COOLAVANNY DYLAN (above) was the toast of the locals at Sheffield on Tuesday as he landed a fairytale success for his trainer Kirsty Grayson in the final of the BresMed Northern Sprint – the richest sprint competition in the GBGB Calendar.
Grayson, eight months pregnant but remaining very much hands-on having paraded the winner of the £8,000 showpiece, only took out her licence in early 2018 having taken over the kennels of her former boss and Sheffield handler Russ Warren.
A year on, and Category One success was hers courtesy of kennel star Coolavanny Dylan, who produced his dazzling best to register a 14th success in 23 starts for Kirnickco Racing – Grayson’s own syndicate along with partner Nick Taylor.
“The name’s a mix of mine and Nick’s,” she explained, before revealing the name Dylan will feature when nature takes its course imminently. “We’re expecting a boy and his middle name will be Dylan – after the champ!”
Purchased by Grayson from Shane O’Gorman, Coolavanny Dylan was bred by Noel ‘Coolavanny’ Browne in Co. Kerry and arrived at the trainer’s Sheffield Stadium Kennels along with Coolavanny Connor and Coolavanny Bimbo.
“They weren’t particularly expensive and have proved real good buys,” added Grayson. “Nick’s good at sourcing dogs and gets on well with Carl Perry (trainer). They used to work together and are good mates so it’s great to win the ‘BresMed’ race.”
Joined at the celebrations by Kirsty’s father Mel Grayson, connections are now eyeing a crack at the sprint on Derby Final night at Nottingham – also sponsored by BresMed – with sprint races at Sheffield likely in between.
“He loves this place, and they love him,” added Grayson, who worked with trainers Elaine Parker and Steve Race. “He’s a really good sprinter who deserves this. We had a slight setback just before the competition, but he came back fresh and has run really well.”
In the race itself, a level break saw plenty of chances into the bend in the 280m feature, but after a bump it was Coolavanny Dylan who edged matters and went on to beat Silver Salver winner Magical Houdini (Patrick Janssens) in 16.38sec (normal).
Roxholme Nidge, a dual winner of the Steel City Cup at Sheffield, was knocked over at the first bend and his participation in the Derby is in the balance. “He’s taken a knock in the shoulder and aggravated a tendon, so we’ll see,” said trainer’s husband Mark Keightley.
Mat Stagg, deputy racing manager at Sheffield, said: “It was a great final and Dylan was a really popular winner. He’s a star round here. Well done to Kirsty, Nick, Leanne (Slowe, kennelhand) and the team. They’ve done a great job.”
Nic Brereton, boss of sponsors BresMed, said: “As sponsor I’m supposed to be biased, and any of the finalists would have been worthy winners given the overall quality, but it’s great to see a local runner win and I’m delighted for Kirsty and Nick.
“It was a fantastic final in terms of the trainers and the quality of the greyhounds involved,” he added. “It’s been another successful BresMed Northern Sprint and I’m happy with how the competition has grown since we revived it in 2015.
“Breeders, owners and trainers are now looking at – and planning for – the BresMed Northern Sprint. It was great to have an Irish entry this year from Cathal McGee in his star Ardnasool Jet and he was unlucky not to make the final.
“Once again, thanks to Dave Perry (venue director) and the Sheffield management. We are committed to the race for the foreseeable future. This is an exciting time for Owlerton Stadium with the building of the conference centre. We’re delighted to be part of it.”