The Rees family are a family synonymous with Derby success  Phil Rees Senior won the event in 1976 around White City with Mutts Silver at odds of 6/1 in 2938 whilst Pagan Swallow took the 1985 event for Phil Rees Junior around Wimbledon at odds of 9/1 in 2904.  In 2020 at Nottingham the latest trainer in the family line Richard came so close to landing the family Derby glory once more when with the assistance of son Charlie they guided Southwood Jet to the final.  There aren’t many who would bet against the family lifting that famous trophy once again and here Charlie guides us through the prospects of the Rees team for the 2023 running of the Star Sports / TRC English Greyhound Derby –

Left to right Phil Rees snr, Phil Rees jnr, Richard Rees & Charlie Rees

 

Mutts Silver & Pagan Swallow Derby Final Programmes (pic ? www.greyhoundderby.com)

 

 

Cochise (pic ? @SteveNashPhotos)

COCHISE (DROOPYS SYDNEY X LEMON STACEY – JUNE 2020 DOG) – Ran great to win the category one Cesarewitch at Central Park in January over 708m and confirmed both his liking for that track and his class and versatility when reaching the final of the Kent Plate over 500m at the end of March.  He finished third in that behind Fromposttopillar and Hopes Paddington so that shows he’s got a bit of class about him.  He’s coming forward with age and is turning into a very versatile dog , his win at Towcester other week when recording 2931 was promising and if he has a clear run he’s very hard to keep out frame.  He can run from any box as well which is always a bonus in competition racing.

 

Droopys Mural (pic ? @SteveNashPhotos)

DROOPYS MURAL (SPOOFER X DROOPYS POSH – SEPTEMBER 2020 DOG) – Picked up an injury at Hove late in January when a short priced favourite to win a race there. We’ve slowly brought him back.  He seems to have comeback as well as ever with a series of progressively improving trials with his last time out 2922 at Towcester a particularly pleasing effort.  He’s a very fast dog who did well to reach the final of the Olympic at Hove in December.  Might just be that some of his best form to date has come in trials but if he can start converting that to races he should do well.  Still on the comeback and will improve for each run but pleasing us at this stage.

 

(pic ? @SteveNashPhotos)

 

Jeremy Hayes owner with Richard Rees & Drive On Lad (pic ? @SteveNashPhotos)

DRIVE ON LAD (PAT C SABBATH X DRIVE ON ROBYN – NOVEMBER 2020 DOG) – This lad really loves it at Towcester the place seems to set him alight.  Recently won the category one Maiden Derby Final around there finishing second in his ‘official trial stake’ and then winning each of the 3 rounds of the competition ‘proper’ culminating in a super run of 2926 in the final.  He’s a nice touch of early pace but stays the trip well and is a good tracker who always gives his all.  Hopefully he’ll go well throughout the competition.

 

Famous Eight (pic ? @reesgreyhound)

FAMOUS EIGHT (DROOPYS CAIN X KILGOWAN KIWI – JULY 2020 DOG) – He’s a new dog into the kennel but is a real gentleman who has settled in well.  He’s some decent form on the card in Ireland with 3 top grade wins around Shelbourne Park and also won a heat of the St Leger at Perry Barr over 710m.  In honesty the competition might just come a bit too soon for him and he might just lack that little bit of race sharpness but he’s a strong runner and if he can just qualify through a round or two then you’d never know.  Plenty to come from him as the year progresses though.