TIFFIELD TARQUIN landed Roy Peckham his first Category One success with a brilliant victory in the Coral Essex Vase Final at Romford on Friday.

Sent to traps the 6-5 favourite after impressive and runaway wins in heat and semi-finals – clocking the fastest time of the night on both occasions – the December 2022 son of Broadstrand Bono and Swift Acoustic was led from the boxes by Out The Blue as she made a good first of trying to keep the famous trophy with local trainer Maxine Locke after Droopys Eunice’s win 12 months ago.

However, soon pacing up into second, Tiffield Tarquin was already in a far better position than when favourite for the Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes over the same C&D in October behind New Destiny, after again winning heat and semi-fina, and was ready to right a wrong this time as he closed on Out The Blue approaching the third bend before going on.

Pulling clear thereafter, Tiffield Tarquin crossed the line four and three-quarter lengths clear of the keeping on Gary The Arb (Belinda Green), the track record holder for the trip, who edged out Out The Blue for the runner-up slot. The winning time was 34.89sec (normal) for a race which, win or lose, was always going to New Destiny’s last. Mark Wallis’s multiple big-race winner finished sixth in the decider but heads to the breeding paddocks as one of the best in recent years – especially at Romford.

However, the night belonged to Roy Peckham, the grandson of Scurlogue Champ’s trainer Ken, who said he was especially delighted for Tiffield Tarquin’s proud owners Bill and Jenni McColl.

He said: “Bill is well into his 90s now, so for him to come to Romford and see Tiffield Tarquin – Quinny to us – run was great, but then to get a Cat One over the line for Bill and Jenni and their ‘Tiffield’ prefix was brilliant.

“It was an all-round fantastic night for all connected with the kennel – and I’m delighted to say Quinny’s come out of the race bouncing.

“The sharp six bends at Romford really suits his style of running and to break 35 seconds in all three rounds takes some doing.

“We’ve had a look through the calendar and there’s nothing really about for him Category One-wise really until the Derby at Towcester in June, and either way you never like to plan too far ahead given the ups and downs of this game.

“The big three Romford 575m competitions – the Coronation Cup, Champion Stakes and Essex Vase – are July, Oct and then January again.

“We’ll take it race by race with him and, hopefully, he’ll do us proud again in 2026. The buzz we all got from winning our first Category One comp at Romford on Friday was amazing.

“I’d just like to thank all the people that sent congrats messages. There were some lovely messages and plenty of people came up and shook my hand.

“Also, I’d would like to thank the Romford management for once again putting on a top evening’s hospitality. It was very much appreciated by all our connections that came to support us and, of course, Quinny.”

 

Photos: © Steve Nash