Romford Puppy Cup - a trip down memory lane

Romford Puppy Cup memories

With the Coral Romford Puppy Cup is just around the corner, let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at some of the best winners.

Entries close for the 400m event on Monday 1st September and the Category One competition gets underway the following Friday, with this year’s renewal promising to be exciting as ever.

Expected to be leading the charge are Kevin Hutton’s flying Irish recruit Magical Luka and the Mark Wallis-trained Strike It Skye, who flew round Monmore’s 480m in 27.86 when winning easily last weekend.

The Romford Puppy Cup began in 1975 and it was first won by 10/11 favourite Xmas Holiday for Phil Rees Senior. It has been one of the highlights of the greyhound calendar ever since and always throws up some exciting sorts, as well as three rounds of thrilling action at the Essex circuit.

Dave Mullins has farmed the race in recent years, winning four on the spin from 2020 to 2023 and taking his overall tally in the prestigious event to a record six victories in the process.

Having picked up the trophy with Living Jewel in 2003 and Vamoose in 2004, the fastest of his more recent winners was 2022 victor Romeo Hotshot.

In the decider, the son of Magic Sprit and Buckos Lass led home his litter brother Romeo Mission in a flying 23.59 (+20) to give his trainer, plus owners and breeders David and Nicola Firmager, a famous one-two.

 Romeo Hotshot (2022)

Mullins also landed the competition with Tenpin (2020), Romeo Crusade (2023) and Brookside Richie (2021), with the latter a particularly smart sort who went on to win the Select Stakes, Northern Flat and Birmingham Cup for the kennel.

 Brookside Richie (2021) 

Mullins isn’t the only locally-based trainer with multiple Romford Puppy Cup wins to his name, as Paul Young also scooped the valuable prize courtesy of Droopys Brindle in 2015 and Young Princess in 2019.

However, arguably the most memorable winner of late was Roxholme Nidge, who posted a track record of 23.26 (+20) in the first round and maintained his dominance throughout to go through the competition unbeaten in 2017.

He was a 2/5 favourite for the final when scoring with ease and he led home no other than the 2017 Greyhound of the Year in King Elvis.

Injuries meant we didn’t see as much of this brilliant dog as we would have liked but he was sensational when we did, as he subsequently landed two Steel City Cups at Sheffield and ended his career by going unbeaten through the 2019 East Anglian Derby at Yarmouth.

 Roxholme Nidge (2017)

Another name who stands out is Eden Star, who followed his Puppy Derby triumph by making a successful raid down south to dominate the event for Sheffield handler Barrie Draper.

Anyone who witnessed Eden Star smash the track record with a stunning 23.34 (+20) in the semis, or his eight-length demolition job in the final, won’t forget those performances in a hurry.

Another whose career was hampered by injuries, Eden Star was as fast as anything we have seen take the Romford Puppy Cup.

 Eden Star (2011)

The prize went to Matt Dartnall 12 months ago when his Fire And Ice made full use of a plum draw on the rails to make all in 23.84 and justify even-money favouritism in the process.

Fire And Ice (2024)

Will another star emerge from this year’s renewal? You wouldn’t bet against it in what is always a red-hot competition. Get down to Romford or tune in next Friday to find out.