New Camera

I purchased a new SLR and Video camera this morning to use on the various websites and with the family. I went up to Monmore as two of my dogs to follow were running. Island Harbour seemed to have a bit of fortune when the leader appeared to wait and let him win at a generous 4/1. Forte Azzuro then won the next at 7/2, Micheal Harris dog lead up in an Open in March and looked sure to lead up. I have posted two photos one a bit arty and one of the dogs leaving the traps.

No Fizz in Champagne

Both Bubbly Classic and Casino both ran at Walthamstow last night. Classic does appear to show signs of flame is blowing out, perhaps last years hard Derby campaign had a long term effect on him. Casino took her race up on the 4th bend and looked to be going very well. Not sure if she blew up or did not stay. The Champagne Club have purchased a number of extra dogs of which I decided to take a share in mainly due to I couldn't see how they were going to escpilse what we achieved last year with Classic. On the evidence it looks like I made the right decision.

Smooth Moss

I first spotted Smooth Moss when I started to do the website for ZigZag kennels. She was running on strong in A4 races at Hull. Her pedigree (Smooth Rumble x Mossley Pusher) was made for a longer trip and her brother in Ireland Westmead Force was earning rave reviews. On the basis of this and discussions with my Syndicate side kick the Silver Fox I purchased her for just £800 for the Jimmy in Boys. In her first trial over six bends she recorded 38.15 so we instantly knew we had a good bitch. She could never land an S1 but always won when eased by the grader. She ran in two Opens and her best effort was to finish third at Monmore in the Ladbrokes Gold Cup 835. She was retired to the paddocks as agreed with ZigZag. She had a litter of four pups to Brookside Bear which included a cracking Blue Brindle dog. Tragically Mossy and her pups were caught in the terrible fire at ZigZag and all were lost. She will always hold a special place in all our memorys.

Easy on a Sunday Morning

For me one of the best things about owning the dogs is visiting them at a weekend and taking them for a walk. The dogs love the attention and to get out to see the countryside. I'm very lucky as both Martin's and Lance's kennels are in lovely parts of the countryside. I have posted three snaps - two taken this morning and one in the same spot two years ago. Hows the we all get old!!! The Prince(Lisa's Invader) is a own big personality and is great with the kids. He might not win a Derby but he's a real favoutie with us.

Swindon Gamble Folied

You can't win them all and you must be able to take the beatings to enjoy the good days. The bookies got some money back last night as Henry missed his lines at the start and despite runnning on well he couldn't catch the A1 dogs. There was a good turn out by the Global Greyhounds syndicate.

Favourite Pups Currently

On my travels its great to see all the super litters people have. On my recent visit to ireland I called in to the Shelbourne Stud where they always have a top class range of pups. Shelbourne Star's latest litter to World Class were taking there first steps outside and looked fantastic. The pup on the right was a Just the Best x Shelbourne Star. He was a lovely strong pup.

Down in Kerry I saw two cracking litters At Mark Ryalls. He had a Droopys Kewell x Bleak House (Ardkill Jamies sister) and a Ballymac Maeve x Maries Decision.

Over at ZigZag a couple of litters have taken my eye other than ZigZag Chewie. Mossley Pusher has a young litter to Hotshow Ben. This looks to be a great cross. Perhaps there is another Bar the Devil to come. ZigZag Bullets litter to Droopys Woods looks very nice but well out of my price range.

Pups or Ready Made ?

Ask me whether you are best buying pups or ready made race dogs and you would always get the same head scratching answer from me- I don't know, depend on your needs.

Pups are great fun with the expectation that you dream about for so long, will this be the one. Probably most will never live up to your dreams but you normally do still enjoy the dreaming and the racing as you are going full circle with the dogs.

I see it as a case of just keep throwing darts at the dartboard in the end, one will hit the bull’s eye. Well let’s hope any way. The problem is that you will probably get an offer you can’t refuse for the dog and circle starts again.

Ready made dogs are now available much cheaper on the graded size. My good friend Dave Yanez has started a service where he will source a dog from the sales or a source for a one off arrangement fee. http://www.gemfindersgreyhoundservice.com/

This is a must use service for any greyhound owner or trainer.

You often get offers for dogs through established and new contacts. The established ones are much the best. The money you pay is exactly what you get. The likes of Charles Picking at ZigZag and Brian/John at Shelbourne treat everyone as they should be and will do everything what they can for you and the dogs.

Occasionally you make take a chance on something else. Through a friend of a friend I’ve picked up a dog from Kerry that seems a snip and open to improvement. Those first days while you wait for dog and him to have his first run can be nervous times. If the dog was to run terrible and miss grading it open a lot more instant work. You may have to move him on to a smaller track at little or no cost. Time will tell.