MATT DARTNALL scored a memorable one-two-three in the Premier Greyhound Racing Regency Final at Hove on Saturday as Space Jet once again proved herself a champion of the sport.

Leading home kennelmates Swiper and Lively Lauren, who had led the charge for much of the way, the Kurn Rushen-owned Space Jet produced one of her trademark finishes to delight a bumper crowd at the Sussex venue and take the £20,000 first prize for the GBGB Category One in the process.

In winning, the crowd-pleasing February 2019 daughter of Droopys Jet and Volcano also added to victories in the 2021 St Leger, 2022 TV Trophy and back-to-back Dorando Marathons at Towcester, as well as the 1st Containers Marathon at the same Derby venue. Her UK record now stands at 23 wins from 31 UK starts.

For Dartnall, success was extra special given his three semi-final winners from the previous week filled the first three places in the Regency, with Swiper always in a pitch behind fast-starting Lively Lauren, with Space Jet weaving her way through magnificently to strike off the last bend to score by two lengths from Swiper in 41.69sec (+15).

Dartnall was a proud man afterwards, commenting: “I was in the middle of the track watching a real ding-dong battle between Lively Lauren and Swiper – they’ve both run great races – but I could hear Mark (Sealey, kennelhand) begin to shout Space Jet home and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

“I’ve always loved the Regency trophy and remember Flying Winner’s win in 2008. She’s Space Jet’s grand-dam and so it’s special to follow her – and to get the first three home is great for us all and we’re really proud of that.

“Getting the three semi-final winners last week was one thing, but then there’s the pressure of going on to win it – but the owners of all three dogs pretty much sat together in the restaurant, wished each other luck, and have been part of a great race.

“My thanks to all the team – to dad (Terry), Mark, Charlie and Laura. We’re a small team which grafts hard and we’ll enjoy this special night.

“Space Jet has now won a St Leger, a TV Trophy and a Regency which takes some doing. We’ll likely take her back to Perry Barr for another crack at the Leger.”

Kurn Rushen, Space Jet’s owner and also part-owner of runner-up Swiper, said: “Many thanks to Coral for putting on such a great night’s racing, and to the sponsors – it’s been amazing. The crowds just love her and we’re seeing things we may not see again – she’s just a remarkable greyhound.

“I told Matt (Dartnall) that 695m was too short for her. I’m delighted to say I was wrong!”