BRAMBLE LINTON continued a year of firsts as he landed trainer Steve Anderson his biggest success as a trainer when making all in the final of the Premier Greyhound Racing Classic at Sunderland.

Having trained a number of big-race finalists during his career, Anderson reckoned it was “something like 25th time lucky!” as Bramble Linton used a plum inside pitch to make his rivals see red, pacing up into the lead in the dash to the first bend and then bumping aside the challenging Brindle Bully (David Mullins) at the turn before going on.

In the clear down the back, the September 2021 son of Ballymac Vic and Jaytee Pearl was on his way to glory at the Wearside track, always holding the running-on Unanimous Leon (Tom Heilbron), a trackmate of his, for a Newcastle one-two, with Brindle Bully holding the finish of Oscar The Grouch (Garry Hamilton) for third.

The winning time for the 450m trip was 26.89sec.

A delighted Steve Anderson admitted to a huge sense of relief when Bramble Linton crossed the line in front given he had been hiding away for much of the night. “The nerves definitely got the better of me, but I’m just delighted for all the team led, of course, by Chloe (Hardy),” said Anderson of his daughter and assistant.

Chloe, the 2023 GBGB Kennelhand of the Year, is set to take over the Newcastle contract from her father and, while Anderson is keeping his own licence for a team of open-racers, he knows the Newcastle side of the kennel will be in good hands with his daughter.

“It was always my intention to hand it over and concentrate on the open-racers, and that time is imminent, but it’s great to do that having won a Cat One.

“We’d gone close before and had lots of finalists in Cat Ones, Two and Threes, so it’s nice to nail one finally – and, once he trapped so well, we knew he had every chance. He’s got so much pace and always give his best.

“He came back well from the toe issue he had and showed plenty during the (Arc) Scurry Gold Cup at Perry Barr, so with the speed he has we’re going to have a crack at the (Arc) National Sprint back at Nottingham with him next month.”

Bramble Linton’s success enabled Anderson to add his name to a long list of trainers to have won their first Category One in 2024 after successes for Paul Burr (Roxys Bullet, Coral Essex Vase), Kevin Proctor (Front Alice, Coral Golden Sprint), Kevin Ferguson (Acomb Felix, British Breeders Forum Stakes), Richard Wales (Farneys Willie, Arc Grand Prix), Tony Harmes (Kilwest Ranger, Arc Laurels), Bill Russell (Magical Bluebear, Arc Silver Salver), Richie Taberner (Aero Secondai, BetGoodwin Pall Mall) and Phil Milner (Avongate Venus, Bet365 Empress Stakes).

Reflecting on the event and the year, including a busy Premier Greyhound Racing Classic Final night, Sunderland stadium manager Joanne Wilson said: “Overall it was great Classic and our first Premier Greyhound Racing £20,000 event was really well supported by trainers all over the UK.

“It was the last flagship event for Sunderland of 2024 which has seen us stage the Arc Grand Prix as well as a special Harry Williams memorial event around the Puppy Cup. Incidentally, it was good to see Grand Prix champion Farneys Willie back here and winning on Friday.

“It’s been a great year for Sunderland celebrating past legends of the sport and showcasing our athletes and we are looking to build on this in 2025.”