Graham Holland sets early Derby standard with opening night treble

Big guns safely through on the opening night of the Greyhound Derby

There were no major shocks on night one of the 2025 Star Sports/TRC Greyhound Derby. Proper Heiress was turned over by the flying Droopys Aladdin for Mike Burton but he is safely into the draw for round two. The winner was an appropriate one on the day that the British and Irish Lions squad was announced. Burton did so much in his rugby career and his 28.96 winner looks set for plenty of success himself.

Major honours on the night belonged to Graham Holland. Three winners on the card were to be expected when Bockos Diamond (1/3), Cheap Sandwiches (1/5) and Val Tashadelek (4/5) were all strong fancies for the punters. It was the last of those who set the standard on the night, producing a 28.81 clock, while having an almighty tussle with runner-up Romeo Topcat. Cheap Sandwiches rounded off the night with a fluent 28.91 success.

It was a case of another missed break for Bockos Diamond but everyone is learning plenty about his attitude, coming from behind to land his heat in 29.23, though understandably getting a little weary late on in just his second start since November. His effort split the audience but at this stage of the competition, it is all about just getting through.

Holland was his usual understated self when interviewed on Gone To The Dogs - Live! at pains to point out that "there is a long way to go." It was interesting to hear Holland mention that  "with my dogs being seeded wide, you'd like to think they would be split up." So, no plans on moving Bockos Diamond to a middle for now, with the plan to keep them apart as long as possible.

Perhaps the most popular winner on the evening was Tiffield Tarquin. He was one of the big gambles on the evening for Roy Peckham and justified that support with a minimum of fuss to clock a smart 28.94, the quickest through the first eight heats. William McColl, his 96-year-old owner warmed the hearts of many watching with his interview after the race. His pride and joy has received a serious boost in volume to his fan club.

One of the smarter pups in the competition is Droopys Trade. The Patrick Janssens-trained railer was out of luck in the final of the Gymcrack at Sheffield the other week but he showed plenty of all-around pace to take his heat in 29.34. 

A lot of money changed hands at the pre-Derby Sales where the top lot has been renamed Teejays Chelms. He produced an instant return for his new connections, overcoming a messy run to the bend to run out a winner for Paul Young in 29.27. 

Irish trainers Paul Hennessy and Liam Dowling were also on the board thanks to Jaytee Craze and Ballymac Pebb. The latter especially showing plenty of trackcraft for a puppy with very few marks on his card. The other heat on the evening was won by Maxine Locke's Droopys Prefect who just got the better of a prolonged tussle with Dark Madam.

Heat 1 - 1st Jaytee Craze (t3) - 2nd Droopys Bookem (t1) - 3rd Salacres Tipster (t2) 

Heat 2 - 1st Tiffield Tarquin (t6) - 2nd Bubbly Charger (t1) - 3rd Salacres Senan (t2) 

Heat 3 - 1st Teejays Chelms (t2) - 2nd Hello Diego (t6) - 3rd Keefill Maverick (t5) 

Heat 4 - 1st Droopys Trade (t1) - 2nd Arthur Job (t2) - 3rd Droopys Heiress (t3) 

Heat 5 - 1st Droopys Aladdin (t3) - 2nd Proper Heiress (t4) - 3rd Betgoodwin Ed (t1) 

Heat 6 - 1st Bockos Diamond (t6) - 2nd Killieford Goram (t4) - 3rd Ballymac Blanco (t1) 

Heat 7 - 1st Droopys Prefect (t5) - 2nd Dark Madam (t2) - 3rd Heres Ringo (t1)

Heat 8 - 1st Ballymac Pebb (t2) - 2nd Prince Naseem (t3) - 3rd Never Say No (t4) 

Heat 9 - 1st Val Tashadelek (t1) - 2nd Romeo Tomcat (t4) - 3rd Droopys Job (t5) 

Heat 10 - 1st Cheap Sandwiches (t6) - 2nd Glory Lord (t2) - 3rd Droopys Invent (t1)