SILVERHILL FREYA landed a first Irish-trained victory in the event with a high-class performance to the bet365 Empress Stakes at Towcester and could be back in the UK for a crack at the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks at Dunstall Park.

Trained by Graham Holland for Eugene Buckley, the August 2022 daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Silverhill Joyce went off the 8-15 favourite to lift the £10,000 prize and, trapping smartly along with Yahoo Mareike (Paul Young), was soon in command on her way to a 4.07sec sectional and a first-bend advantage which proved a winning one.

Baroness Velvet (Kevin Hutton), also pacing up well, turned second and the pair had the contest between them now, especially once Strike It Skye (Mark Wallis), who also lined up like the winner unbeaten in the event, stumbled off the second bend after a coming together with Yahoo Mareike. Strike It Skye stayed on well to finish third.

However, up front it was Silverhill Freya who was on her way to Category One glory and more UK success for Graham Holland after his brace of English Derby wins at the same Northamptonshire venue and Select Stakes success at Nottingham.

For the record, Silverhill Freya won by two and a half lengths from Baroness Velvet in 28.79sec (normal) for the 500m trip, a time which compared favourably with her fastest-of-event 28.71sec in the heats.

Winner of the Christmas Oaks at Shelbourne and Cork Oaks at Curraheen Park, Silverhill Freya had herself received a nomination for the Arc Select Stakes but was crowded out early behind Wicky Ned and Droopys Plunge. However, the plan was always to return to the UK with her and wins in heat and semi-final set out her stall in the final.

“Coming after what Cheap Sandwiches did the night before at Shelbourne in the Derby semi-finals, it was a decent couple of days for us – and hopefully our good luck holds until Saturday!” said Holland in reference to BoyleSports Irish Derby favourite Cheap Sandwiches’s bid for Classic glory later this week.

“We were delighted with how Freya took to Towcester and the track just plays to her strengths. She starts and stays well and we’ll be looking at Dunstall Park now for the Oaks there.

“I’d like to thank bet365 for their sponsorship and to Towcester for their hospitality on the day. We enjoy our trips there and it always help if you come back on the boat with a nice trophy!”