Nick Savva has passed away

Picture Steve Nash

Nick Savva passed away on Thursday 

Nick Savva, breeder and trainer of the legendary Westmead Hawk, died late on Thursday. He was 91

One of the most successful and popular trainers in the history of the sport, Nick won four English Derbys with Toms The Best (1998), Westmead Hawk (2005-06) and Westmead Lord (2007). That historic achievement of winning the Derby three years in a row is one record where Savva stands alone.

He also won four Scottish Derbys, plus famously landed the 1997 Irish Derby with Toms The Best who remains the only greyhound to ever win both an Irish and English Derby. 

There is no doubt in the minds of anyone who has been involved in the sport of greyhound racing for any length of time that Nick Savva is on the Mount Rushmore of the sport, and in the minds of many, is the greatest trainer there has ever been. 

The Westmead prefix stood the test of time as a mark of quality from Westmead Lane who landed the 1972 all the way through to more 'recent' heroes.

Crowned Trainer of the Year on four occasions, his longtime friend Gail May said:

"I've been over there a lot the last year as he has been very poorly. He was just so amazing, he was still typically Nick, still pottering around, just so strong.

"I had a chat with him once when he told me, 'I had the best life, doing what I did wasn't work, to me training the dogs was my passion. I was in the sport at the best time.'" which is hard to argue.

"He used to stand and watch Westmead Liz for hours, he used to ask me if I had ever seen anything more perfect? To be allowed to visit Nick during the Derby between the semis and the final of Hawk's first Derby win was incredible.

"He was so good to me, and just so grateful for everything that life brought him."

John ‘Ginger’ McGee, another legendary Derby-winning trainer himself, was one of the first to pay tribute to Nick. 

“We had many a battle on the track, we truly did, and we’ve all lost a great friend today,” he said. 

“I suppose the one I remember is our Vintage Cleaner always seeming to get the better of Sonic Flight. Both were champions but Cleaner seemed to have the edge when they met - few did against Nick’s dogs, though, and he got his revenge a few times I’d say. 

“My condolences to Nick’s family and friends from myself and Jackie, Keeley and Jamie.”

Kevin Hutton, trainer of 2018 English Derby champion Dorotas Wildcat and a successful British breeder in his own right, paid his own tribute and said it was a sad day for all in greyhound racing. 

“We were so sad to hear of Nick’s passing," said Hutton. 

“What he achieved both in racing and the breeding paddocks will never be emulated again. A true legend of the game and just to have a runner against him a few years back was something special.”

Photographer Steve Nash said, “The status of legend is simply not enough to describe Nick Savva. He deserves a bronze statue - much like the one another dear friend, the late Olive Wootton, beautifully sculptured of Westmead Hawk, for owner Bob Morton following his second Derby win. 

“Nick was the most unassuming trainer and breeder you could wish to meet, always willing to pass on advice and experience and I am privileged to have been close up to so many of his huge successes down the years. 

"From the wonderful Westmead Move in the 1980s, through Toms The Best’s Irish and English Derby wins (notably the only one to manage that) Westmead Lord’s follow up to the Hawk’s Derby dominance, and countless others that form part of the Westmead dynasty.

"After Larkhill Jo won the Scottish Derby in 1998, there was an all-night party with the Whelan family to celebrate, an incredible Shawfield memory. 

“Kennel visits at Dunstable - of which there were many to picture his superstars - were an education in how to be simply the best. Which he was without doubt. “Thanks Nick for everything you did for the sport.”

Andy Iaonnou, who took over the licence at Westmead Kennels when Nick retired, said: “It is hard to know what to say. “He was more than just a boss to me - more like a father. 

“It was a pleasure and privilege to have worked for him. We had some great times together and I will try and make him proud of me.”

Mark Burridge said, "A sad day for the sport as we have lost possibly the last of the true historic greats of the sport in Nick Savva. 

His Westmead progeny truly ruled the breeding paddocks for decades and threw some real superstars, Westmead Move and the prolific Westmead Hawk in particular were greyhounds that were a joy to watch. 

Everyone respected Nick and time spent listening to him was a joy for anyone lucky to share that experience. A very sad day. RIP Nick."

Paul Hennessy paid tribute saying, “Nick was an amazing man and today is the end of an era. People often say that when someone of Nick’s stature passes, but for greyhound people like us it truly is. 

“We grew up with the Westmeads - and each year they got better! One champion followed another and he or she was better than the next. 

“Nick and Natalie were brilliant breeders and rearers. They set the standard and, for most of us, that bar was too high! But it was a privilege to compete against Nick and Natalie and learn from them. 

“So from a professional point of view we have nothing but admiration for Nick, but also from a personal point of view he was special to us as a family and so giving of his time. Our son Kevin spent time at Westmead Kennels with Nick and watched him work - priceless experience and days Kevin will never forget.”