DEERJET SYDNEY is the RPGTV/GWA Greyhound of the Month winner for October.

An automatic selection after being crowned the 2020 Star Sports & Arc Greyhound Derby champion at Nottingham last month, Irish star Deerjet Sydney is trained by Co. Tipperary-based Pat Buckley for Scottish owner Kenny Glen.

Deerjet Sydney’s brilliant early paced performances throughout the Classic was completed in the best possible style with a trap-to-line victory in the £50,000 decider at the Colwick Park venue to give Buckley a first English Derby victory.

In winning, the Cappawhite handler added to victories in the Scottish and Irish Derbys so making him only the third trainer after Nick Savva and Paul Hennessy to land a career triple crown of the Classic competitions.

Deerjet Sydney also led home a second successive 1-2-3 for Irish-trained runners in an English Derby final – and the news from the Buckley kennel is that very much a defence of the title is on the cards in 2021.

He told RPGTV: “He’s just two years old and I really feel he might be four or five lengths quicker come the spring. He was just turning left from the boxes in his early races at Shelbourne and was getting beat without a chance to run.

“That’s why he improved for his racing and came on throughout the Derby at Nottingham. He’s a naturally fit dog who needs lots of work, so much so we were galloping him between rounds to stop him getting too fresh.

“He came out of the race really well and we had a great welcome here at home when we arrived back on the Sunday – and thanks to all the people who sent us messages.”

Buckley also paid tribute to Kenny Glen who enjoyed a fantastic Derby final night given a treble landed by the Edinburgh-based owner after Doolin Duke won the RPGTV Derby Plate and Gonzo the supporting Arc Trophy for trainer Julie Bateson.

“Kenny’s a great owner and has just left us to get on with things,” he added.

“I actually bought some dogs for Kenny years ago – dogs like Farloe Nutter and Ballymac Best – who ran for Kenny in England. His best friend is Craig Dawson, who’s with us here, and actually Deerjet Sydney, Doolin Duke and Gonzo were the first dogs I trained for him.”

Victory for Deerjet Sydney realised a longheld ambition for Buckley after close calls in previous English Derbys with 2016 runner-up Droopys Roddick and finalists Lenson Rocky and Mind The Net.

Buckley added: “You chase the dream for years so it was just great to win the English Derby – and gives you the taste for more! But you always need luck. We’ve had some great dogs travel over and things haven’t worked out.

“Thankfully they did for Deerjet Sydney which was fantastic.”

Jonathan Hobbs, GWA chairman, said: “It’s absolutely fitting that Deerjet Sydney is an automatic choice for the RPGTV/GWA Greyhound of the Month winner for October – there’s no need for a poll this time!

“Deerjet Sydney’s early pace lit up Nottingham and he was a worthy winner – and righting a wrong in the sport by providing Pat with a first English Derby win. The Buckleys have been regular visitors for a good few years now and absolutely deserved their victory.

“Final night really was a family affair – and those post-race scenes, brought brilliantly to life on RPGTV by Julie Collier and Darrell Williams – and, most importantly, the RPGTV engine room led by channel boss Clive Lawrence, will live long in the memory.

“And maybe that’s because the 2020 Star Sports & Arc Greyhound Derby was like no other given the year we’ve all had. It particularly required huge effort from the Irish-based trainers and handlers to leave their families for such a length of time.

“Nicky Holland even missed her three children’s birthdays at home given she was in England overseeing their team – so getting two through to the final was some sort of reward for their efforts. It’s surely only a matter of time that the Hollands win here too.”

RPGTV executive producer Clive Lawrence added: “Congratulations to Deerjet Sydney, Kenny Glen and all at Pat Buckley’s kennels which, as we know, is a real family affair.

“We were working in as unprecedented situation during this year’s event, but through to the hard work of all those at Nottingham – and hopefully also here at RPGTV – it was a pleasure to once again bring the whole of this year’s English Derby to our viewers.”