Keefill Rocky delivered a standout performance in Sunday’s BGBF British Bred Derby heats at Sheffield, clocking the fastest time of the day over the 500m track. Trained and bred by Phil Milner, Rocky’s victory also marked a double triumph for his litter, following his brother Holding Harry’s success in an earlier heat.
In heat four, the 8-13 favourite Keefill Rocky showcased his dominance with a blistering 4.13-second sectional. He surged ahead from the start, leaving his competitors far behind to secure a massive 12-and-three-quarter-length win over Tom Heilbron’s Romeo Jackson, finishing in an impressive 28.72 seconds.
Earlier, Holding Harry caused an 18-1 upset in heat three, overtaking long-time leader Acomb Jonny (Kevin Ferguson) at the final bend. Harry clinched victory by a length and a quarter in 29.23 seconds, further highlighting the success of the September 2022 litter sired by Droopys Addition and Nah Then Bella.
Patrick Janssens’ kennel also enjoyed a fruitful day, with a double win in the opening two heats. Romeo Control, an October 2022 son of Romeo Recruit and Fabulous Verona, made a strong finish in heat one, overtaking Acomb Felix (Kevin Ferguson) in the final stretch for a length-and-three-quarters victory in 28.93 seconds.
In heat two, Romeo Steel, fresh off a strong showing at Nottingham’s Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse, displayed grit to fend off Keefill Goose (Phil Milner). Despite a close challenge on the home stretch, Steel edged out his rival by half a length, finishing in 28.88 seconds. Romeo Steel, an August 2022 offspring of Ballymac Cashout and Fabulous Amalfi, hails from a pedigree that includes the exceptional Romeo Magico and Fabulous Azurra.
Owlerton racing director Andrew Mascarenhas praised the quality of the day’s racing, particularly highlighting the thrilling duel between Romeo Steel and Keefill Goose.
“That was probably the race of the day,” said Andrew Mascarenhas, director of racing at the Owlerton venue. “Romeo Steel had shown great pace, but Keefill Goose came to him big-time on the run-in and did get close – both ran really impressively.”
Mascarenhas acknowledged Janssens’ impressive results, pointing out his kennel’s consistent success, including back-to-back British Bred Derby wins in 2021 and 2022 with Fabulous Azurra. With the semi-finals ahead, the competition promises more exciting performances from the leading contenders.