Excitement after the first round of the BGBF Derby has been tempered slightly with the news today that Liz and Rab McNair’s King Turbo picked up a tendon injury during the race and will be retired, after a fantastic career. Winner of the Towcester Gold Cup, the Gold Cup at Monmore, the Kent Derby and the Olympic at Hove in 2018, then the Winter Derby at Hove early this year, his record sort of gives the lie to those who still say he was ‘only good for British Bred races’! Would he have got to the Final, or even won, the British Derby at Towcester if the powers that be had had a closer look at their rules? We’ll never know, but if he had taken part I would have had something on him for sure ….

We will miss King Turbo on the track, but I can guarantee that if he does go to Ron Grey’s to stand at stud alongside King Elvis and Angela Harrison’s Droopys Expert he will have breeders queuing up to use him!

Notwithstanding, the first round of the BGBF Derby (British Breds) was a good night! This competition goes from strength to strength each year and the quality of dogs running in the heats bodes well for a first class final in two weeks’ time, Tuesday 10 December!

Clocking fastest of the night was King Dylan – one of five entrants from the Kent-based trainers with their enviable string of homebreds, with King Dylan and three of the other Kings – Cash, Lennon and Sheeran – all from the same litter, Eden The Kid x Skate On, Feb ’17. Taking Heat 6 in 28.67, Dylan was initially led by Phil Simmonds’ Rack Itup Turbo, but took over the lead around half way with Harry Williams’ Pond Adonis staying on for second.

King Lennon took Heat 2 in 29.40, making a remarkable recovery after being baulked at the first bend and dropping right back as a result, and King Sheeran took Heat 5 in 28.87. These three, Dylan, Cash and Lennon, are on a busy schedule for the next couple of weeks as they are also through to the semis of the Essex Vase on Friday! And no, we do not subscribe to the fashionable ‘Ooooh isn’t that a lot’ train of thought – if a dog is properly got ready then two runs a week won’t phase him. Think about coursing – to win the Waterloo Cup a dog had to win six courses over three DAYS – and the courses were longer than the run up the Park you see in Ireland now!

Heat 1 gave Russelena Bowwow (Tullymurry Act x Russelena Barbie, Nov ’17) his first Open Race win for trainer Martin Cutler and owner / breeder Neil Russell, with litter brother Russelena Rock qualifying third in Heat 5 after last week’s BGBF Marathon winner Saving Sonic in second.

Down To The Felt, running for new owner Alan McGee, led all the way to take Heat 3 in 28.71, leading King Turbo in second and Sharpys Pluto third; and Coyote Shauny, bred, owned and trained by Shaun Moore, took an early lead in Heat 4 and held it to cross the line in 29.28, from Westcot Norman in second and King Cash in third.

Looking forward to the semi-finals next Tuesday (full form below), and of course the Final the following week. Don’t forget, come racing at Sheffield on 10th  December, but come a bit early and come to the BGBF AGM at 5.30, before racing!