Peter Richardson has huge ambitions for the future

Cover: The team receiving a trophy from Star Pelaw racing manager Dave Gray from L-R, Kris Coils, Paul Middleton, Peter Richardson, Alex Redshaw and Phil Coils.

An opportunity for expansion

2024 proved to be a make or break year for ambitious Star Pelaw trainer Peter Richardson, writes Graham Banks. Richardson made the decision to make the move into a new kennel range, going from training six runners to moving up to thirty five runners. There’s a kennel capacity of forty-five, and Richardson explains how the opportunity arose. 

“I was laying in a hospital bed having had surgery on my spine when the opportunity to move into the kennels came about. I was thinking to myself do I, don’t I? I’d always wanted to be a full time trainer so I decided to give it a go and said to myself if I fail I fail, at least I would have given it a go.

“When I went to go for them, fellow trainer Tony Coils was also looking at taking them on. We ended up joining forces and combined the kennels into one. He was talking about retiring at some point, but bless him, he’s still going and works as a kennelhand for me. He just loves to work!

“We started off with twelve runners, but have managed to build the strength up to around thirty-five. We bought a few dogs here and there, and Savva Roberts was kind enough to give us a few. Savva is a good friend of mine, and he was a great help to me. We have a capacity of forty-five so we do have room for a few more”. 

The current kennel star

Richardson certainly has the ambition and drive to make a success of things and has built himself a team which is capable of competing on the open race circuit. The star of the kennel is Laughil Flash, who despite approaching his fifth birthday, is running as well as ever. He has won his last four starts over the two bend sprint distance at Star Pelaw, but Richardson has to take care with him to ensure that he can prolong his racing career. 

“We have to look after him. He has a slight injury which requires him to have a little break now and then which is why he doesn’t appear every week. He is still capable of taking in a Cat Two or Three final, which could be the route we take with him now as well as looking at any supporting races for finals nights”. 

Richardson’s stars of the future?

“We have a nice young pup called Fraser, who runs in the Northern Puppy Derby at Newcastle on Thursday night. We got him from the Cork Sales, he has done a 28.87 out there. He’s only had the one run which was at Newcastle. He just lacks a little bit of track craft at the moment, but that’s something that will come with more experience. He’s not the finished article at the moment. If we can go a couple of rounds with him then I’ll be happy.

“The Monmore Puppy Derby in March could be more of a realistic target as he will have more experience by then. The four bend distances aren’t a problem to him and in time, a soft six bends could be on the cards. The Derby at Towcester is a possible target as well. He may not be good enough to win, but will give it a good go.

“We recently bought a dog called Rioja Woody from Richard Rees at Hove. He will be aimed at six bend competitions and we are going to take him to Sunderland for a couple of spins with a view of going for the Grand Prix, to see if he handles the track. He is easily the tallest in the kennel by a mile so hopefully he can handle himself well there. We also have Longacres Romeo, who has won over the 590m distance at Star Pelaw, so we have a nice little team to compete with locally and on the road” 

Aims for 2025 and beyond

It’s not just on the track where Richardson is ambitious. Richardson finished third in the winners standings at Star Pelaw in 2024 behind Rob McCarthy and winner Mark Bulmer. He is looking to top the table this year and has also set himself targets for this year and beyond. 

“I want to win a Derby” he said. “Whether I’m good enough or get the firepower to do so remains to be seen, but my aim is to one day have that trophy. I think that if you don’t want to win a trophy, then you’re better off stepping aside and let someone else have your kennels. Everyone should want to win the big one. If you don’t, then you’re not in it for the right reasons. It’s not about the money for me, it’s about the prestige, the pats on the back, the greyhounds and the owners’ names in the spotlight”. 

“It’s not just the Derby I want to win, I’m desperate to win a Cat One or Two and win a trophy and hopefully we will have the dogs to be able to do so” 

British Breeding

Not content with stepping up to a full-time training role, Richardson also has his hands full with four, four week old puppies and explains how he seeked help in preparation for his litter. 

“We had a bitch mated a couple of years ago, but unfortunately we lost her and the pups at the same time, so I got in contact with Phil Milner, who is a bit of a guru when it comes to British Breeding. He was good enough to give me some books about breeding and how best to do things.

“We bought a bitch from Swindon called Shiva Diva, who had a 125 rating on Greyhound Data and mated her with Wi Can Dream. We have four bitches who are little monsters! The biggest already weighs three kilos and she’s only three weeks old! Diva is such a good mother with the pups and will be looking to have another litter with her again in the future”. 

Star Sports taking over Pelaw

Since taking over the kennels, Pelaw Grange has changed hands and is now flying under the Star Sports banner as Star Pelaw, something Richardson has mixed emotions about 

He said, “It was sad to see the McKenna family leaving as my Grandad used to race when Jeff’s dad ran the track. It was an emotional time, but I think they will be happy that the track is still here and in good hands, that it hasn’t been sold off for housing, and that the track is now becoming bigger. 

“The team behind the scenes, Kim Sanzone, Dave Gray, Craig Day and Lewis Williams are all doing a fantastic job in bringing in owners and punters. After the Star Sports takeover, Kim was the first person I met and we spoke for ages about dogs and each other’s hopes and found her to be a proper greyhound lady. 

“As for Ben Keith, he comes across as a gentleman and that’s echoed through the business. They will do anything for you and support you in any way that they can. As much as the track has changed hands, it feels like it hasn’t, it still has that family feel about it and that’s part of the reason Star Pelaw is successful. If you haven’t been then come, even if you don’t know anyone you will still have a good time, it’s just a nice place to be at” 

It takes a team

Richardson was also keen to pay tribute to his owners, and his hard working staff. 

 “I’ve got very supportive owners in the kennels, and I couldn’t do things without my staff, including my now fiancée Alex, my mum Susan and dad Peter, and kennelhands Tony, Phil, Chris. I’d also like to mention a special word about newcomer Paul, who doesn’t know much about the dogs but is learning fast and is full of ideas. It’s good to have a fresh set of eyes on things.”