"A full-circle moment" for greyhound trainers

The Russell family, whose kennels are in Telford, have been involved in the sport for more than 50 years and celebrated their first major honour earlier this year, winning the Silver Salver at Central Park with Magical Bluebear.

Mark now oversees the day-to-day training of the dogs while his father, 94-year-old William is still officially listed as the trainer in recognition of the work he has carried out over the years.

They make the switch from Perry Barr with their first official runners at Monmore coming tonight – Magical Orlando and Shancol Skellig competing in Open races while Coppice Ebby is in graded action.

“When I was a kid, we were at Monmore Green every Thursday and Saturday night - we even used to go to Willenhall back in the 70s,” explained Mark. “My dad started out as an owner at Monmore and then we went and got our own license at Norton Canes as it was, and then we went from there to Perry Barr.

“In about 2010, we left and were at Hall Green for about four or five years before returning to Perry Barr when Hall Green shut.

“We've always thought about being at Monmore as our kennels are on this side of town, if you like, and it always seemed like it would be a nice full-circle moment for Dad.

“Thankfully, it has come around now and we're really looking forward to it. The track has always seemed very well-run and we’re grateful to Tony (Williamson, racing manager) for giving us the opportunity.

“In the new year, we will eventually change the trainers’ license and put it in my name but it's nice for Dad, a full-circle moment for him to be back at the track where he started, now as a trainer after all these years.

“He turned 94 last week and hopefully will still be with us for a few more years yet.

“Greyhound racing runs in the family and my daughter, Emily is mad keen for the dogs and always helps out at weekends while my nephew, Lee has been a big help, too.

“So, we’re excited to continue the journey at Monmore."

Tonight for Mark Russell, Shancol Skellig runs from trap six in the 8.13pm Ladbrokes.com 480 Maiden Division One while Magical Orlando goes out in the Ladbrokes.com 480 Maiden Division Two at 8.47pm. Coppice Ebby is in A4 action earlier in the evening.

On the dogs he is bringing to Monmore, Mark added: “We'll be bringing about 20 greyhounds on the graded strength and a nice few Open runners - Magical Bluebear being a Category One winner and having won Opens at Monmore already.

“Magical Orlando is in the Maiden race and will hopefully put in a good showing. We’ve also got Shancol Skellig running in a Maiden, but he's probably holding out for the 630m distance long-term.

“We're looking forward to having more dogs running that distance regularly as that should suit them down to the ground.

“All in all, it’s an exciting time. It will be nice to rekindle with some people at Monmore and perhaps gain a few more owners on top of the brilliant ones we already have as well.”

Also on the card at Monmore this evening, Thinking Time goes for a stunning seventh win on the spin for Kim Billingham in the Ladbrokes.com 480 Division One at 9.04pm but will face strong competition from a field that includes Brian Thompson’s Vixons Filofax.

Richie Taberner’s Hawk looks to do the business in the Ladbrokes.com 630 having had a stellar 2024 while Craig Marston’s Whisky Rocky is among those involved in the Ladbrokes.com 480 Division Two.

Three heats take place in the Ladbrokes.com Sprint competition over 264m with two greyhounds qualifying from each for next week’s £1,000 final.

Marston’s Whisky Bella looks to follow up a fine victory last weekend in heat one. Thompson’s proven sprinter Knock Beeswing runs from trap one in heat two.Finally, Chris Fereday’s Makeadifference goes out in heat three after three successive graded triumphs in recent weeks.​