the finals of both. (Ballinabola Ed finished half a length behind him at Limerick – let’s hope we see him again in 2023. Plus of course the winner Swords Rex. Magico can maybe pass on some pointers to his younger kennelmate back in Golden, Tipperary).
This is also a tale of three decades of breeding endeavour for Dave and Nicola Firmager. Of the dam who had been sold on and only returned due to the unexpected change of circumstances of her new trainer. But for a chance phone call, she would have been retired and spayed. Of saving Magico and his littermates when they arrived in Melton Mowbray almost lifeless after a difficult Ceasarian birth.
Or what of the Hollands? The West Country couple who cut their teeth on tracks like Exeter and Glastonbury, where they met. Graham’s dad Michael was a keen dog man and his sister Val was a prolific homefinder before succumbing to cancer. Holland did his full apprenticeship with Randy Singleton at White City (Graham never could comply with the snobby GRA protocol by addressing his boss as ‘Mr Singleton’ . . . . ‘Morning Randy!’), and then more experience working for Jill Holt.
But how do you earn a living at dogs? He had to learn a trade as a bricklayer to feed his future family.
Graham and Nicky also trained at Portsmouth, Poole and Hove before they fell in love with Ireland. But it was tough being an English couple trying to make your way in Ireland. Tougher still when the first land you bought to build your dream kennel turned out to resemble Venice for the wetter six months of the year.
‘Holland – Ireland’ – sounding more like a Nations Cup football fixture – will go into the record books. A dog born and bred in England and trained by an Englishman. But son Timmy, who looks after Magico, was born in England and is as Irish as a pint of Guinness with a shamrock on top – and proud of it. Sister Rachel, who paraded the winner, in no ‘plastic Paddy’; she was born and reared in Tipperary and is an authentic cailín.
The Holland family have grafted their way to the top, seven days a week over two decades. But as much success and accolation as three Irish Derbys, and a decade as the leading Irish public trainer was guaranteed to bring, for an English couple, the English Derby had to be the holy grail. Year after year, Nicky crossed the Irish Sea as regularly as a P&O skipper. They took their beating but kept coming back.
“I could retire now” said Graham after the final. “Not that I will of course.”
Of course not – there are more chapters still to be written.
NOTE – CLICK ON ANY RACE RESULT TO WATCH VIDEO
Derby Final run up: Kildare (4.17) and Mickys Barrett (4.18) neck and neck in the early stages. Partly hidden Romeo Magico trap 4 waiting to pounce Photo: © Steve Nash
Derby Final first bend: Almost level at the sectional, Kildare now establishes an advantage over Mickeys Barrett (t5) as winner Romeo Magico (t4 inside) goes in pursuit of the leader. Photo: © Steve Nash
Derby winning trainer Graham Holland is interviewed by Star Sports’ Julie Collier Photo: © Steve Nash
HAVANA LOVER wins the Sportystuff TV Puppy Cup Final Photo: © Steve Nash
Kaley Collins belting out Abba tunes Photo: © Steve Nash
CALLMESTEVE wins £5000 Gain Nutrition Challenge Cup Final from Bellmore Sally (t6) Photo: © Steve Nash
A sea of orange in the crowd on Derby night as The Micky Barrett syndicate continue the fantastic support of their Jason Gray trained finalist Photo: © Steve Nash
Hurdling makes a return to Towcester for Derby night, with Bobbing Gnavatar (t3) winning for Barry O’Sullivan.Towcester 25th June 2022. Photo: © Steve Nash
Ella Brookes sings the National Anthem before the first race Photo: © Steve Nash
Chelms Switch (t6) holds off Goldies Perryman (t1) by a short head in the Derby Plate Final. Photo: © Steve Nash
IVY HILL SKYHIGH (t3) leads early to win the opener – a veterans’ race – where Faughan Rebel (t6) followed him home. Photo: © Steve Nash
John Mullins and Rab McNair are happy to share the spoils after Knocknaseed Gem and Havana Class dead heated in the RPGTV Sprint Final. Photo: © Steve Nash
Trainer Patrick Godfrey…and a stilt walker Photo: © Steve Nash
MOMENTS OF MAGIC wins the £3000 BGBF Truframe British Bred Champion Stakes Final on Derby night. Photo: © Steve Nash
Mickeys Barrett syndicate’s journey ends with a superb third place in the Derby Final – cue more celebrations! Photo: © Steve Nash
A huge crowd wait for the Derby parade (not Steve Nash pic)
Service with a smile as the cash comes into Ben Keith’s Star Sports pitch on Derby Final night. Lofty however looks slightly less relaxed! Photo: © Steve Nash
Dave and Nic Firmager celebrate Romeo Magico’s Derby success alongside Towcester GM Mick Conneely. Photo: © Steve Nash
Derby champ training team: Graham’s wife Nicky Holland with son Timmy and daughter Rachel and the star of the show Romeo Magico Photo: © Steve Nash
