NEWINN JACKO and Droopys Aoife landed trainer Ernie Gaskin a big-race double at Hove on Saturday – just hours before it was reported that his wife Yvonne, the Romford handler, had sadly and suddenly died in hospital.

Ian Smyth, director of racing for the Entain tracks which include Hove and Romford, said: “We were all devastated at Romford to learn of the passing at Yvonne and our thoughts at this time are with Ernie, daughter Gemma and all the Gaskin family.”

Daniel Rankin, Hove racing manager, added: “All of us at Hove were shocked and saddened to hear the news overnight, especially in light of how Ernie’s greyhounds had performed so brilliantly to win two major trophies here on Saturday.”

First up on Saturday was Droopys Aoife in the Coral Brighton Belle Final as the 2019 Essex Vase champion, always handy after a decent exit, reeled in pacesetting Droopys Lorretta (Jamie Kingsley) to win by a neck in 31.48sec (-140).

Some 40 minutes later that GBGB Category Three success was added to by Newinn Jacko’s second GBGB Category One victory as he made all the running to claim the £7,500 prize in the Coral Olympic Final.

Trapping smartly, the July 2018 son of Laughil Duke and Coolavanny Pearl, a litter brother of Oaks finalist Newinn Liz and top Irish trackers Doolin Duke and Newinn Session, was always in command as he crossed the line two and a half lengths clear of Darth Vader (Liz McNair) in 31.43sec (-150).

Paul Carpenter owns the two-year-old, also winner of the Monmore Puppy Derby this year, along with Jesse Gaskin, Sid Nunns and Peter Stevens. He said that, after victory for Droopys Aoife in the Brighton Belle and then Newinn Jacko, everyone connected with the Nazeing kennel was on a high. However that was all about to change.

He said: “It just brought to my mind that great song by Frankie Beverley & Maze when they sung about Joy And Pain.

“Yes, we all know greyhound ownership is full of ups and downs but none of us connected with Gaskin Greyhound Partners could have possibly imagined such a colossal down after such a joyous high.

“Jacko had just won his second Cat One and, before I had put my celebratory drink down, I received a call saying Yvonne had been taken ill and rushed to hospital. My initial thoughts were with Yvonne and then for Ernie.

“In what has been a bizarre year for everyone, here was a man who had recently lost his mum and dad, his best dog ever in Roman Empire and who was now on his way to hospital to be with his wife.

“Only minutes before he had won the Brighton Belle with Aoife, a competition he always wanted to win, and then the Coral Olympic.

“You could not make this stuff up. We now all know tragically Yvonne passed away and I just cannot help thinking how much pain does one man and one family have to endure? We are all devastated – and I cannot even begin to imagine how Ernie and the rest of the family must be feeling right now.

“As owners all we can say is a massive thank-you to Ernie for preparing both Droopys Aoife and Newinn Jacko so well. They both did you proud, Ernie.

“Moreover, as you go through this difficult time, please remember that we are all here for you should you need us.

“And RIP Yvonne. What a lovely person who will be deeply missed by us all. God bless Ernie.”

Results: www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=368911&raceId=698595