Before I get stuck in to the enigma that is the GBGB awards, I hope you’ve all had a great start to 2024, and from here on it is a lucky and healthy one!
The GBGB have announced that the annual awards ceremony will be held in Brighton (sorry northerners!) on Sunday 3rd March 2024 at the Doubletree by Hilton, and now seems as good a time as ever to get stuck in to the categories, discuss nominees, some other potential nominees that missed out, and of course, the overall greyhound of the year.
Without further ado…
Stayer Of The Year
Antigua Sugar – Now before you shoot me down, hear me out! This bitch started 2023 with flying colours. An unbeaten run through the category 2 Peter Bussey memorial, saw her stretch out a 10 1/2 length winner over the 540m at Crayford in February. The following month, she took to Romford for the category 1 Coral Coronation Cup, and it was Déjà Vu! Another unbeaten run and another title bagged. She ran out a 1 1/2 length winner and had already stamped her name as one of the leading stayers in the country.
Things never worked out for her during the rest of 2023, and shortly after she was retired to the breeding paddocks. Though by this point, she’d already stamped her paw print firmly on the year!
Droopys Clue – HERE HE IS! The greyhound everyone dreams of owning or training! Speed for record breaking 4 bend runs, speed for record breaking 6 bend runs, at this point I’m convinced he’d of won the national sprint! Okay, I’m getting carried away. Let’s put his 4 bend exploits to one side for a moment (what’s a double track record and juvenile classic win anyway!) and focus on his staying ventures. He first stepped up to the 630m at Monmore when he ran a respectable runner up to Fromposttopillar.
Kudos Postie!
The sky was the limit after that. To Perry Barr, where he blew away every greyhound in his wake on the way to classic glory, in the form of the English St Leger. If going unbeaten all the way through wasn’t enough, he smashed the track record in the final on his way to 6 length success! After a 4 bend campaign aimed at the Kent Derby, he went to Shelbourne Park for the Winter Racing Festival over the 686m trip. Things didn’t happen for him. He was knocked over and that was that.
You can’t keep a good dog down though! He returned to home sand, Hove, for the Ballyregan Bob memorial over 740m, a trip that would be his furthest to date. So, would a trip he’s never been over, first time back after taking a tumble on the other side of the water, bother him? Not a bit of it! A first round victory by 8 3/4 lengths proved his well being and he powered all the way through the competition unbeaten, running out a 4 1/4 length winner in the final. Machine.
Hollow Man – The harshest critics among you may question whether he’s done enough over a staying trip to justify a nomination, and you may have a point. Only 5 races over the 575m at Romford make up this dogs staying career in 2023, but let’s look at what he achieved in that short amount of time. A maiden win in 34.68 landed this dog a reputation to uphold into the beginning of the champion stakes 3 weeks later, and he carried it beautifully.
A first round success saw him break the track record, clocking a time of 34.54. Considering it’s a distance ran over every Friday night, to break it at the second attempt, is quite some effort! This set the tone for the competition and he ran out an unbeaten winner, beating Derby finalist Ninja Kerry by 6 1/4 lengths in the final. He’s only been back to Romford once since, and unsurprisingly, it concluded with a victory, taking his record of 5/5 over the 575m trip at Romford. In fact, he’s only been beaten twice since landing on English soil, an overall record of 13/15.
Laughil Jess – Ahhh Jess! Last but by no means least! What a fabulous year she’s had. Let’s start with the 19 race unbeaten streak over the 540m at Crayford. A phenomenal achievement, regardless of the opposition week in week out. This, quite rightly, earned her the title ‘Queen of Crayford’ and who could begrudge her it! Nestled snuggly into the 19, is a category 1 win, and of course, it was an unbeaten one!
It was a case of home sweet home for Jess, as one of the races of the year took place in the semi final, when she came up against John Mullins’ in-form Aayamza Sydney. Toe to toe all the way around, Jess stuck her head out where it mattered and won a short head. The final, a far more comfortable… 3/4 length! Quick away, always led! You got your big one Jessie!
The confirmed nominees are – Droopys Clue, Laughil Jess and Space Jet
Nominees not mentioned – Space Jet caught the eye and got a nomination from the judging panel, and it’s perhaps not the biggest surprise as she was a fabulous winner of the Regency at Hove and in the invitation race on Puppy Classic final night, at Nottingham. She went through the regency unbeaten and beat some great dogs in that. Arguably more impressive was the performance in the invitation race she won. To beat a field including Coonough Crow and Jacktavern Bella by 4 lengths, was quite the run for a bitch wanting 200 metres further. I missed her out and probably should have mentioned her in my potential nominees, she’s a great bitch.
Verdict – There’s 4 potential nominees for me, but only 1 winner. It’s Droopys Clue, and anything else is wrong! A track record breaking, English St Leger victory should never go without recognition. I can’t say it enough, machine!
Standard Greyhound of the Year
King Memphis – Certainly not the first we will hear of him in this article, the son of Droopys Sydney x Queen Beyonce is an out and out class act. He burst onto the scene with a 1/2 length defeat to New Destiny on debut and hinted to the world then that he was going to be a force to be reckoned with. So it proved. After an unsuccessful crack at the Produce Stakes and an odds on defeat in the Cowley Puppy Collar final, his first taste of category 1 success came in the English Puppy Derby at Towcester, when he led home litter brother King Capaldi in a flying 28.82. This, though, slower than his (at the time) track record breaking 28.66 performance in the semi final! A tilt at the Sussex Cup was next on the agenda, and an unbeaten campaign through that saw him make it two categories 1’s on the bounce, beating the classy Newinn Syd in the final by 1 3/4 lengths. This earned him outright favouritism for 2024’s English Greyhound Derby, and rightly so. It’s going to take a hell of a good one to stop him.
Links Maverick – A dog we heard a lot of in 2023 and look certain to hear even more of in 2024. Maverick was a winner in 16 of his 18 starts, in what could be considered a targeted campaign, and it proved rather fruitful! 3 category 1 victories ensued and the first of those began in his first run of the season, the Northern puppy derby. He took it by storm. Unbeaten all the way through, he showed his usual blistering early pace in the final to win by 2 3/4 lengths. Oxford bound for the next big one, and it was the illustrious £20,000 to the winner, Pall Mall. The frightening early paced son of Grangeview Ten x Havana Lottie looked the ideal Oxford type pre-comp, and so it transpired. A comfortable 3 length victory in the final. If you didn’t know he was good already, you did now. Straight to Wolverhampton’s Monmore Green next for the Ladbrokes Gold Cup. Would the quick turn around for one campaigned so lightly bother him? Would the presence of the top class Churchfield Syd stop him leading at the first bend? To put it bluntly – no. He was paw perfect throughout once again, and another 3 length victory in a category 1 final. He’s joint favourite in places with the aforementioned King Memphis for the 2024 English Greyhound Derby, and I have to say the jury is still out on whether or not he can handle the gruelling test the Derby requires and that 500m test of Towcester, but one thing’s for sure, you’d love to have him in your armoury come May!
No Rush – Always the bridesmaid and finally the bride! No Rush was in exactly that when it came to bagging her first, and only, category 1 title of her career. So what is she doing as a potential nominee you may say. Well, sometimes you have to admire ‘consistently good’ and I think that’s exactly what she is. A finalist in three category 1’s and two category 2’s during 2023, she finally landed her big one at the back end of October, and it was a classic! Well drawn as the sole wide seed with 5 railers on her inner, she took her chance gamely. Picking up Jet Stream Angel on the run in, she won the English Oaks by 1/2 length. Finally knocking that monkey swiftly off her back! Perhaps suitably that was the last we would ever see of No Rush on the track and she now pursues a career as a brood. Do I think she should win this category? No. I do think she deserves some recognition for being an admirably consistent, top bitch, and I’m delighted she got a big one in the end.
Queen Joni – I doubt there’s been many nominees in the past that have started their season in May, in graded company, with a last place finish, and still finished up winning two category 1’s and breaking a track record, but that’s exactly what the brilliant Queen Joni has achieved. Kennel companion to previously mentioned King Memphis, this 28kg bitch announced herself on the big stage when, despite not being the most fancied of the McNair squad antepost, sweeping up the Produce Stakes in taking fashion when romping to a 6 length victory in the final. Perhaps more impressive, though, was her semi-final performance when she broke the track record in 27.53. An unfortunate setback in the oaks meant we didn’t see Joni in race action again until December, but boy, did she remind us how good she was! Unbeaten all the way through, her task was made somewhat easier in the final when, controversially, another kennel companion, King Capaldi, a known bang railer on her outside in trap 4, was withdrawn ‘off colour’, much to the frustration of some of the connections of Signet Goofy in trap 5. The show had to go on, though, and it did with Joni cruising to a 4 length victory. 2024 certainly looks bright for this young lady, and she’s a contender to be in the mix for this award.
Romeo Command – Trainer Patrick Janssens made no secret that 2023 was always going to be about the English Derby for this fellow, and campaigned very sparsely beforehand, oh so close did he nearly pull it off! During that quiet period he did manage to bag a category 1 in the shape of the British breeders stakes. Now, let’s not make out it was the strongest competition there’s ever been, it wasn’t. Quite frankly I think it’s probably the easiest £12,500 Mr Firmager will have ever earnt! They all need winning though, and that he did. Starting heavily odds on in every round, he went to traps 2/7 favourite in the final and despite the slightest of panics when crowded at the first bend, he soon showed he’s levels above the opposition and sprinted clear to a 5 length victory. Other than an appearance in the juvenile 2 weeks later where he finished runner up, the son of Dorotas Wildcat x Drive On Betsy wasn’t seen again until the English Derby as planned. He started in fine fashion, unbeaten all the way to the semi final stage where he booked himself a final spot when runner up to the hugely talented Swords Rex. He went to the boxes 4/1 for the showpiece, with the other 2 English runners double figures. A smash break from Gaytime Nemo saw him go beyond recall, and try as he may, the game brindle just couldn’t reel him in. Runner up in a derby shouldn’t go unrecognised however, and it’s an achievement everyone involved can be proud of. Things didn’t really happen for him in competitions after that, he was runner up in the Kent Derby, but in my opinion there was that sparkle missing that we had become accustomed to seeing. He then took to the Eclipse at Nottingham, a track he clearly enjoyed, and a semi final elimination prompted 4 weeks on the sidelines. A sprint and 4 bend trial back, he was entered for one last race of the year, at Towcester on New Year’s Eve. That sparkle? It was back. With just 9 hours and 18 minutes left of the year, he reminded us that he wasn’t going anywhere just yet! Popping out the boxes in a 4.12 sectional, the classy tracker exploded to a breathtaking track record of 28.64. Happy new year from Romeo Command everybody!
The confirmed nominees are – King Memphis, Links Maverick and Romeo Command.
Verdict – All of these have had fantastic years. Queen Joni stamped her authority on the season in a short space of time. King Memphis was much alike and set the track alight on more than one occasion. Romeo Command nearly pulled off the neatest of plans. No Rush was there whichever way you turned. But Links Maverick just had that aura around him which said “I’m special aren’t I” and for me, three category 1’s, only 2 defeats all year, it just sets him above. A top class greyhound with a bright 2024 ahead.
Hurdler of the Year
Coppice Fox – This lad started 2023 on the flat with Kevin Hutton, and it all started very promisingly! A 29.30 first round win in the Blue Riband at Towcester looked to set the foundations of an exciting year. However let’s fast forward to March where he took his place in the first round of the Kent Plate. After a moderate beginning the chase was on, when at the third bend he put on a show Mike Tyson would have been proud of! It left the stewards without any doubt, he was disqualified. No problem though. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. In the words of Bianca Butcher: RICKY! Yes, as most fighters do with the talent this lad has, he found his way to Ricky Holloway’s, and to begin with it was slow going. Defeat in his first 5 hurdle starts, you could have been forgiven for thinking it perhaps didn’t suit. A 6th attempt, though, and a maiden hurdles victory came. 2 weeks later, he lined up in the Grand National. Making the final with first round (equally, it was the semi-final, as only 12 dogs were entered) glory, he went into it an 11/2 chance. He took a flyer. Leading early, one so fast was never going to be caught. He took the trophy just 23 days after breaking his maiden tag and gave owner Tony Brealey his first category 1 success of the year. Fights like a tiger, but jumps like a buck! Well done Foxy, what a year!
Droopys Chaser – The latest of our nominees to take on the hurdling challenge, Droopys Chaser didn’t see a hurdle in public until a trial in June. If we’re being honest it’s been a very stop start career for him, never mind year, though he did taste a bit of success in the category 2 Springbok in July. Unbeaten through that, he was a classy winner beating Coppice Fox by 4 lengths in the final, a statement of just how much talent he does have. Unfortunately, as mentioned already, he just can’t seem to string races together. He didn’t race again until November after that, and it resulted in an odds on defeat. Another period on the sidelines, and he returned for 2 races in December. A victory in the first of those was a positive sign, until a fall occurred in the second start. He’s talented, but clearly very fragile. Let’s hope we see much more of Droopys Chaser in 2024.
Lenson Doolin – An experienced hurdler coming into 2023, Lenson Doolin had pretty much seen it all in the hurdle division, and he began his campaign in style winning 15 of his first 17 starts! Snuggled in between those victories came a category 1 success, that being the Champion Hurdle. Unbeaten throughout, he was a model of consistency! 3.60 sectionals in the first round, semi final, and final, meant he went on to bolt up by 12 1/2 lengths, giving king Ricky his 3000th (I don’t know, I’m guessing, it could be more!) category 1 hurdle victory. Only 3 starts between August and October suggests he probably had his issues in ‘23, but without doubt he had already stamped his mark on the season, and he gave everyone a reminder of how good he is when rattling off his final 4 starts of the year. That took his total to 19. Not bad aye!
The confirmed nominees are – Coppice Fox, Droopys Chaser and Lenson Doolin.
Verdict – I will concede, I’m not a strong follower of the hurdle division, so if I’ve missed some obvious contenders then please shout at me and tell me in the comments! I think this category goes to Lenson Dooling though. His paw perfect performance throughout the Champion Hurdle and catalogue of victories set him apart from the others, and he would be a very deserving winner!
Bitch of the Year
Bellmore Sally – Now you see her, now you don’t! Only appearing 11 times in 2023, (in keeping with her career of 15 times in 2022, likewise 2021) Bellmore Sally would be greyhounds version of a lunar eclipse. However when she appears, like a lunar eclipse, she’s quite remarkable! Taking 2 of the most prestigious competitions in the calendar, the TV Trophy and the Golden Jacket, she picked up £35,000 in prize money in those finals alone. The first of those was the Golden Jacket back in April, when the final looked an outright battle of early pace. In truth though, Sally put it to bed at lid rise. Finding 4 lengths on her sectional, she catapulted from the boxes stretching her rivals out all over Kent on the first circuit, and came home a 3 length winner. Comfy. So what next then for the Crayford lover? Ummm… well Crayford. This time though, a step up in trip for a tilt at the TV Trophy. With only one 10 bend run under her belt, that being a solo trial at Newcastle a whole 12 months previous, questions were asked whether she could really stay the distance when being chased down by the likes of Ower Smasher. That was until she bolted up in the first round by 6 1/4 lengths and that was that doubt out of the window. A performance that saw her sent off a shade of odds on in the final, there was no sign of stage fright. Quickly away and showing bundles of early pace, she’d put enough distance between her nearest rival, Ower Smasher, to take the title by 3 1/2 lengths. May came around and she was an unbeaten finalist in the Kent St Leger, again an odds on chance in final but, unusually, she fluffed her lines at the boxes and found bother throughout. Despite this, she was only beaten 1/2 a length. In true Sally fashion, it was her time to go again and we didn’t see her in competition action anymore during the season. It remains to be seen how much we’ll see of the now 4 year old in 2024, but one thing is for sure – it was a sparkling 2023.
Laughil Jess – She’s back, our first double nominee! We’ve said what there is to say about the fabulous Jess already, and she’s absolutely deserving of a nomination in the bitches category.
No Rush – They come like buses. A second double nominee! Again a worthy one, and who could argue that No Rush has been one of the bitches of the season!
Queen Joni – Another we’ve covered. A remarkable year for one so young, and if you think her 2023 was good, it looks almost certain to get better in 2024.
The confirmed nominees are – Bellmore Sally, Laughil Jess, and Space Jet.
Nominees not mentioned – Now I make an apology for leaving out Space Jet as a potential nominee in the stayers category earlier on, but what she is doing as a confirmed nominee in this category is beyond me. I’ll put it bluntly, she didn’t achieve anywhere near as much as the 4 I’ve mentioned, and I have no idea what the judging panel have seen. She doesn’t deserve to be there based on her 2023. If we were talking about careers as a whole, fair enough, but we’re not.
Verdict – Well I pity anyone who had to select just 3 of those 4 and remarkably 2 of them are missing out. They can count themselves extremely unlucky! Nevertheless, there can be only one winner, and I’d make it between Bellmore Sally and Queen Joni. Preference, and only just, goes to Bellmore Sally (though made obvious, given the farcical omittance of Queen Joni!). Based on the prestige of the competitions she won, it really was a special year for the Newcastle raider, and trainer Jimmy Fenwick can look forward to future Sally’s running around in the future.
British Bred Greyhound of the Year
King Memphis – A simply exciting greyhound, and this makes for his second nomination. Whatever this dog achieved in 2023, 2024 looks to be even more fruitful. The McNair kennel will soon be renamed Heathrow such are the planes based on site!
No Rush – A third potential nomination? Testament to the season she had, and a word of acknowledgement for team Weatherall for championing that. Marvellous athlete.
Queen Joni – A third nomination for her, and a second in the category for Liz McNair. Sensational bitch. You’ll hear plenty of her in 2024.
Romeo Command – A second nomination for this fellow, and truly deserved. An aeroplane of a dog who’s turning 3 1/2 years old come derby time in 2024, could he again be aimed at England’s showpiece by the Belgian master?
The confirmed nominees are – King Memphis, Queen Joni, and Romeo Command.
Verdict – If I thought the bitches category was hard, then this could be harder. When I started writing this article I was sure I was going with King Memphis. That was until Romeo Command stole his Towcester track record on the last day of the season! Both had great years, but that one last hurrah in the dying strides of the year, just edged Romeo Command’s achievements to the top of the pile for me.
Newcomer of the Year
Droopys Clue – A 3rd nomination a distinct possibility and who can tell him he doesn’t deserve it? I’m out of words!
King Memphis – Another with 3 up! Another I’ve run out of words for!
Laughil Jess – Okay, I know it’s getting predictable! Still can’t argue it though, right?
Queen Joni – A potential 4th nomination? How good is she!
The confirmed nominees are – Droopys Clue, King Memphis and Newinn Syd.
Nominees not mentioned – Well this is awkward… At least I can’t be accused of writing this with rose tinted spectacles! Newinn Syd won what could be described as one of the category 1 races of the season! In opposition was English Derby semi finalist Burj Khalifa, English Derby finalist Clona Duke, Irish Derby runner up Bockos Crystal, multiple category 1 finalist Droopys Google, and highly talented Ballymac John, and to be honest he blew them all away. His early pace is a weapon, but what really put his race to bed that night was the pace he possesses from 2 to 3. It was a performance worth watching back time and again, and he looks a force to be reckoned with in 2024. Other than that however, I struggle to see what else he achieved that could rival those I’ve already mentioned. He made the puppy classic final and Olympic final, but wasn’t victorious in either, and to be competing in this category, you really need to be winning two category 1’s, or at least one and going on a ridiculously long win streak in Laughil Jess case! I’ll stand by my original options, I think the judges have this one wrong.
Verdict – You absolutely wouldn’t mind owning any of these dogs, but Droopys Clue was just on another planet in ‘23 and I think he deserves his 2nd award of the evening. Cluedooo!
Sprinter of the Year
Bombout Bullet – Despite showing signs of ability since arriving in the UK in July ‘23, this lad left it late to warrant himself a nomination for this. An unbeaten route through the National Sprint at Nottingham in December, made sure of that though, and he was highly impressive! An always led performance on Boxing Day gave Team Green a merry Christmas and more looks sure to come in 2024.
Flashing Willow – An Irish raider. The Pat Buckley trained son of Laughil Blake x Cabbage, came over to the UK for the only category 1 of the year, the Silver Salver at Central Park. In honesty he faced all that England had to offer at the time, and in the final he came out under the bars! That victory confirmed an unbeaten campaign and the cheque went back across the water. Although there’s no question he’s a flying machine, can a dog that was only in the country for 3 weeks of the year really be allowed to win at a UK awards evening? I’m not keen on it, but he was certainly an impressive winner of that competition, and he’s almost guaranteed a nomination.
Hawkfield Ozark – Alright, so this lad only technically had 5 sprints in 2023, and all his other achievements can’t be counted because they weren’t part of a sprint campaign, but I don’t care. If he’s not nominated, I still want to give him a mention. As competition dogs go, you wouldn’t mind a kennel full of him! Let’s focus on his sprints, though. All of them came over the 400m at Romford, and whether that should count as sprint is a whole other topic, but it does, so there we go. He was 4/5 at London Road, and 3 of those were an unbeaten campaign through the £5000 category 2 Romford Standard competition. In that short space of time, he proved he was the fastest dog to touch the sand there this season, and in the final roared to a 23.31 (+20), 6 3/4 length victory. That was simply sensational, and for the Romford purist, it made hairs stand up on the back of your neck. A grand dog, and I’d love to see him nominated, however unlikely.
Quagos Jack – This one may come as shock to a few of you, but when you actually peel back the form from the year, it really shouldn’t. With the lack of category 1’s in the sprint division this year, category 2’s were almost the main targets, and this fellow landed one of them, the Bedfordshire Sprint. Unlike many we’ve spoken about thus far, he didn’t actually win any of the opening rounds. He got it right when it mattered though. Smashing out in the final, he found 29 spots on his recent efforts and that was enough to power away to a 2 3/4 length victory. This wasn’t his only achievement of the year, back to his home (and undoubtedly best) track, Yarmouth. On 19th August he went to traps the 5/4 jolly, and at first glance you could be forgiven for thinking it’s just another win to add to his tally as he only won 3/4 of a length, but then the time was called out. 15.87. A new track record. More ironically the track record he was breaking was set by his father, the ultra fast Kilmore Lemon. 1 month later he was entreated into the category 3 MWD Partnership sprint. Same track, same result. In the final he smashed the bars down and kicked clear of the talented Quarteira, and won by 3 lengths. Another £1000 bagged. So as I said, at first you may think “what’s he doing in this category?”, but strip it back, and it wouldn’t be the greatest shock in the world!
Quarteira – A dog that came over with a big reputation, and he was thrown into the deep end when he first went to traps in the opening round of the Silver Salver. He was far from disgraced though, and he made the final of that where he finished a credible 4th. It was then to Hove for the category 2 Coral Sprint trophy, and in fairness this was his first blip. He went to boxes an odds on fav but fluffed his lines and finished 2nd. It was surely only a matter of time though, and after getting beaten in the final of the aforementioned MWD Partnership sprint final, he took the prestigious Scurry Gold Cup at Perry Barr! An odds on chance throughout the competition, he didn’t put a paw wrong, and went through it unbeaten, winning the final by 1 3/4 lengths. He was consistent through the year, and only failed to be out of the first 2 three times. Winning 15 races from 26 starts.
The confirmed nominees are – Bombout Bullet, Flashing Willow, and Quartiera.
Verdict – I don’t think this is the most vintage set of UK sprinters we’ve seen in comparison to recent times. Bombout Bullet is the one I think has the most scope to grab the division by its horns next year and get a firm grasp on it. Though that being said, this is based on last season and I would be siding with Quarteira. Flashing Willow is brilliant, and in my opinion the best of the dogs mentioned, however I can’t have a dog that’s only been in the country for 3 weeks of the year winning. So back to the selection, Quarteira, he took the Scurry in taking fashion, and racked up 15 wins, that’s impressive, and he’s just done enough to take the category for me!
Marathon Performer of the Year
Ballymac Taylor – From the outset of this lady’s career, trainer Mark Wallis has always maintained she was bought to be a marathon bitch, and although she only dipped her toe into them particular waters twice in 2023, one of them was a match race for the ages! 27th October she took on Bubbly Inferno in a £3,500 winner takes all. Leading early many thought she would only go further clear. Not a bit of it! Bubbly Inferno went head to head on the final lap, and it was only on the run in that Ballymac Taylor extended and went on to win by 2 lengths. It was an enthralling match up, and the more we see of this up and coming bitch on the marathon scene, the more exciting she looks to get!
Bellmore Sally – A 2nd nomination for Sally. Any TV trophy winner is a strong contender for this! Chuck in the Golden Jacket as well, and you’re a big player!
Night Time Danny – The now-retired Night Time Danny was a grand servant for Stephen Rayner throughout his career and none more so than last season! Bagging a category 1 and a category 2, Danny set his sights on the Starsports Galaxy Marathon to begin with, and unusually for the 10 bend racers, early pace is the key to him! He popped out in the first round and final, and was not for catching, as hard as Ower Smasher tried! He clocked 53.38 for Oxford’s 847m and went on to take the title by a length. It was then to Romford for the category 2 Maurice Newman Memorial Marathon. A beaten favourite in the first round, he still went off 5/2f for the final, and he picked up the flagging Teds Dexter, only just, on the run in. A performance that impressed many, as he’d had really shown a determination to get to the front. What a grand dog. Happy retirement Danny, you deserve it!
Space Jet – 3 from 4 in marathons in 2023, the now 5 year old is at home over these 10 bend trips and her most notable marathon success came on derby final night when she took the Dorando. A popular and historical race on the showpiece’ evening card, it’s a prestigious race to win, and boy she did it in style! I was there that night, and someone to my right said whilst in running, “I don’t think she’s going to get there!”. They either didn’t know Space Jet, or didn’t realise how good she was! She powered home on the run in, and you could say she was still only getting going! A remarkable bitch, she’s been a sensation, the best I’ve seen. A little bit like Bellmore Sally, it remains to be seen how long we shall see of Space Jet in 2024, but whatever happens, we will enjoy her!
The confirmed nominees are – Bellmore Sally, Night Time Danny and Space Jet
Verdict – When you win two category 1’s in a year, and they’re as prestigious as the TV Trophy and Golden Jacket, you’re going to be a force to be reckoned with in this category. Therefore I’m with Bellmore Sally. It’s a shame we don’t get to see more of her throughout the season, but you can’t help Mother Nature! Maybe she can win even more!
Overall Greyhound of the Year
We’ve covered some phenomenal greyhounds in this piece, and I want to give a mention to Links Maverick who had a great year, and it always appeared early on he would be a contender for this award. For me however, one has stood out above all the rest… CLUEDO! I still cannot get over some of the performances he put in during 2023, and I’ve become an avid member of the Droopys Clue fan club! He’s just spectacular. He took a classic, track records, category 1’s, just oozed class, and he throughly deserves the title. I’ve got 1 bone to pick with him though… Why the hell didn’t he win when I stood on the terraces of Shelbourne Park ready to roar him home! Best of luck in 2024 big man!
Kennelhand of the year nominations are still open, please email the GBGB at ‘Awards@gbgb.org.uk’ with the subject line ‘Kennelhand of the year 2023’ and include the nominees name, and few lines on why they should win! Please also include your own details if you are the one nominating the person!
Tickets are still available at £95 per person! Please contact the GBGB for more information.
So that’s it, we finally got to the end. I’m sure many of you disagree with me, so please tell us your thoughts in the comments below! Who shouldn’t be there, who you think will win, who you think has been missed out, and anything else awards related!
See you all soon, stay well!
