2020 Sunday 14th February 2021 Menuat 6pm Starter (v) Butternut squash and gorgonzola tart Caramelised onions, wild herb and radish salad Main Slow roasted beef fillet 2019 Greyhound of the Year – Ice on Fire Braised oxtail praline, celeriac puree, braised onions Vegetarian Main Beetroot gnocchi Wilted spinach, pecorino beignets, parmesan nage, crispy sage and toasted hazelnuts Dessert (v) Sticky toffee pudding, vanilla ice cream Butterscotch sauce Coffee or Tea and Petit Fours Running Order BAGS Kennelhand of the Year GWA Services to Greyhound Racing Award GBGB Best Dam of British Bred GBGB British Bred Greyhound of the Year ARC Graded Greyhound of the Year GBGB Newcomer of the Year Ladbrokes Trainer of the Year Coral Owner of the Year Star Sports Bitch of the Year Colossus Hurdler of the Year GBGB Marathon Performer of the Year Charles Russell Speechlys Sprinter of the Year PA Betting Services Standard Distance Performer of the Year Racing Post Greyhound TV Stayer of the Year GBGB Greyhound of the Year Welcome from the Chairman The Awards tonight celebrate the outstanding work and dedication of those involved within the sport. The commitment and passion of those connected with greyhound racing in the UK is always evident and tonight represents the GBGB’s chance to applaud this effort and endeavour. 2020 was a year that none of us have ever experienced before and the challenges presented by the pandemic were both colossal and unprecedented. Racing was suspended on 24th March, based on the rising number of infections from Covid-19, but we were the last sport standing at this point. By working with government, the GBGB were straight away planning to return to racing by introducing its Operational Plan which would provide the template for the safest way to come back racing, which started with trials commencing on the 18th May and racing from 1st June. We were the first sport to recommence back in terms of both preparation and with racing. From March, the GBGB started making emergency welfare payments to trainers in order to assist them with looking after the care of their greyhounds and it was fantastic to see owners and tracks also stepping up to the plate to ensure the welfare of our greyhounds. Whilst we continue to race behind closed doors, in many cases, other collateral damage of the virus and restrictions saw the loss of Peterborough, Belle Vue and Poole Stadiums based on economic loses. Shawfield remains closed in Scotland but the owners remain resolute that when restrictions are eased that they will reopen to the fans. We should also remember that there were many positives in 2020, not least the commencement of the Greyhound Retirement Scheme in September. This scheme will eventually ensure that all greyhounds leaving the sport for retirement will have a guaranteed sum of money to assist with their homing journey. This was a fundamental and ground-breaking welfare development for our greyhounds, and we are already approaching a figure of 1,000 dogs entering homing with the attached bond. I would hope that 2020 will be remembered for the determination and resolve of everyone involved in the sport, under the toughest of conditions and much of what was achieved can now be celebrated as part of tonight’s awards. Despite the awards being virtual, please do not underestimate how much work still goes into the planning and preparation, so my sincere thanks to the GBGB Team and their efforts to ensure that we have a great night. The awards will clearly be different, but I still hope that people will still cheer on their favourites and everyone nominated for an award. Sit back and enjoy and have a truly memorable evening. Jeremy Cooper GBGB Chairman GWA Chairman Writes The Greyhound Writers’ Association is proud to support the GBGB Greyhound of the Year Awards 2020 and, in the circumstances, well done all for making such an evening possible. It is vital our stars, both on and off the track, are honoured and, while all of us would replace this virtual ceremony for the real thing with a live audience, announcing the winners of the various categories will be as rewarding as ever. For connections of those greyhounds nominated for tonight’s awards, a huge well done - and good luck and congratulations should your pride and joy succeed all those champions of the track before you. The GWA was once again delighted and honoured to play its part in the voting process for the GBGB Awards 2020 - and we look forward to celebrating the names of those winners with you when the time comes to open each envelope! As is usually the case, a number of award winners are already known, including that of the Greyhound Writers’ Association Services to Greyhound Racing Award 2020 - the latest recipient being Ben Keith of Star Sports. As you will read, Ben is a thoroughly deserving winner of the Services honour - he carries the sport with him in all walks of life! Of course, life for us all has been unusual in the past 12 months or so, but greyhound racing can be proud of the way it has handled itself - supporting those at the sharp end who look after our cherished stars of the track. It is those stars who are honoured this year - and good luck to all the nominees and their connections. Enjoy the Show! BAGS Kennelhand of the Year 2020 (2019 Winner: Hannah Prince) Megan Flood is the BAGS Kennelhand of the Year 2020. Megan, who works for Romford trainer Maxine Locke, succeeds last year’s winner Hannah Prince. Having joined Maxine aged 17, Megan has long been a key member of the Locke kennel and her work impressed the Kennelhand of the Year panel - broadcaster Tanya Stevenson, GBGB Welfare and Integrity Manager Duncan Gibson, Head of Greyhound Trust Harvel (Croftview Kennels), Cheryl Miller and GBGB Quality Manager Amanda Duplock. GBGB Welfare and Integrity Manager Duncan Gibson said: “The panel could see Megan’s dedication, that greyhounds were very much her life, but also how important she was to the trainer herself.” Megan’s name came shining through, much to the delight of trainer Maxine Locke, who said: “I’m so pleased Megan has won Kennelhand of the Year. I really can’t think of anyone who deserves it more than her - she’s been my rock here for many years! “In fact, I’d be lost without her. She’s been with me for 13 years now and, during that time, nothing has proved too much for her. The greyhounds absolutely come first and have become her life since she joined us - she just fell in love with them! “Megan takes retired racers home regularly and, while she came to us a very shy girl, working with the dogs has brought her out of herself. She’s worked every Christmas Day since being here - and I don’t even need to ask her! I know she’ll be here. “She gives up days off to help if we need her. The greyhounds are her best friends, so she would swap any shift or holiday to help the greyhounds and does the job with no fuss or complaints. Honestly, I can’t say enough about her. Megan really is priceless to us.” It was staff at the Romford racing office who nominated Megan for the award and Racing Manager, Mark Arkell, was full of praise for her - although joked she would likely hate being thought of in this way! He said: “Megan is very shy and keeps herself to herself, but she’d be classed as very much an unsung hero of the sport. “You can tell how much she cares about her greyhounds. We see that at first hand in how she presents the dogs on the scales and when parading. She focuses on the job in hand. “Megan will probably hate the idea of this award, but absolutely deserves it and all of us here at Romford congratulate her. We’re very proud of her achievement.” The GBGB received a huge response to its request for Kennelhand nominations and thanks all those who took the trouble to nominate Kennelhands, with responses from owners, trainers, racing office staff and from colleagues of those nominated. Greyhound Writers’ Association Services to Greyhound Racing Award 2020 The Greyhound Writers’ Association is delighted to announce Ben Keith as the latest recipient of the GWA Services to Greyhound Racing Award - a thoroughly deserved recognition for his continued support of this great sport. Ben is a lifelong greyhound fan, a passion which has manifested itself in his unwavering backing of the Greyhound Derby - this year his Star Sports company will be sponsoring or co-sponsoring the world’s greatest greyhound race for the fifth year running. We all know how tough this past 12 months has been, but greyhound racing can be proud of the way it’s handled itself - especially in the work of trainers, their kennelhands and staff, supported by owners, whose love for this majestic breed knows no bounds. It’s that love of greyhounds and greyhound racing which shines through seemingly everything Ben does. He is hugely respected in the game as a real champion of the sport and is already a Greyhound Ambassador for the Greyhound Board of Great Britain. The GWA hopes Ben accepts this award as an appreciation of not just a passion for greyhound racing shared by so many, but in how this love has led to major race sponsorships and, just as importantly, in the way he spreads the word in all walks of life.