One of the UK’s youngest greyhound trainers hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps this Christmas by winning the Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup at his local track.
Tom Heilbron turned his back on a career as a quantity surveyor in his 20s to chase the dream of training greyhounds professionally.
Seven years since having his license accepted, the 32-year-old has not one but four chances of scooping the north-east’s biggest prize – a race his father won in 2014 as an owner with Newinn Yolo.
He runs kennel stars Brinkleys Magic, Glengar Bridie, Magical Rubble and Bogger Rambo in the Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup, worth £20,000 to the winner and held over the Christmas period at Newcastle Stadium.
Tom explained qualifying any of his greyhounds for the final of the competition would cap an unbelievable season for himself and his team.
“I have grown up racing greyhounds,” said Tom. “I was at the track with my dad from a really young age, so this has always been my passion.
“Quantity surveying wasn’t for me, that’s when I turned to racing greyhounds and now I have the chance to follow in my father’s footsteps. These competitions are really tough and the greyhounds competing are at the top of their game – winning will take some doing.
“Bogger Rambo is our quickest greyhound and has the best chance of progressing. He has bags of early pace, so if he can do that on the night he will be very difficult to catch – especially after drawing trap one in the opening round.
“A special mention to Premier Greyhound Racing for their support of this competition. It doesn’t go unnoticed among owners and as trainers it’s great to see the support.”
Round One of Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup at Newcastle Stadium will take place on Thursday, December 14. Doors open at 6pm with the first of 12 races on the night starting at 6.19pm.
General admission plus trackside and restaurant packages are available to book online via www.newcastle-greyhounds.co.uk.
2023 Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup – Round One draw:
Heat One: Pape Di Oro, Brinkleys Magic, Swift Silly, Bramble Majestic, Droopys Biggy, Skywalker Pele.
Heat Two: Hopes Paddington, Swift Iconic, Droopys Trouper, Witton Venus, Droopys Eddie, Coppice Rocket.
Heat Three: Glengar Bridie, Savana Beau, Jonny Whiskers, Magical Rubble, Coppice Kaiser, Droopys Cozy.
Heat Four: Antigua Eclipse, Brookside Richie, Delvin Cat, Droopys Gravy, Wraysbury Diva, Burj Khalifa.
Heat Five: Bogger Rambo, Cunnigar Yousir, Tells Star, Unreal Brusier, Ballybough Mags, Watchhall Sid.
Heat Six: Savana Shay, Wrighty, Droopys Try, Coolavanny Mercy, March On Larry, You Two
ends
