On a night when the elite of the greyhound racing industry are celebrated, bettor.com has joined the party by sponsoring two awards at the inaugural GBGB Awards for 2010.
In keeping with the new refreshing initiative that the company is sending out, the newly formed social betting exchange has chosen to sponsor the Newcomer of the Year award along with the Stayer of the Year.
Bettor.com spokesperson Jayne Clarke reiterated the company's plans to take greyhound racing to the next level: "New to the scene ourselves last year, we thought it apt to sponsor Newcomer of the Year.
“We realise there's a lot of potential for the greyhound industry, and we're more than keen to make it bigger and better. So we're proud to be going to these awards, and it’s an honour to be presenting awards to those who make this sport what it is today.”
Here, we have a look at the contenders for both awards, with the winners to be announced on Sunday at the sold-out Plaza Riverbank Hotel in London.
Stayers
DROOPYS BRADLEY – The star of the Paul Donovan’s kennels has had an incredible season, winning the handler his first category one success in the St Leger at Wimbledon. Possessing the perfect mix of early pace and stamina, the dog bred by the Droopys Stud broke the track record in the final at Wimbledon and announced himself as one of the classiest stayers of the last decade.
HE WENT WHOOSH – Known as Mr. Consistent within Claude Gardiner’s kennels, the stylish hound made four major finals this season, winning the Regency along the way. Probably would win the award for the quirkiest name, but may find it tough to fend off Droopys Bradley in this category - however, the dog is very much deserving of his place amongst the nominees.
RAVING BLACK – Towards the end of the season Seamus Cahill’s hound failed to reach the heights of his mid-season purple patch where he won the Champion Stakes at Romford and the Cesarewitch but still possessed one of the highest strike rates of the season.
Newcomer
RAYVIN GIOVANNI – Sadly this season will be partly remembered for career-ending injuries sustained by Eye onthe Storm and Rayvin Giovanni, who won the Wimbledon Puppy Derby in devastating style in May. Seamus Cahill’s promising hound then went onto suffer a serious double front leg fracture at Wimbledon on St Leger night and had to be retired. Many experts rated the black as potentially the best four-bend dog since Westmead Hawk and had earmarked him for future Derby success.
DROOPYS OSCAR – Another of champion trainer Cahill's impressive contingent of young dogs won the Caffreys Puppy Classic at Nottingham. But his most memorable run came at Wimbledon, where on his second visit to a track, he equalled the track record with a quite stunning effort. Unlike his unfortunate kennelmate he will be back next season and will be a major player in all the major four bend finals, including the Derby.
DROOPYS BRADLEY – Donovan’s hound could be on course for completing an awards night double as he ticks every box for the criteria of the newcomer award. Considering that his run in the St Leger final, which he won by nearly five lengths and produced a quicker split time than the winner of the Sprint final, was only his fourth run over six bends - it will therefore be a major surprise if Donovan and the connections aren’t walking away with the prize come Sunday evening.
Bettor.com is set for another big year of sponsorship within the sport after the news they have created the first Northern Irish Derby in addition to their sponsorship of the Scottish Derby and Peterborough Puppy Derby.
“We've been warmly welcomed and pleasantly surprised by the amount of support received, last year was big for us and we've learnt a lot,” Clarke added.
“No-one expected snow to delay the first Scottish Derby of the year and certainly not an ash cloud to have an effect, but between the Shawfield team, Sky and the Racing Post there was enough banter and enthusiasm to get our Scottish Derby on track and it was well worth the wait!”
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