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.

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.

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.

Saplings and Pups for Sale

Whilst over I viewed all the local pups. The legendry Paddy Flaherty had three litters for sale for the track. If any of the listed take your fancy give him a ring. All are reared in the real Kerry countryside and are always hunted well. Paddy has an endless list of people wanting him to rear pups for him. He normally has to refuse but there are are number of both track and field championships who have been reared there. The place is steeped in coursing history.

Anyway back to the pups :-

Droopys Kewell x Along Came Molly (28.97, 28.86 Tralee) October 2007 - Totally untried
2 dogs, pick of three

Droopys Kewell x I'm Only Sal (Proven dam, held track record) June 2008 - 3 dogs 3 bitches

Westmead Jo x Gab a Granny (Spit the Bill x Golf) - Full sister to Iflookscouldkill, broke four track records) 3 dogs 3 bitches

Contact 087 9038806 or 087 27777721

Kerry Sire Talk

When going over to Ireland I always find it fascinating to hear the latest views of all the latest sires. Whats going and whats not. It was interesting to hear that Droopys Maldini is not rated at all. There were a number of poor early litters in the area and gossip being gossip it flies round the dog community. They were of the opinion the pups were heartless! Must say those I have seen in the UK mopping up competition after competition certainly project a stud dog that is flying. I noticed that his stud fee had even increased to 1200 euros. It's a funny game we are all so mad about!! A couple of years ago Hondo Black was doubted but just look at his offspring. He can throw early pace and stayers. The sire I'm trying to follow is Yeah Man given one of ours pups is off him. With 170 offspring on the ground I was hoping he would have thown a bit more. Don't get me wrong he has thrown Puppy Derby Finalist Droopys Miller and a number of nice pups. I noticed Droopys Snowdrop fly on Sunday in the Newbridge Oaks. This bitch looks like one to follow I think. At the coursing I met up with James O'Connoe who bred Jameson our pup. From what he has heard from the litter there is a nice bitch who is schooling very well, one dog with a syndicate who are happy, another one just kennelled up which leaves ours. Fingers crossed !!

Burty the Charmer

It was great to see the Martin Burt trained Ardera Charm win the Ladbrokes 630 Final at Monmore this afternoon. Martin and his team proved yet again given the dog they can do the business. It just proves what a high grade Monmore actually is.

Walthamstow.......the end

Over 6,000 people attended the so called Walthamstow Farewell Gala Evening on Saturday. They arrived to pay their respects to a stadium which has stood in London E4 for 75years, and they largely partied, a roar of Derby night proportions welcoming the trap-rise of every single of the 14 races on an emotionally charged night. It was drama, excitement, sadness and hope in equal measures.

It just shows what is possible with marketing power to get that many people to watch the dogs race. It's easy to see why our sport won't be around in ten years. In this country we simply don't have one stadium like Shelbourne Park to back up the marketing power if it was available. Just look at some of our tracks, lets be honest what would anyone new coming in to the sport think of those terraces at Wimbledon home to the English Derby. We have a sport driven by promotors reducing every cost possible at the cost of the dog and the customer.

Mark my words the Walthamstow saga will be coming to track near to us all very soon.

Gymcrack for Mottos

Just back from the track after seeing the Charlie Lister trained Mottos Star win the Gymcrack in fine style. We had an interest at 3/1 that paid the petrol costs and for a beer. Lance's Mothball pinged the lids and led to the corner, Mottos was very brave to force his way through on the rails. The trouble caused a domino effect that took the favourite Boherna best. The winning time was 28.48. Mottos Star's next litter are out in Northern Ireland. The two dogs are with Paul McCusker, exciting ahead I feel however I'd expect his phone to ring for the unschooled saplings. It was great to see Brutus run well in finishing second. he should be spot on very soon.

Go on Iceman !!!!!!!!

It's great to see Lance and Pam's dogs in great form. Over the 10 days the dogs have been flying. A comeback win for Brutus has been complemented with wins for Vader and Sheenie. To top this off Mothball has reached the Final of the Gymcrack at Hall Green. This cracking looking fawn is a real nice dog and is always a please to see at the kennels. He was born at the Shelbourne Stud but reared at Lance's kennels from about five months. Good Luck next week.

Brutus is Back!

Lance Burford called me at Edgbaston this evening as Warwickshire were clinching yet another Twenty 20 win against Somerset beaming after Iceman Brutus's trial at Coventry. After a poor trial last week he recorded an amazing 29.51 at Coventry in normal going! The dog loves to race and hates to be away from the track. He has been pagued with niggles since last October, fingers crossed he stays sound and gets Lance and Pam some more trophies in the months ahead.

Iconic Landmark

An iconic London landmark is to close this August after 75 years.

Walthamstow stadium in east London, famous for its greyhound racing track, will be sold to property developers.

Directors say falling profits and attendances have forced them to sell up. Racing will continue until August this year. Famed for its pink and green neon-lit frontage, the stadium has been one of the capital's most recognised landmarks.

The track hosts probably the best programme of Open Racing in the country. The track is a real east end track which is probably its downfall as well. Perhaps with a more commerical operating owner the track may have survived. When I have been there you can't help to be struck by the people there have been there for years and the real atmosphere. Where will these people go ? The track has been their lives.

The closure will effect the whole industry and a lot of money comes through pups going to race there. If this track can be sold off so easy, which one is next ?

In a last throw of the dice a Government petition has been launced, so please click on the below link and sign up.It will take just one minute.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Walthamstowdogs/

Round up

The Prince could only finish 5th today in his S2. He pinged from the traps but the dogs on his inside checked his run and forced him in to all sorts of trouble. He looked like he was going to finish third only to get the door slammed on him on bend five. Trap 3 S3 next week...lump on!!

Chris Allsopps Maltese Jim did us a favour when winning by four and a half lengths at a tasty 3/1. Give Itup Geezer highlighed on the blog two weeks ago won his second race on the bounce and has now won in three different grades.

Line of Fire sadly only finished last in the St Ledger in Limerick.

In probably the last big competition at Walthamstow, Fear Zafonic maintained his superb progress by landing the £5,000 Graphite Puppy Derby final. Charlie Lister's dog is a October 2006 son of Premier Fantasy out of Farloe Oyster. She must be one of the top dams now and has produced the highest quality pups in every litter to three different stud dogs.

Charlie Lister said after the race that Fear Zafonic is still learning the game and it is frightening to think how good he is. Hopefully I might be able to see him run should he tak ehis chance in the Gymcrack at Hall Green.

Rose of Tralee

Nice to see Melodys Pat get compensation for getting knocked out of the Irish Derby when produced a stunning record breaking performance in winning the 25,000 Euro Lee Strand Paddy O’Sullivan Spring Twilight Race of Champions at Tralee.

The racing looked top class at the Oakview venue. I was interested to note Droopys Arsene running on strong to finish second. This brindle World Class dog could be worth a small each way interest in the Irish Derby if entered. Whilst he probably doesn’t have the class of some of the big guns he has some solid Shelbourne form and reminds me of Trey United who reached the same Final.

Blue Amarillo full brother Line of Fire takes his chance in yet another Final this weekend. This weekend it’s the Kerrys Irish St ledger at Limerick. Sadly he has got drawn in trap 3 so he probably won’t be able to show his best. What a dream dog to own. If Belle’s pups are any where near this quality they could well cost a fortune. With two litters on the ground to Boherduff Light and Droopys Maldini they are exciting times ahead.

What ever happened to

It was great to hear the other day from Steve Murphy that Ballymac Kewell is still well and is living out with Liam Dowling in Kerry. I followed Kewell very closely throughout his career mainly as I had a dog trained by the same trainer, Carly Philpott. Steve(by dogs head) is one of the sports genuine nice blokes and always has time for chat and a catchup even though he is trying to win the top races whist I'm happy with an S2!

Kewells CV couldn't be stronger Irish Puppy Derby Finalist 2003, won Pop Gun International Thurles 2004, English Derby Finalist 2004, 3rd Dundalk International 2004, 2nd Ladbrokes Select Stakes 2004, Unbeaten Finalist 2005 Scottish Derby (withdrawn off colour),Waltamstow Veteran Derby Winner 2005. The pedigree on its own is strong enough being out of Droopys Woods and one of the best dames ever in Blonde Returns.

Kewell is reported to have an 11 month litter on the ground to Farloe Valencia and has also served a couple of Liams bitches.

Its amazing what happens to these superstars of the track. Why would breeders not use Kewell ?

Go on Arnie!

Lance Burford's Iceman Arnie romped round Coventry on Sunday in an amazing 29.73. This was only his third ever race. Being a big strappy dog Lance has had to take his time with this striking dog. Fingers crossed he will continue to improve. You certainly wouldn't turn down a dog out of the dam's (Icemaid Nikki) next litter. The litter also contains Icemaid Lilley(winner of four opens), Iceman Arfa (Open race winner) and Iceman Ozzie who has just started to race at Monmore.To be fair to my pal Ray he picked Arnie out from about 12 dogs as the pick. If could well be proved to be spot on. Lance has Mothball running on Sky tonight.

Afternoon Report

Lisa's Invader was a brave second this afternoon when finishing behind Meenala Suzy. Despite trapping well the four box cost the Prince any chance as Suzy trapped well, got the rails and burned away. Prince battled hard but could catch the leader.

Avenue finished a poor last. It appeared he banged himself when coming away from the traps so will need a through check tomorrow.

Promising Pups at Monmore

I love watching the young pups try and move up through the grades at our local track. Over the last couple of weeks I've picked out seven of which I will highlight that could well worth be following.

Give Itup Geezer (F Wright) - bk d Never Give Up-Shanakil Stephi Aug-2006 - Geezers dam was Shanakil Stephi, a serious fast bitch at Romford. Won well on debut before being baulked on next run. Could well stay well being off Never Give Up.

Dul Amach (K Prince) - Daves Mentor-Waltzing Along Sep-2006 - Showed some cracking pace behind the Geezer on debut. Looks sure to take off when the brakes are off and gets a rails pitch.

Borna Trick (C Allsopp) - bk d Crash-Borna Flyer Jul-2006 -From a cracking dam line, won on debut, been in with hot pots since. Should stay aswell, nice dog.

Swift Racket (K Prince) - bk b Crash-Ladys Best Lass Nov-2005 - A recruit from Ian Greaves, harshly treated my grader. Watch her go in time.

Ardera Brian (B Riddiford) -bk d Head Bound-Gaytime Angie Nov-2006 - Perhaps not to become track champion but looked very capable of winning some nice races.

Along Came Dave (K Prince) - bk d Daves Mentor-Waltzing Along Sep-2006 - Brother to Dul Amach. Follow the money.

Cushie Ronaldo (M Harris) - bk d Droopys Maldini-Cushie Maz Jul-2006 -Already moved up from A7 to A3, further improvement is most likely.

Older dogs that have taken the eye on the graded scene are Slobalong Dog, Mineloa Vital and Lisnakill Nicky. There looks to be a few currently grading aswell. Another one I will be hping runs well tomorrow is Iceman Ozzie, trained by Martin Burt owned by Lance & Pam Burford.

Lisa's Invader and Avenue Guide both takes there chances in back to back races on Friday.

Loyal Honcho Wins Derby

Loyal Honcho won the Blue Square 2008 for Seamus Graham last night. As a race it was a poor spectacle as Honcho burst clear, Tyrur Kieran broke ok and looked poised to unleash a challenge but he checked at the bend again(perhaps carrying a knock after two big campaigns) and then found Kryptonite rushing up on his inside as he tried to cut across. He bumped Kryptonite back, and this all left Loyal Honcho bouncing clear. The rest of the field were caught in the trouble ending the chances to see a fantastic race. Graham surely deserved his moment of glory after bitter disappointment of his Premier Fantasy breaking down in the semi-finals in 2004 and a trap failure in last years Semi Final. Congratulations to all connections.

Flynn and I went took out our own superstars this morning for a country walk. Both received their favourite Milky Way stars after their wins this week.

2008 Blue Square Derby Final

I'm already on countdown to next Saturdays Derby Final. My two fancies (One a tip from Paul McCusker) have both reached the final. The Tyrur Kieran EW money is already in the bank as they were paying first six, the question is whether lay back back any of the 40/1 Kryptonite.



The draw for the Final is as follows :-
1 Kryptonite
2 Lenson Express
3 Tyrur Kieran
4 Loyal Honcho (m)
5 Tyrur Laurel (m)
6 Blonde Dino (m)

A couple of dogs have really caught my eye away from the Derby this week. First of all I saw So Handsome (Hondo Black x Velvet Stacey) break the sprint clock at Lifford last Sunday. Hondo Black's top offspring is now up to a cracking 14% and the pups win over all types of distance and all appear to be very hard chasing.

The other two are both off the same dam, Farloe Oyster. Fear Zafonic sunk the unbeaten Westmead Osprey 5 lenghts round the Stow on Thursday night. Over at Wimbledon Ninja Jamie showed us what he could do when he clears the corner when romping home in 28.31.

As previously discussed Paul McCusker has Mineloa Di, a full sister to Ninja Jamie & Farloe Reason and half sister to Fear Zafonnic !! Paul called yesterday to inform me she had broke and was in process of booking a stud dog for her.

Finally.......Belle (Drumscaw Part 7)

Before leaving to the track I informed Paul hat I didn’t think Belle (Blue Amarillo) was quite herself. On her arrival back home the first of her litter to Droopys Maldini was born. I managed to stay awake to see the first five born, it was a real experience and was great to help out when Paul had to go in to Town to pick his good lady up.

Belle looks to be a real good mother and I’m sure the pups will thrive in the upcoming weeks. I had a quick look in before leaving at 5.45am when there was 3 dogs and 5 bitches. (Picture at various stages)

What a weekend!! Many thank to Paul and Collette for their hospitality.