RIOJA BUNGLE emerged as the emphatic winner of the BGBF British Bred Maiden Derby Final at Newcastle, triumphing for the breeder, owner, and trainer team of Gilbert Anderson, Paul Woodburn, and Kevin Hutton.
In the £7,500-to-the-winner Category Two competition, the September 2022 son of Ballymac Bolger and Bull Run Byte showcased impressive speed. He surged ahead of the fast-starting Queen Ariana (Angela Harrison) and Blackhouse Alan (Stuart Ray), while hot favourite Romeo Jackson (Tom Heilbron) faced crowding after a slower start. Rioja Bungle took the lead at the first bend and never looked back.
Dominating down the far side, Hutton’s young charge secured a three and three-quarter lengths victory over Romeo Crossfire (Tom Heilbron) and Queen Ariana in a fastest-of-event 28.37sec (normal) over 480m.
Liz Mort, chair of the British Greyhound Breeders Forum (BGBF), praised the performance: “What a fantastic run and a fitting victory for the BGBF British Bred Maiden Derby. Congratulations to Rioja Bungle and his connections, especially Gilbert Anderson, who bred him from Bull Run Byte. Well done to all the finalists; the quality throughout the event was top-notch. Despite the first bend scrum that cost Romeo Jackson, Rioja Bungle's smart start and move to the rails secured his win.”
She highlighted the diversity of the competition: “It was great to see five different trainers represented in the final, which attracts entries from across the UK. There were five litters and four breeders in the final, with David Firmager-bred litters featuring prominently. His February 22 batch by Droopys Sydney and Fabulous Skylar included second-placed Romeo Crossfire and Romeo El Aguila, now known as Whisky Eagle. Semi-final winner Romeo Jackson, making his UK debut, is an August 22 pup by Ballymac Cashout and Fabulous Amalfi.”
Mort also noted the local involvement: “Three Newcastle trainers were finalists, with Angela Harrison handling third-placed Queen Ariana for Brendan Keogh and the KSS Syndicate, Stuart Ray with Blackhouse Alan, and Tom Heilbron training Romeo Jackson and Romeo Crossfire for the Firmagers.”
She concluded with appreciation: “Many thanks to Newcastle and Arc for hosting this competition. It was also nice to see a British-bred puppy contest supporting the final, won by Paul Rutherford’s Wraysbury Oakley, an October 22 son of Confident Rankin and Wraysbury Dream. We look forward to doing it all again next year.”