2025 Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby semi-finals

The four Derby quarter-finals promised to deliver greyhound racing at its very best and it didn’t disappoint, writes Peter Walker. 

However, even before then, we had the greyhoundytrader.com Stakes. 

Although a very wide-open event, all the favourites did reach the semi-finals next week, but we had to wait until the last heat before we had a winning one in Flashing Fender. 

The previous heat saw Zenith Quincy win well in a time of 28.82 and set a very high standard before the draw is made in this competition.

Fantastic display

The heats of the PricedUp.Bet Derby Plate followed and the ante post favourite Lennies Desire produced a fantastic front-running display and a new track record of 28.39 seconds to boot! 

The following heat saw the previous holder Barntick Bear agonisingly lose out finishing fourth. 

More to follow in the next few days when the draws of the supporting competitions have been completed.

The first Derby quarter-final saw the well-supported Cheap Sandwiches win convincingly after another smart exit from the boxes, with Droopys Bookem coming through to take second in front of Sole Mio one length behind. 

March On Freddie missed out in fourth as well as Singalong Molly who was the only bitch left in at this stage.

READ MORE: Greyhound vets hear from veterinary experts at GBGB practical training day

Fast break

The next included last year’s winner De Lahdedah, who managed to snatch first place from Churchfield Syd who typically blazed a trail from his customary fast break. 

The outsider of the pack No Better Feelin gave connections exactly that to qualify in third place.

The penultimate race had the favourite Bombay Pat, who had to settle for the runner’s-up spot again. 

He couldn’t reel in Dynamic Force who led early on and wasn’t for catching. 

Prince Naseem took third as Faypoint Harvey missed the kick slightly and was on the back foot from the start.

Thrilling race

To say the last quarter-final was a thriller is an understatement. Four last round winners all lined up with some serious early paced greyhounds on show. 

Trap six Slick Sentinel lived up to his name and took the initiative, leading up at the first corner. 

Bockos Diamond stalked him round the opening bends and went to the head of affairs along the back straight. 

If you thought this was game over, think again. 

On the run-in, Slick Sentinel came with renewed vigour on his outside. 

On the inside, Droopys Plunge saw daylight along the rail and caught up with the leaders as all three flashed past the post together – we have a three-way photo! 

The result was a short-head between first, second and third in Slick Sentinel’s favour. Droopys Plunge grabbed second and the ante post favourite third. What a race to conclude the meeting.

Draw made

The draw was made shortly after racing with an equal distribution of rails and wide qualifiers as well as six British and six Irish in the drum. 

Coincidentally, the winners were also spread out evenly in the semi-final draw. 

There are now no unbeaten runners left in the competition. I have updated the race and sectional ratings with summaries for your information.
Unsurprisingly, ‘Syd’ remains the quickest out of the traps and Cheap Sandwiches top ranked by a small margin. 

Good luck to connections of the remaining 12 left in the Derby as destiny awaits!

Saturday 21.15

Saturday 21.34