Greyhound Awards not up in air: Taylors Sky scoops top dog

Taylors Sky

At the official Greyhound of the Year Awards ceremony on Sunday, Taylors Sky bagged the top accolade.

Trainer Charlie Lister’s charge took the Greyhound of the Year Award after winning a sixth williamhill.com Greyhound Derby for Lister, who was named an OBE in the New Year honours a few weeks ago. Taylors Sky has enjoyed a great season, winning two Category One races in the previous 12 months in addition to the Derby triumph.

The March 2009 son of Westmead Hawk and Rising Angel is owned by Steve and Becki Taylor, and with fellow kennel-mate Taylors Cruise having won the Bettor.com Scottish Derby at Shawfield, it was no surprise to see the Taylors also claim the Bettor.com sponsored Owners of the Year award.

Eden Star was named the Racing Post-sponsored Best Track Newcomer, which must have been a bittersweet moment for trainer Barrie Draper; the hound had initially been partly owned by Draper’s father Albert, with the elder Draper passing away before Eden Star was able to claim his first win in October 2009.

It was a good night for Draper, as Capoley Ash was named the top Marathon performer, having won four of his five races at that distance. And there was further good cheer for Lister, too, as Silverview Perky’s impressive showing in the William Hills Oaks campaign saw her land the William Hill top Bitch award.

As for the Coral-sponsored Trainer of the Year award, that went to Chris Allsopp, who also saw his Drumcove Lad pick up the top Sprinter award.

Steve Colton

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