Monmore shock at Harris quits

It was a real shock to hear that Micheal Harris has quit training at the age of 38. Micheal is a true dog lover and is a serious loss for the sport. Micheals exit from Monmore follows Kevin Meakin resigning. I think it just highlights how things are so difficult. When I started as a kennel hand Bertie Gaynor charged £5 per day to owners and that was over 20 years ago. The current industry rate struggles to cope with prizemoney that continues to decrease and overhead costs that continue to rise. Even with all my loyal owners it is a battle month to month. Good luck to Micheal what ever he decides to do next.

Weekend Plans

Plenty of good racing over the weekend as usual. Little Jig will be contesting the Arc Semi Final at Swindon whilst Fatboyz Razldazl contest the Maiden Final at Romford. On Monmore tomorrow we have entered the following in open races -Liscahane Ben, Bethanys Boy, Andrees Diamond (making debut), Flyingwithout Flo (for sale for £1,000), Micks Ginger, Inshaarla and Fatboyz Gracie.

Back in the winners

After a quiet start to the year on the grading scene we had four good winners on Thursday night. First to obilge was Synone Trudie who won her first race in 29.20, very respectable for an A8. Centaur Bliss who her first race since September when taking the S3 in 39.37. Karens Quest then made her debut a winning one when showing some nice early toe to take the A4 in 28.84. The top of the night saw Highview Rocket (pictured) lead all the way to take the A1 by two lengths in 28.84.

Kennels Closed Sunday

With regret I need to inform all owners that the kennels will be closed this Sunday as we have sickness in one of blocks and I need to isolate the sickness to ensure it does not get any worst. Sorry for this inconvience but I'm sure you understand we need to address the problem. Droopys Jervis was sadly effected in his final trial at Wimbledon so won't make the Springbok and Centaur Allstar was withdrawn last night.

Clonmel Calling

I am off to Clonmel tomorrow to the National Coursing Festival. It will be a mixture of business and pleasure. I will be watching a nice pup trial on Friday morning in view of sale. If you are interested in the coursing I would urge you to look up Yvonne Harringtons Coursing Diary. You get all the results and some amazing photographs. Enjoy !

The Fatboyz Razzle Dazzles them

Fatboyz Razzle stormed to a 3 3/4 length win in 24.25 to progress to next weeks Coral TV Maiden Trophy next week. Showing blistering early he flew from traps to record his first win in the UK, a really super performance.

Sales News

I have had a steady flow of enquires and offers for Direct Dan but all from owners from other kennels. I'm desperate to keep in with us but I also have to balance my kennels ambitions with those of running the business. I'd love of of my current owners or a new owner wanting him to stay in the kennel to buy him. Ballymac Celia and Grace were both sold over the weekend.

Crystal Ball

Oran Crystal landed her first career win for us this afternoon when taking the afternoons A6 by a length in 29.21. She stuck to her task well to get up in the final strides.

Trainers Championship Stayer needed

Do you own or looking to sell a top class stayer and have a runner in the Trainers Championship live on Sky ? If so please call me immediately as due to a couple of injuries I have a clear spot on the team sheet for this big night. I want to go to the Trainers Championship with a team as strong as possible.

Monday at Romford

I will be taking Fatboyz Razldazl, a new intake from Anthony Cameron, to Romford tomorrow for a small competition after he impressed in trials at Monmore. This lad had some tidy form in Ireland and I'm hoping we can get him back to his best. Good Luck Anthony.

Jig though in Arc

Little Jig finished 3rd in last nights Arc heat to qualify for Semi Final. Beaten by a short head and length next weeks trap 2 draw should should her better. The draw for Friday’s semi-finals is: 1 Farloe Titan, 2 Little Jig, 3 Shaws Dilemma, 4 Grillagh Guru (m), 5 Sparklee Bernie (m), 6 Klockwork Kyla (w).I must admit I'm pleased to avoid Westmead Osprey who is running at the very top of his form.

Ace leads Double

Ballymac Ace (pictured) hung on well to win the Moorhen Puppies Open Race at Monmore last night in a rapid 28.29 beating the highly rated Ballymac William by a short head. Dash for Fortune made it two wins from two starts for us when taking the Oyster Catcher 480 in 28.77.

Saturday Night Fever

It looks to be a fantastic night of racing at Monmore on Saturday. There are a number of dog running that will be contesting the leading races of 2010. We have entered Ballymac Rumble (pictured), Ballymac Ace, Rackethall Hero, Dash for Fortune, Bosscroker, Micks Ginger and Fabulous Voyage. Not forgetting Little Jig is in action in the 2nd round of the Arc at Swindon.

Broad Winner

Broad World was our only winner this afternoon at Monmore. Very quickly away from traps she recorded 28.96 when taking the afternoons A2.

Molljoise on the mark

Molljoise recorded her second win from four starts when taking last nights A9 in 29.55. Running on strongly in the final stages winning by 1 3/4 length.

Monmore Puppy Derby Prospect for Sale

I am pleased to offer Monmore Puppy prospect Direct Dan (Westmead Hawk x Borna Fence, Oct 08) for sale. This 16 month old pup clocked 28.56 first time round Monmore in December before the bad weather moved in. This week after spending three weeks on his bed he clocked 12.50 over 210 metres at Monmore. The track record is 12.64, Star Gaze (who beat Ballymac Ace at Wimbledon, 25 k refused) clocked 12.51. Our lad is much younger and is very inexperienced. If this dog was for sale in Ireland they would be asking telephone numbers for him. I will be adding him to the sale page shortly so if you are interested please call me so we can have a chat in detail.

Bumps and more bumps

A very tough few days for us at the moment with us having to deal to two career ending injuries on top of having not a bit of luck on the track. Injuries of this nature are always difficult to deal with and very tough for their owners. We didn't manage a winner at either meeting last night and only Little Jig progressed to next round of the Arc. Better days ahead I hope.....

Monmore trial news

Ballymac Ace recorded a very pleasing 28.31 in this mornings trial session at Monmore. There was other eye catching runs from a couple of the Ballymac pups for sale. All remain on sale page but it will be a case of price on application as the prices will change pending trial times.

A warm welcome

I am pleased to offer a warm welcome to new owner Mark Glastonbury who has purchased smart prospect Subway Jet. Good Luck and lets hope he wins many races for you.

Quick Dash for Open Treble

New intake Dash for Fortune owned by Peter Symonds made a winning debut for the team when taking the Kestral Dogs 480 at Monmore in 28.83 last night and is a great recruitment for us. Micks Ginger recorded an impressive 25.28 when taking the Peregrine 416. The duplicated 416 was won by Townhill Widtink in 25.03.

Tuesday Runners

We will have four runners in the Arc at Swindon on Tuesday who will be Little Jig, Indigo King, Bosscroker, Rackethall Hero. Closer to home Officer Donagh will be running live on Sky at Hall Green.

Jet sighted

New recruit Subway Jet recorded a very impressive 15.41 in a sprint trial before racing on Thursday. For those holding out for news of the trial before phoning to buy, I hope you are impressed !

Lu Lu Away

Paul Boundy's Dromana Lulu won her third race on Thursday night when taking the A5 in 29.12. Quickly away from traps she never saw another dog until the pick up.

Syndicate Opportunity

Are you part of a football team, social group or just a group of friends ? As a member of a syndicate you can combine the buzz of a night out at the dogs with the joy of owning a dog with your friends and family.A syndicate is a great to sample ownership at a fraction of the cost. If you are thinking of getting involved and not sure how to get started just give me a ring and I will welcome you to the kennels and talk you through the steps of ownership. As well as the action on the track, Sunday mornings are a great fun to come and walk your own special dog down our beautiful lanes.

Betfair Trainers Championship - Diary Date

The team are already looking forward to Trainers Championship which Betfair is to sponsor once again. This year's one-off event will be staged, in front of the Sky cameras, at Doncaster on Tuesday, March 23. We will going up against Charlie Lister, Mark Wallis, Seamus Cahill, Barrie Draper and Dean Childs.This will be the first time for both ourselves and Dean Childs. Doncaster has recently held two successful Sky meetings and will doubt pull out all the stops to ensure everyone attending has a wonderful evening. It would be great to have as many of our owners as possible up there to support the dogs.

Monmore Retired Greyhound Trust

I'd like to point our readers to the Monmore Retired Greyhound Trust. The Trust was established in 2004 with the aim of find good homes for those dogs who retire from Monmore Green. They have a great webite which helps any potential owners. Why not have a click and look around and if you or someone you know is interestested in adopting a greyhound please give them a ring. I will put a link on the right hand side of this page for further reference.

Jet landing

I picked up a super dog this morning from Ireland called Subway Jet. This July 2007 has some cracking form in Ireland including an unraced stake as a pup and staying form around Mullingar. What is not on his card is his ability to jump and we intend to take him to Wimbledon with Droopys Jervis in view of running him in the Springbok. This dog is ready to win open races and could develop into a serious prospect for this year. This dog is for sale at £3,500 and as always it will be a case of first come first served.

Prestige and Trial Stakes

Centaur Academy will represent us in the Betfair Prestige at Hall Green tomorrow night. Academy had drawn a very tough heat of which only two progress. Officer Donagh will trial before racing as he is mad keen to start racing again. On Wednesday we are taking Rackethall Hero, Indigo King, Bosscroker, Hollywood Idol and Little Jig down to Swindon for Trial Stakes ahead of the Arc.

OO7 arrives

I am pleased to announce the arrival of the Chris Baxter owned Fast Bond. This August 2007 bitch bred Bond x Your Some Rose looks a real prospect for the staying competitions in 2010. In her last run in Ireland she broke the track record over 764 metres at Drumbo Park. Her first target will be the Golden Jacket. Good luck Chris.

Blue Monday

Sadie Blue provided us with our only winner this afternoon at Monmore when taking the A5 in 29.00. This was her 6th win at Monmore and stayed on very well and could develop in to a six bitch bitch in time.

Rumble on Target

Ballymac Rumble (pictured) opened our Open Race account for 2010 when taking Eider Puppies 480 in 28.51. Our other winner on the card was HiHo Harry who made it back to back wins when taking the closing race of an evening an A3 in 28.78. There was also good runs from Bosscroker (2nd), Rackethall Hero (2nd) and Bethanys Boy who was third in his first Open Race.

Dans the Man

Bookem Danno was our only winner at Monmore in the last two days when he took last nights A3 in 39.11 by 5 3/4 lengths. This was his 10th career win from 51 starts. He is dog that is a pleasure to train.

Snowmen at kennels

The cold weather ended our chances of trials yesterday ay Monmore which was very frustrating. It is important we keep all the dogs warm and increasse their food given the cold snap.

Final Open race Tables of 2009

I've have attached the final tables of 2009 for both the Trainers Championship and the leading Open Race table. It was great to feature in both tables throughout the year, I hope the dogs stay fit and have an equally good year in 2010.

Sprinter of the Year Nominations

New Years Day saw the Greyhound Writers Association announce their nominations for the 2009 GBGB Greyhound of the Year Awards categories. The greyhounds below have been selected as the top performers in their field over the past twelve months and the winners of each category will be announced at a celebratory gala evening at the Hilton London Metropole on Sunday 31st January 2010. I am very honoured that both Centaur Allstar and Officer Donagh have been nominated for Sprinter of the Year. Both are up against Jimmy Lollie.

Coventry Payments

Please be aware there has been no win prize-money received from Coventry for November or December. I have included a letter with the kennel bills to all those are effected. Please can ask for your patience at this tricky time and we should hopefully receive those payments care of GBGB in time. Any problems please call.

2010 Kick Off

A number of the open race team will be having a trial around Monmore on either Tuesday or Friday to blow those Christmas cobwebs webs. The dogs are made keen for a run and get frustrated they don't get their regular gallop due to the frosty ground. We will be entering a strong team for the Arc at Swindon. I am still to confirm the exact team however Little Jig should go well given she holds the track record there.

Website Success

Our website has now been running for just over 1 year and been a tremendous success in terms of communication, publicity, sales and retention. The site has a monthly readership of over 3,000 people which registered a huge 204,000 hits during 2009. Many thanks to those on log on daily to catch up for the latest news and all those owners and staff who pose for photos when asked.The site goes mad when we add anything new and it may appeal to a sponsor in the future.

On Target in 2009

It was fabulous to secure 5th place in the 2009 Trainers Championship standings with 429 points, £37,520 and an amazing 157 wins. We are all very much looking forward to the big Trainers Championship night. At Monmore I was pleased to secure the Leading Trainer title for the 5th year in succession with 323 winning £95,697 in prize-money. Micheal Harris again chased us hard and one we will have to keep a close eye on among others. I must thank all my loyal owners for their continued support throughout the year.

Silver leads the New Year charge

Cohen Silver (pictured) became our first winner of 2010 when taking last nights A3 in 28.98. Donore Jamie then landed his second win on the bounce when taking the nights A5 in 28.76 by 2 lengths. An evening treble was wrapped up when the improving Murrman took the A3 in 38.93.