EAGLES RESPECT etched his name in the history books when becoming the last winner of the BGBF 79th 2 Year Old Produce Stakes at Swindon.

The British-bred showpiece moves when the Blunsdon track closes later this year and plans are already in place to revamp the competition and host a new Produce Stakes elsewhere in 2026. It means the Angie Kibble-trained July 2023 son of Tommy Shelby and A Little Respect has carved his own place in the greyhound racing annals by winning a competition which has only been held at Bristol and Swindon in its near 80-year history.

Bred by Heather Dimmock and owned by Jonathan Miles, who owned the litter’s dam A Little Respect, also British bred by Angie Kibble. Miles also owned A Little Respect’s dam,  Wiki Waki Woo, the 2015 Ladbrokes Golden Jacket winner.

On Saturday, Eagles Respect had been joined by litter brother Malcolm Bosh in the line-up for the £10,000 first prize over 476m.

However, heading to traps for the Category One title, it was the unbeaten Romeo Ability (Patrick Janssens) who went off a red-hot 1-3 favourite to grab gold after a series of top-class performances through the four-round event having also set a new 480m track record at Nottingham on Arc Select Stakes/Puppy Classic night last month just five days before posting the fastest time in the heats of the Produce Stakes.

From the traps it was Berties Decision (Rachel Hill) who was the first to show and took them down the far side where Romeo Ability, unable to dominate this time, Izzys Tenpin (David Mullins) and ultimately Eagles Respect, all launched challenges with Kibble’s runner bursting through in strong-running style to grab the race by the scuff of the neck.

Racing away, he crossed the line five lengths clear of Romeo Ability, with Malcolm Bosh next home, meaning a first and third for the winning trainer with her two litter brothers – some achievement, said British Greyhound Breeders’ Forum (BGBF) chair Liz Mort.

“I’m so delighted for Angie (Kibble) – congratulations to her, and of course to Jonathan Miles. To have first and third with littermates is exceptional, especially against a hot favourite in Romeo Ability which meant it was never going to be easy. Patrick’s (Janssens) dog is still a star – he’s one of two British-breds of Patrick’s and David and Nicola Firmager’s to have broken track records in recent races.

“Romeo Ability did it at Nottingham and Romeo Steel did it at Yarmouth just this last week in the East Anglian Derby. But it’s Angie and Jonathan (Miles) who took the plaudits at Swindon, not to mention Heather (Dimmock) who bred the litter.

“They must all be very proud and are all great supporters of British breeding and congratulations to them and Eagles Respect.

“Our thanks also go to Swindon for hosting the Produce Stakes so well, and for so many years, but now we must look ahead!

“When I first joined the Stud Book there were two Produce Stakes a year – this one at Swindon, which had developed from a west country Produce Stakes held at Bristol, and the BGBF Produce Stakes, held at Nottingham – which is now the British Breeders’ Stakes.

“So the time is right to revive and start a new BGBF Produce Stakes! Watch this space!”