Monmore track record threatened in Winter Derby final
One of the most amazing runs ever seen at Monmore saw Proper Heiress claim the 2025 Ladbrokes Winter Derby crown for trainer Mark Wallis.
The £10,000 final this past weekend was a formality by the first bend as bookmakers' favourite Heiress shot out of the boxes and went on to clock a stunning time of 27.59secs.
That is the second-fastest time ever recorded over the 480m distance at the Wolverhampton track - Ballymac Eske setting the track record in 2012 in 27.48secs and many feeling that would never be threatened.
Second-placed Gary The Arb (Belinda Green, Hove) ran a fine race but still ended up more than five lengths behind the MWD Partnership-owned champion, who led from start to finish.
Wallis, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) champion trainer, now adds a first Winter Derby to his extensive trophy haul while this weekend sees another Category One competition begin at Monmore in the form of the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby.
Monmore racing manager Tony Williamson said: "It was a sublime performance from Proper Heiress to become our 2025 Winter Derby champion.
"Runs like that come about very rarely in greyhound racing and it was certainly an emphatic way to win the final.
"It was a brilliant night on the whole with the Gone To The Dogs LIVE broadcast team putting on a fantastic show which you can still watch back on YouTube.
"Congratulations again to trainer Mark Wallis and the MWD Partnership as we now look forward to the start of the Puppy Derby."
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