Meet the Rocket

Bolt Ya Rocket is a one of our latest additions to the kennel. Purchased by Thomas Kelly this son of Top Honcho x Droopys Diamond, a February 2008 dog, raced under the name of Jesters Can Run and had some very tasty form in Ireland and could well have a great 2011.

Quieter week ahead

We have two runners at Nottingham tomorrow, So Larry and Ballymac Farrah. We are heading to Wimbledon on Wednesday for trials with Ten Dollars More, Uncle Rico, Townspark Eric and Ballymac Ace. Express Shuttle recorded a pleasing 28.76 before racing on Friday at Monmore.

Off to Clonmel

Steve, Paul and I have set out to Clonmel for our annual pilgrimage to the Clonmel Coursing Festival. Personally I won't be flying up that Clonmel hill this week as lame with a bad back. For those interested I'd urge you to look up Yvonne Harrington's Coursing Diary Blog. It's simply brilliant and will keep you up to date with all the news !!!!

Morning has broken

Our photographer attend kennels this morning following a request from a couple of owners. A few of our regulars were snapped as they returned from walking their dogs. The fawn dog is the much talked about Express Shuttle.

Empire makes it five from five

Brittons Empire recorded his 5th career win from 5 starts when taking last nights Division 2 480 in 28.99. Gatlee Petal made up for two near misses when taking the nights opening race, an A5, in 29.52. If she keeps trapping like this I'm sure she will be winning more races soon. Another one with her trapping boots on was Borna Jessica who repelled a late challenge to take the Division 3 480 in 29.15.

Thursday Hatrick

Three winners for us at Monmore last night. Cabra Dazzle (A8) 29.93 , Yorkshire Lady(pictured-A6) 29.77 and Kentori Girl (S5) 40.04.

Something for the weekend

We have the usual busy weekend ahead of open race entries. We are heading to Romford tomorrow with Richster Corgan, Talk Bristol, Daughter Of Peg and Fatboyz Romeo who contests the Final of the Coral on TV Maiden Stayers. Back at Monmore on Saturday the following will take their chance - Ballymac Celia, Ballyneale Bull, Fatboyz Tedbundy, Gforce Direct, Uncle Des, Bawna Sapphire, Ballymac Rumble, Brittons Empire, Pony Sheila, Glenagower Champ and Sandy Legend. It's going to be a busy night !

Romeo steps up

When I entered three dogs in the Maiden Stayers Competition at Romford I'd didn't expect all three to end up all in the same heat. It was Anthony Cameron's Fatboyz Romeo (pictured) who took the honours winning the contest in 35.59. Ballymac Farrah finished 4th whilst new recruit Talk Bristol had a rough ride in 6th.

Hucker hitting the jackpot

Little Sarah made it 2 wins from 2 starts for us when taking yesterdays A8 in 29.43. Sarah has really taken off since joining us. Sarah is owned by Calvin Hucker who also owns Talk Bristol and Uncle Des. Calivin has managed an amazing 4 wins from 4 starts. Lets hope his good luck continues.

Big Nigel gets his Pony

Loyal owner Nigel Loxton and Wayne Pinnel have snapped up Jennas Pony within 24 hours of me posting the opportunity here on the blog. All the very best of luck lads with your purchase. Please remember to check the blog every day or you may miss similar opportunities.

Christmas Gallery

All the photographs taken at the Chrtistmas Owners morning back in December have now been added the the gallery page for viewing.

Saturday Double Up

With our runners in the open races missing their target it was two graded winners that stole the headlines. Bawna Sapphire,who was second on her debut, stuck to her task well when taking the A4 in 29.03. The local punters were ready to back our Uncle Des in the A5 races. Clearly they fancied dog from his debut race. They proved right with their confidence as he romped to a 6 1/2 length win in 28.82.

Now the Empire for Britton after Final win

Brittons Empire once again kept his unbeaten record when recording the kennels first Final win of 2011. Empire was quickly into stride and recorded a rapid 24.03 in the Coral on TV Maiden Trophy Final. I'm over joyed for Neil Britton who has invested heavily in to the kennel and its a great feeling to land him a Final so early in the year. On the supporting card Richster Corgan was 2nd, Lollipops Ball unplaced, Ballymac Ceila unplaced and So Larry unplaced.

Pony Time

My main man in Ireland has just come up with another top class act for us at Westview Kennels. Last Saturday night this precocious young puppy produced a brilliant display. Racing in freezing winter going she won by 10 lengths in the fastest time of the night in 29.16 round one of Ireland's toughest tracks. To put Jennas Pony ( Ballymac Maeve x Pony Maiden) time in to perspective, Tandem Bar who is 13 months older won in 29.17 the same night and he had previously won in 28.87 at Limerick and 28.69. They once refused 15K for this dog ! Jennas Pony comes highly recommended and is ready made for the upcoming £12,500 Monmore Puppy Derby. Such is our connections in Ireland we are able to offer the majestic pup at a rock bottom price. She is currently for sale of Greyhound Data at 5,500 euros, we can get her at 25% deduction in the asking price. Do not miss this unique opportunity to acquire a top class open class pup who will stay six bends in time.

Win six for Hilary

Ballymac Hilary finally recorded her 6th career win this afternoon. Hilary has found the grading tough of late but recorded a 29.56 win in today by a length in A6, much deserved.

Talking Dogs

The IGB Talking dogs posted an interesting report yesterday about our new purchase Express Shuttle.

Two of the main fancies in the Open Unraced Stake at Clonmel have changed hands. While Modges Hawk will run under new ownership in Sunday’s semi-finals, the fastest dog in the competition, Express Shuttle, will not run after being sold.

Michael Dalton’s Express Shuttle is a May ’09 son of Kiowa Sweet Trey and Express Mist which tips the scales at 77 lbs. The dam was a classy performer around Lincoln Park in America, having been bred by Pat Dalton in Golden. She returned to Golden after her racing days and this is her second litter. Though not confirmed, reports suggest that Express Shuttle was bought by John O’Sullivan and will be joining John McGee’s kennels. 

Interesting that, considering Express Shuttle arrived here in great heart yesterday morning.

Peg's Video Magic at Romford

Why not watch this weeks win by Daughter of Peg live on the blog. Just click on the second window down on the right. Many thanks to friend of the kennel Dave Yanez for posting the video for us as always.

Trainers Championship Bus Bookings

I have managed to secure a 45 seater coach for the Trainers Championship trip to Wimbledon on 22nd March. The coach will be picking up at the Cleveland Arms and then the Bull and Butcher near the kennels. A place on the bus will be £15.00 It will be a case of first come first served. Lets make it a great night and the best supported kennel in the Championship !

Dacent Kennels link up with Team Allsopp

If anyone is looking for nice sapling or pup I suggest you look up Dacent Kennel's. It is one of Ireland’s top Greyhound breeding Kennels based in County Kerry in the South of Ireland. Our Ballymac Dolores has gone there to be mated.

The Barrett Family have hand picked a team of brood bitches from some of the greatest dam lines in Greyhound racing history in both Ireland and the UK. The aim is to then breed the bitches to the best sires in the World of Greyhound Racing today.

At Dacent Kennel's they whelp and rear puppies under a proven strict regime. This regime has served the Kennel well in over thirty years of Greyhound Racing, resulting in numerous group 1, feature and open class winners in Ireland, the UK and Europe. The kennel's are fortunate to work out of our own very dry, well-elevated and safely maintained Dairy farm in the County of Kerry.

All puppies are whelped and reared and have access to fresh warm Cows milk 365 days a year. From ten to twelve months these pups are handled, kenneled and given free access to another 200-acre farm where they gallop and hunt on a daily basis .

Fatboyz Clear out

Anthony "Fatboyz" Cameron is selling on a few of his dogs to jusr create some room. All three for sale are fit and will race until sold. 

Fatboyz Jack - £3,500 - Improving pup, currently A2 at Monmore

Fatboyz Secret (pictured) - £1,500 - Very well bred bitch, A6 winner, still improving.

Ballymac Cat - £1,000 - A 3 time winner, currently A5. 

Any one coming to kennels on Sunday is welcome to look at these nice dogs.

Sold over night

New owner Thomas Kelly was fast out of traps this morning to purchase the bitch I mentioned yesterday that was now for sale. Westview Miracle (Westmead Hawk x Tribal Squaw ) a young 16 month old bitch clocked 29.35 in her first four bend trial of her life at Monmore on Tuesday. The previous week she clocked 15.95 for the sprint on a day when Townspark Eric clocked 15.66. A very nice prospect for the kennel.

Skys the limit for Peg

Daughter of Peg seems to enjoy the Sky Cameras after recording another win in front of them against some very speedy types in the 400m Standard. Daughter Of Peg (5-1) took full advantage of a swift break and an inside draw to assume command off the second turn - making all beating Cumann Carling by 1 1/4 lengths in 23.96. We shall try and obtain the video and post tomorrow on the blog. Fatboyz Romeo was a good third in the Maiden Stayers in 35.80. Fatboyz Diva finished 4th in the 750 open after a good start but didn't see the trip out.

Down at Swindon Ballymac Farrah was unplaced in the 509 Final after a slow start cost her dear. She will have plenty more opportunties.

Boost for BAGS

Some great news for the sport today as it was announced prize-money in betting shop racing is set to receive a big boost with the announcement today of a new series of regular graded competitions that will involve an additional £100,000 spend over the year ahead.
Each of the 17 Bags tracks will initially stage one 18-runner stake, plus reserves, with three heats and the first two from each qualifying for a £500-to-the-winner final, with a trophy, presentation jacket and additional £100 for the winning kennel. Beaten finalists will earn £50. If all goes well, this will be repeated twice at each track through the year.
Heat winners will earn £150, with the other five receiving £35 each. The heat trap draw will be allocated as normal by the track racing manager, but there will be a public draw made for traps in the final.
Funding this as a joint-venture are the Bookmakers’ Afternoon Greyhound Service (Bags) and Satellite Information Service (SIS), who say, in recognition of the difficult economic conditions, that they have collaborated to provide an additional source of prize-money for greyhounds.

Shuttle ready for take off

I'm proud to announce a great new buy for the kennel called Express Shuttle.

A newly formed syndicate have purchased this well bred May 09 pup, who flew round Clonmel on Sunday posting a superb 28.73. The pup made Racing Post headlines on Monday but was my man in Ireland was fast on the case to try and agree a deal to bring him to to Midlands with the intention to run him in the Monmore Puppy Derby.

The 9 strong syndicate are made up of Peter Symonds, Len Timmins, Neil Britton, Mick Giles, Mike Gould, Carl Collins, Steve Cooper, Steve Albiston and Tadghe Moynihan. Good Luck to all the syndicate.

I do have a very nice bitch puppy that has become available and is already in the kennel, more details to follow.

Trainers Championship Scoring 2011

The scoring for this years Trainers Championship has changed from previous years. A full breakdown of how it work this year is available on this link. They will also be doing the scoring themselves and updating the table twice per week so any of us can see the latest position.

Express Delivery for Puppy Derby

I'm very hopeful to confirm I have secured a live prospect for the Monmore Puppy Derby this evening. I can't post any more detail at this stage but I'm hopeful the dog will be on his way to us in the coming day or days.

Monmore Trial Update (18/1/2011)

We had loads of nice dogs heading to Monmore this morning for trials. I can't mention them all however I'll highlight a few I know the blog followers are keen to know about. Townspark Eric has his first four bend run for two months since arriving and recorded 28.79. I expect him to come on a stack aswell from this run. I gave Ten Dollars More a sprint and he was very keen and did 15.56. Borna Claw who has had a few niggles since joining us, pleased connections with a 28.89 run in his first four bend run for us. Westmead Badger did a 29.20 and I'll be placing him on the sale page very soon.  A few of the pups got caught up in trouble in their trials, Galtee Kaz still qualified in 30.16 depsite trouble, Galtee Adams did 29.74 with big trouble whilst Walkaway Tyson improved again in 29.20. Finally I had a bitch called Westview Miracle who did a 29.65 which was her first four bend trial of her life. This bitch will be for sale shortly.

Back on his feet

I'm pleased to report loyal owner and supporter Ted Megaw made his first few steps today as he tries to get back on feet after a spell in hospital. Whilst he won't beat his Ballymac Ace to the bend at the moment he is hoping to get back up on a Sunday morning very soon. See you soon Ted !

Officer Donagh Retires

 

I need to inform you all kennel favourite Officer Donagh has been retired. Donagh was a fantastic dog who won 35 of his 87 races with sheer pace and guts. He finished second to the great Jimmy Lollie in the 2009 in most Open Races wins and even took the track record at Hall Green. He won at 10 different tracks throughout his career and I'd would very much like him to get given a chance to stand at stud some where. Off the track he very much had his own personality and still loves his Sunday morning walks with owner Garry Allsopp and family.

Empire makes it three from three

Neil Britton's Brittons Empire retained his unbeaten record when impressing in Heat 2 of the Coral on TV Maiden Trophy. Despite not pinging from traps Empire made the most of his rails position and stormed clear round the third bend to win by 3 1/2 lengths in 23.99. Richster Corgan ran very well and just missed a place in the Final by just a head. Corgan finished third in 24.19. Brittons Empire has drawn Trap 1 in next weeks Final which I'm very pleased with.

A Legend

Sandy Legend (pictured) proved to be our only winner on Monday afternoon at Monmore. Running in A2 grade, he showed some nice early dash to stamp his authority on a trappy looking race and went away to win by 3 3/4 lengths in 28.69.

Back on the road

The undefeated Brittons Empire steps up to a Open Race maiden competition tomorrow at Romford and Richter Corgan should like the 400 metre trip. Both will need to come away from traps quickly to have any chance as there are some dogs with some good form entered. The grades are so tough at Monmore for pups sometimes it is easier to target a puppy race rather than races against experienced dogs with 50 races on their card. For this reason we are taking Cooladerry Rise to Nottingham. Pony Sheila will also take her chance in the stayers race over 680 metres.

Gforce hits the Bullseye

It was an evening of mixed fortunes for us a Monmore Green tonight. Ballymac Rumble suffered a shock defeat after suffering early traffic problems. He did run on strong and only failed by 1/2 length. Our big winner of the night was Gforce Direct who recorded his first open race win at just his second attempt. The 28.95 by a length would have delighted his enthusiastic owners. It was good to see my sales comments about Fawn Fortune winning soon was right as she took the A7 by 2 3/4 lengths in 29.22. Little Sarah made a stunning debut for us as she left her old form behind as she romped to a seven length win in the A10 in 29.60. This bitch had not won in her first 10 runs at Monmore so hopefully now she has got her head in front it will give her confidence to win again.

Thomas bolts into Team Allsopp

I'm am really pleased I've twisted the arm of new owner Thomas Kelly to be profiled on our owners page. Thomas had to wait to get the right dog and hopefully Bolt Ya Rocket ( ex Jester Can Run) can give him some great nights in 2011. Good Luck Thomas, it's great you have joined the team.

Sponsorship Opportunity

With the team and I undertaking more media enquires and interviews I'm currently gaining some quotes for some high quality team wear for the lads. These jackets and t-shirts will be worn for all media work to try and market the business. As you can see from the image there is an opportunity to incorporate a company logo on the one side of the jacket. If your company would be interested in a sponsorship opportunity please call me or drop me a mail and I'll get back to you as quickly as possible.

2010 Monmore Green Trainers Title

I'm pleased to post the final standings of the Monmore Green Trainers Title. For the 4th year in succession we have clinched most win by a significant margin. On a personal note it was highly satisfying to also have the highest strike rate with 19.8%. I'd like to thank all the team and you the loyal owners for your continued support.

Sevenhills Lady lands at team Allsopp

Sevenhills Lady the leading staying dog in Ireland over the last 12 months has landed at the kennels this week in great condition. Lady will be renamed Fatboyz Slim by new owner Anthony Cameron who was first on the draw when this fantastic dog became available at the end of last week. Lady (who is actually a dog) has won 15 of his 30 starts and has been a finalist in the 2010 Gain Corn Cuchulainn , 2011 Ted Hegarty Marathon and the National 750. 

Westmead Arrival

A new first for kennel today when Nick Sava's Westmead Badger arrived to be trained for the man who bred and trained the mighty Westmead Hawk. Welcome Nick and let's hope I can train a few winners for you.

Ballymac Farrah makes 509 Final

Ballymac Farrah (pictured) reached the final of the 509 competition at Swindon on Wednesday night when finishing second to the highly rated Westmead Melanie. She will need to turn round seven lengths with the favourite in the Final but I can assured you I'll be trying to get her out early in the Final. Borna Jessica just missed out on the Final as she could only finish third.

Thursday winner

Miss Everdean (pictured) proved to be our only winner on a tough night at Monmore. Miss Everdean last win was back in September so it was great to see her finish in front in the A5 contest which she took in 29.27 by a neck.

Trial Highlights

Galtee Adams set the tongues wagging at Monmore yesterday with 29.38 run over 480 metres. This was the bitches first ever run in the UK and the first ever over 4 bends.  Other trials of note was Galtee Kaz 29.92, Walkaway Tyson 29.70 and Curra Ranger a rapid 29.04. Finally Curra King who was kindly bought by the Will Adamson syndicate recorded 29.49.

2011 Trainers Championship set for Wimbledon

The 2011 Trainers Championship will be held on Tuesday 22nd March at Wimbledon. I would love us to go there with some serious contenders and hopefully improve on last years efforts. There will be 8 races ( 4 Standard 480 metres, 1 480 Puppy, 1 Sprint and 2 six bend stayer races). The selection process will be based on dogs running well at that particular time and trials times around Wimbledon. With just eight places available competition will be red hot approaching the event. I have been already asked about organising a group trip down to the event so if I have enough interest I'll organise a coach. To register your interest please drop me a text. From the response I'll get a quote and come back to you. It would be great to hear our dogs roared home by all our loyal owners.Please note if you don't have a runner yourself you are still more than welcome to come along and join Team Allsopp.

Jigsaw getting closer to completion

Our team for 2011 is nearing completion. This morning I have agreed terms to bring one of the leading dogs in Ireland into the kennel. This lad is expected to leave Ireland this week. Once he arrives at the kennels I will blog the full details. Exciting times !

Happy 40th to the Big fella

Happy 40th Birthday to my close friend and Assistant Trainer Paul Anderson. Have a great night!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Its Winter Time

Another new owner has kindy given up some time to answer a few questions for our owners page. Why not have a click and have a read.

Select Trio snap up Rico

A select syndicate have snapped up competition prospect Uncle Rico. The syndicate consists of loyal owners Mick Giles, Neil Britton and Gary Allsopp. Good luck to you all.

Five star performances at Monmore

We had five cracking winners at Monmore last night with three of them being open race successes. Ballymac Ceila got the ball rolling when she took Division 2 of 416 with a 2 3/4 length win in 24.88. Ballymac Rumble was well supported by his local fans and went off at 6/4 F in the Division 1 480. He did not let them down and duly recorded his 14th career win in 28.59 by 4 1/2 lengths. I was genuinely over the moon the Fatboyz Diva got her reward for some very consistent performances when she took the 630 open in 38.49. Richter Corgan continued his march up the grades with hard fought victory in the A2 in 29.15. Our final winner of the evening was Radnor Blue who took advantage of not being recently raised in grade after a win with a S2 victory in 39.04.