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.
