On This Day 1930: Mick The Miller completes back-to-back Greyhound Derby wins

Mick The Miller became the first greyhound to claim back to back English Greyhound Derby victories when winning the 1929 and 1930 races.

His record stood for 42 years until Patricia’s Hope matched the double when taking the race in both 1972 and 1973.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the four greyhounds who have triumphed in successive stagings of the English Greyhound Derby.

Mick The Miller – 1929 and 1930

Patricia’s Hope – 1972 and 1973

Patricia’s Hope, a white and fawn dog trained by Adam Jackson & John O’Connor, not only won two English Greyhound Derby titles but also won both the Scottish and Welsh versions of the race. Having won his first English Derby in 1972, alongside the Scottish and Welsh races, Patricia’s Hope consequently became only the third dog to win the Triple Crown – awarded to any runner who can triumph in all three contests in the same year. A return to White City in 1973 saw Patricia’s Hope emulate Mick The Miller’s achievements when he prevailed by half a length in a thrilling sprint finish. Like Mick The Miller, Patricia’s Hope did attempt a third victory in the race, but failed to qualify for the semi-final after finishing fifth in his heat.

Rapid Ranger – 2000 and 2001

Despite being defeated in the semi-final of the 2000 renewal of the race, Rapid Ranger still progressed to the final to defeat Rackethall Jet by three-and-a-half lengths and claim his first title. In 2001 he successfully defended his crown when beating Sonic Flight by three-and-a-quarter lengths to equal the record held by both Mick The Miller and Patricia’s Hope. Like the latter two dogs, Rapid Ranger attempted to lift the title for a third time and become the first greyhound ever to do so, but the bid was ill-fated and he was knocked out before the final in 2003.

Westmead Hawk – 2005 and 2006