On Sunday 27th January, the greyhound racing industry came together in London to recognise and celebrate the sports’ outstanding canine athletes and the dedication of those working within the sport.

The GBGB Greyhound of the Year Awards Ceremony, which was attended by some 400 people, was a chance to look back at the racing highlights of 2018 and to thank all those working in the sport for their commitment and hard work.

Awards categories highlighted the talent and expertise of trainers and kennel staff as well as the most impressive and consistent performances on the track.

Category winners were either decided on a points-based system, by an expert panel or were put forward and voted for by the Greyhound Writers Association (GWA). As in previous years, there was a field of exceptional nominations in every category. The winners were:

– Founders Award for Services to Retired Greyhounds: Lynn and Geoff Pearce (Greyhound Trust Cornwall)

– Betfred Kennelhand of the Year: Nathan Hunt

– GWA Services to Greyhound Racing Award: Peter O’Dowd

– Ladbrokes Trainer of the Year: Mark Wallis

– Coral Owner of the Year: K.S.S. Syndicate

– GBGB Best Dam of British Bred: Skate On

– GBGB British Bred Greyhound of the Year: King Turbo

– GBGB Graded Greyhound of the Year: Swift Keeper

– Northridge Law Newcomer of the Year: Rising Brandy

– Press Association Bitch of the Year: Donation

– GBGB Hurdler of the Year: Lenson Wilson

– Betfair Standard Distance Performer of the Year: Dorotas Wildcat

– Charles Russell Speechlys Sprinter of the Year: Calzaghe Flash

– SIS Marathon Performer of the Year: Slippy Maggie

– Racing Post Greyhound TV Stayer of the Year: Bombers Bullet

The GWA also made a special presentation to 2018’s winningmost open racer Chopchop Hope.

The coveted Greyhound of the Year Award went to Dorotas Wildcat whilst GWA members presented a Lifetime Achievement award to seven-time Derby winning trainer, Charlie Lister OBE, who retired in September 2018.

The evening was also an opportunity to pay tribute to Owlerton Stadium Managing Director and GBGB Director John Gilburn, who sadly passed away last year. A highly respected figure within UK greyhound racing, John was also a Director of the British Greyhound Racing Fund and Chairman of the Racecourse Promoters Association and the Sheffield Retired Greyhound Trust. The GBGB Chairman’s Award was awarded in his memory and was collected by his wife, son and daughter.

Mark Bird, GBGB Managing Director, said:

“The awards are our annual opportunity to acknowledge and show our appreciation for those who do so much to contribute to the success of greyhound racing. It was a fantastic evening and I would like to thank this year’s sponsors and partners who have made the awards possible.

“As well as some spectacular racing, we also saw real advances in 2018 through the launch of our Greyhound Commitment which has firmly put greyhound welfare at the heart of our ambitions going forward. This evening’s winners demonstrate the considerable talent, expertise and care we have across our sport and I congratulate them on their successes tonight.”