Yarmouth trainer Lewis looking long term with Future Generation Syndicate

Kids loving the connection with Liberty Buck

Yarmouth trainer Michelle Lewis is always busy - and is getting busier by the day!

Having taken over the contract at the seaside venue from her partner Jason Ray, Lewis combines the role as a professional greyhound trainer with a home life which is always hectic as mum of four at-school children!

And it's with the kids in mind that she has launched a new initiative - the Future Generation Syndicate - aimed at attracting young interest in the sport.

Michelle's children have been brought up with greyhounds and greyhound racing, as was their mum given both Lewis's father Michael and his brother Paul, Michelle's uncle, owned and bought and sold dogs for many years in the Midlands area.

Michelle, originally from Wolverhampton, but now based in Lincolnshire with Jason, the former Henlow, Suffolk Downs and Oxford trainer, takes up the story, starting with how 2026 has seen a change in direction for their set-up.

"Jason's health hasn't been great, so the plan was always for me to take over the licence at some point, which happened about three months ago," she said.

"We've settled in really well at Yarmouth and Simon (Franklin, director) and his team couldn't have been more welcoming and helpful. It's a great track and we really couldn't have asked for any more from the move.

"It's non-stop, of course, with the dogs and family, as it is for a lot of greyhound trainers with families. But the kids have been brought up with the greyhounds, as I was - we even had our holidays in Ireland some years, buying dogs! - and it's always been great when the kids bring their friends home and see what we do. 

"They all love it, love being in and around the greyhounds, and are always asking questions.

"It just got me thinking about what we could do to encourage their interest and get them involved, perhaps getting them to understand what greyhound racing is all about and what fun it is.

"Jason is very old school - a proper dog man -  but I made the point that life is very social media-driven these days and we could use that to encourage interest in us - but more importantly the sport, too.

"So through Facebook we've got together an ownership group for one of our dogs. We actually had another earmarked for it, but unfortunately he suffered a setback in a trial. It was gutting for us and disappointing for the kids but then Liberty Buck, another of ours, stepped up!

"He's such a lovely dog in and around the kennel, our kids love him, and he's actually the perfect runner to use in this way. He's super-friendly, really good-natured, and loves a fuss.

"He's a July 24 so is young and has just had the six races and the kids are following his progress. He won second time up which was great but the kids are not that bothered if he wins or loses really - they just love him being theirs!

"I put together a welcome pack for those children who wanted to be involved. There's a certificate in there and we keep them updated with WhatsApp videos of his trials and races - and what he's up to in the kennel. It's almost become a Liberty Buck diary!

"We've now got a group from all over the UK and Ireland interested. I keep them up to date about what he's up to, when he's racing, and we have tasks and activities, like coming up with kennel names for other dogs in the kennel, designing logos and various other activities which maintains the interest. It's creative but with greyhounds at the heart of it.

"We've got about 20 children involved now. Everything goes through their parents, of course, and the plan will be to arrange some visits to Yarmouth, during the summer holidays especially, to come racing - and perhaps see Buck run.

"It's so important that greyhound racing encourages the young to enjoy the sport and, if we can get them involved, we might be paving the way for future owners and, who knows, maybe trainers too."

Anyone wanting further information about the group can contact Michelle via the MJ Racing Kennels page on Facebook.