Phil Milner and Keeley Cunningham’s journey to success hit another milestone as Keefill Rocky stormed to victory in the British Bred Derby, securing their second Category One win in less than two months. Their home-bred greyhound crossed the line with an impressive 28.84, leaving rivals trailing by four and a half lengths, including Patrick Janssens’ Romeo Control. This remarkable achievement also marked the first Category One success for sire Droopys Addition.
Having tasted their first major win with Avongate Venus just weeks ago, Milner and Cunningham continue to showcase the fruits of their dedication.
Cunningham reflected on the significance of this moment, “It’s what we’re aiming for and have set up for and have dreamed about. We’ve seen him being born, we’ve reared them, we’ve schooled them, and now we get to win these competitions. Just watching it was one of those moments where it felt like time stood still. As he was coming round and when I realised he was going to do it, it was an incredible feeling.”
The team’s excitement doesn’t end here, as they have high hopes for a new litter from the same pairing. These four-month-old pups are thriving, with Cunningham describing them as energetic and full of promise.
“They’ve got great temperament, there were four in the litter, three dogs and a bitch, and yeah we’re really pleased with them, they’re a nice size, and they’re having fun out in the paddock, just being typical puppies,” she added.
While Janssens missed out on the final prize, his Romeo Falco delivered a stellar performance in a sprint division. Another standout of the day was Droopys Flare, trained by Sean Parker, who made an unforgettable six-bend debut with a blazing 38.95—one of the fastest 660m times recorded this year.
Scottish trainer Garry Hamilton also celebrated a double win with Beepers Lariat and Toddys Turbo, while Lisa Stephenson joined the winners’ circle with Pattys Scoot. The day concluded with an emotional victory for Skywalker Amanda, marking Rose Draper’s first open race win since stepping into her father’s shoes as a licensed trainer.
This action-packed card showcased a blend of seasoned stars and rising talent, leaving fans eager for what’s next in the thrilling world of greyhound racing.