A greyhound named in honour of a much-missed trainer from Yorkshire who passed away after a short battle with cancer could write his name in the sport’s history books on Monday.
Colin Wilton ditched his career as a salesman to pursue a dream of training racing greyhounds professionally in 2011.
He guided kennel star Sambar Kian to the Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse final in 2024 and was a hugely popular figure at Nottingham Stadium – a track he joined in 2012.
And it is at the Colwick Park venue where Colin’s closest friends and family will cheer on Fortanach Col, a greyhound purchased by owner Gary Armstrong in Colin’s memory, in the £12,500 Arena Racing Company Select Stakes on Monday night.
The three-year-old brindled dog has already won the Three Steps To Victory and Summer Stayers finals at Sheffield and Monmore respectively.
He will now go paw-to-paw against some of the UK and Ireland’s fastest dogs for the 74th renewal of the Select Stakes, an invitational race originally held at Wembley Stadium before its transfer to Nottingham in 1997.
Colin’s daughter Kelly took over her father’s license following his death.
She said: “Greyhound racing was my father’s life.
“He owned greyhounds as a teenager, and I have many happy memories visiting kennels as a child.
“Losing him last year was incredibly difficult.
“But my mum, my partner, niece, brother and sister have all pulled together to keep the kennel running and Fortanach Col has provided us with some happy memories amid challenging times.
“We have no expectations for Monday’s race.
“We are in the company of some incredible dogs, and we are simply delighted to be part of the race. Winning would be the cherry on top.”
The race also includes 2024 Greyhound of the Year Wicky Ned, three-times Category One finalist Strike It Skye, English Derby finalist Ballymac Ralf, Puppy Derby champion Underground Gold and multiple Category One winner Romeo Tomcat.
Elsewhere on the card, the sport’s future stars will contest the £12,500 Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic.
Kent trainer Maxine Locke will be among those hoping to add to her trophy cabinet after Annadown Warrior – a brother to fellow finalist Annadown Shadow, trained by Sean Parker – qualified from last week’s semi-finals quickest.
She said: “He (Annadown Warrior) has always looked to be a nice greyhound, but his trapping can let him down.
“We changed his seeding as we felt being drawn in traps five or six would be too wide, so getting trap four in the final is a bonus. It’s a hot race, I don’t think you can rule any of them out.”
The evening also features the £2,500 Arena Racing Company Select Stayers.
Admission for Nottingham Stadium’s August Bank Holiday Monday fixture is free to all racegoers, with those who book online in advance entitled to a free drink on arrival too. Doors open at 5.30pm, with the first of 12 races on the night off at 6.37pm.
Arena Racing Company Select Stakes: Wicky Ned, Strike It Skye, Ballymac Ralf, Underground Gold, Romeo Tomcat, Fortanach Col.
Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic: Annadown Shadow, Scooby Mustang, Lady Gambet, Annadown Warrior, Daleroad Magic, Magical Marty.
Arena Racing Company Select Stayers: Frankton Ivy, Ballintubberstar, Droopys Rated, Malcolm Bosh, Clonbrien Piper, Radical Story.
