SWORDS REX, due to begin his BoyleSports Irish Derby campaign this weekend after reaching the final of the English version at Towcester, was recently named RPGTV/GWA Greyhound of the Month for June.

 

Trained by Graham Holland for the Lowndes family, the July 2020 son of Droopys Sydney and Starry Display received the most votes in a poll of Greyhound Writers’ Association members and claimed the honour ahead of his kennelmate Clona Duke, Ballybough Mags (Harry Burton), Flashing Willow (Pat Buckley), Glenvale Bill (Graham Rankin), Romeo Command (Patrick Janssens) and Signet Goofy (John Mullins).

 

Swords Rex reached the final of the Star Sports & TRC English Greyhound Derby Final unbeaten with a series of top-class runs in June having set a new track record for the 500m trip at Towcester with a trial stakes win.

 

Clive Lawrence, executive producer at award sponsors RPGTV, said: “By its very nature, you don’t get too many Irish-trained winners of the Greyhound of the Month award but come Derby time – it’s all up for grabs! That’s when the Irish flex their muscles and Swords Rex certainly did that in the month of June. He wasn’t beaten until up the final itself (July 1), producing a series of top-class runs.

 

“Well done to Graham, Nicky and the team – and chances are their Derby winner Gaytime Nemo might be among the nominations for the July award! That promises be a strong list, too, given the number of major events in the month.”

 

Andy Lisemore, Towcester’s racing manager, paid his own tribute to Swords Rex, commenting: “Once he set a new track record in a Derby trial stakes I think we all knew he was capable of going all the way and, even though kennelmate Clona Duke subsequently bettered that mark twice, Swords Rex lined up with every chance in the final. It wasn’t to be then but his performances up to then were superb.”