BOMBAY BUCK consolidated Paul Young’s record as winningmost trainer in the event with a brilliant local victory in the Coral Golden Sprint Final at Romford.

One of two Young-trained finalists in the Category One decider over 400m, Bombay Buck was paw-perfect from lid-rise and was never headed as he raced away to notch a first Romford winner of the famous event since Droopys Story struck ten years ago at the Essex venue, also trained by the Wickford handler.

Celebrating a fourth Golden Sprint win for the kennel after Shes Our Star (2004), Droopys Sammer (2005) and Droopys Story (2016), Young was particularly delighted for the owners of the May 2023 son of Burgess Bucks and Cosy Trend – Jim Cornish, Graham Curtis, Dylan Minto and Stephen Nolan – long time and loyal owners of his.

“They’re a great bunch and Graham also owned third-placed Yahoo Mareike who, like Buck, knows her way round Romford – they’ve both won a lot of races there as Friday night regulars at Romford, but Friday was definitely the icing on the cake!” said Young.

Racing to a career-best 23.58sec (+20) off the back of a slick split (3.60sec), Bombay Buck was soon clear of his field and on his way to a three-and-a-quarter length victory over Sheffield tracker Swift Hostile (Rose Draper), with the winner’s kennelmate Yahoo Mareike in third for a one-three for winning trainer Young, who enjoyed a memorable night

The supporting Steve Simmons Sprint Final had also gone to the Romford handler with Lesleys Buddy, an August 2024 son of Shima Shine and Queen Lilly, landing a fast 13.37sec (+10) victory over favourite Rockmount Kellie (Craig Morris) in the 225m feature.

“Both Bombay Buck and Lesleys Buddy produced their best when it mattered most and you can’t really ask for more than that. We’ve certainly had worse nights – and thanks to all the staff, especially Mim (Young) and the great team around her including Becca Scott, Charlotte Meszaros, Oliver Gladwin and Yvette Smith, who looked after the dogs on the night, and to sponsors Coral and the team at Romford. They do a fantastic job.”

Mark Arkell, Romford racing manager, said Bombay Buck was a deserving Coral Golden Sprint winner commenting: “It was a great performance from the winner and it was certainly emotional for all those involved on the podium which was great to see.

“Let’s hope Paul Young’s kennel has a great couple of weeks now with another of their stars, Underground Gold, going for the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby Final at Monmore on Saturday.

“The Golden Sprint was wide open and was anyone’s race but from Romford’s point of view it was great to see a home-trained winner of the event!”

 

Photos: © Steve Nash