It is 16 years since trainer Hayley Keightley landed a first Cat One win with Roxholme Girl and husband Mark remains hopeful that they can sign off on a high with the announcement last year that 2020 would their last.
On Thursday night the kennel’s Hiya Boyo landed the fastest first round heat in the RPGTV All England Cup and lifted the gloom on what was proving a difficult time for the kennel. It was a fine run for the seasoned former Irish open race star, who as Droopys Pension, reached the fourth round of last year’s Irish Derby.
He joined the Keightleys earlier in the year but picked up a gracilis injury before lockdown. However his recent 15.64 (-10) sprint trial at Towcester is the fastest time recorded over course and distance to date.
Mark said: “I can’t give you the full list of all the injuries and setbacks we’ve had this year. We had runners on Tuesday but on Wednesday morning the kennel floors were covered in diarrhea. We were just waiting for something else to go wrong. Thankfully Boyo has given us our mojo back.
“I bought him through Johnny Linehan who basically didn’t think it was worth going through the motions of running at the same tracks and thought he might benefit for a change of postcode. He might be three and a half but not in his head. Although he is laid back in the kennel he is still very keen in his work.
“I am happy with the trap draw. Ideally he is a ‘three or four’ dog, but given some of the speedsters still in the competition, I really can’t complain.
“As for the retirement, greyhound racing is like alcohol for an alcoholic, but we are getting closer. We are talking weeks now, not months.”
