English Greyhound Derby Winners in Retirement

With just two days until the latest winner adds themselves onto the famous Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby trophy, we look back at some of the victors who are now enjoying their retirement away from the track. 

2023 - Gaytime Nemo

Gaytime Nemo spends his time with the O'Connell family in Cork where he is standing at stud. He saved his best break for the perfect time in the 2023 final, only missing out on a place in back-to-back finals in 2024 by a length and a half, finishing fourth. One of three in the final for Graham Holland (sounds familiar), he was the longest price of the contingent.

2022 Romeo Magico

Another winner from the Graham Holland camp, he is still at Riverside Kennels, enjoying his life of retirement as a sire. 'Badger' as he is known at home ran in the English Derby three times, winning the middle of those. He has made a quick start at stud, despite having only three litters who have raced, he already has the likes of Romeo Empire, Romeo Ability and Fabulous Heka making waves.

2021 Thorn Falcon

There are smaller Shetland ponies than this 39 kilo Derby winner! He was always a big boy on the track and is now happily retired and living at home with a number of other canine friends. He defied a bias against wide runners to claim the Derby from the striped jacket for Patrick Janssens.

2020 - Deerjet Sydney

Deerjet Sydney lives at home with the Buckleys where he has been standing at stud. His best offspring so far would be the Limerick 600y track record holder Ower Cracker who is in action at Hove this evening at 7.16. His Derby win came at Nottingham in the late Derby held in November where a flying 4.91 sectional set him off in front and he was never for catching. 

2018 - Dorotas Wildcat 

Not only a Derby winner himself at Towcester but also the sire of Thorn Falcon who claimed a Derby win. He has the ante-post favourite for Saturday's decider as well in Bockos Diamond. Still popular at stud with the Dunphys, that won't be fading away any time soon with the quality of his offspring. His Derby win came from the front and his son on Saturday will be hoping to do the same.

2014 - Salad Dodger

Still going at the ripe old age of 13, Salad Dodger is enjoying his retirement with Glenn Hockings. He was one of the biggest surprises in the history of the Derby, shocking the Wimbledon crowd in a dramatic finish that saw the first three home covered by just five spots.