April Kennel Round Up And Early May News

April Kennel Round Up And Early May News

April in numbers (graded runners only)

🐾 196

🥇 22

🎯 11.22% (16.3% year to date)

April in numbers (open runners only)

🐾 5

🥇 1

🎯 20%

We have struggled for winners at times this month and that is reflected in our April stats. Supreme Blake and Bangon Escobar both posted two wins in the month and we also had some dogs make their debut in April who may need a few runs to find their feet. Both Aarons Pet and Kilgraney Silver are pups who made their debuts and then won on their second start which was great to see.

Hazelhill Train had a tough introduction to his racing career. He came in as a reserve in a puppy race after posting a 28.68 trial. After that he ran in a couple of A1s but didn’t start well enough to be competitive in those top end races. However a slight ease in grade gave him the break he needed to notch up his first win and show what we think he is capable of. He looks to be a strong runner so it may be in time that his future is over a longer trip.

New Dogs

We have taken a keen interest in a couple of sales in April which has brought new dogs into the kennel. Some will be a boost to the graded strength and some will hopefully be able to go out on the open race circuit in time. Ferryforth Molly, Barnfield Sid, Awbeg and Chasing Landy were all purchased at the Youghal sales and in the last couple of weeks have all started their grading trials. As hoped, having been quickest on the day of the sales trials, Chasing Landy has trialled in at Monmore particularly well having clocked 28.48 (28.78 minus 30) in his first three dog trial. Hopefully the Watford Gap Racing Club syndicate will have some exciting times to come with him. 

Noduff Racing also purchased 2 dogs at the recent Kilkenny Sales. Bellmore Cindie, who despite only being a December ‘19 was quickest of the day, will be renamed Noduff Bellagio and Jumeirah Dobey, who found trouble in his trial but still caught the eye, will be renamed Noduff Caesar. These two pups both look to be interesting prospects for the future and we are looking forward to seeing them start their grading trials in the next few weeks.

To start May off, we have had two new additions to the kennel. Rosshill Duke who will be renamed Bangon Churchill is a litter brother to Bangon Escobar and will hopefully give the owners lots to look forward to. We’ve also welcomed Swords Duke, an experienced Irish runner who has posted good times at Shelbourne over 525 and 550 yards who will be adding strength and depth to the open race team we are building.

There’s lots to look forward to in the coming months and we are hoping to be involved in some of the competitions that are in the calendar for the remainder of the year. The recent and newer arrivals to support our graded strength should soon be posting wins which will help to get us back to where we expect to be with our graded stats too.

March Kennel Round Up And Early April News

March in numbers (graded runners only)

🐾 183

🥇 30

🎯 16.39%

March in numbers (open runners only)

🐾 5

🥇 2

🎯 40%

March has seen some new dogs come into the kennel. 3 dogs were purchased at the Kilkenny sales to boost the graded strength: Crinkill Louise, Petite Hollie and Petite Heidi who have started trialling in. A small group of owners purchased Hazelhill Train who has just had his first 480m trial and the Bangon owners added Bangon Kauto to their team.

As we welcome new dogs to Watford Gap, we have also had kennel stalwarts Final Wolf, Skywalker Iris, Forever Never, Job Sorted and Im Noodle retiring and heading off to find their forever homes. We are lucky to have the Hall Green Greyhound Trust branch on site and so it’s great to be able to see the dogs leave with their new owners for the next chapter in their story. 

We’ve had a few meetings with a good proportion of winners including a 686/1 4 timer in back to back races on 30th March. Just 3 days later we then had a hat trick of winners in back to back races with the fast finishing Dolla Joker missing out by a head in the race after which would have given us another 4 timer. In terms of individual efforts, we had 26 dogs register victories in March. 24 in graded races and 2 in opens with Rage Storm and Daddys Prince both winning 6 bend opens at Monmore. 6 dogs won 2 races in March with a couple just missing out in their hat trick bids.

As we start April it has been great to get our new Watford Gap Racing Club Syndicate off the ground. The syndicate are in the process of purchasing a dog which we are hoping will give lots of fun and interest at the higher end of the racing strength and brings together existing and new owners to the kennel.

As restrictions continue to relax, it is lovely to see owners back at the kennel and being able to return to the track looks to be the next step come the middle of May which will be a real boost for owners. Also to look forward to in May is the Entain Track Championship which is being held at Hove. We will cheering on our home track and it would be great if we were also able to provide a runner to two for the event.

Although there has been lots of positive news in the last few weeks, it is with great sadness that we share the passing of one of our racers, Ballymac Wizard. Merlin, as he was known in the kennel, unfortunately suffered a heart attack and died after his race on 1st April. He was seen to immediately by the track vet but sadly there was nothing that could be done. At over 37kg he was a larger than life character who will be really missed by his owners and all of the kennel staff. 

With some new dogs coming through grading trials and some even newer additions to the kennel in the coming weeks there’s lots to look forward to. We are hoping to build on a good start to the year on the graded front and start to put a team together to head out open racing.

Kennel Update - January 2021

With the start of a new year we are going to make a renewed effort to keep the website up to date and venture into the world of social media in the coming weeks - more details will follow soon.

Despite the weather and unprecedented times, January has started positively for the kennel with 30 winners from 129 runners to date giving a win percentage of  23.25%. These stats have been helped by two pups, Abigails Mandy and Ballymac Layla,  having three wins each during January. They are progressing well through the grades and should continue to improve in the coming months.

From February, Monmore’s evening cards on a Thursday and Saturday evening will be on RPGTV which is a real boost for owners who are missing seeing their dogs. It won’t be the same as being there in person but it will be good to enjoy watching the racing on this platform.