Druids Say Go Makes History with Oaks and East Anglian Derby Double
Druids Say Go, a remarkable greyhound trained by Patrick Janssens, has made history by becoming the first to win both the Oaks and the East Anglian Derby. Earlier this week, Janssens shared with Joe Conneely that he had never seen a dog break the 28-second mark three times in a row at Perry Barr. Defying expectations, Druids Say Go achieved this feat for a fourth consecutive time, clocking in at an impressive 27.82 seconds. All four of her recent victories were under 27.90 seconds (with one at 28.10 on a -30 track), showcasing an extraordinary level of consistency at the highest level.
She now holds the three fastest times of 2024 over 480 meters at Perry Barr. Just weeks after male greyhounds delivered an outstanding Birmingham Cup, Druids Say Go has surpassed their performances with her stellar runs. This victory marks Janssens' second Oaks win in three years, following his 2022 success with Slick Sakina, who finished the final in 27.85 seconds.
Reflecting on the win, James Couldwell, founder of Value Racing Club, expressed immense pride. He acknowledged the pressure leading up to the race due to high expectations but was thrilled that Druids Say Go delivered as hoped. Couldwell noted that completing the East Anglian Derby-Oaks double places her among the greatest female greyhounds in recent times. He mentioned that although Janssens has trained many exceptional greyhounds, he regards Druids Say Go as top-class, highlighting her phenomenal achievement of breaking the 28-second barrier four times consecutively.
Couldwell felt incredibly fortunate to own such an extraordinary greyhound, suggesting it might be decades before they find another like her. He also praised Janssens and his dedicated team for their hard work behind the scenes, contributing significantly to this success.
Tied with Different Speed for the most open race wins in 2024, Druids Say Go boasts 22 victories from just 27 runs across six different tracks. She holds the fastest times of the year over 480 meters at Perry Barr and 462 meters at Yarmouth, and ranks as the second quickest over 400 meters at Romford and 388 meters at Suffolk Downs.
In discussions with Janssens, it was mentioned that superlatives are running out to describe Druids Say Go's performances. Perhaps it's fair to say she has delivered electrifying displays that have left audiences in awe.
The evening also featured a fantastic four-timer for Janssens, with Droopys Plunge, Crossfield Enzo, and Romeo Steel all securing victories.
Icemans Girl, trained by Nathan Hunt, finished as the runner-up, marking her second consecutive second-place finish in a Category One race following the bet365 Empress Stakes at Towcester. Coppice Ella showed strong late momentum and is anticipated to be an intriguing contender in upcoming six-bend races. Front Alice, Chamberlain Kate, and Droopys Eunice also put in commendable efforts to complete the lineup.