SIGNET GOOFY, trained by John Mullins for Lee Calcutt and Chris Waters, is the Time Greyhound Nutrition Greyhound of the Month winner for January after his Blue Riband success at Towcester.

The now four-year-old British-bred January 2020 son of Magical Bale and Forest Natalee narrowly led home Romeo Command, himself nominated for the award, in a thriller at the Northamptonshire venue last month to complete an unbeaten run through the Category One competition.

In winning the award, voted for by members of the Greyhound Writers’ Association, Signet Goofy edged out not only Romeo Command but other major stars of the month – Arc Cesarewitch winner Garfiney Blaze (Mark Wallis), Coral Silver Maiden victor Pape Di Pro (Savva Roberts), BGBF British Bred Puppy Cup champion Romeo Cypher (David Mullins) and Coral Essex Vase hero Roxys Bullet (Paul Burr).

This is the first monthly award sponsored by Time Greyhound Nutrition, the greyhound feed supplier, and the firm’s Willie Rigney says Signet Goofy is a worthy winner.

“Signer Goofy has been a tremendous dog for John (Mullins) and the lads for a long time now,” said Rigney. “He’s a credit to all at the kennels given he’s been at the top for so long and is one of the most popular runners in training.

“His owners are great supporters of the game and, of course, the Mullins name is one of the most famous in the sport – so well done to John and his team.

“It’s also great to be sponsoring an award that acknowledges owners in this way – and rewards them for their commitment to greyhound racing. It’s important to put them in the spotlight, too, as well as their runners.”

Andy Lisemore, Towcester racing manager, paid his own tribute to Signet Goofy, commenting: “The award is no more than Signet Goofy deserves. His battle with Romeo Command in the Blue Riband here might have been in January but it’s already a contender for race of the year!

“And I’m glad it’s effectively been won here at Towcester. He actually made his debut here in the summer of 2021 – in an A5 – before making his name in open-race sprints and then  in the 2022 (Star Sports) English Greyhound Derby when he won his first four races before going out in the semis behind Romeo Magico, the eventual winner, in the semis. He had actually beaten Romeo Magico in the third round.

“Goofy’s one of those dogs that everyone knows and enjoy watching and it’s good to hear his achievements have been marked in this way.”