Former England and British and Irish Lions rugby player turned Valley greyhound trainer Mike Burton is hoping for success in this year’s Star Sports English Greyhound Derby with two canine athletes competing in the second round this weekend.
Mike, who owned Kevin Hutton-trained Screen Critic – the fourth-place greyhound at the 2013 Derby – is looking to reach new heights with his two 2024 entrants, Droopys Priority and Droopys Superstar, the former of which runs at the now-licensed Valley Greyhound Stadium near Caerphilly, which has been transformed since it came under the Greyhound Board of Great Britain’s (GBGB) regulation.
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Before his international rugby career, which saw him play for England and compete in Willie Jon McBride’s sensational 1974 British and Irish Lions team, Mike already had a keen interest in greyhounds. From working with Derby-winning trainer John Bassett in the 60s and attending the Derby at White City in a crowd tens-of-thousands strong, to owning a greyhound who made it to the final in 2013, his love and enthusiasm for the sport has only become stronger with time.
Due to his love of the historic and athletic breed, Mike has been breeding and owning racing greyhounds for over a decade – often with the help of his grandson George – and has experience in the significant care and husbandry involved. Once the Valley Greyhound Stadium in Caerphilly became licensed by GBGB in 2023 – thereby ushering in a host of improvements including a veterinary surgeon onsite and new veterinary and kennelling facilities – he decided to apply for his own GBGB Professional Trainer Licence.
Now, he finds immense pleasure and satisfaction in seeing his wonderful greyhounds do what they do best and enjoying their racing careers at both the Valley Stadium and other GBGB-licensed stadia.
“Every greyhound is special and we are dedicated to giving them the very best love and care so racing at all levels is an absolute pleasure seeing how happy the thrill of the chase makes them“
Mike Burton
After a win and a third-place finish in the first round of the Derby, Mike said:
“The Derby is always an exciting time for the sport and I have been following and attending it since I was young. After a couple of successes with dogs which I cared for or owned in the past, when I saw how talented Droopys Priority and Droopys Superstar were I knew I would enter them. It was brilliant to watch them race at Towcester Stadium last weekend in the first round and such a point of pride to see them both through to the second.
“I’ve only had my GBGB trainer’s licence since November and have a fairly small kennel, so it is very exciting for me, and for my family syndicate, to have dogs racing at the Derby this year.
“Every greyhound is special and we are dedicated to giving them the very best love and care so racing at all levels is an absolute pleasure seeing how happy the thrill of the chase makes them. But of course the Derby really is the jewel in that crown so to proceed with these two dogs would be fantastic.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in the second round – it’s a tough draw for Droopys Priority in particular but I’m sure it will be a great weekend of racing for us.”
Click here for more details on attending the Star Sports English Greyhound Derby at Towcester Racecourse
Alternatively, AYOZAT will broadcast the entire 2024 StarSports Greyhound Derby on the Ayozat Media Network. Pay-for-view pricing starts at £2.49 per show, rising to £4.99 each for the semi-final and final, or sign up for a season ticket for the whole competition on pay-for-view for £14.99. Click here for more information.
