Bexhill Eoin on Top of Coursing Sires

Bexhill Eoin heads the sires table as we are now in the second half of the coursing season. Eoin now has 13 qualifiers whilst Matt Hyland is tucked in behind with 11. Here's the table :-
Bexhill Eion -13 , Matt Hyland 11, Droopys Ceasar 5, Judical Best 4, Multibet 4, Asmore View 3, Droopys Saunders 3, Janey Mac Aroo 3, Why Tanyard Moon 3, bar Time 2, Dual Type 2, Misty Hyland 2, Trajectory 2, Tullamore 2, Boavista 1, Court House 1, Digital 1, Mountain Guest 1, Murtys Gang 1, Tynwald Smokey 1 ans Volga River 1.

Weekly Round Up

I always enjoy following the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake at this time of year. The competition never fails to throw up serious pups to follow. It was pleasing to see another Yeah Man pup take off, Faypoint Man won well in 28.58. Fastest time went to Fawn Express who record 28.55. If you fancy Fawn Express he is for sale at just 50,000 euros. Ballymac Under dipped under the sprint record at Tralee on Monday. His 17.41 is an amazing time and should put him spot on for the Kingdom Derby. Sad to see two large American tracks being given their closure notices. Despite every dog being rehomed off the tracks the anti-greyhound lobby recorded yet another victory against our sport.

2 / 2 Crafty & Castle Strike

Last week's confident selections, Crafty Hugo & Castlemartyr, both won well and are now both well set for the Champion Stakes come February. Crafty Hugo easily added the all age stake at Knockgraffon, whilst Castlemartyr beat my good friend Johnny O'Keefe's Daleroad Champ in the Final at Rathkeale. News emerged on Tuesday that Hugo will not run again until the National meeting as he picked up a muscle injury in his hind leg. The Bexhill Eoin x Carrick Sam litter threw another Trial Stake winner last week. Wallace Rock gave Brendan Matthews his 4th Derby qualifier after winning the Trial Stake in Enniscorthy. He is just 25/1 for the Derby. Litter sister, Tess Durbiville was just beaten in the Oaks Stake at Balbriggan. One to keep an eye on come February is Maytown Matty. He won well at Rathcormac, his clocks were well above average and is also fast away from slips.

Plenty of Dollar

I spent yesterday morning up at Martin's kennels. I took all the Proud pups out two by two. They all seem mad keen on spotting the local wildlife. They were a lot of pheasants out for their winter stroll. One of bitches almost pulled me straight through the hedgerow in pursuit. After getting home I glanced through the Monmore evening card. The card was scattered with dogs that cost well in excess of £10,000 running for about £100. The Open race included Magna Dave, Shadayid, Ballymac Ruso, Burnpark Champ, Canary Max and Marbeck Wonder. These bunch of super bred dogs were running for just £175. The chances are a couple of these might well land a prize of £7,500 once, one may win a classic, but if you add the cost of buying a dog of this quality, training costs, transport to the track is it really worth such an investment. The likes of small owner landing such a dog now is now impossible. I'm now at a stage I'd rather win an A1 at Monmore than an run of mill open any where else. There was a nice dog called Lefanta Fly make is debut last night in an A3, this dog should seriously better than his running last night and is one to follow.

King Saunders at Kilrush

Derby favourite King Saunders (Droopys Saunders x Fiery Mary) takes to all age company this weekend at Kilrush. I'm sure his entry will guarantee a big attendance. There are two litters standing out this winter to date Bexhill Eoin x Carrick Sam Mar 07 and the Droopys Saunders x Fiery Mary's. The Carrick Sams litter has three Trial Stake winners qualified for Clonmel whilst this weekend see's comrades Tess Durbville contest the Oaks Stake at Balbriggan and Wallace Rock in Derby Stake at Enniscorthy. The Fiery Mary litter are going equally well and Tiny Mary is in the Oaks Stake at Knockgrafton and Newinn Droopy at Kilrush. The other litter I watching is a Bexhill Eoin x Uptown Smurf. This litter contains a seriously fast dog in Fingue Smurf. He was beaten an injured dog in the Final at Edenderry but could well storm back if 100% at Rathcormac. The two solid winners for the weekend are Craftyy Hugo and Castlemartyr, they are both expected to win in their respective Cup on the way to the Champion Stakes.

Avenue drops a grade

Avenue Guide looks to have been given a good chance by the grader at Monmore tomorrow at 5.57pm. Let's hope he bounces out and gets a clear run.

Nice to see Martin's Proud Rooney strike tonight in 29.29. He looks a lovely green pup and should fly through the grades.

One to follow from tonight racing is Chris Allsopps Nirphania. A Cork winner in 28.71 has some how got into A5 at Monmore. He looked as he needed the run seriously tonight.

I'll take the Pair

My man in north told me of pup to watch out for, his name is Farloe Venturer. From the same sire as Jameson, Yeah Man, he made it four wins from four races last night at Lifford. Last night he went round in 28.96 in his first run over four bends. Looking at his races on Data he does lack that little bit of early toe. His full sister Hather for Pat also looks a nice bitch, 1 race 1 win 29.48.

A Step to Far

The Prince's attempt to complete the impossible 4-timer ended on the first corner when he took a bump to end his chances of a win. He ran on strong but could not catch Tiger Honcho who got a solo on the inside. Avenue Guide also finished second, he led round the corner only to have his back legs caught from behind. Next time.................

Hot Whiskey

Jameson headed to vet this morning with his other kennel mates to be checked over. The vet advised Paul that he still has a month's growing to do and should be put away for a month. He thought the stress of being schooled on the track at this stage could come a bit quick for him. Following this advice jameson will stay off the track until mid December where he will then complete his schooling. Hopefully he will be joining us at the end of January. Hope that's ok with all the members. I'm still chasing payments from Heather, Colin, Mark and Brian that is due from 25th October. Can I ask you to mail me with an update please.

Monday Runners

The Prince and Avenue are on the card tomorrow afternoon at Monmore. The Prince looks to have his plateful in an A3 that shapes up like a A2. Plenty of rapid early pace all around him. Should he some how lead they wouldn't catch him for sure. Avenue's race looks easier and will surely just need to trap to be involved.

Half Time for Coursing

This Sunday will mark the half way point in the 2008/9 Irish Coursing Season. The meeting midweek at New Ross saw as tipped Droopys Galvin romp home in the Derby Stake. This son of the Droopys Saunders x Fiery Mary could well be lifting the Derby title in Clonmel. Last weekend saw Derby King Brendan Matthews land a double at Carlow. The local lads are heading to Ballyduff where it looks like winning will be very tough given the very wet weather. I'll have an eye on Call Biddy in the all aged bitch as I tried to buy her at the end of last season. In the Cup I'll he hoping Donal's Flowonlovlyriver runs well but he may meet the very well fancied Siena Steel on day 2. To try and pick out a couple in the Oaks and Derby Stakes is impossible.

Yan the Man

Just back from the cracking evening with the Dave Yanez. I always thinks it's important to keep learning and with Dave now fully enrolled in his studies he kindly let me pick his brain for a few hours. Among the things we covered was the use of video with pictures. The below video was put together as we caught up on all the latest news. Hope you agree it's a great piece of work. If you can leave a comment on the blog or You Tube it can be recorded as evidence for his course work. Thanks Dave. No run for our hero the Prince this weekend sadly but I'm hopefully off to Cheltenham to catch a days racing.

My Good Life - The Video

Work in Progress

I've started on doing some changes and upgrades to Martin Burt's website. He prefers to do his updates a little less often. I've just finished the first page and will work through the site for the coming days. Hopefully the weather will be kind at the weekend when I'm due to take some photographs for him. He looks to have a lovely young litter of pups coming through. One of the bitches, Proud Guest, recorded 29.23 4th in a box on Tuesday at trials and litter brother Proud Ronaldo won easy first time out last Thursday in 29.23. Many thanks to Mr Yanez for his media skills support. I'm going to introduce a new blog on site that can be updated by myself, Martin or Ginge. Make sure you keep checking back to monitor my progress.

All Well with Prince

Pleased to report that the Prince seemed back like his usual self today, bouncing out the kennels and eating a big lunch after his morning exercise. I have posted a few video's of races in his early career. If you would have had £100 on him everytime he ran you would have won £875.

The Prince - Beating Nancys Mentor (May 08)

Prince from the Pack

Hatrick Hero

The Prince (Lisa's Invader) stunned us again tonight when recording a unique hatrick of wins at Monmore last night in 28.91. His time was actually faster the quality packed A1 that took place the race after. We called up to kennels this morning after football to take him for a short walk. Despite his star status he was not quite himself and a little off colour. Perhaps a couple of very quick runs has taken it's toll on him and he just fancied a Sunday morning on his bed.

Soup & Sandwiches

Postsrcipt for last weekend. News is also reaching me of a raw novice getting involved in North Kerry coursing circles Margaret (aka Mrs Ryall in waiting (6/4 from 20’s with Paddy Power for a ring to appear before Clonmel 2009)) who was seen sporting a very clean pair of wellies as she dished out the soup and sandwiches on the Saturday/Sunday isn’t it great to see a bit of glamour coming into the game!

I believe there was many uttering the eternal words on Sunday evening “………………another good man gone”! Only time will tell I suppose if Mr Ryall’s emphasis moves away from coursing in the coming seasons.

Lixnaw Report & Weekend Outlook

From what I have heard from the lads in Lixnaw and reading the Sporting Press the meeting at Gransha, Lixnaw sounds to have been of the highest order. Having personally witnessed some of the hare catching and the hare husbandry on the Saturday I was over 2 weeks before the meeting the boys seem to be surpassing themselves by the year. The hares were described as "brilliant"and the meeting was run off in record time. Crafty Hugo advertised his Champion Stakes when winning the O'Carroll-O'Connor Cup.Paddy landed both of the Duffer Stakes. The other local lads dogs didn't run so well on the Sunday after some promising courses on the Saturday(Pirate lost in 2nd round). Best of all was Tomdickandharry that reached the Derby Semi Final. Elsewhere Razor Ashmore missed his comeback leaving the opportunity for Micro Mover to win. I doubt if we saw the Derby or Oaks winner last weekend however I have noted that Bexhill Eoin has recorded 7 Trials Stakes winners over the two weekends.

My 3 to follow this weekend are the Drumbane Rock to win the Cup in New Ross. The Abbeydorney winner should make fitness count and qualify for the Champion Stakes. At the same meeting another of the Droopys Saunders x Fiery Mary litter called Droopys Galvin makes his debut and could be another one of the litter heading to Clonmel. My final fancy is for Eshwary Brae (Ashmore View x Eshwary Girl) at Cappoquin.

Morning Mauling

I visited Lance this morning to take some new photographs for his web site (http://www.icemanracing.co.uk/). His pups ensured I left covered in mud from head to toe. The fawn and white pup named Roger looks like he could be the one to follow. The white and black bitch is a new recruit called Iceman Shannon. She is out of Whitefort Pride so fingers crossed she be develop well. Lance is training a litter than he reared out of Mandeville May. They are already showing that the further they go the better they will be. The best of the litter has yet to run. Lance has six runners at Hull tonight, where Iceman Ross is in the Final of the Veterans Derby. Lets hope he bounces out and shows his true form.

Stud Dogs

As I perused the Sporting Press it struck me how many Stud dogs were now available for duty. Whilst frozen semen has made dogs from the past and those from other countries freely available it was amazing to count up those available. Track dogs alone I counted 62 !! The days of owning a classic winner and banking the stud cash are well over. There is little chance that a stud dog could possible get established without standing at the Dunphy's Droopys Stud or Frightful Flash Kennels. The track stars from the last couple of years that were all high quality dogs will gave few chances to prove themselves. A lucky few will stand with the big boys with big marketing budgets may get more opportunity. I have picked a couple out whom were great on track but could struggle for support - Si Senor, Express Ego, Astronomic, Loyal Honcho and Ardkill Jamie. A couple of those are standing with the big boys aswell. It's always worth a look what Ian Greaves has been using, he patonage of Hondo Black when he first came over has tuely established the american trackster become a real favourite for breeders in Ireland. Picture attached is the one previously detailed.

Avenue misses target

We helped the William Hill share price his afternoon as Avenue could only finish second at Monmore today. We were sure he would lead and was just hoping he could hang on and pray for a bit of trouble behind. He stole an early lead and showed great pace to the last bend, sadly the staying Sunane powered past him on the run for home. Arrrrrrrrrrrgh!!

Handslip for Jameson

Jameson started his schooling education this morning at the schooling track. It can be a very nervous time for all concerned with the dog as no is no guarantee that the puppy will chase the lure. You have to hope that the breeding and all the hours put in to the rearing of the dog pay dividends.

Paul called at lunchtime to report everything went to plan. Jameson watched the lure very closely and chased hard around two bend and then to the pick up. He will have another handslip from by the sprint boxes in about 10 to 14 day. It was nice to see his sire, Yeah Man, have two winners on Saturday night at Lifford. He looks to be throwing some really nice dogs.

Can I ask for those syndicate members who have not made their October payment to do so ASAP please. Please email me to confirm this has been completed.

Ross Still Flying

It's great to see Lance and Pam Burford's Iceman Ross continue in great form despite him advancing in years. Rosco is now over 4 years old and following last night's win in the Veterans Derby Semi Final at Hull has now won 34 races of his 79 races. The quality of the competitions he has ran in also highlights the gutsy efforts of the dog, he landed the Category One Summer and Winter Derby Finals, Gymcrack Final at Hall Green, won Puppy Classic Trial Stake at Nottingham, finished short head runner up in Puppy Classic Final at Nottingham, finished third in the Racing Post Juvenille, reached the final of Keith Swain Manchester Puppy Cup Final over an inadequate trip, runner up in the Compton Basset Racing Pride of The West Final at Swindon and has also won the Winter Derby 2008 & Rapid Ranger at Stud Final both at Coventry. Howzat!! You have to applaud the efforts of Lance and Pam to keep the dog so fresh.

Sore Heads & Birthday Cakes

A quality evening was had by all last night in the capital to celebrate the Prince's co-owners (Rays) big 30th birthday. The Prince himself made a special appearance on his birthday cake arranged by his betrothed Maria. Great work, I think the locals thought he owned the most famous greyhound ever. Photo's to be posted when available.
Friday's confirmed winning time was 28.49 (+30), his career best!!