Former British and Irish Lions prop Mike Burton celebrated a major win as a professional greyhound trainer on Saturday when landing one of the sport’s most historic competitions.
The 80-year-old – who accumulated 28 caps for England during his glittering playing career – watched on as kennel star Droopys Aladdin won the 92nd renewal of the Arena Racing Company Laurels at Dunstall Park Greyhound Stadium in Wolverhampton.
It’s the second major win of Mike’s new career since he was granted a training licence in 2024 after Outa The Clouds won the Puppy Collar Final at Oxford in November.
First prize
After finishing runner-up in the Winter Derby in February, Droopys Aladdin went one better to scoop the £12,500 first prize for Severn Racing Club, with Maxine Locke’s 22-1 outsider Ballymac Blanco in second while Esther Driver’s No Better Feelin was third.
A delighted Mike said after the race that his nerves before the race started were greater than any of his memorable moments on the rugby pitch.
“I was much more nervous waiting for the start of that race that at any point of my rugby career,” said Mike.
“This has given me so much pleasure – both personally, but also for my family, friends and the syndicate itself.
“It’s something I’ll never forget.”
Paw-perfect performance
Droopys Aladdin’s victory confirmed a paw-perfect performance throughout the competition for the July ’23 star.
Although he had to do it the hard way when it mattered most after odds-on favourite Romeo Steel led by two lengths entering the first bend.
Patrick Janssens’ dual Category One winner was caught at the third behind before eventually finishing fifth, with Droopys Trade ahead in fourth and Tom Heilbron’s Toddys Wolf sixth.
Courage and craft
Mike added: “He showed great courage and track craft.
“Approaching the first bend, I thought we had lost it because Romeo Steel was in front.
“But he got the rail and found a gap up the inside to come through. We’re absolutely delighted with the result!”
Elsewhere on the night, the inaugural running of the £5,000 Arena Racing Company Dunstall Dash went the way of favourite Good Acclaim for north-east trainer Stuart Tighe.
The April ’24 dog has only been beaten twice in 12 starts, and – like Droopys Aladdin – went through the competition unbeaten.
There were local wins meanwhile for Simon Deakin who took the Arena Racing Company Winner of One with Mister Baileys while Julie Bateson’s King Pharlap won the Arena Racing Company Puppy to start the night’s open racing.
Greyhound racing continues at Dunstall Park Greyhound Stadium on Saturday nights through the summer, with racing starting at 6.20pm.
Tickets are available online via www.dunstallpark-greyhounds.co.uk.
