QUEEN JONI continued a fantastic year for Liz and Rab McNair and the KSS Syndicate with a stunning victory in the BGBF British Bred Derby Final at Sheffield on Tuesday.

A five-runner affair after kennelmate King Capaldi was withdrawn off-colour, Queen Joni paced up well into the first bend and was never headed thereafter as the December 2021 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Queen Jessiej completed an unbeaten run though the £10,00-to-the-winner event with a brilliant four-length success over Acomb Felix (Kevin Ferguson) and Signet Goofy (John Mullins).

The victory in a fastest-of-event 28.49sec (+10) for the 500m, adding to her own Produce Stakes success at Swindon in September, followed Sunday’s Bet365 Puppy Oaks victory with Queen Dusty and the recent Puppy Derby victory of King Memphis for the McNairs – the latter takes his chance in Saturday’s Coral Olympic Final at Hove. Before then, Havana Lover and Havana Top Note take their chance in the Bet365 Challenge Cup Final at Oxford.

“It’s been a mad few weeks, but a brilliant few weeks,” said Rab McNair. “I’m just hoping the touch of kennel sickness we have around doesn’t spoil things for the others in their finals. We had Queen Pink recently withdrawn from Oxford and then King Capaldi in Tuesday’s final at Sheffield. We gave him every chance, but he’s off his food and everything. Our fingers are crossed the others avoid it – we’ve a busy weekend ahead!

“What can we say about Joni? We love her. She’s got so much pace and a right will-to-win. She’s done nothing wrong all through the competition and almost had her name on the trophy right from the start if she kept doing things right, which she did. But we knew only her best would do up against Kevin’s (Ferguson) fantastic litter and my old mate ‘Big John’ Mullins with Signet Goofy. What a great dog he is.

“I’m just delighted for the lads and Liz. Brendan (Keogh), Simon (Senyk) and Ian (Openshaw) were all there at Sheffield and had a great night which is what it’s all about. It’s why they do what they do – and their support to us at the kennel is invaluable. They back us to bring these pups on and the litters we have now are making us really proud – and we’re ending the year with some cracking nights.”

Liz Mort, chair of the British Greyhound Breeders Forum, said: “Thanks to the team at Sheffield as always for hosting the three rounds of the event – and especially the final, which was a great affair. Well done to the connections of all the finalists who were all there and enjoying Sheffield’s hospitality in the grandstand restaurant – the place was packed – with everyone enjoying the night.

“There were plenty of greyhound people but also those probably new to the sport – they will definitely be coming back after such a good evening. Nights like Tuesday are exactly what our sport needs.

“Queen Joni was brilliant – fast away and on her way to a great victory. She’s only just out of puppy status but shows a lot of maturity in her running and is still improving. Well done to Liz and Rab (McNair) and to Brendan Keogh and the KSS Syndicate. They are great supporters of greyhound racing and – it almost goes without saying – brilliant supporters of British breeding.”

Andrew Mascarenhas, director of racing at Owlerton Stadium, added: “Congratulations to Queen Joni’s connections – especially to Rab and Liz McNair. Joni absolutely deserves to succeed the brilliant Fabulous Azurra who won the British Bred Derby for the past two years. She was an absolute star of the track and so, too, is Queen Joni.

“Thank-you to the British Greyhound Breeders Forum and to connections of the greyhounds themselves who support the stadium. Merry Christmas to everyone.”