Queen Joni (December 2021 Droopys Sydney x Queen Jessie) trained by Liz McNair completed an unbeaten run through the £10,000 to the winner category one British Bred Breeders Forum Derby at Sheffield last night.  The victory is Joni’s second category one success of her career to date having already landed the Produce Stakes at Swindon in September. 

Kennelmate King Capaldi was withdrawn from the final ‘off colour’.  The victory sees the KSS team continue on their incredible recent run of form and follows hot on the heels of Queen Dusty’s Bet365 Puppy Oaks victory at Towcester on Sunday.

The busy week will continue with Havana Lover and Havana Top Note both due to contest the Bet365 Challenge Cup Final at Oxford on Friday before litter brothers King Combs and King Memphis contest Saturday’s Coral Olympic Final at Hove.

Rab McNair said: “We’ve had some sickness in the kennel. Until yesterday, it was only Queen Pink who had gone down with it and I had to withdraw her from Oxford. It isn’t anything serious and I expect Capaldi to get over it in a couple of days but you would always been concerned when you have dogs in big finals.”

(Photos @OwlertonRacing)

 

 

Crayford host a selection of opens this coming Saturday in support of the category 3 Guys & Dolls and Christmas Hurdle Finals.  With a variety of opportunities available over all distances at the track do take a look ahead of todays NOON entry deadline.  The racing office team can be contacted on 01322 522262.

Between today and new years eve we will be canvassing familiar faces from the world of greyhound racing to gain an insight into their runners to follow for 2024. Today Damian Matthews gets us underway.

Damian Matthews (right) with Lisa Finnegan (left) and brother Plunkett Matthews (centre) alongside Innocent Times back in 2018 (Photo @SteveNashPhotos)

 

Two to follow in 2024 from Damian Matthews

 

Remembering 2023 –  January

  • GBGB announce their registration figures for 2022. They showed a 7% reduction compared ot the previous year. Irish breds accounted for 87% of the total.
  • The first major final of the year goes to Cochise in the final of the ARC Cesarewitch at Central Park. At the time, it was assumed to be a 708m We would later learn it was 731 metres.
  • GBGB appoint Barry Sangster and Victoria Fraser as the first of five regional regulatory vets.
  • The new year would be just 20 days old when the biggest Category One shock of the year saw Sean McDonald’s 25-1 chance Mohican Tara turn over the mighty Space Jet in the Diamond Stakes at Oxford.
  • Greyhoundtrader’s first sale of the year at Sheffield raised just over £76K with
  • In addition to their exisiting deal with Entain, Premier Greyhound Racing announce commercial deals with William Hill, Paddy Power and Betfred.
  • Greyhound Star launched its own version of Britain’s Got Talent
  • Racing Manager Martin Race leaves Doncaster after 30 years in the industry and having worked at Portsmouth, Swindon, Peterborough, Henlow and Suffolk Downs.
  • Suffolk Downs introduce introduce a new 648m distance.
  • Aayamza Magic becomes the seventh and final Cat One winner that Mark Wallis will train for the Aayamzaboy Syndicate when taking the Essex Vase.
  • Wallis is also on the mark again when sending out the forecast – Hopes Paddington beating Antigua Bigun – in the Blue Riband at Towcester. It is his third win in the race following Eye Onthe Storm (2010) and Ivy Hill Skyhigh (2022)
  • Carl Jackson was rewarded with the biggest success of his career as Watchhall Sid landed the BGBF British Bred Puppy Derby Final at Oxford.
  • On January 31 2023, Editors Chair was looking at the media rights war; its history and potential future. Given recent announcements that BAGS is set to expire and that PGR (which didn’t exist at the time) has reached agreements with Sky Sports Racing and Atthereaces, we does it have a certain prophetic quality?