MONGYS WILD created another slice of history as he successfully defended his Golden Jacket title at Monmore on Saturday, albeit only after a titanic tussle with Droopys Flare before claiming victory in the £20,000-to-the-winner Ladbrokes-sponsored showpiece.

Adding his name to a famous roll of honour again, and joining fellow double winners in Bobs Regan (1991-92), Wexford Minx (1994-95) and Bellmore Sally (2022-23), all of whom won back-to-back Golden Jackets at Crayford, Mark Wallis’s powerhouse performer added a sixth Category One title to his CV and second already in 2026.

Already winner of the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger, PGR Regency, Time TV Trophy plus last month’s Arc Cesarewitch, Mongys Wild’s two Golden Jackets have already secured the MWD Partnership-owned October 2022 son of Roxholme Olaf and Banter Breeze his place as a staying great of the track – but Saturday was a close-run thing.

Breaking in front, which no-one really expected, Mongys Wild almost made the bend in front until the pace of Droopys Flare (Sean Parker) and then Vhagar (Mark Wallis) took over. However, the eventual winner was always handy and powered to the front approaching the penultimate turn, but Droopys Flare went with him.

Unable to the put the race to bed given the resolution of the Sheffield bitch, a large Monmore crowd were treated to the spectacle of two outstanding stayers – first and second in last year’s St Leger – duelling for the lead up the home-straight and they crossed the line together after 684m, with opinions divided as to whom was in front.

The photo-finish showed it was Mongys Wild by a short-head in 40.54sec (+20) from the gallant Droopys Flare, with Vhagar in third for an Imperial Kennels one-three which delighted 16-time champion trainer Wallis who was as relieved, as much as full of pride, to see his star stayer take down another of the sport’s major prizes – twice now.

“We’ve won four Golden Jackets now – two at Crayford and two at Monmore – but that’s got to be the best just given the quality of both Ned (Mongys Wild) and Droopys Flare. Fair play to Sean (Parker) and his team because she’s some bitch and they’ve already had some cracking races the two of them. Hopefully we’ll have a good few more.”

Wallis explained that a series of match races with Droopys Flare are being considered.

“Mike (Davis) is keen on those given some of the spectacles we’ve been involved with before – Ballymac Taylor’s two match races with Bubbly Inferno were superb – and maybe that’s an option with Droopys Flare. You’d also like to think Ned would be involved in some shape or form on Derby final night at Towcester. Hopefully he’ll raise the roof there!”