Succeeding another Ian Greaves-bred racer in last year’s winner Nottingham’s Swift Mchernon, the judging panel was impressed by Swift Keeper’s rapid rise up the grades at the Wolverhampton track in 2018.

Starting out in A8 in January, the Mel Baker-trained July 2016 son of Makeshift and Swift Krul ended the year in A1 class after a series of wins – 15 in total – holding his own in top-grade. He was competitive throughout the year.

Tony Williamson, Monmore’s racing manager who nominated the Abie Knowles-owned runner, said Swift Keeper thoroughly deserved the recognition and that he was delighted that the family had lifted the overall prize.

He said: “The family are all involved with the greyhounds and have four in total here at Monmore. They always attend the track, always cheering their runners on from the terraces – win or lose. And it’s been a great training effort from Mel (Baker).

“It’s one thing to race up the grades, but then to hold your form the way Swift Keeper did was fantastic. He won seven times in A1, including four in a row, and as well as those 15 wins during the year he was also second eight times.”

Swift Keeper with Assistant Trainer Helen Baker

Trainer Mel Baker said: “He’s incredible really, given how he started. He was a big baby, as green as any greyhound I’ve ever had. His two trials were not great and we didn’t think he would ever grade – which was a problem given I recommended him to the owners!

“Ian (breeder, Greaves) said to take it slow with him, and we had to. He was so playful, so friendly – a real tail wagger which was another problem when he kept damaging it and we eventually had to have half his tail removed.

“He was kennelled alone initially, but slowly he began to mature and calm down. He went back in with a girl, and that’s when he began to come on. His performances improved and the rest is history. He was amazing, and I’m so delighted for the family.”

The GBGB panel, while delighted to acknowledge the performances in 2018 of Swift Keeper, were also keen to recognise the efforts of runner-up Live It Fast, the Angela Harrison-trained runner who won a fantastic 18 of 52 races in 2018 and third-placed Outdoor Queen trained by Gary Griffiths at Belle Vue, a versatile performer who won 13 times performing consistently in the top grades over four and six bends throughout 2018.

Other graded runners worthy of special mention were Pelaw Grange’s Any Lace (Lesley Eagleton), Romford’s Piemans Rocket (David Mullins) and Yarmouth’s Abacus (Pamela Cross) – three seniors who proved a credit to connections last year.

The connections of Swift Keeper will be presented with their award at the GBGB’s black tie gala ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge on Sunday 27th January.