Veteran trainer, breeder, owner, studmaster and administrator Daryl Holmes was awarded Victorian greyhound racing’s top honour, the Ken Carr Medal, at Thursday’s Victorian Greyhound Awards.

Holmes trained high class stayer Delbairn Babe, former Olympic Park 732m track record holder in the late 1970s. Delbairn Babe became Holmes’ foundation brood bitch, producing 1984 Australian Cup winner Tangairn.

He also raced and bred with top class sprinter Sarah’s Sanction, who produced Dark Horizon, who was the dam of Holmes’ star performers and leading stud dogs Black Shiraz and Big Ginger Boy.

Holmes bred and raced 1983 Sandown Cup winner Lead Role, 1999 Maturity winner Coriole and three time group 1 finalist Petite Verdot.

In more recent times, Holmes has been associated with top line chasers El Dorado, Barista Chick and Sweet Petit.

His 50-plus-year association with the sport also included a stint as director of the Sandown Greyhound Racing Club from 1989 – 1992.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old trainer Briana Robertson-Leech was recognised as the Ned Bryant Award winner for showing outstanding potential in the training, breeding and promotion of greyhound racing.

In 2023-24, Robertson-Leech had 502 starters for 59 winners and 133 placings.

She was licensed as a catcher and attendant in 2017, an owner-trainer in 2020 and a public trainer in 2021.

When asked what race she would most like to win, Robertson-Leech said winning her local Ballarat Cup would be a dream come true.

Also crowned at Thursday’s awards night, Brooke Ennis won the metro strike rate award, with John Paraskevas winning the provincial strike rate award.

Bendigo (dual code Halloween race night) and Shepparton (kids day) were acknowledged for the best provincial events run during the season gone, while Healesville’s ‘The Shed’ claimed best club initiative.

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