Lingfield welcomed the Greyhound Trust to the Derby Trial Meeting

Greyhound Trust Harvel visited Lingfield Racecourse on Saturday 

Derby Trial Day is always one of the busiest days in the Lingfield calendar. Add in glorious weather and it was a huge crowd to see the Aidan O'Brien team land a double in the two classic trials. Away from the action on the turf though was a green stand opposite the parade ring where the Harvel branch of the Greyhound Trust had set up.

Accompanied by representatives of the GBGB who were gaining signatures for the Keep Welfare On Track petition, the team were given interview time between races as well as the chance to get some pictures of the retired dogs in attendance with some of the big names in the horse racing world.

Honey especially seemed to be enjoying all the attention as can be seen in her picture with Ryan Moore amongst others. 

Cheryl Miller and Tony Collett are the cornerstones of the Harvel operation and were quick to praise Lingfield, "they've looked after us so well today...it's great to introduce the dogs to complete strangers to show just how great they are." 

That is something that is not news to any of us but the constant stream of children dragging their parents and grandparents over to pet the wonderfully patient greyhounds will have won some new fans for the breed. 

There were five dogs and volunteers in attendance which included Ed who is a former winner of the Crufts racing and coursing class in 2024. He is at home with Anne who has volunteered at Croftview for many years, with Ed taking home the 'Good Citizen' prize for obedience as well last year. 

"It's the first time we've done this here" Miller told me, "we go to shows throughout the year, we'll be at Paws At The Park next weekend." That will be held at Ardingly in West Sussex but they will also be at the Kent edition at the Detling Showground in September, spreading the message about retired greyhounds as pets. That is something that Miller has done for half a century now, starting in 1975. 

These shows are so important" Miller continued, "we used to love going to Cheltenham as we got plenty of footfall right by the paddock. The second year that we were there, someone from the year before came up to show us pictures of the dog that she had adopted after meeting us." 

It would be great to see further crossover with horse racing but it was positive that Lingfield as part of the ARC group made a huge effort to welcome both the GBGB and the Greyhound Trust. ARC's Head of Racing (Greyhounds) Dave Baldwin was in attendance so hopefully there is going to be more to come across the ARC tracks, especially with the opening of Wolverhampton greyhound track later this year.