Yarmouth ending the year with their traditional track championship
December is always a quality month at Yarmouth greyhounds as their track championship is run with a £1,500 to the winner final on Boxing Day.
Picture from Flash Tips on X
Yarmouth serving up an end of year treat
Yarmouth remains unique in staging a track championship among its graded strength and kicks off the latest running of the event on Saturday.
Always an end-of-year festive treat, the 68th Yarmouth Championship has been won by a host of local stars over the years and four heats of the 462m competition sees 24 top-grade runners do battle for a place in Saturday week’s semi-finals, with the £1,500 final over 462m event traditionally held on the Boxing Day meeting.
“It’s something other tracks have done in the past, but I’m pretty certain we’re the only one to do so now,” said Simon Franklin, promoter at the seaside venue.
“Along with the East Anglian Greyhound Derby here, it’s a race my father Stephen has long had a passion for and it’s great for the trainers here - and the best runners at the track - to enjoy their time in the spotlight.”
Yarmouth racing manager Lee Smith is looking forward to overseeing the 68th Yarmouth Championship.
He said: “As Simon says, it’s a great competition for our trainers and one that his father has always been passionate about.
“This really does show the best of the best at the track and the Yarmouth Championship is loved for its sheer competitiveness by owners, trainers and punters alike.
“The rules are pretty much the same each year where entrants must have had four graded runs in the last 12 weeks for them to be able to qualify.
“Sadly, last year’s winner Swift Depot missed out on his fourth run but only because John has been good enough to help with our opens on a Saturday. Maybe that’s something we could address - perhaps previous winners should get a free pass.”
Smith has selected a few runners to look out for.
Heartandahalf (Sandra Clayton): He’s a pup with just six races on the card, is winning for fun, and doesn’t look to be stopping! Sandra will no doubt be wanting to repeat her win from 2023 with Alberts Legacy.
Flashing Fender and Who Dares Wins (Craig Morris): Craig has some good entries. Flashing Fender is coming along nicely, hitting a couple of good 27.70 times, while Who Dares Wins started here at the beginning of the year, arriving from Patrick Janssens, and has a few good 27.60-odd times when running in opens and A1s here.
Strathrannoch (Irene Barnard): This is Irene’s top entry who’s been running mainly in our opens but has a very impressive 27.35 on the card.
Laugh Alot (Jane Craske): Both Irene and Jane used to be kennelgirls back in the day so they know how to pick and bring on a greyhound. Laugh Alot is another dog who’s consistently run 27.70 through the year and has both supported, and won, opens here at Romford and Suffolk Downs.
Recent Yarmouth Championship winners
2024 - Swift Depot (John Mullins)
2023 - Alberts Legacy (Sandra Clayton)
2022 - Supa Nova (Paul Burr)
2021 - Zari Rosie (Paul Burr)
2020 - Going Forward (John Mullins)
