The 2001 William Hill Greyhound Derby Final took place during May and June with the final being held on 2 June 2001 at Wimbledon Stadium. The winner received £75,000. Rapid Ranger successfully defended his title and became only the third greyhound in history to win the Derby twice, he was owned by Ray White and bred by Martin Broughan. Two of the finalists Smoking Bullet and Countrywide Tams were owned by Vinnie Jones.
Final result At Wimbledon (over 480 metres): PositionName of GreyhoundBreedingTrapSectionalSPTimeTrainer1stRapid RangerCome On Ranger - Rapid Vienna45.177-428.71Charlie Lister (Private)2ndSonic FlightFrightful Flash - Westmead Flight35.3410-11f28.97Nick Savva (Private)3rdCastlelyons DaniSpiral Nikita - Foxclose Daisy25.2814-129.09Arthur Hitch (Private)4thCountrywide TamsLassa Java - Persian Spark15.2614-129.11John McGee Sr. (Private)5thSmoking BulletJoyful Tidings - Aggies Vixen55.2810-129.39Derek Knight (Hove)6thDroopys HonchoTop Honcho - Droopys Fergie65.307-129.41Paul Young (Romford)
Distances 3¼, 1½, head, 3½, head (lengths) The distances between the greyhounds are in finishing order and shown in lengths. One length is equal to 0.08 of one second.
Final Report Rapid Ranger soon led and won comfortably from the strong finishing Scottish Derby champion Sonic Flight who had found trouble at the first bend along with Smoking Bullet and Droopys Honcho. Castlelyons Dani finished well for third after crowding and Countrywide Tams had a clear run.
Quarter finals
Heat 1 (May 22)PosName SP Time 1st Opus Magic9-228.832nd Castlelyons Dani9-228.933rd Smoking Bullet1-1f29.214th Wallington Swift50-129.235th Cillowen Maestro25-129.676th Concorde Direct5-229.68
Heat 2 (May 22)PosName SP Time 1st Pinewood Blue 8-1 29.012nd Rapid Ranger 1-4f 29.073rd Glengar Visit 10-1 29.214th Little Vintage 50-1 29.255th Farloe Florish 5-1 29.296th Blues Best Buzz 66-1 29.55
Heat 3 (May 22)PosName SP Time 1st Micks Best Hero 2-1jf28.972nd Countrwide Tams 2-1jf28.993rd Droopys Honcho 4-129.594th Carhumore Cross 9-229.625th Thats Style 8-130.106th Top Redondo 33-130.22
Heat 4 (May 22)PosName SP Time 1st Sonic Flight 5-4f28.952nd Rackethall Jet 3-129.193rd Proud Champ 3-129.454th Swervys Cushtie 100-129.495th I Will Yeah 66-129.556th Druids Highline 8-129.81
Semi finals
First Semi Final (May 26)PosName of Greyhound SP Time 1st Sonic Flight 4-7f28.672nd Droopys Honcho 10-128.873rd Castleyons Dani14-128.894th Opus Magic6-129.235th Rackethall Jet5-129.356th Glengar Visit 10-129.41
Second Semi Final (May 26)PosName of Greyhound SP Time 1st Rapid Ranger 6-4f28.802nd Smoking Bullet5-129.123rd Countrywide Tams6-129.184th Pinewood Blue5-129.325th Micks Best Hero5-129.346th Proud Champ12-129.50
See also 2001 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
References