Annadown Warrior broke Nottingham Greyhound Stadium’s 500m track record en route to winning a first Category One title of the year for Trainer of the Year leader Maxine Locke.
The Juvenile Classic and Puppy Trophy runner-up went one better than his recent competition efforts to scoop the £12,500 Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic at the Colwick Park venue on Bank Holiday Monday.
The son of Grangeview Ten – a 2019 Irish Produce Stakes champion – clocked a lightning 4.85 sectional before running a perfect first and second bend to lead runner-up Daleroad Magic by two lengths down the back straight.
He maintained that lead to the line to lower Proper Heiress’ 500m track record, established during last year’s Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse, by 0.02 seconds.
Irish challenger Magical Marty ran the race of his life to finish third for Patrick Guilfoyle.
Meanwhile Warrior’s litter-brother Annadown Shadow was fourth, with Scooby Mustang and Lady Gambet fifth and sixth respectively.
A fantastic greyhound
Jack Russell, owner of Annadown Warrior via the JR Racing Syndicate, was blown away by his star pup’s performance.
“He is a fantastic greyhound,” said Jack. “He’s so good – I absolutely love him. He’s brilliant at home and on the track, it’s a bonus that he can run.
“To win was good, but to beat the track record is amazing – absolutely amazing.”
The night’s other feature race – the £12,500 Arena Racing Company Select Stakes – went the way of another Essex trainer as Puppy Derby champion Underground Gold added to his already impressive honours list for Paul Young.
Prestigious race
Inaugurated at Wembley Stadium in 1952, the Select Stakes is UK greyhound racing’s most prestigious invitational race with six of the UK and Ireland’s fastest dogs invited to contest a one-off 500m race.
The August ’24 star led by a length at the bend before asserting his dominance on the race down the back straight and up the run in to beat dual Category One champion Romeo Tomcat by four-and-a-half lengths.
English Greyhound Derby fourth Ballymac Ralf was third, with Wicky Ned, Strike It Skye and Fortanach Col finishing fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
Owner Matt Crouch said: “We knew he could win the race if he trapped out.
“He made the bend and just kept pulling away, we were bouncing with joy on the terraces.
“He’s such a lovely greyhound, the whole team have done a fantastic job to achieve so much at such a young age.
“He’s proven to us now that he can do it in puppy company and against the older greyhounds. We’re so proud of him.
“We’ll have a chat with the team, but we’re looking at the Kent Derby at Central Park in October. We’ll be selective with his races, with the big goal being the Derby next year.”
Admission details
The £2,500 Arena Racing Company Select Stayers meanwhile went to Craig Morris’ Radical Story.
Local winners on the night included Jason Gray’s Kellies Emerald in the ARC Standard Trophy and No Dreamers in the Nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk Sprint Trophy final.
Peter Holland secured a one-two in the Nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk Standard Trophy final with Jet Stream Jane and Tetra Eco.
Greyhound racing continues at Nottingham Stadium on Monday and Friday evenings through the remainder of 2026.
The track’s next Category One competition starts on Monday, November 16, with the 71st running of the Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse.
Admission for all racegoers on finals night on November 30 is free.
Further information is available online via www.nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk.
