POV: The Derby Final (Kim Sanzone)

In our DAILY column POV – Star Sports head of Head of Greyhound Racing Operations Kim Sanzone on what promises to be great Greyhound Derby Final…

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The Star Sports & TRC English Greyhound Derby reaches its conclusion tonight with the final 6 greyhounds taking their place in the £175,000 to the winner decider.

It’s been an absolute spectacle to watch and a joy to play a part in, and at 9.15pm tonight one special greyhound will earn the right to have his name etched forever on the famous Derby trophy and it’s fair to say all 6 head to the traps with a chance of winning the prize.

It is Star Sports’ ninth Greyhound Derby as sponsors and my sixth overseeing everything on behalf of Ben and the company. The planning that goes into ensuring everything runs smoothly starts in early January, followed by weekly follow-up meetings to try and ensure we get as much out of the event as possible – not just for Star but for the industry as a whole as it is the biggest and most prestigious event in the greyhound calendar.

Those that know me well (especially Ben Keith and David Stewart) will be used to seeing a very frazzled and stressed out version of me midway through the Derby – fast forward to Finals night and I will be in high spirits and running around catching up with some great friends that I’ve made over my many decades involved in the sport. At precisely 9.30pm – after the winner has been crowned and the camera flashes have stopped – I will finally be able to breathe, and the previous 6 weeks will already be missed.

It really is the pinnacle of the year for the sport and is when every greyhound racing fan comes together as a community to celebrate these wonderful canine athletes. I can honestly say that this year’s final is one of the best I have ever witnessed and is a real cause to be very proud of our racing.

We have seen a newly refurbished Towcester, shining brightly and a venue to take pride in, thanks to Mike Davis and his team and have witnessed exceptional racing throughout due to the sterling efforts of Kevin Boothby and his talented staff.

It has been a real treat for me to be there each week to watch some amazing greyhounds displaying their craft, and I do sometimes have to pinch myself that I have the privilege of playing a part in this superb competition.

We have six outstanding greyhounds through to the final, and each and every one of them deserves their place in the lineup. Their trainers and staff deserve full credit for ensuring they are always in peak condition and are paw perfect to try and take the Derby crown.

Whoever does come out on top, it has been a thoroughly enjoyable Derby with plenty of shocks and thrills along the way and hopefully finals night will showcase the sport for the wonderful spectacle it is, hoping to see as many of you there as possible.

Good luck, everyone!

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