Looking forward with Oliver & Nokes

Long standing and loyal owners John Nokes has took the final share in Ladbrokes Star. John hit it off with fellow owner Paul Oliver another 1/4 share holder this week.

I can see both these ambitious owners becoming big players in the sport. 

Paul tragically lost his first ever runner Kokoro on Wednesday which left Paul, his family and all the team very upset. What can I say to an owner who purchased the dog and has lost him on his first run. Paul is totally gutted but has taken it on the chin and is determined to go far in the sport.

Lets hope his luck changes with his other dogs Borna Hiker, Rathanny Ruth and Ladbrokes Star.

John Nokes has suffered his shares of bad luck with injuries and losing both Tae Milis and Proud Berry.

I'd like to wish them all the very best. 

Quest begins at Hove

Baileys Quest (pictured) made his long awaited debut at Hove for the team last night and instantly showed what he is capable of. This son of Scolari Me Daddy has been on the sidelines after cracking his hock in just his second trial. Last night he was quickly into his stride but still had to be brave round the first bend as he forced himself clear of the field and then to go on to win by 3/4 length in 16.67.

The ultra consistent Sidelight recorded her 9th career win when staying on like a flying machine over the extended distance of 695 metres at Hove to win in 41.71. This girl has been a genuine pleasure to train and is proving to be one of our stars of the year. 

Getting back to business

Kirk Superstar made it back to back wins at Monmore last night when staying on strongly to take the A4 in 29.16 by a head. Mays Stopgoback (pictured) built up a huge lead in the S2 but only just managed to hold on from kennel mate Paidis Peata by a head in 38.70. Our final winner of the evening at our home track was Blue Ninja who took advantage of his wide position to record his first win in a very competitive A3 in 28.84.

Tragic news shatters evening

Last night proved to me a very sad evening for all and a night to forget as Kokoro had to be put to sleep after X-rays revealed the poor dog had a brake compressed fracture in the neck. I would like to thank all the kind people who passed on their wishes to me by text, phone and Twitter. It means a lot to the team here and connections. We are all totally gutted.

I would like to congratulate on Charlie Lister and his team on great victory. As always Yarmouth hosted a wonderful night of racing and it was great to have Sky back involved with their new partners SIS.

Good Luck & thanks to all as we head to Yarmouth

I would like to thank all my owners for their continued support and sending me their dogs to train. With all those lucky owners with runners tomorrow in the Trainers Championship all the best of luck. Lets hope all the dogs run well and return fit and in one piece.

Who will take the last share in Ladbrokes Star ?

Three shares are now sold in our latest recruit Ladbrokes Star. David Torjusson, Paul Oliver and Steve Pomroy were first out of the traps to secure a share.

Star recorded an amazing 15.37 this morning at Monmore and I think its the fastest trial ever from one of my dogs having their first look at our home track. 

Star has settled in very well to the kennels and will now be prepared for the Golden Sprint at Romford.

The last shares of this machine is available at £3,750. 

The Kid handles the hike

Farloe thekid showed he was a step ahead of the grader when he defied a two grade rise to take todays A4 in 29.25. Kid stormed away from traps and never saw another dog until the shadow of the line was reached, there he stuck his head down showing great courage to win by a short head. Will be interesting to see what grade this lad in in next time out, surely worth a run in A4 again !

Rico Raid at Kinsley

We made a rare trip to Kinsley on Sunday as they had put on a cracking Sunday card with some very competitive opens.

Afan Rico recorded his first open race victory from owner Steve Howard when he took the @Kinsley Dogs Puppy Trophy. He had to concede the early lead to kennel mate Sids Ninja and Young Golden but Rico forced his way to the front coming out of the second bend and then sprint clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 28.11. If this son of Dukes Special can find a bit more early toe which should come with experience he could be very useful at distances around this trip.

2012 History Page Updates

I have updated our History page on the main website for 2012. Please have a look when you get five minutes. We are just working on a new front page with the website which will feature our latest big race winners.

Kennels closed on Sunday

The kennels will be closed all day on Sunday as the kennels have been hit by heavy snow making the local lanes very dangerous. Hopefully we will be back to normal next week.

Monmore round up

Copeland Razor recorded his 4th career win last night at Monmore. Razor gave the field a good head start after a slow start but stormed home off the final bend to win by a head in 29.56. 

Direct Hit provided the team with our Friday winner when she took the afternoons S2 in 39.76, staying on very sweetly to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

Ladbrokes Star joins Westview - Fancy a share ?

As we are such a high profile kennel we are constantly offered numerous emerging talent from the Emerald Isle. At the moment we are looking to bolster our major open race team with proven top open race dogs who have competed and done it at the very highest level.

A lot of these proven top open racers are with owners and trainers who refuse to sell and if they do they are quoting huge prices £30 - £40k region even more sometimes.

Our main man in Ireland who has provided us with nearly all of our class acts including the likes of 'Burnpark Champ', 'Express Shuttle' ,'Brittons Empire' and most recently the 2013 Midland Puppy derby winner 'Cluxtons Free'  has just completed the deal on a fantastic huge early pacer who will be aimed at all the MAJOR CATEGORY ONE EVENTS  including the likes of the Pall Mall, William Hill Classic and the Yarmouth Derby.

'Ladbrokes Star' has recently been competing in the £100,000 Con Kirby Memorial stake at Limerick. This stake has contained the fastest 2011 whelps in Ireland. Most of the dogs in it that are worth buying are simply not for sale, the likes of 'Ashford Castle' couldn’t buy him for £100,000 . ‘Oran Maestro' sold for £40,000, 'Slippery Robert' £30,000 refused not for sale - 28.25 Shelbourne Park.

In his short career to date 'Ladbrokes Star' has shown blistering early pace in each of his races. In his latest race he was racing against the likes of 'Oran Aestro 28.15 Shelbourne park - (sold for £40,000) - 'Ashford castle' (28.35 Limerick - £100,000 wouldnt buy him) 'Slippery Robert' (28.28 Shelbourne) £35,000 refused

Drawn in 4  'Ladbrokes Star' simply rocketed from traps (Please watch IGB Vid) and led 3 lengths down the backstraight from 'Ashford Castle'. This is the class and pace that 'Ladbrokes Star' possesses. On the tighter sharper tracks here in the UK he will be extremely hard to beat.

Just take a look at some of 'Stars' lines of form

 *****1st in 28.92 525 yards Limerick***** (Racing debut)

 ****1st in 28.90 525 yards Shelbourne**** (£20,000 National puppy competition)

 ****1st in 28.69 525 yards Shelbourne **** (Flying 1.97 split)

 ****1st in 28.81 525 yards Clonmel**** (£1,000 final)

Beating the likes of his litter brother ('Scolari express') 28.46 Limerick - (28.44 Shelbourne) £40,000 refused 'Holborn Junior' - 28.62 Clonmel - 28.44 Limerick 'Slippery Robert' (28.28 Shelbourne Park)

Make no mistake 'Ladbrokes Star' has competed and beat some of the best major open racers in Ireland, the sort money cannot simply buy. 'Star' has the concorde like early pace that you require in a greyhound. His style of running will be seen to much better effect here on the tighter UK tracks.

He will be aimed at all the major category one events. 'Star' joined us here on Tuesday morning at Westview kennels and we are delighted to have a dog of his talent as a lot of the other leading trainers and owners here in the UK were looking to acquire him for obvious reasons.

4 Shares available at £3,750 each. This shares will sell quickly so if you are interested you need to phone straight away. Update - 2 Shares SOLD within 30 mins

Teams confirmed for Trainers Championship

Following this mornings trial session the following teams were nominated by all the trainers in next weeks Trainers Championship.

Trainers' Championship teams
[Sprint/Puppy/Bitches/Dogs/Standard Div 1/Standard Div 2/Stayers Div 1/Stayers Div 2]
 
Chris Allsopp: Drumna Ice/Cluxtons Free/Express Flame/Ballycowen Dave/Daddy Knowsbest/Kokoro/Boherna Bridge/Goa Girl.
 
Seamus Cahill: Mottos Impact/Islas Scolari/Get On Paris/Loughteen Blanco/Droopys Reason/ Guinness Dusty/Avit On Bertha/Sakara Sky.
 
Barrie Draper: Farloe Barracuda/Glenpadden Post/Glenpadden Lake/Fire Height Spec/Kowloon Conner/Graigues Orchard/Farloe Kyle/Not represented.
 
Charlie Lister: Dreams Of Glory/Golden Wonder/Silverview Pinky/Alien Planet/Hather George/Lemon Pluto/Fear Emoski/ Farloe Tango.
 
Mark Wallis: Lil Risky/Garryglass Rodge/Bridge Ruth/Ayamzaman/Benkaat Blue/Ard To Beat/Blonde Reagan/Planning. 

Paul Young: Aero Joseph/Underground Paul/Jaytee Jules/Teejays Bluehawk/Jaytee Hellcat/Bubbly Lucky/Bubbly Swallow/Aero Rebel.

2013 Trainers Championship Standings

Last weeks double Final win has given us a real lift in this year Trainers Championship which we famously won in 2011. Fingers crossed we can stay away from the injuries and give Mark plenty to think about.

Trainers Championship Tension Builds

I had the great pleasure of being a guest of Ladbrokes the new Trainers Championship sponsor at the Imperial Hotel, Yarmouth for the traditional pre-event lunch.

The event on 27th March live on Sky is always one of the biggest nights in the sport. Its brilliant to be involved once again. We have ten dogs trialing on Thursday of which eight will be selected for the big night, 

The eight races will be :- 277 metres, x3 462 metres (Dogs, Bitches, Puppies), x2 All aged 462 metres and x2 659 races. I will post the team here on the blog and Twitter.

The five trainers we will be up against are Wallis, Draper, Cahill, Young and Lister.

It will be great to have a big away support on the night.

Off to a flyer

Mosca Flyer lost his maiden tag in great style on Monday evening with a win at Nottingham. Contesting the Maiden Sprint Trophy, Flyer was quickly away from traps and lead all the way to take the contest over 305 metres in 17.92. 

Superstar hits the lids

The early paced Kirks Superstar recorded his third Monmore win this afternoon when taking the A5 by 1 1/2 lengths in 29.56.  This lad has some genuine early pace but needs to improve his consistency when the traps rise. I'm sure this A5 win will be a stepping stone to many more wins.

Talking Dogs

Thought you regular readers might like to be made aware of Micheal Fortune's article on the IGB website. If you can't view the image then just click this link.

One step at a time for Cluxtons and Strategic

I've had plenty of questions where our two Ladbrokes Puppy Derby Finalists will run next. I can report both came out of the Final very well which is very pleasing. 

Cluxtons Free will head to Yarmouth for a a trial and then contest the puppy race as part of the Trainers Championship. Strategic Review will have a trial at Kinsley ahead of a crack at the Gymcrack.

Regarding the English Derby it is much to early to say. One step at a time.

Setting the trend

Hidden Trend kept the kennels in form run going last night when taking the evenings A2. Trend simply wins when she leads, so once she was round that first bend she was not going to be caught. Staying on well to win by 3/4 length in 29.34. Downside of the evening was two of our dogs were beaten by a short head ! 

Ladbrokes Puppy Derby Final 2013 Video

Claxtons Free - Ladbrokes Puppy Derby Winner 2013 Photos

Another four great photos from yesterdays main Final which us Claxtons Free take the big race for Paul Scott. Steve Nash kindly forwarded the attached photos in quick time for us. You can find a full gallery on his website.

Express Flame - Bitches Spring Festival Final Winner

Four great photos from Steve Nash from yesterdays Ladbrokes Spring Festival Bitches Final. Don't forget you can order your photos direct.

Cluxtons Free delivers Monmore Puppy Derby title

Well today was an amazing day. Simply unbelievable ! Those who are involved in our great sport understand the long hours, the miles driving round the country, the terrible injuries we have to treat throughout each year but today was one of those days when its all worth while.

Cluxtons Free delivered a kennel 1-2 in the £12,000 Ladbrokes Monmore Puppy Derby, a race we have been trying to win since I started training. I feel its just reward for winning owner Paul Scott who sadly lost Rooneys Lad last year who looked to be a serious greyhound in the making. Paul did actually win the Puppy Derby with Newinn Rocket with Pat Rosney before selling all his dogs after a run of bad injuries. Paul had ten months out of the game before Paul's son Nick bought Lady Sadie when followed him buying Cluxtons Free.

Cluxtons Free lead from the moment the traps rose and after an early battle with Remember Scotie. After Scotie had run his race kennel mate Stategic Choice stepped forward to lay down a challenge to Cluxtons Free. As they turned for home our pair stayed on superbly but it was Claxtons who raised the roof to win by 1/2 length in 28.53. 

Steve Nash was at track side and will send me photos as soon as possible for the blog. 

I've tried to win the Puppy Derby for six years. We went close with Burnpark Champ and runner up with Express Shuttle. It the third time we had made the final so it was unreal to get the 1-2 !

The stunning fawn Express Flame made it one of the best afternoons ever for us when she took Ladbrokes Spring Festival Bitches Final worth £1,000. Showing some great early pace she was never headed in the 480 metres contest to win by 2 1/2 lengths in 28.48. 

I would like to say a big well done to all the staff after such a great day.

Moscaville shines in Owners Series

Moscaville played a staring role in Heat 2 of the Owners Series Competition at Monmore last night. It was a real battling win for the daughter of Westmead Joe over came early traffic problems round the first two bends and then fought off a late challenge to record her 10th career victory in 29.46.

Puppy Derby Photos

 Cluxtons Free

 Sidelight

 Cluxtons Free

 Strategic Review

Strategic Review

Dave Yanez came up trumps once again for us by taking these great photos from the Puppy Derby Semi Finals. I'd urge anyone to take a look at his website as it has some amazing photos on and you can order prints direct that are delivered right to your door. 

Double handed in Puppy Derby Final

Our two Ladbrokes Monmore Puppy Derby contenders couldn't have ran a more perfect race this afternoon as they finished 1st and 2nd in the first Semi Final.

Cluxtons Free, having only his third ever race, was quickly into stride from the moment the traps rose. Strategic Review followed closely behind up the inside. Cluxtons held the field at bay and was never headed taking the race by 1 1/2 lengths in 28.37. 

I'm over joyed to get two dogs through to the race I've been wanting to win for all my career. The Final will be a very tough race but I'd love of these boys to better the great Express Shuttle who finished second.

Friday's Ladbrokes Puppy Derby final (winner £12,500) with betting from the sponsor: 1 Remember Scotie (5-2), 2 Strategic Review (7-2), 3  Bonamassa Rocks (7-1), 4 Golden Wonder (2-1), 5 Cluxtons Free (m) (7-1),  6 Johnnys Boy (w) (7-1)

Also on the card Catsrock Luck took the opening A5 in 29.34. This girl has now won three of her last four races. Express Flame made the Final of the Ladbrokes Spring Bitches competition when finishing second in Heat 3 in 28.59. There is more to come from this girl. 

Springbok Springer

Daddy Knowsbest recorded a 1st round win in the William Hill Springbok on Saturday when leading all the way to dominate Heat 1 to take the race in 30.07 by two lengths. This competition always is a great spectacle and is great to have a live contender in the competition. Droopys Lorenzo looks to be a smart recruit to hurdling and the one to beat.

*Friday’s semis (first two qualifiy for Tuesday March 19th Sky Sports final) 1^st semi 1 Suirview Ranger 2 Durrow Lark (m) 3 Lenson Johnny (m) 4 vacant 5 Droopys Lorenzo (w) 6 Fists Of Fury (w)

2^nd semi 1 Green Amigo 2 Brackers Fawn 3 Tintreach Wolf (w) 4 Arty Tashadelek (w) 5 Uncle Blue (w) 6 Rockview Royal (w)

3^rd semi 1 Daddy Knowsbest 2 Druids Abouttime 3 Hes Getting Nearer 4 vacant 5 Brocatsea Celt (w) 6 Westmead Meteor (w)

Easter Eggstravaganza

Greyhound racing's newest initiative got underway yesterday at Monmore with the launch of the BAGS/SIS Easter Eggstravaganza. The competition offers a prize fund in the region of £125,000 and will see 16 tracks stage qualifiers ahead of Grand Finals’ Day at Monmore Green on Good Friday 29th March. Finals’ Day will be a 16-race canine ‘eggstravaganza’ and Monmore’s management have vowed to repeat the success of the inaugural BAGS Track Championship final in late 2011. 

Steve Nash was on hand to capture Lightning Sky dead heat for first place in the Puppy qualifier. Sky had lead throughout the race but a late rally from Paul Sallis's Klockwork Kindra was to deny Sky the outright win. The winning time was 28.99.

Star performer

Galtee Star recorded her first career win at Monmore last night when showing some super all round pace to take the A8 in 29.67. This daughter of Kiowa Sweet Trey x Bawna Emily will hopefully now rise through the grades. 

Deano snaps up Natty Bumppo

Dean Martin (not the actor !) has snapped up smart open race puppy prospect Natty Bumpoo. I'd like to wish Dean all the very best of luck with this dual Waterford winner. 

Strategic Review eyes Puppy Derby prize

Our annual ambition to win the Monmore Puppy Derby started again yesterday.  The competition never fails to draw the very best pups from around the country. 

Strategic Review (pictured care of Steve Nash) laid down his credentials when taking Heat 5 with a simply all round awesome run taking the contest in an impressive 28.25. His 4 1/2 length win may have  shocked a few but this lad has pace to burn when he gets a clear run. 

He will be joined in next weeks Semi Final by kennel mate Cluxtons Free who finished second to Ericks Gav in Heat 6. This was only the pups second run for us and there is plenty more to come from this youngster.

We finished the day with two graded winners. Westmead Sheba didn't stop the rise to A5 stop her winning again in 28.92 whilst Proud Pigalle continued to increase his reputation by taking the A2 in 28.74. 

Natty looking like a serious open race stayer

We are pleased to announce that we have just agreed terms to bring a highly exciting new puppy into the kennels.

Natty Bumppo is only a September 2011 baby. Bred by Irish Derby winning sire College Causeway x Chin Gaah Gook, this raw young pup weighs in at an impressive 32 kilos and is anything but the finished article.

In her short career to date Natty has shown huge potential for one so young. Racing at Waterford in a 1,000 Euro Competition she became the talk of the track after her semi final win but it was the manner of her victory which left racegoers convinced that they had witnessed a future staying queen.

Racing over 480 metres in the 1st race of her life she was in all kinds of trouble at traps and at the 1st bend and at the 2nd bend she was at least 8-10 lengths back in third place. But down the back straight she simply took off and showed huge pace from here. Finishing like an express train she got up to win on the line by a short head in 29.59, she was at least 6 lengths in front at the pick.

Racing in the Final she once again demonstrated massive staying power. After being forced very wide on the first bend but came home full of running  to win going away in 29.20.

Her card reads :

                                ** 1st in 29.59 525 yards race Waterford**

                                ** 1st in 29.20 525 yards race Waterford **

                                           (1,000 Final)

Make no mistake this young pup is improving with every run she gets. Her style of running easily shows that the 480 metres is way too short for her to show her true ability. She is to young at the moment to put over 6 bends but when she is stepped up in trip in the next few months she could well develop in to something special.

Please watch the IGB videos and judge for yourselves. This pup will be arriving at the kennels this week and we have agreed a price for her which we think is very reasonable judging on the staying power she has shown in her two races to date in which she is unbeaten.

Please phone me direct to discuss this highly exciting staying puppy further.

Pinnel Syndicate make new signing

A very busy at kennels this morning taking advantage of dry weather to walk to dogs. The Wayne Pinnel syndicate with their new syndicate member Trigga have snapped up Ballymac Ciara after her great win on Friday. I'd like to wish the syndicate all the very best of luck with her.

Having a Barney

Proud Barney showed us his real potential last night at Monmore when recording his second Monmore victory. Barney stormed round the last two bend to fly to a huge 5 3/4 length win in 28.90. This son of Westmead Hawk x Proud Pegs Gift has some genuine pace, if we can get him on the bunny a bit more often he will make plenty of the very best dogs at Monmore go.

Sharp Bullet is having a great 2013 and he won his 4th race of the year when putting in another quality performance to take the evenings A1 in 28.63. Bullet flew from the moment the traps rose and was never headed to win by 1 3/4 lengths. 

Springbok hopeful Daddy Knowsbest was second down at Wimbledon in 29.70. It's great to have a hurdler in the kennel. Hurdlers add a lot of excitement to our sport and it would be great to train a few more. 

Repeat performances

Our great form at Monmore continued this afternoon with another four winners.

Hidden Trend took advantage of a drop in grade to A3 to be our first winner when taking the opening A3 in 29.05 by two lengths. This was her 5th career win from 22 starts.

The recent run around Romford has helped freshen up Shiners Princess. Princess was quickly into her stride and showed some great pace to build up a commanding lead which was never closed, taking the race in 29.00.

Ballymac Clara recorded her career win when romping to a huge 6 3/4 length win in 29.24. Clara took advantage of some first corner crowding but lets hope this clear run with raise her confidence and lead to more wins.

Our final winner of the meeting was Bitch of the Month Ballymac Pixie who recorded her 4th win when stepping up in grade again to take the final A3 in 29.50. 

Chalkley's Pixie is January star

James Chalkley's Ballymac Pixie was honoured at Monmore last night as she was named at Bitch of the Month for January. Pixie started her career at Monmore with two wins and two 4th places. I'm sure there is plenty more to come from this improving young bitch. 

Four winner Thursday

Four winners for the home team last night at Monmore which was very pleasing.

Shades of Zeta opened our account by taking the A3 in 28.71. Zeta was quickly away and never headed to win by 1 length to record an over due win after a number of consistent runs without reward.  Lady Sadie took the very next race in exactly the same way, bounding clear to win by three lengths in 28.90. 

Ballencrief Lad took the S3 with a storming performance. Lad worked his way through the field and traffic problems to run on very strongly to take the race in 39.25. By the look of his starting price (5/4 Fav) connections and local punters enjoyed a pay day.

Bawna Major completed the four timer by taking the last race. Major overcame a very crowded race to take the A3 in 29.20. This was the dogs 10th career win from 56 starts.