Six of the best set to appear on Monmore Green's winter derby
A star-studded final featuring six of the very best greyhounds Britain has to offer takes place at Monmore Green tonight.
The 2025 Ladbrokes Winter Derby culminates at the Wolverhampton track this evening – the main event on the 12-race card coming at 8.31pm – and will see £10,000 awarded to the victor.
Gary The Arb (Belinda Green, Hove), Aayamza Sydney (John Mullins, Towcester), Droopys Pivotel (Maxine Locke, Romford), Proper Heiress (Mark Wallis), Droopys Suprstar (Michael Burton, Valley) and Nowitsmyturn (Richard Rees, Hove) are the dogs going for the coveted prize.
“It’s a brilliant final featuring six top-class greyhounds competing for the £10,000 prize and the status of the Ladbrokes Winter Derby final winner for 2025,” said Monmore racing manager Tony Williamson.
“All of them are worthy winners, but likely favourite Proper Heiress trained by champion trainer Mark Wallis has the potential to lead throughout and will be difficult to catch.
“The supporting card is strong and features super stayer Droopys Clue making his return to the track. The 2023 greyhound of the year is fabulous to watch and does not have an easy race on his return.
“It’s a brilliant night of racing to look forward to.”
Taking a closer look at each of tonight’s finalists, Gary The Arb fared best in terms of the trap draw – getting the one box – and has excelled at Monmore over the past month or so, winning four of his last five appearances at the track.
Aayamza Sydney is the most experienced greyhound in the race and, incredibly, this is his eighth Category One final appearance while Droopys Pivotel looks to seal five victories on the spin at Monmore this evening.
Proper Heiress is the bookmakers’ favourite for a reason and possesses brilliant early pace, but surprise package Droopys Suprstar and the determined Nowitsmyturn are not to be ruled out either.
Monmore is expecting its largest crowd so far this year for the event, which is being broadcast live by Gone To The Dogs on YouTube and X/Twitter with an extensive on-track presenting team from 6.30pm.
Monmore’s Summer Stayers Classic champion from last year, Droopys Clue (Seamus Cahill, Hove) runs in race five alongside the runner-up from that race, Queen Georgia (Elizabeth McNair (Central Park). Last year’s Monmore Gold Cup champion, Churchfield Syd (Rees) is in race six against a quality field including McNair’s King Memphis.
