COLD MOUNTAIN, trained at Monmore by Paul Sallis, is the ARC Graded Greyhound of the Year for 2020.

Owned by William Adamson and Martin Lloyd, the January 2017 son of Superior Product and Knockmant Tily impressed the GBGB judging panel for maintaining a high level of performance throughout the year.

A winner of 12 of 28 graded starts in 2020, Cold Mountain proved a regular A1 winner which the panel considered to be a superb return at a track considered to have one of the strongest kennel strengths in the country.

Monmore racing manager Tony Williamson said:

“It’s great news and absolutely well done to Cold Mountain – a tremendous recognition for a brilliant greyhound that has been a delight to watch throughout 2020. 

“His record among the very best here at Monmore in A1 was top-class, winning nine races in the grade including a three-in-a-row in October. He also won three A2s. He had a brilliant year and has been a credit to connections. 

“Indeed, congratulations go to Paul Sallis and Esther Driver and the team for their hard work and success with Cold Mountain. But I’d also like to give a special mention to the owners Martin Lloyd and William Adamson, who are massive supporters of Monmore. 

“They deserve the recognition this award brings – and we’re looking forward to seeing them back here at Monmore soon. It’s been a hugely difficult last 12 months for everyone, but awards like this raise the mood – especially for those closest to Cold Mountain.”

A delighted trainer Paul Sallis said:

“We are absolutely thrilled that Mountain has been crowned Grader of the Year – it is a very proud day at our kennels.

“Mountain is a fantastic dog and has been a pleasure to train from the very first day he arrived with us. At the kennels he is very happy and lively, he is always jumping up for fuss which is more like a headbutt on occasions as he’s a strong dog! On the track he is ever the professional and always gives 100 percent and this shows in the consistency of his record.

 “This award could not have been achieved without the dedication of our team here and the countless hours that my partner Esther puts into our operation. They always go the extra mile for our greyhounds and it is such a pleasure when this is shown in the condition and performance of our dogs. I could not do it without them.

 “We are all hugely proud of Mountain – he is a star and we are thankful for Tony and the team Monmore for putting him forward for this award. Most of all we are absolutely over the moon for his owners.” 

Co-owner Martin Lloyd, a sponsor of annual races at Monmore in memory of his late wife Joyce said:

“It’s marvellous news, we can’t get over it!  Mountain is a fantastic dog, he’s a trap 2 specialist and has just kept on winning for us. A huge thank you to Paul, Esther and the team, and to Monmore.”

The GBGB panel, while delighted to acknowledge the performances in 2020 of Cold Mountain, were also keen to recognise the efforts of runner-up Going Through for Perry Barr trainer Peter Holland.

Third place went jointly to Southfield Ariel (Dean Childs, Crayford) and Kereight I Cant (Tony Taylor, Hove), while special mention was made of senior performers Feel the Heat (Pamela Cross, Yarmouth) and Slaneyside Agnes (Philip Wilson, Nottingham).