"It's been a superb six weeks" - Danny Rayment loved his first Derby in charge
Danny Rayment enjoyed his first year as the racing manager in change of the Star Sports & Orchestrate Ltd English Greyhound Derby at Towcester.
Lennies Eddies takes Rayment's first Derby in charge
Lennies Eddie is back in Ireland with the English Derby trophy after his superb win in Saturday's Star Sports & Orchestrate Ltd-sponsored final.
The Classic-winning son of Good Cody headed across the Irish Sea on Sunday with his record-breaking trainer Paul Hennessy having secured a third English Derby success for his Gowran, Co. Kilkenny-based handler, who also made it three Derby wins at three different venues.
Towcester racing manager Danny Rayment was one of the last to wish the Hennessys - and Lennies Eddie - well on their return home given they had been on-site at the Northamptonshire venue with Towcester trainer Laurence Tuffin.
Rayment, who oversaw his first English Derby and loved every minute of it, said: "It was a great competition from beginning to end with some brilliant races on Saturday and some excellent performances, both from the trainers and greyhounds themselves.
"Liam Dowling's feat in getting three Derby finalists through should not be forgotten, even if the Ballymacs didn't quite manage to take the trophy back to Co. Kerry.
"And Paul himself with two finalists was a great feat, even if they had to withdraw Lennies Tank. Obviously another Irish trainer Pat Buckley had the other finalist in Hackney Corner for an all-Irish final.
"I'm sure the UK trainers will be back in 2027 - and it was good to see the likes of Mark Wallis, Kevin Hutton and Patrick Janssens all with winners on the night - they've tasted English Derby glory before and no doubt want to taste it again!
"Maxine Locke and Paul Young both also won races on the night and they are certainly two kennels which have Derby class dogs for the future.
"It's been a superb six weeks - and topping it off was on Sunday being back at Towcester and having the privilege of seeing Lennies Eddie and Paul and Susan Hennessy as they were leaving the track.
"I gave him a bit of fuss - and congratulated both Paul and Susan, and wished them a safe journey. It was a nice moment."
