A couple who upped sticks from a small Scottish town at the turn of the millennium to chase their dream as professional greyhound trainers are on the cusp of a historic win.
Elizabeth and Rab McNair moved to Ashford from Mauchline in 2003 and have worked with greyhounds seven-days-a-week since, winning some of the sport’s most prestigious competitions.
They live 500 miles from their two children and four grandchildren, are attached to Central Park Stadium in Sittingbourne and train for the K.S.S Syndicate – recognised as Owner of the Year at the most recent Greyhound Board of Great Britain awards ceremony.
Despite qualifying for the English Greyhound Derby final on three previous occasions, they are yet to lift the trophy which was first won in 1927 and once held by the late Prince Philip – whose greyhound Camira Flash won in 1968.
Following a five-week qualification process, Elizabeth and Rab have qualified homebred star King Memphis who joins Mark Wallis’ Whyaye Man and Richard Rees’ Churchfield Syd plus Irish trio Ballymac Gizmo, De Lahdedah and Boylesports Bob in the final.
After his family, Rab explained winning the Derby would be second most important achievement of his life should King Memphis win Saturday’s big race.
“Excluding family, winning the Derby would be the best thing to happen to myself and Liz,” said Rab. “We work seven days a week, every week, for moments like this.
“Never in our wildest dreams did we think we’d be competing for the Derby when we started training greyhounds. We have scrapbooks at home and as we get older in life, we still have a few pages to fill. Saturday would be a perfect occasion to create some lasting memories.
“It’s a slightly nervous buzz, but one we’re going to enjoy and all our family will be down from Scotland on the night to support us.”
King Memphis has been drawn in trap three for Saturday’s final, a box he is yet to run from during the competition - but one he has won from four times previously from five runs.
He finished runner-up in this year’s Arena Racing Company Kent Derby at Central Park behind kennel mate Queen Joni, and Rab is hopeful his kennel star can help him realise a lifetime ambition.
“We couldn’t be happier with the draw,” said McNair. “All finalists deserve to be there, and it’s an exceptional race.
“There’s some strong early pace on our outside, but you have to recognise all five of our rivals have been outstanding in recent weeks. May the best greyhound win.”
Greyhound racing returns to Central Park on Saturday evening with a 12-race card scheduled to begin at 6.37pm. Tickets and hospitality packages on the night can be booked by clicking here.
Photo: Jim Tate Photography.
