Avongate Venus has claimed the prestigious title of Empress Stakes champion, giving Phil Milner’s kennel its first Category One victory. The talented greyhound showed incredible determination, fending off multiple challenges throughout the race. New Destiny was the first to challenge after a sharp break from the traps, but Avongate Venus held her ground at the opening turn. Once she took the lead, it became increasingly difficult for her competitors to catch up, securing her place as the bet365 Empress Stakes winner.
The competition was fierce, with Icemans Girl, trained by Nathan Hunt, finishing second, and Droopys Eunice from Maxine Locke's kennel taking third. Both runners delivered strong performances, setting the stage for a potential rematch at the Oaks, scheduled to kick off on October 5 at Perry Barr.
Speaking about future plans, trainer Phil Milner shared that Avongate Venus will have a short break before beginning preparations for the Oaks. He mentioned that the greyhound appeared full of energy the morning after the race, showing no signs of fatigue. He said that the owner, Sean O’Connor, is eager to aim for the Oaks if everything goes according to plan.
Avongate Venus comes from a successful pairing of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Ring, a litter that also produced 2022 Oaks winner Slick Sakina. While there have been four dual winners of the English Oaks in history, no dam has ever produced winners from two separate litters, highlighting the exceptional breeding work of Rory Hickey, who bred the dam.
This victory marks the beginning of what could be an exciting journey for Avongate Venus and her team as they set their sights on further success in the upcoming Oaks.