SMUDGE WINS INAUGURAL
TERRIER DERBY in 2003
The Omni Terrier Derby, run on the actual Derby course as part of the annual Epsom Trainers Open Day, was a great success with over 40 barking lunatic terriers competing for the coveted prize.

Having powered his way through heats, quarter and semi-finals, Smudge simply blitzed the field.

By the time of the final, bookmaker Des Gleason, faced with hefty liabilities from the growing band of Smudge supporters, cried enough and packed up his “joint” in disgust.

Between mutterings of “it’s supposed to be for charity” he had the temerity to suggest that the event was fixed.

I ask you, how could anybody possibly fix a terrier race?

2004: CANINE RED RUM
2003 winner, Smudge, again blasted his way through the heats, semi-final and final to land the prize for the second year running and stake his claim as the canine Red Rum.

2005: FIERCE CREATURES
Articles over the preceding weeks in local newspapers together with plugs on Channel 4 Racing, helped draw a bumper turnout, both human and canine.

Victory in the final went to Puzzle, a 10 year old Jack Russell who beat the likes of Pebble, Spotty, and Cracker to claim the trophy and a giant bag of dog food donated by Pet Pals of Tattenham Corner.

Smudge leaps to victory

2006: OLD ADVERSARIES
The 2006 running again attracted a record entry with dozens of barking mad terriers vying for the prize.

Hot favourite Smudge was surprisingly beaten into third place in the final by old adversary Spotty, who fought off the late challenge of Masie to grab the spoils – a bumper bundle of treats supplied by Pet Pals of Tattenham Corner.

2007: MOUNTING PASSION
All four finalists were smartly out of the traps but none faster than Spotty who held off the late challenge of relative novice Milou to win the prize for the second year with Smudge back in third and Pebble a gallant fourth.

Many observers felt that the very speedy Milou may well have won had he not been more interested in mounting Spotty. The grand final featured previous winners and old rivals Smudge and Spotty together with terrier racing regular Pebble, and new kid on the block, Milou.

A further highlight was provided by the delightful Helen Chamberlain, presenter of cult Sky TV show Soccer AM, who graciously agreed to present the coveted trophy to Spotty and runner up prizes to the other three finalists.

Helen, Spotty & Pat

2008: SAGE RULES
As one might expect, with so many entrants, it was a recipe for chaos with the historic racecourse awash with barking mad terriers and their owners.
Despite a few hiccups, after countless heats, quarter finals and semi-finals the grand final was won by Sage (who was runner up last year) from Minty with Milou third and 2008 winner Poppy in fourth place.