Droopys Clue etched his name into the record books with a thrilling victory in the Premier Greyhound Racing St. Leger at Perry Barr, clinching the title for the second year in a row. This formidable greyhound, determined to hold onto his Greyhound of the Year crown, completed a flawless run of six wins.
The August 2021 son of Out Of Range ASB and Droopys Natalia faced a tough challenge to recapture the £20,000 prize in the Midlands, where the event also included the final for the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup in honor of Michael Lambe Senior, creating a spectacular Category One doubleheader. Initially postponed due to rain, the races were rescheduled, which Droopys Clue’s trainer, Seamus Cahill, believes ultimately benefited the greyhound by allowing him a bit of extra recovery time after a minor setback.
Cahill explained that, while they couldn’t work him fully during training, the additional week may have helped him regain form. He credited Droopys Clue’s fierce determination for the victory, stating that the greyhound’s courage and sheer will to win secured his place as a true champion.
Though last year’s win was marked by a record-breaking run, this year’s title defense was no walk in the park. Droopys Clue broke smartly from the inside, initially leading the pack. But Clona Curly, trained by Diane Henry, surged ahead around the third bend, putting the favourite to the test. Droopys Clue responded with resolve, reclaiming the lead as they headed down the backstretch.
Entering the final stretch, Droopys Clue was holding his ground with competitors close behind. Coonough Crow, guided by Mark Wallis, launched a full-paced attempt to overtake but was forced wide by Trickycinderella, allowing Droopys Clue to pull ahead one last time, crossing the finish line three-quarters of a length in front of Clona Curly, with Coonough Crow taking third. His final time for the 710m race was 42.97 seconds (-20).
After the thrilling Saturday victory, an appearance on Irish Derby night was initially considered for Droopys Clue. However, Cahill decided to give the champion a well-earned rest, with a potential historic third St. Leger attempt on the horizon for 2025.
Perry Barr’s Deputy Racing Manager, Dan Bradshaw, who oversaw the meeting, expressed his satisfaction with the event's outcome. After the difficult decision to postpone the previous week, he was thrilled to see the exciting races go forward, with Kevin Hutton’s Rioja Bungle taking the Birmingham Cup and Droopys Clue showcasing unparalleled grit.
Bradshaw noted that while this year’s St. Leger final posed a tougher test for Droopys Clue, the greyhound's unyielding spirit prevailed. After competing in back-to-back Category One events, including the Monmore’s Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic, Droopys Clue achieved a feat unmatched in St. Leger history.