A home hero will bid to become the first locally trained winner of the Premier Greyhound Racing Classic in a decade on Friday when going for the £20,000 prize in a blockbuster final.
Carl Jackson’s Droopys Sort booked his spot in Friday’s showpiece race after coming from off the pace to finish second in his respective semi-final behind David Mullins’ Essex star Santas Amigo.
The September ’23 son of champion sire Droopys Sydney only arrived in the north-east this autumn after impressing in nine starts in Ireland before being purchased by a group of five friends.
He’s now on the cusp of becoming only the third greyhound attached to Sunderland to win the Newcastle Road venue’s richest prize with No But (2015) and Pinpoint Maxi (2013) the other two to have earned top honours.
Joining Droopys Sort and Santas Amigo are last year’s finalists Coolavanny Mercy and Unanimous Leon plus Whitehills Titan and ARC Scurry Gold Cup fourth Bockos Buster.
County Durham based Carl has lifted a Category One trophy before when Watchall Sid powered to glory in the BGBF British Bred Puppy Cup at Oxford in 2023. He’s now dreaming of doubling his tally in a competition he grew up watching.
“He (Droopys Sort) ran a blinder to qualify,” said Carl. “Running up to the first bend he was outpaced a touch after trapping well.
“But from the second bend he’s motored home and we’re over the moon to be in the final.
“He checked up slightly on the third bend too and had to round Salacres Senan to get into second so time has been left out there on the track.
“For a small kennel like us to reach our local Category One final is massive. We’ve won one before and from my point of view as a trainer nothing changes, we keep the routine for the greyhound exactly the same.
“He’s only raced twice for us so it’s an excellent start and it could get better yet!”
The Premier Greyhound Racing Classic forms part of a bumper card where all races are worth at least £500 to the winner.
Race 10 – the £5,000 Arena Racing Company Shootout Stakes - is the other standout competition final on the night.
Only the winners of last week’s six qualifying heats advanced to the Category Two final where Sunderland trainer Paul Miller is represented by Matts Bomber. Other north-east trainers Tom Heilbron (Bower Sheeran and Toddys Tank), Mark Bulmer (Cunnigar King) and Savva Roberts (Bogger Darling) are represented.
The card also features a marathon race and the BGBF British Bred Invitation Race worth £1,000 to the winner.
Tickets are available online via www.sunderland-greyhounds.co.uk. Doors open at 6.15pm, with the first race off at 7.08pm.
Premier Greyhound Racing Classic Final: Unanimous Leon, Bockos Buster, Droopys Sort, Whitehills Titan, Santas Amigo, Coolavanny Mercy.
Arena Racing Company Shootout Stakes Final: Cunnigar King, Bower Sheeran, Toddys Tank, Bogger Darling, Matts Bomber, Saleen Ri.
