Woltemade and Droopys Flare put themselves firmly in the shop window for this year’s GBGB Greyhound of the Year prize after winning both major competitions at Dunstall Park.
Jimmy Fenwick’s white and brindled dog won a remarkable fourth Category One title this year when dominating the £12,500 Arena Racing Company Birmingham Cup.
Less than an hour later, Sean Parker’s Droopys Flare came out on top in a vintage renewal of the £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger by holding off Zenith Pasha and Malcolm Bosh by a short-head and a head respectively.
Both races headlined Dunstall Park’s richest race night since the UK’s newest greyhound racing venue opened its doors exactly one year ago.
Ashington-based trainer Fenwick has been responsible for some of the sport’s great greyhounds in recent years including Ice On Fire, Bellmore Sally and Wicky Ned and Brookside Richie – who won the Birmingham Cup in 2023.
But Woltemade’s performance on Saturday was enough for the Toon superfan to accept he is now among the best he has ever trained.
“We’ve had some really great greyhounds over the years,” said Jimmy.
“But Woltemade is up there with the best we’ve ever had. We’re still living the dream with Wicky Ned who has six Category One wins to his name.
“Woltemade has won four in seven months, and we still don’t know where else he could take us. The Steel City Cup, Premier Greyhound Classic, the Eclipse and All England Cup are all options.
“For greyhound enthusiasts, he really is fantastic to watch.”
Kevin Hutton’s Signet Nayla finished second, while Betgoodwin Eddy was third. Headford Cian, Tomahawk and Droopys Alldeway were fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
Meanwhile John Stubbings – owner of Droopys Flare – described his superstar bitch as a one in a million after she won a captivating Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger final.
The Regency champion doubled her Category One haul after holding off long-time race leader Zenith Pasha by the finest of margins, with Angie Kibble’s Malcolm Bosh a close third.
John said: “I’m honoured to own this bitch.
“When she took the lead off the final bend, I thought she was going to pull away. But fair play to Zenith Pasha and Malcolm Bosh – they both made it incredibly tough.
“It was a great race to watch for everyone.
“Inside, I’m so excited – she really is one in a million.”
Elsewhere on the night there was local success for Kingsbury trainer Ruth Lambe when Advantage Rule won the Premier Greyhound Racing Standard Division II – his first Category Three competition win since arriving in the UK in the spring.
Category One racing returns to Dunstall Park next month when it hosts the £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks. The competition runs on successive Saturday nights from October 3 before climaxing on Saturday, October 24.
