Ballymac New Year Sale

I have just received instructions from Liam Dowling to drop the price of the pups I have in the kennel for him. To take advantage of the sale please take a look at the sale page and give me a ring.

2010 Ten to Follow Revealed

I am pleased to inform you my ten to follow for 2010 is now live in the team section of the website. I've tried be as open minded as possible in the selections and give all the regular readers a few to follow in the year ahead, please don't be offended if your dog or bitch was not chosen on this occasion, I could have selected many more. We will be trying to pick out a few more to focus on as the year develops.

Lollie takes National Sprint

Jimmy Lollie denied Officer Donagh (2nd) and Centaur Allstar (4th) the National Sprint when he out trapped the field and forced himself clear to take the title in 17.67. Congratulations to his trainer Seamus Cahill and connections. Ballymac Rumble led from the traps to the shadow of line in the Puppy Final only to be denied by the highly rated Droopys Joe in 30.00.

Monmore Treble

A fantastic afternoon of graded action was the course of the day at Monmore with us heading home with three winners. Galtee Seb landed the S2 in 38.44, Recondite the A1 in 28.81 and Banna Boy the A4 in 29.06.

Mashed Potatoes Update

Mashed Potatoes who we trained to win the Ladbrokes Puppy Final and three wins in a row before suffering a fractured hock is recovering very well from her injury. She is the fastest bitch ever to go round Monmore so it would be amazing if she could come back as good as ever. She has now been on the walking machine for six weeks and is on target to have a sprint trial in February.

Don't forget Rumble

Ballymac Rumble (pictured) is also in action tonight at Nottingham when he takes on the highly rated Droopys Joe in the Stadium Bookmakers Puppy Trophy Final. We will post tonight's results as soon as we have them.

A42 to National Sprint Final

I can report both Centaur Allstar and Officer Donagh both in great form ahead of tonights National Sprint Final at Nottingham. It is a race of the highest quality and all we can hope for now is the dogs come away from traps quickly and show their true form. Both dogs are rated as outsiders by the Racing Post.

Gloomy news for Coventry

It was very sad to read on the Racing Post website that Coventry Stadium has ceased racing until further notice. Coventry's track is one the counties finest and the Open Race programme has become regular for many trainers. Lets hope they can sort their problems out and resume racing as quickly as possible.

Sunday Kennel Times

Please note kennel visiting times will be restricted from 10am to 11am. Many thanks for your assistance in advance.

Boxing Day Double

It was a knockout double this afternoon at Monmore. Molljoise took the days opening race which was an A10 in 29.82. Bosscroker clearly enjoyed the drop in to graded company when romping to a 28.16 success in the afternoons A1.

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas to all our owners and readers. It will be business as normal for us today on this special day as the dogs will still need to be fed and cleaned out exercised. I try ensure all the team get a few days off ogther over the Christmas period to enjoy the time with the friends and family. Hope you all have a wonderful day.

Trainers Championship Latest

Please find attached the latest standings in the Trainers Championship.

Mixed Fortunes

It was a night of mixed fortunes for us at Coventry as bad weather surrounded the midlands. Centaur Allstar gave the press writers a nudge when taking the opening Sprint in 17.02 winning by 4 1/2 lengths. Officer Donagh was four lengths clear and certain to win when the hare broke and the race was voided. We are all utterly gutted. Our second winner of the night was Droopys Willow who stuck on well to win in 29.92.

Ten to Follow for 2010

I'm currently deliberating the dogs to include in my ten to follow for 2010 for the website. I will be selecting two potential superstars, three open racers open to improve, two pups to follow and three graders on the rise. All will be revealed on the main website in due course.

Christmas Gallery Live

I am pleased to inform you that a new gallery has been created within the main web site under the current galleries. It was a super turn out and despite the cold weather we got some great photographs for the site. The question for you all is, did you get snapped ?

Officer Donagh Video Montage

Our webmasters and friend of the kennel Dave Yanez have joined together to assemble an amazing video complete with race action of Officer Donagh in 2009. All you need to do click on the link here as the video is being hosted on You Tube.

The Coventry eight

We will have eight runners on Wednesday at Coventry on the card in which the Memorial race will be run in memory of my late father Bobby. Our representatives will be Centaur Allstar, Droopys Edgar, Officer Donagh, Fabulous Voyage, Bosscroker, Droopys Willow, Little Jig and Indigo King. If you intend to come along please call me during the day and I will hopefully have the prospects of racing going ahead.

Winter Breeze

Bourne Breezy (pictured right) recorded a smooth three length this afternoon when taking the afternoons A4 in 28.83. This was Breezy's 98th career race and we are all hoping she stays fit and sound and makes three figures as she deserves.

Knockout win for Cameron

Can I pass on my congratulations to Anthony "Fatboyz" Cameron who landed the 20,000 euro Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake with Fatboyz Tyson after a breathtaking battle, pulling clear on the run-in for a 28.33 victory.

Nottingham frozen

This evenings racing has been cancelled due to the adverse weather and frozen patches on the track.

The National Sprint and The Puppy Trophy featuring our dogs will now be staged on Monday week, 28th December.

Owners Christmas Morning

It was fantastic to see over 40 owners this morning on the last Sunday before Christmas. Hot baps were kindly cooked by the family as the owners tucked in a range of Christmas refreshments. The dogs loved the extra visitors and the walk down the snow covered lanes.

It was great to have to time to speak to some of you in more detail. I hope have all enjoyed the year as much as the team and we hope to build on the successes during 2010.

We will post the photographs in various parts and hope you enjoy them. Some of the photographs we be incorporated in other parts of the website.

Can I pass a big thank you from all the staff who were grateful for a selection of gifts that were brought to the kennel during the morning.

Ginger pings

Malcom Scally's Micks Ginger (pictured) put in a breathtaking performance at Monmore last night when pinging from trap 4 to take the 416 open race in 24.75 at a rewarding odds of 5/1. It was also great to see HiHo Harry take the A4 in 29.00.

Sprint stars ready

Centaur Allstar (left) and Officer Donagh (right) are both in great form ahead of tomorrows National Sprint Final at Nottingham. Fingers crossed the meeting goes ahead and both show their best form. It looks a fantastic race to be a part of.

Flying Elsa

Bawna Elsa (pictured) won her 6th race of 2009 when landing the Perry Barr Christmas Bitches Stake on Thursday with a 28.72 win. Back at Monmore we had a graded treble care of Swift Patriot (A4 29.34), Donore Jamie (A6 29.48) and Dromana LuLu (A6 29.38).

Coventry Cancelled

Coventry's Friday night meeting was abandoned due to the shocking weather gripping the country at the moment. I will advise when the Final will be re-run.

Bethanys strikes again

Bethanys Boy (pictured) made it three wins from four starts when taking this afternoons A3 in 29.21 at Monmore. Our other winner of the afternoon was Moscow Duke who landed the A4 in 29.52.

Christmas entires

We have a number of entries as we build up to Christmas. Tomorrow will see Droopys Willow clash with Indigo King in the Dual Distance Final at Coventry. Our only other runner on the card is Fatboyz Rocky. Saturday we will take Ballymac Ace, Rackethall Hero, Centaur Marine and Micks Ginger to Monmore. Monday is also a big night at Nottingham with Officer Donagh with Centaur Allstar in the National Sprint Final, Ballymac Rumble in the Puppy Trophy Final and Hollywood Idol in the Standard. On a final note can I ask all owners coming on Sunday ensure they thanks the lads in the kennel. These lads work seriously long hours,cover alot of miles around the country and most importantly keep the dogs in great heart and spirit. Many thanks.

Coventry Treble

A super night for us last night at Coventry with a treble being recorded. First to collect was Highview Lace who landed her first open race win when winning over 625 metres in 40.00. Hollywood Idol was next to oblige when recording a 3 3/4 length win in 29.41. Finally Selecta Earl won Divison A when battling hard to win by a short head in 29.97. Our Trainers Championship changes by the day with Dean Childs whilst Paul Young is pressing hard in 7th.

Sky deal agreed

I was great to hear Sky Sports announcing a provisional schedule for the first seven months of 2010 with 18 broadcasts pencilled in. Sky's coverage of our sport is essential to our sports success and their production skills are unparalleled. Lets hope we feature on their key dates during 2010.
Jan 19 Hall Green Prestige 645m
Feb 2 Swindon Arc 480m
Feb 9 Wimbledon Springbok 460mH
Mar 2 Wimbledon Juvenile 460m
Mar 23 TBA Trainers’ Championship Various
Apr 10 Shawfield Scottish Derby 480m
Apr 13 Hall Green Blue Riband 480m
Apr 21 Peterborough Puppy Derby 420m
May 4 Hove Regency 695m
May 18 Wimbledon Derby Quarter-finals TBA
May 22 Wimbledon Derby Semi-finals TBA
May 29 Wimbledon Derby Final TBA
Jun 8 Kinsley TV Trophy 850m
Jun 15 Hall Green Gymcrack 480m
Jun 22 Oxford Pall Mall 450m
Jun 29 Wimbledon Grand National TBA
Jul 15 Sunderland UK Festival Various
Jul 27 Hove Sussex Cup 515m

Mince Pie Madness

I'm been busy this afternoon working on the magical mince pies for Sunday's owners Christmas morning. It would be great to see as many owners as possible on this last Sunday before Christmas. It will chance to reminisce about the highlights of 2009 and take your dog or bitch for a relaxing walk. I have booked our photographer to capture a few new shots for the website and it you would like a nice shot for yourself please just ask. Can I ask that that you don't arrive before 10am as this will give us chance to get all the dogs sorted. I will look forward to seeing you then.

Very Serious Pups

I was as pleased as punch yesterday after trials at Monmore. Three pups that were part reared here flew around Monmore. This was the pups 1st ever time over 4 bends and only 5th time in a trap. Hold on to seat as you read this times - Direct Dan 28.56, Direct Bob 28.91 and Andrees Diamond 28.87. The pups are only September 2008 and are bred Westmead Hawk x Borna Fence. I currently own 50% of each pup with one of my current owners. I would consider serious offers for my share of each pup. Those interested are happy to come and view the pup at the kennels.

Oaks 4th for Jig

Little Jig (pictured) was a brave 4th in the English Oaks Final this evening at Wimbledon. She came away well from traps well but was badly crowed around the first two bends to end any realistic chance of winning. She ran on strong to snatch 4th place. Our other runners at Wimbledon ran without luck Ballymac Ace 5th, Inshaarla 5th, Rackethall Hero 6th and Fabulous Voyage 5th. Closer to home Bawna Elsa was 3rd and Droppys Edgar 2nd at Hall Green.

Nottingham Final Draws

National Sprint: 1 Rotar Wing, 2 King Lee, 3 Centaur Allstar, 4 Officer Donagh (m), 5 Jolly Beggarman (m), 6 Jimmy Lollie (m)

Puppy Trophy: 1 Captain Crash, 2 Droopys Joe, 3 Ballymac Rumble, 4 Vatican Zanni, 5 Vatican Seamus (m), 6 Go Ruby (w).

My instant reaction looking at the draws is that I couldn't be happier as I know either dog is very capable of pinging from those draws and winning.

Allstar Final

A superb result for the kennel this evening at Nottingham with both of our Semi-Finalists reaching the National Sprint Final. First to run was Officer Donagh who came away well but could not match strides with Rotar Wing who won the race in 17.88. Donagh finished second, two lengths behind the winner. Centaur Allstar then pinged out in the last Semi Final to lead all the way in 18.20 to win by a short head. Congratulations to both sets of connections of reaching another much deserved Final. The Final will rightly see all the countries leading sprinters clash for the Sprint title. On the undercard Ballymac Rumble went down by 3/4 length to the highly rated Droopys Joe in the Puppy Trophy Heat 2 and progresses to next weeks Final.

High quality stayer needed

With our place in the top six of the Trainers Championship looking very hopeful we do need to recruit a quality six bend dog to represent us in the Trainers Championship. I would be very interested in speaking to any owners of such types of dogs in view of this. With the cost of travel being so high there could be be an Irish owner looking to send a dog over to target a particular competition during 2010 and I'd very interested to talk to any one looking for a new opportunity. Good Luck.

Tuesday is Sky Night

An exciting night for us tomorrow with five runners on the televised Sky card from Wimbledon. The highlight is Little Jig in the Category 1 English Oaks Final. I can report she is very well in herself and we all just need to hope for a clear run. Also on the card is the highly rated Ballymac Ace, Inshaarla, Rackethall Hero and Fabulous Voyage. All very best of luck to the connections of all runners.

Hall Green Entries

Entries this week will consist of the following - Tuesday (Hall Green) Bawna Elsa & Droopys Edgar. Wimbledon - see next blog. Wednesday (Coventry) Galtee Seb, Highview Lace, Liscahane Ben, Hollywood Idol, Selecta Earl and Broad World. Thursday (Perry Barr) Swift Tinto, Bawna Elsa and Droppys Edgar.

Have I got news for you

It was great to see the piece in yesterdays post about Dean Childs and our own challenge on the Trainers Championship this year. If you click the link here you can view part of the article. Over in Ireland we also featured in the Sporting Press. The pockets of publicity we generate from the dogs performances is instrumental in our long term success. At Monmore this afternoon we had just the one winner care of Dadleys Sunset who landed the A7 in 29.00.

Flying Tinto

Swift Tinto (pictured) put in a super performance last night when winning last nights S2 in 38.10 by two lengths. Quickly away from traps we never saw another dog in a impressive win. Snugfit Flyer made the the most of a drop in grade to A2 when winning by just under 3 length in 28.35.

Idol & King on mark

Ted Magaw's and Paul Scott's Hollywood Idol recorded his 6th win of 2009 with a 29.56 victory at Coventry last night. Coventry also hosted the Xmas Dual Distance competition which we had entered Droopys Willow and Indigo King. Droopys Willow finished second to Razzmatazz in 29.31 whilst Indigo King racked up his 10th win of 2009 when winning in 29.23.

Memorial Night

I am sponsoring a race on the 23rd December at Coventry in honour of my late father Bobby who would have passed away ten years on the exact day. I would like to invite all friends past and present and my current owners to the evening which should be a great memorial to my father.

Deepest condolences

I am sad to inform our readers of the passing of the legendry trainer Geoffrey De-Mulder. Geoff's knowledge and expertise were invaluable when we started our operation. He record on the track is second to none. Our condolences are passed to all Geoff's family and friends. (Picture produced from Greyhound Trainers)

Trainers Championship Latest

I have attached the latest Trainers Championship and open race standings produced by the Racing Post. We have now risen in to 5th in the Trainers Championship which I am very proud of. A strike rate of 24.9% is very good and credit to all the team who spend many hours and on the road with the Open Racers. Officer Donagh lies in 2nd place two wins behind Jimmy Lollie but with a better strike rate. The title lies between these two dogs now. Fatboyz Gracie was sadly withdrawn out of this afternoons Christmas Bitches Final.

Coventry Double

A pleasing Open Race double for us last night at Coventry.Inshaarla who was only having her third ever race recorded the fastest time of the night in 29.33 when taking the Xmas Maiden. Our second winner was Selecta Earl (pictured) who was making it two wins from three starts when taking the Division A contest in 29.61. I feel both of these dogs could well have a very good year in 2010.