The last five winners of the East Anglian Greyhound Derby

The East Anglian Derby is one of the most prestigious races on the greyhound racing calendar. Held at Yarmouth Stadium, the event has a history spanning back to 1947. With £15,000 available to the winner, the competition is a favourite of trainers and owners throughout the sport.

It’s no surprise that Charlie Lister, one of the greatest trainers of all time, holds the record for Derby wins, having won the race 12 times. The high quality of greyhounds on offer brings the fans flocking to enjoy the races and bet on greyhound racing.

With the event set to take place in September, it’s a good time to cast our eyes over the last few editions of the race, as we take a look at the last five winners.

2021 – Antigua Storm

Mark Wallis’ Antigua Storm entered the final as the 7/4 favourite, but it was always going to be a tough race. Wallis had a second dog running in the race, Billis Tudor, who only came fourth. It was Patrick Janssens’ pair of Bockos Jon Jo and Aussie Captain that would pose the most threat, both coming in with odds of 3/1.

It was a close-run race, with Antigua Storm taking first with a time of 27.78. Bockos Jon Jo came in just behind at 27.86, Mark Wallis’ greyhound showing a strong turn of pace to win the event and hold off Janssens’ entrant.

2020 – Kilara Lion

It was Patrick Janssens who tasted success the previous year, as his Kilara Lion won the event with a time of 27.62. It was a quick time, and a strong indicator of the dog’s good form. Angela Harrison’s Droopys Carat was the only other dog with a time under 28, finishing 27.84.

The event was rescheduled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which had wrought havoc on the racing calendar. Going into the Derby, no greyhound had won more than one event, but Kilara Lion went on to win the Kent Derby in November by over six lengths.

2019 – Roxholme Nidge

Hayley Keightley’s Roxholme Nidge had tasted some success already, winning the Steel City Cup in March, and in the previous October, and the dog’s good form explained the favourite tag as the runners lined up for the final.

With odds of 4/11, a lot was expected from Roxholme Nidge, and the greyhound didn’t disappoint with a great run, finishing well clear of surprise challenger Dower Product in second.

2018 – Affane Party

Affane Party stole the show at the 2018 East Anglian Derby, John Lambe’s dog taking first with a blistering time of 27.32. Coming in with odds of 9/4, Patrick Janssens’ Seaglass Phantom was left trailing in the winning dog’s wake.

Liz McNair’s King Elvis came into the final as the 2/1 favourite but, as was the case with the final of the Classic in Sunderland, King Elvis could only finish third. On this occasion, McNair’s runner finished over half a second off Affane Party.

2017 – Newinn Shadow

Like King Elvis, Charlie Lister’s Newinn Shadow also finished third in the Classic, this time in the 2017 edition, but managed to follow that with a win at Yarmouth. Managing a time of 27.23, it’s no surprise that Lister’s runner came home in first.

Murrys Act ran an impressive 27.53 to take second, while Hayley Keightley’s Hiya Butt, the 11/8 favourite, took third with 27.63, but neither could match the pace of Newinn Shadow.