Woltemade struck for Newcastle United superfan and professional greyhound trainer Jimmy Fenwick, who completed a memorable Category One hat-trick at his local track on Thursday.
The Ashington trainer, who has been training professionally since the early 90s, had won Newcastle Stadium’s two other major competitions – the Northern Flat and All England Cup – but had never lifted the Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby.
A greyhound he purchased by chance during a trip to Ireland in November, which he later named after Magpies favourite Nick Woltemade, granted Jimmy and his family their wish as they scooped this year’s £12,500 first prize.
The white and brindled dog led home kennel mate Ballymac Service, while Brain Fairbairn’s Slingshot Major was third to complete a local one-two-three.
It’s the first big-race success for Woltemade, who has now won four of his seven races at the Byker track.
“He’s a very fast greyhound when he breaks like he did in the final,” said Jimmy.
“We’ve won the Northern Flat, the All England Cup and the Angel of the North – this is the trophy we haven’t managed to lift over the years.
“It’s very special for everyone involved to win.”
Woltemade’s arrival in the north-east came unprompted after a trip across the Irish sea in November for Jimmy, where he was collecting eventual All England Cup third Ballymac Lake.
Negotiations for Woltemade, formerly Ballymac Jonbon, took place on the ferry before a price was agreed later that day.
Jimmy said: “My first offer was rejected. I made another good offer, and a few hours later we shook hands.
“He’s a lovely greyhound, we love him to bits. This is his first major Category One competition and he’s won it, we might look at the Puppy Derby (at Monmore) next and there’s the Gymcrack which we’ve won the last two years.”
The Fenwick kennel was amongst the winners earlier on the card too with Butterbridge Top who won the ARC Maiden Sprint.
Other highlights on the night included a win for English Greyhound Derby semi-finalist Droopys Bookem in the Arena Racing Company Standard for Tom Heilbron.
The Trimdon handler doubled up on the card when kennel star Bower Sheeran won the Arena Racing Company Sprint.
John Flaherty’s rising star Copney Queen was on the podium too when she won the Arena Racing Company Bitches to round-off the card. Another performance of note came from Soapy Suds in the ARC Maiden Stayers for Doncaster trainer Debbie Calvert.
And although Savva Roberts’ wait for Category One glory continues, he did win Division I of the ARC Standard with February ’24 dog Born Scooby. Ryan Buckton won Division II with Dunelm Le Fee.
Greyhound racing continues at Newcastle Stadium on Thursday nights, plus Friday and Saturday afternoons. Further information and tickets are available online via www.newcastle-greyhounds.co.uk
