Future looks bright for the Calvert kennel

Future looks bright for the Calvert kennel

Craig Calvert, son of Doncaster trainer Debbie Calvert, is Head Kennelhand at the kennels having just turned 18. He heads to Newcastle tonight with just the one runner but is confident that Blueys Elle has more to offer, and also discusses a recent intake from the Romford Sales

One of the main gripes you hear regarding Greyhound Racing is that there is a lack of youngsters coming through or who want to become trainers in the sport, which is understandable. With the industry in needing of a financial injection and the difficulties often faced in order to be able to rent or buy the land with kennels, it can be hard ,and very hard work, something which may ultimately end up putting some people off. Certainly, the long hours aren’t beneficial to a teenager who enjoys a nice morning lay in, but one such teenager, having been around greyhounds since he was old enough to walk, is already eyeing up taking out a trainers licence in the future.

Craig Calvert has not long turned 18 and has already passed his driving test, enabling him to drive greyhounds to tracks. The son of Doncaster trainer Debbie Calvert (pictured above with girlfriend Grace and mother Debbie) is now Head Kennelhand and will be heading to Newcastle tonight with just the one runner, Blueys Elle, with Bombay Fantasy unfortunately having to be withdrawn, but he is still hopeful of a good performance. 

He said “Blueys Elle is still only a December 23 puppy and has been running well at Doncaster, coming forward each week. He’s had five runs with four wins, going from B3 to winning B1 in a very decent time and he’s since followed that up with a nice trial at Newcastle”

“He’s very well in himself and he’s stepping up in class tonight, but he’s got a lovely draw on the rails and with a decent break, he should go well and find a bit of time on last week’s run”

“I’m also a big fan of Naochra and I hope he goes well for connections in the big final tonight. When he puts it all together, he’s a great dog”

On his X account last week, Calvert posted a picture of Easy Legend, who was purchased from the Romford Sales for £5400, and he explained why that greyhound in particular caught the eye

He said “We got Easy Legend in for some new owners from the Romford Sales last week and hopefully he can follow in the same way as Blueys Elle”

“He’s got a really nice sprint at Drumbo to his name for such a young dog. He did everything wrong in his sales trial, missing the break and hitting the rail at the first bend but was very game to get back up and win the trial.”

“We’ve got a new syndicate going with some new lads into the kennel who were keen to get a young dog so we felt this was the right one”

Calvert has been around greyhounds since a very young age and has a licence since he has been able to have one, and spoke about one day becoming a trainer in his own right

“I love working with the greyhounds”, he said. “It’s hard work and the hours are long, but I can’t see myself doing anything else. My mum’s been a trainer now for 23 years, but my Uncle, Gran and Grandad have all been trainers in the past so it would be good to continue that in the family”

“Doncaster is our home track and it can mean a few early starts and late nights, but we like it there. The racing is brilliant and the circuit is top notch and our dogs ae running well at the moment so we can’t complain. We had a winner in an Open at Star Pelaw last weekend, and hopefully we can keep going again tonight”