Sunday night at Crayford delivered unforgettable moments as two iconic events—the £10,000 Jay & Kay Coach Tours Gold Collar Final and the Ladbrokes Grand National Final—showcased stunning performances on the Kent track. Among the highlights was Aayamza Sydney, who shattered the track record and cemented his legacy with an extraordinary victory in the Gold Collar Final.
Trained by John Mullins, Aayamza Sydney defied expectations with a lightning-fast start, turning what seemed like a competitive race on paper into a masterclass of dominance. The seasoned greyhound, a regular in big-race finals including the Birmingham Cup and Champion Stakes, seized control from the outset and never looked back. Crossing the finish line an astonishing 11-and-a-quarter lengths ahead, he etched his name in history by completing the 540m race in 32.85 seconds, becoming the first-ever to break the 33-second barrier at this distance. The win also marked a one-two finish for Mullins’ kennel, with stablemate Wrighty taking second place.
The evening’s other star was Signet Harper, who claimed the Ladbrokes Grand National Final in commanding style, becoming a rare British-bred and female champion of this prestigious event. Trained by Ricky Holloway, the Tony Brealey-owned runner exploded into stride from the outside and maintained her lead for a two-and-a-half-length victory over Chippy Brady. Her winning time of 23.56 seconds followed a record-breaking semi-final performance. This win secured Holloway his sixth Grand National title, adding to his illustrious list of victories with greyhounds like Mo’s Bullet, Razldazl Raidio, and Coppice Fox.
With record-breaking runs and awe-inspiring victories, Crayford’s double-header delivered an unforgettable evening of greyhound racing, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what’s next.