A great start to the BGBF Produce Stakes on Sunday: congratulations to the ten heat winners and to all those who are through to the next round on Wednesday. They’re on the way now!

Setting the pace straight away was the very impressive Our Boy Jack, winner of the first heat and fastest of the whole morning! Robert Copping’s charge kick started the 476m event by leading all the way to cross the line in 28.36 sec (normal) from Kevin Hutton’s Boca Junior and the McNairs’ Queen Dolly.

“Quite a few people thought the first round would be a series of predictable processions,’ commented BGBF chair Liz Mort, ‘but it was far from that. Credit therefore goes all the breeders, given we have so many superb youngsters in the competition. It’s always good to see different litters and breeders starring and special mention has to go to Mike and George Burton’s September 2018 litter by Taylors Sky out of Terminator – six pups in the litter and all six going through for Kevin Hutton with one of them, Houston Main, winning his heat!”

The surprise and disappointment of the day was seeing King Drake fail to qualify. He won the BGBF Sprint only last Sunday at Towcester, but this wasn’t to be his week – although once again well done to the McNairs who still have plenty in there. Queen Jessiej was the best of their bunch, winning her heat in the third fastest of the day, so special mention therefore to Acomb Winston (Hiya Butt-Acomb Ruby, April 2018) who went quicker. His litter sister Acomb Lillian also went through, both of them for Kevin Ferguson.

The fastest of the day, Our Boy Jack, is a very impressive type – he was bred by Max Alden and is by Holdem Spy out of Max’s Unique Lillian, trained by Rob Copping at Yarmouth for owner Raymond Pizzey. Well done to them. Winner of the last, Deeteedee Viper, is another by Holden Spy, bred by Anthony Minnis out of his Sober Cindy, owned by him and trained by Kim Billingham.

The two heat winners from the Cahill kennels, Sharp Darcy and Sharp Lucy, are interesting. Very quick dogs – they are littermates and their dam Ballanakil Biddy last year had another litter, of nine, to Forest Con, so it will be exciting to see how they progress, too.

Two impressive youngsters from Dorotas Wildcat’s first batch of litters also featured – the winner of the third heat, the Jack Brain trained Wildcard, bred by Liam Coyle out of his Bravo Maggie and owned by Jake Wayman; then seventh heat winner, Jonathan Miles’s Only You, bred and trained by Angie Kibble, out of her Wiki Wacki Woo.

“All in all a great first round, highlighting the best of British breeding!” said Mort. “Our thanks as ever to Swindon for hosting the event. They even provided trainers and staff with food and drink this year which was fantastic given the restaurant facilities there are still closed, of course. That was much appreciated – now for round two . . !”

You can catch all the opening round’s action below with a fantastic video from Swindon Greyhound’s youtube channel. As well as the video we have been provided with some absolutely brilliant pictures from Josh Sealey. All of the heat winners in their full glory, striding away to success. If you had any runners and would like to request images or wish to speak to capturing future runners, please give him a follow on twitter or head over to his website to make contact.