Week Ending 20th January

Tuesday 15th
A busy trial session for us with 15 dogs going through their paces.
Gemstone Jack came through his first clearing trial with flying colours. Jack pinged the lids but was just tapped for early and took a bump at the bend from Gemstone Annie but he quickly rallied and went by Annie down the back straight and went on to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 28.54. Annie (28.72), Ring The Alarm (29.00) and Fishersmans Leah (29.40) all rejoined the strength.
Swarez had her first four bend workout for us and delighted us with a 28.89 trial win. She led all the way to beat Mullingar Mer by over 4 lengths and looks a lovely prospect for this year.
Novice puppy, Stanton Ovation, had his first ever four bend trial today and amazed us with his 29.91 effort. He pinged the lids to record a very smart 2.48 sectional on the day but lost his way around the first two bends but stuck to his task ever so well. He'll be a really interesting dog to follow over the coming months.
Chilli Hot Sauce (16.36) pinged the lids to beat kennel mate, Off The Radar by 2 lengths. Chilli is starting to go the right way now after a long time off and she'll be ready for racing again soon.
Hey Diego delighted us with his comeback effort of 16.17 as he beat a slowly away Slippery Patch by just over a length. This fella hasn't raced since October so this was a very good effort. He's been lightly raced and won an open in 28.70 on the old track timing but has probably been forgotten about by a few people but he's a really nice dog and should be a good member of the open race team this team. The 16.27 by Patch was also a good effort as he's had a nice break, chances are he'll head to Hove for a 515 trial at Hove next week.
Lady Mission ran a superb 16.39 in her return from lameness. Recent arrival, Jolly Fagan, recorded a pleasing 16.29 in his first look and will have another sprint next week.
Professor Deejay (17.11) and Inishmore Impact (16.37) both went OK in their return from injury
Wednesday 16th
Sligo Mick beat kennel mate Active Lark by just over a length in a good 28.92. It was good to see Mick back to winning ways as he's been running a little flat of late.
Thursday 17th
Another trip to the seaside tonight with 5 runners and a trial dog.
Jolly Bullseye who's been out of action for 3 weeks with a bout of the sickness ran a superb solo trial to record a fastest of the night 29.76. This was some run considering the lack of work he's had and the inconsistent racing but he really does look a bit special. Chances are he'll head back there for a race next week.
Forest Mollie won her maiden 515 in good style. Mollie pecked out the boxes but showed nice early and ran a very good first two bends to take up the lead down the back straight. She stayed out the trip well and won in 30.14. She tore half a nail out at some point during the race but it should heal quickly and she's likely to return there next week.
Kelseys Prince ran a blinder in a tough 515 standard open to finish 2nd. Prince has been running really well since returning from a nasty shoulder injury and deserves to pinch another open. Hopefully he'll get the 2nd division soon down there.
Swords Messi and Barnish Booth were out of luck in their races after both suffered first bend crowding.
Gemstone Meg stepped up to 6 bends for the first time tonight and found herself in a hot 695m novice race but she ran a blinder in defeat after getting crowded on a few occasions. She stayed the trip well and definitely looks likely to win a few staying opens.
Saturday 19th
A trip to Crayford this evening with 3 trial dogs and 2 runners.
Pony Bride beat Ding Hero and Crinkil Jewel in a 3 dog 714m trial. Ding led for most of the way before tiring a little coming home but there was less than 2 lengths between the 3 of them and it was a good blowout and a look round.
Five Alley Pub was out of luck in his Golden Jacket trial stake as he got badly crowded on the first bend. He stayed on well enough to finish 3rd but his race was over at the first.
Portavoe Lass ran a cracking race to finish a close up 3rd. She made up plenty of ground to challenge off the last bend but just tired a little coming home. This run would have done her the world of good though and I think she's more than capable of going well in this competition.

Greyhounds For Sale

 

Stanton Ovation

Ballymac Bull x Mirandas Gold

Brindle Dog

June 2011

 

Stanton Ovation is a novice pup with hardly any schooling behind him.

Since joining us he has recorded 17.63 in his first look at Swindon in a solo sprint and then amazed us with his 29.91 trial on Tuesday. Considering this was his first ever time over four bends and his first time in with company, it was a fantastic effort to go some 80 spots inside grading time. He posted a very decent 2.48 sectional.

There's obviously an awful lot of improvement left in this lovely natured dog and he will be a lot of fun for someone and is offered for sale at:

 

£1400

Billyboy

Ballymac Bull x Mirandas Gold

Brindle Dog

June 2011

 

Billyboy or Baby Rex as he is known (he's a ringer for Taranis Rex!) like his brother,

Stanton Ovation, has only been given very little schooling in Ireland and he's only got two official trials on his book. Baby Rex has a 19.15 Youghal trial and won his Cork sprint trial by 6 lengths in a good 19.04. He's been given plenty of time to settle in since joining us and is now ready to begin his qualifying trials at Swindon. This lad is a real character with lots of potential and is offered for sale at:

 

£1400

 

 

Quarterland John

Crash x Find Fault Kitty

Black Dog

August 2010

 

John is a lovely dog who's only been in the kennel for a week. He's been lightly raced in Ireland and is a winner of 6 of his 17 races. He's won at Shelbourne Park in 29.17 in his early days and won an open race at Derry in a very good 28.04. This was the 5th fastest time recorded at Derry in the whole of 2012. In his last race in Ireland before joining us he won an A1 at Drumbo Park in a fast 28.75 and is a dog with lovely early pace. He'll be given another 2-3 weeks to settle in before he begins his qualifying trials at Swindon and will make in to a lovely dog to join our open race team this year. If you are looking for a good class, honest dog, for a night out open racing then this lad is for you.

 

POA

Week Ending 13th January

Monday 7th
Vevas Tiger ran a very game race to win her A2 by a short head in 29.52. Vevas is a lovely girl and it's great to see her competing in A2 company.
Tuesday 8th
Pony Bride was given a blow out this morning as a couple of the recent races we've entered her for have failed to fill. She went well to win her trial in 28.96 and will head to Sittingbourne at the weekend. Alarming Alan completed his trials today and joined the strength after recording 29.42. Not so good news for Bellmore Woody though as he broke a toe in the same trial and will be sidelined for around 2 months.
Unraced puppy, Stanton Ovation, had his first look at Swindon and went well to record 17.63. He took forever to come out the boxes but ran the track nicely. He's mad keen for the job and looks a nice little prospect.
Fishersmans Leah (16.66) and Scobys Flash (16.68) both moved well in their return from a rest.
Swarez pleased us with her 16.50 sprint and will be stepped up to 4 bends next week.
Thursday 10th
Another trip to the seaside tonight with 5 runners and a trialer at Hove.
Forest Mollie was given her first spin since the Oaks final and delighted us with her 30.06 solo. She ran the track ever so well but tied up a bit coming home which was to be expected. If the weather stays good she'll head back there next week for a race.
Swords Brett and Kelseys Prince both got very badly crowded in their race and were lucky to stay on their feet. Brett returned with a split web and will be off for around 3 weeks but the rest won't do him any harm.
Mullingar Mer disappointed in her sprint race after again missing the break and getting crowded. We are going to take a step back with her and pop her back on the graded strength for a while so she can get her confidence back.
Portavoe Lass went ever so well in her 695m open, finishing a close up 4th after trouble. She's hardly had any consistent racing for a long time now so this was a good effort. She'll be kept very busy now as we get her up together ready for a crack at the Golden Jacket. She's good enough to make the final of something like that for sure.
Once again Swords Messi got us out of trouble with our last runner of the night. He pinged the lids and led all the way to win in 30.11 and completed his open race hat trick. He's now won 5 of his 10 races since coming over from Ireland.
Friday 11th
A dreadful night at Swindon as we lost Flag Officer to a very badly broken hock. It happened on the 2nd bend but he kept running until just before the last bend which is sure to have caused more damage. After veterinary advice the decision was made to end his suffering. It was very upsetting for us all to lose such a lovely dog, he was very handsome with a smashing personality and although every owner stood up and said to save him at any cost, there just wasn't anything that could be done. A dreadful shame and he'll be sorely missed.
Gemstone Meg ran a very good race as she won another A2. Meg worked her way through the field and got up close home to score in 29.16. Meg will head to Hove next week for a 6 bend maiden open.
Smoothoppa Razor ran the perfect race as she returned from seasonal rest to win her A3 in good style by 1 3/4 lengths in a personal best 29.00.
Saturday 12th
Ding Hero and Crinkil Jewel were given their first trial back after a rest and went very well. Ding beat Crink's just over 2 lengths in 28.76 and both will head to Crayford next week for a trial in readiness for the Golden Jacket. Scobys Flash got trouble in her trial as she recorded 29.85.
Black Beach ran a very good race again to win his A2 in good style. Diego led on the run in to win in 28.95. Gemstone Billy ran one of his best races so far as he was beaten just 1/2 a length in his A3. Billy recorded a personal best 29.06 and was well clear in to the drop.
Sunday 13th
Another trip to Sittingbourne tonight with 6 runners and although we came away with a winner, the dogs in general ran very flat.
Alarming Jacks ran with very little sparkle in her 500m maiden open and finished 3rd. She wasn't the same bitch as the previous couple of runs round there and the touch of kennel sickness we have certainly seems to be taking the edge of off a few of our runners.
Recent arrival, Saleen Tompajoe, ran better than his 5th placed finish suggested in the hurdle open. Tompa lacks fitness at the moment and had a touch of the sickness a week ago but he certainly looks like being able to compete at a high level. Unfortunately he ripped a nail out during the race and faces a week or so on the easy list.
Five Alley Pub and Barnish Booth ran OK in their races as they both finished 3rd. Pony Bride ran a very poor race in the marathon after leading for 7 bends she faded away to nothing on the run in.
Droopys Danneel made it a hat trick of open race wins as she led at the first bend and just held on at the line. Although she came away with the win, it was a very below par performance from Dani and she'll be given a couple of weeks off now.

Week Ending 6th January 2013

Thursday 3rd
Our first runners of the year came at Hove this evening and we left it late to get off the mark with a winner with our last runner of the night.
Mullingar Mer ran a much better race as she finished 4th in her sprint. She's been off a long time and will no doubt need another couple of races to hit top form again.
Swords Brett ran a fantastic race after missing the break and getting crowded at the bend to finish a close up third. This lad is improving every time he steps on the track and should be good enough to contest a competition or two.
Glenbane Air and Barnish Booth both got plenty of trouble in their races and finished down the field so it was left to Swords Messi to save the day and he didn't disappoint. Messi pinged the lids and showed a lovely turn of early to miss the trouble at the corner. He drew a good 6 or 7 lengths clear down the back before being given a real scare by Swift Signal on the run in but he just held on for the win.
Friday 4th
A good day at Swindon as we managed 3 winners from our 8 runners.
Winetavern Tadgh made it 3 wins from his last 5 races with another A2 win.
Express Fantasy ran a very good race as she soon led in her A2 to win in a good 28.98. Fanta has done very well since returning from season and hopefully she'll continue to improve.
Bookies Girls ran the perfect race as she flew the lids and led all the way to beat kennel mate, Gemstone Meg, by 1/2 a length in a good 28.74.
Saturday 5th
Another good night as we returned with 2 winners from our 6 runners.
Flag Officer led home kennel mate, Droopys Harper for a 1-2 in the top heat. Maverick broke well and led at the bend and went on to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 28.88. Harper flew home from the 3rd bend and was in front just after the line.
Sparkem Out got a much deserved win in her A3 as she led on the line to win by a short head in 29.43.
Sunday 6th
We were unlucky not to come away with 3 from 3 at Sittingbourne tonight but we still had a winner and a couple of 2nds.
Alarming Jacks ran a blinder in her maiden 480m race. Jacks was slowly in to stride and took a whack on the bend and turned in to the back straight some 5 lengths behind the favourite but she really stuck to her task well and did an awful lot of running coming home. She was beaten just 1/2 a length in the end and will relish the step up to 500m next week.
Five Alley Pub broke well in his 642m race but took a whack on the bend and turned around 6 lengths behind but he really worked hard and ran well. He was narrowly beaten in a photo finish in the end.
Droopys Danneel made it 2 from 2 for the kennel as she broke much better this week and turned a close up 2nd going in to the back. Dani got her head in front at the 3rd bend and stayed on well for a convincing win. She's a really nice bitch this and will continue to improve.
Jolly Bullseye had to miss his race tonight as he was a touch off colour. It's a shame as we were only just starting to get him right but we certainly weren't going to take any chances with him.

Week Ending 30th December

Monday 24th
One winner to begin the week with at Swindon.
Active Lark continued her good recent form as she won another A2 in 28.95.
Wednesday 26th
No luck today with our 5 Swindon runners.
Thursday 27th
For the first time in a while we took a trip to Hove with 7 runners and managed to return with a couple of winners and some good performances.
Swords Brett continued his recent improvement as he flew the lids and led all the way to beat kennel mate Kelseys Prince by 3 1/4 lengths in a very good 29.83. Brett recorded a very useful 4.08 sectional and this was as good a Hove debut as we've had from any dog for a while.
Swords Messi got his first open win as he won his 515 maiden in good style. Messi didn't break as well as he can do but showed lovely early to lead at the bend and went on to score by 4 1/4 lengths in 30.23. He should improve for that run and will head back to Hove again next week.
Friday 28th
No winners from this afternoon's meeting. Razor Titanic and Keeperhill Hawk both ran well in defeat.
Saturday 29th
For the third meeting on the trot we struck a blank at Swindon. Flag Officer ran his heart out for us though as he was narrowly beaten in the A1.
Sunday 30th
A trip to Sittingbourne this evening for our last open race action of the year.
Droopys Harper ran well enough in his 500m maiden open. He was going into the bend in a handy position but got a bit lost and moved off which put an end to his chances but he stayed on well to finish 3rd.
Ballyhill Power has been renamed Alarming Jacks after being sold to new owners and she did them proud in her first run for them as she finished 2nd in a decent sprint open. Power is not a sprinter and was only put in the race as the 450m maiden open failed to fill but she handled herself very well indeed. She missed the break but showed very good pace to the bend but suffered some crowding but she got herself over to the rail and really came home well. She'll be entered for the 480m maiden there next week and if she draws the inside she'll run a big race.
Five Alley Pub was also slowly into stride and got crowded pretty much everywhere he went but was only beaten around 4 lengths and will improve a lot for the look round. He'll also head back there next week.
Jolly Bullseye once again showed his huge potential as he won his 480m race by over 7 lengths. Bullseye missed the kick but showed superb early and real guts at the bend to force his way through and really opened up going down the back to go clear. He's gaining fitness all the time now and stayed the 480 out strongly tonight. I was very impressed with this run and he'll also head back there next week.
Droopys Danneel made a winning debut for the kennel as she won her open over the tough 500m trip. Dani missed the kick but showed a nice turn of early and ran a brave first bend to nip round in front. Once she got the lead, it was going to take something special to beat her as she stays very strongly and she went on to win by nearly 4 lengths. Dani can only improve now with a few runs and some increased work at home and she'll be one of our top performers in 2013 I'm sure. We really rate this girl.

So that brings us to the end of the 2012 campaign. It's been a terrific year for us as we ended on 92 open race winners (way above what we thought was an ambitious 50 target). We finished 17th in the trainers championship and 7th overall on number of open race winners in the country. Some of the highlights included:
Ding Hero's win in the Monkey 509'er at Swindon and the Maiden Stayers final at Romford
Chilli Hot Sauce reaching the Swindon Produce Stakes final
Crinkill Jewel's track record run over Coventry's 692m trip
Gemstone Jack making the final of the Nottingham Produce Stakes final
Crinkill Jewel winning the Kent St Leger at Crayford
Kilmalady Biffo and Glenbane Air making the final of the Oxfordshire Trophy
Slippery Patch runner up in the Cesarewitch final
Barnish Booth winning the Oxfordshire Gold Cup final (Glenbane and Biffo also made the final)
Taranis Rex finishing 3rd in the Laurels final
Finishing 2nd, 4th and 6th in the Henlow Maiden Derby final
Forest Mollie finishing third in the Oaks final.

The graded dogs have been in fantastic form for most of the year at Swindon as we finished with a 30% strike rate and over 300 winners.