MAGIC ROMEO CLAIMS TWO GBGB AWARDS

Ian Fortune

Coolavanny Aunty was ultimately named Greyhound of the Year at the 2022 Greyhound Board of Great Britain Awards at Sheffield Stadium but Graham Holland and David Firmager also had reason to smile as Romeo Magico picked up two awards on the night following his wonderful English Derby success.

The brilliant son of Magical Bale was named the British Bred Greyhound of the Year before also going on to scoop the Standard Distance Performer of the Year. It was wonderful for an Irish trained greyhound to be recognized and it really was the cherry on top for both Holland and Firmager after an incredible year.

Of course, on this side of the Irish Sea, Romeo Magico is also amongst the nominees for the Dog of the Year at the National Greyhound Awards. Perhaps a famous double could be on the cards.

Incidentally, while Romeo Magico is trained in Ireland, he was the only British Bred award winner on the night as the remaining awards went to greyhounds bred in the emerald isle. The aformentioned Coolavanny Aunty won both Bitch of the Year and Stayer of the Year before getting the overall gong, while the Pat Dalton bred Space Jet was named Marathon Performer of the Year after an incredible twelve months.

Lenson Doolin was named the Hurdler of the Year, Gougane Jet the Sprinter of the Year and the exciting Fromposttopillar was understandably named the Newcomer of the Year.

Other award winners included Forest Natalee who was named GBGB Best Dam. Jeff Rayner was named the Kennelhand of the Year and Emotional Time the Graded Dog of the Year. It was no surprise to see Mark Wallis claim the Ladbrokes Trainer of the Year gong, while the KSS Syndicate added to their incredible haul of awards by again being named the Coral Owner of the Year.