FABULOUS AZURRA completed an unbeaten run through the BGBF Oaks at Henlow on Sunday to continue a fantastic year for Derby-winning owner and breeder Dave Firmager.

 

Owned by the Firmagers – Dave and Nicola – and trained by Patrick Janssens, the August 2019 daughter of Magical Bale and Fabulous Artist is a sister of Derby champion Romeo Magico and therefore notched a notable double for the litter in the weekend’s GBGB Category Two contest.

 

Fabulous Azurra had returned after a long break for the Henlow event for British-breds and improved for each run before sealing the first prize with a superb show of all-round pace at the Bedfordshire track, albeit after early scrimmaging.

 

Led by Shockwave Amber (Kim Gooding) from the boxes, hot favourite Fabulous Azurra rode an early bump to soon be handy and powered to the front before the halfway point, as the leader moved off, before going on to score by three lengths from Shockwave Amber and Acomb Irene (Kevin Ferguson) in 27.51sec.

 

Already winner of the British Bred Derby at Sheffield last year before starting this term in good style with a brace of wins at Towcester, the now three-year-old was sidelined after setting the fastest clock in the heats of the Blue Riband at the Northamptonshire venue when leading home 2021 Derby hero – and kennelmate – Thorn Falcon.

 

The now three-year-old, who will head next to Towcester for the bet365 Empress Stakes, has always been well regarded, said Liz Mort, chair of the British Greyhound Breeders Forum, who joined the Firmagers and trainer Janssens at the presentation podium afterwards and was delighted how the evening unfolded.

 

She said: “Sunday was another great showcase for British breeding with the BGBF Oaks Final at Henlow. We had a great final and a great winner given Patrick’s (Janssens) Fabulous Azurra had already won our British Bred Derby at Sheffield last December, so we were expecting a good run from her!

 

“However, great credit to Kim Gooding’s home-bred Shockwave Amber who had also been in that final at Sheffield, which meant the outcome was never cut and dried!

 

“Marilyn, as Amber is called at home, made a very good start and led, but let Azurra pass on the inside at the bend and after that it was all over bar the placings.

 

“Fabulous Azurra is from an amazing litter, bred by owner David Firmager, by Magical Bale out of his home-bred Fabulous Artist. There were only five in the litter, but one, of course, is Derby winner Romeo Magico, and another is Fabulous Amalfi, who was runner-up in this competition last year when it was held at Doncaster.

 

“Azurra picked up a hock injury earlier this year which held her back, but she’s definitely back to form now!

 

“All six finalists deserve congratulations – they all ran well. An interesting one to watch for the future was Acomb Irene, who is from Kevin Ferguson’s second Hiya Butt-Acomb Ruby mating. The youngest in the field, Irene is only a March 2021 pup and recovered from a slow start to finish third – showing a lot of promise!

 

“Thanks are due to Henlow for hosting this competition for us this year. We haven’t held anything at Henlow for a couple of years and it was good to be back. Thanks also to SIS for their continued support of British breeding.”

 

Result: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=388397&raceId=867845