SAVVA – THE DAMS

A breeder is only as good as his brood bitches. Westmead was primarily built around four, including two who offspring crossed so well and kept the champions in the paddocks for over 30 years. Then, with the line apparently on the wane, a new introduction gave the kennel its second lease of life.

PINCANO

f b (Clopook-Dungooly Chariot, Apr 64)

Pincano’s racing career was spent almost entirely on the independent circuit (see chapter 2) though she did win a couple of 510 yard opens at Rayleigh during a brief spell there.

She was the first brood to produce a litter at Westmead. The date was January 1968. By Maryville Hi, the litter featured Westmead Villa. However it also contained open winners, Westmead Mono, Westmead Brook and Westmead Hi who contested the Trafalgar Cup Final before a promising career ended prematurely in the 1969 Yorkshire Puppy Derby Final. Hi later threw marathon star Westmead Mia.

Pincano’s second litter were by Irish Laurels winner Boro Parachute but featured nothing of note.

The Deneholme Hunter litter included Westmead View who would later be mated to Westmead County to produce Drynham Star. A top class open racer during the mid 1970s, Star won the 1976 Spring Cup, Jubilee Stake and Gold Vase, he also finished runner-up in the ’75 Pall Mall and the ’76 St Leger. He fawn broke the Harringay 660 clock, twice broke the Wimbledon 660 clock and also set new records at Hackney (523m) and Derby (590m).

Pincano’s final litter was to Discretions and included the minor open racer Johnny Wood. He was sent over to Australia and eventually went to stud where his progeny included the 1977 Melbourne Cup winner Milepost.

Nick says: “Nicky Kervick warned me not to breed with Pincano because she wasn’t a hundred percent genuine – at least on the outside hare.

He told me ‘She’ll break your heart!’ But she was fast and good looking so I went against his advice. But I made sure that I went to a dog that I always considered a 100 percent hard chaser – Maryville Hi – I had watched him in the Derby and liked his style of racing. Whether it was him who made the difference or not I don’t know but the litter were all very genuine, none more so than Westmead Villa.”

 

CRICKET DANCE

f b (Prairie Flash-Juggie, March 66)

One of the original three broods that would put Westmead on the breeding map, Cricket Dance would produce eight litters.

But it was the first litter, by Clonalvy Pride and featuring Westmead County, Pride, Lane and Silver that, above all others, set the benchmark against which all other litters would be measured.

While County and Lane (see separate) went on to sire many fast hounds, it was left to Silver to keep the dam line going (below).

After a small, ordinary, batch by Faithful Hope, Cricket Dance’s third litter were by Laurels winner Carry On Oregon and featured two exceptional dogs who both, for some reason, loved Slough.

Delroney Leader would win the ’74 Buckinghamshire Cup and set a new 660 track record. Westmead Valley, trained by McEntyre, would win the ’74 Scurry Gold Cup and finish runner-up in the Oxfordshire.

There were another pair of high class Westmeads in a versatile Always Proud litter. Early paced ‘Border’ reached a string of finals, winning the Midland Flat and setting track records for 430 metres at Bletchley and 420 at Derby.

Brother ‘Land’ was more of a stayer winning two decent competitions and setting a six bend clock at Bristol. One of the litter, ‘Glide’ won over 890 metre.

Clohast Rebel, the sire of Dance’s next litter was an abject failure at stud. The best of the Westmeads was Westmead Choice who won the 1976 Champion Stakes at Shelbourne Park.

Another member of the litter, ‘Mink’, finished runner-up to half brother Land in the Whitbred Final at Portsmouth.

Dance’s daughter Westmead Silver had already produced a decent Mels Pupil litter so there was great interest when her mum was crossed by the same dog.

The best bitch in the litter was Westmead Dance who won the East Anglian Derby and set a 462 metre clock at Yarmouth that would remain untouched for 20 years.

The best dog in the litter was Westmead Special. In 1977 he won 15 opens and reached a string of finals including the Scottish Derby and the Essex Vase where he finished fifth.

Last but not least was Cricket Dance’s Feb 76 litter by Fionntra Frolic. The most notable member of the litter was Westmead Rhythm would would go on to throw Produce Stakes winner Westmead Cannon and Romford Puppy Cup winner Cannonroe.

If there was one daughter who, above all others, would extend Cricket Dance’s influence, it was Westmead Silver, from that first amazing litter.

Silver’s first litter to Myrtown included the headline grabbing Westmead Myra, but it would be her minor open race winning sister Westmead City who would have such a major effect on Irish breeding.

Trained by Ernie Price and sold on to Irish farmer Paddy Doran, City would throw one of the leading sires of the early 1990s Manorville Sand, plus his half brother and sister Manroville’s Major and Lass.

In April 1975, Silver threw her second litter, this time by Mels Pupil. The star was Westmead Manor who contested the 1977 Derby final won by Balliniska Band. The following year he won the Hunt Cup and Steel City Cup. His littermates included Cesarewitch finalist in Westmead Fun.

In May ’76, Westmead Tulip was born, from a mating between Silver and the kennel’s new sire Fionntra Frolic. The brindle went on to win a stack of opens for Terry Atkins and finished runner-up in both the Super Trapper and Rochester Derby. Sister ‘Orchid’ ran third in the 1978 English Oaks and Scurry finals.

Silver’s final litter was to coursing sire Best Man. Although there was nothing of note, two of the bitches went on produce well. One produced Lifford Derby winner Why Hesitate.

The other, when mated to Glenroe Hiker, threw Mistley Trojan who Nick trained to win the 1984 Classic Select Stakes and Anglo-Irish International at Wimbledon.

HACKSAW

f b (Hack Up Chieftain-Meteoric, Jan 67)

Bought specifically for breeding, Hacksaw’s race career was very brief due to a wrist injury.

She produced her first litter by former marathon open racer Franks Tower in April 1970. The star of the litter was Westmead Tower who ran third in the Cesarewitch and fifth in the 1972 Irish TV Trophy.

Hacksaw’s following litter to Newdown Heather produced nothing of note on the track but Westmead Damson went on to become the 1978 Dam of the Year.

Damson’s first litter included double classic winner Westmead Power and the prolific open race stayer Westmead Fair.

To Fionntra Frolic, Damson would throw Regency runner-up Playfield Royal, Coronation Stakes winner Westmead Velvet and the useful Westmead Trophy. There was also an Edinburgh Cup finalist in her litter by Westmead Pancho.

In the meantime, her mum Hacksaw was producing litters by Westmead brothers County and Lane. To the former she threw the leading stayer of winter ‘74/’75, the Arnold Mobley trained Westmead Bounty. The Lane litter would include the legend that became Westmead Satin.

A repeat mating to County produced yet another superstar in Westmead Champ. There was little of note in her second litter by Lane.

WESTMEAD SATIN

bd b (Westmead Lane-Hacksaw, Aug 73)

Westmead Satin was whelped in August 1973 from a Westmead Lane/Hacksaw litter that would include Westmeads ‘Cloud’ (Gr London Challenge Trophy), ‘Gale’ (TR 764m Derby), and ‘Patrick’ who would win opens over four six and eight bends.

The small brindle Satin began her open race career in early 1975. She ran dual distance opens and was still a pup when she went unbeaten to the final of the 600 metre Ebor at Leeds where she finished third.

Seasonal breaks plus lameness restricted Satin to 16 appearance in that first season though she also won opens at White City and Wembley.

Satin was kept in training over the winter and in January ‘76 she contested the final of White City’s Longcross Cup where she ran Sallys Cobbler to within a length as he set a new 680 metre track record.

A month later, and over the City’s 730 metre trip, the battling brindle beat the country’s top stayer Glin Bridge in both semis and final of the GRA Stakes. Her third major final of the year was Wimbledon’s Spring Cup where she finished down the field as kennelmate Drynham Star set a new 660 metre record.

Once again Satin spent the summer on the sides lines, and after a six month lay-off, reappeared in the 620 metre Milton Keynes Derby. Drynham Star (2-5f) again stood in her way, but Satin took her revenge with a three length win from Weston Oak – Star finished fourth.

A runner-up spot in her fifth final of the year, Hall Green’s Winter Trophy, saw Satin complete 1976 with eight wins from a mere 22 outings.

Satin came into season in early 1977 and was mated to the former De Mulder trained stayer Prince Champion.

The litter featured Canada Dry Marathon winner Westmead Tina and the incredibly versatile Westmead Prince.

In his first season, the black reached a couple of stayers finals. The following year, he emulated his dam by winning the Milton Keynes Derby and also finished runner-up in Leicester’s Midlands Grand Prix before, as a veteran, he embarked on a successful hurdling career.

Over the years Nick has used many poor stud dogs. But by his own admission, his choice of Wired To Moon for Satin’s second litter was among his worst decisions.

The former former Hove open racer was a disaster at stud, but Satin still managed to produce two fine greyhounds by him in Feb 1979.

The outstanding dog in the litter would be the 1982 Guys And Dolls winner Westmead Badger; his sister was Westmead Seal.

When Nick put Glenroe Hiker across Satin, it was another story of ‘hope over expectation’. In fact, the litter of six bitches would put Hiker on the breeding map – none more so than Westmead Tania.

For her fourth litter, Satin was booked in for a mating to Sail On II. But due to a breakdown on the way to the ferry, Nick booked her into the lightly used All Wit. Indeed he actually performed the mating himself.

The litter would feature Westmeads Milos and Kim. Litter brother Westmead Sound did 29.00 at Wembley before breaking his hock. Another sister Westmead Grace, would go on to finish runner-up in the Henlow Derby and make the final of the Golden Jacket Final at Harringay.

There was a repeat mating to Glenroe Hiker though unfortunately, their arrival at Westmead coincided with that of parvovus.

Westmead Satin died on 17 January 1985 – the first of the great Westmead bitches to produce equally well in the breeding paddocks as she did on the track.

 

WESTMEAD SEAL

bk b (Wired To Moon-Westmead Satin, Feb 79)

Westmead Seal was a very lightly raced bitch who much preferred the inside lure. She won heats and final of the Buckinghamshire Cup at Slough beating kennelmate Westmead Betty in the 593 decider.

She also won opens at Derby and reached the final of the Midland Oaks.

Nick recalls: “Seal ran too wide on the McKee hare but ran middle to the inside hare. She wasn’t lacking pace.”

Her first litter, by Special Account, were struck down by parvovirus but Westmead Account went on to break the Oxford 250 metre track record as well as making the finals of the Scurry Gold Cup and Silver Collar.

Nick says “She went to Colm McGrath for a couple of litters (Glenroe Blue and Cooladine Super) but they picked up parvovirus. In the end I gave her away to Reading trainer Vera Green.”

Seal produced four dogs and five bitches by Glenroe Hiker. Significantly, the only ones who made it, were the pups that had returned to Westmead Kennels for rearing.

Westmead Gold won the Westmead Puppy Stakes in 28.96 at Walthamstow and was beaten 1-2 favourite in the 1997 Produce Stakes Final. Litter brother Change was runner-up to Able Sam in the same final. Gold also reached the Eclipse and Arc Finals.

Seal then produced a litter to Fearless Champ. The only one to make it was Westmead Roman who won the Cambridgeshire Cup and finished third in the Arc.

Nick said: “One day Vera said she was packing up and asked if I wanted Seal back. She was nine and a half.

“I put Flashy Sir across her and because of her age she only had small litters. The first included Westmead Lodge who went unbeaten to the semi finals of the Derby.

“We decided to go for a repeat mating and from that litter we got Phantom Flash and Westmead Chloe. I always wondered what she might have thrown had I had her back sooner.”

In fact, the line did continue via Lodge’s sister Westmead Hannah who threw Westmead Merlin and Produce Stakes winner Hedsor Kurt.

Seal was finally put to sleep aged 11 in October 1990 following a deteriorating health bought on by a severe mouth ulcer.

 

WESTMEAD ALVA

f b (Glenroe Hiker-Westmead Satin, Apr 81)

Compared to sister Tania, Westmead Alva’s introduction to racing was comparatively quiet with her first two outings in opens at Cambridge and Milton Keynes, both of which she won.

But her low profile wouldn’t last long. On Oaks final night, the 18 month old won a Harringay 475 metre supporting open in 28.60. The Oaks final was won by Duchess Of Avon in 28.72 and a £1,000 Select Invitation was won by the £50,000 purchase Long Spell in 28.55.

It was then off to Wimbledon and the light fawn was the fastest of the three semis final winners in the 1982 Puppy Oaks. Alva started as 7-4 favourite for the final but finished fourth behind Contact Breaker.

After a winter break, Alva made her reappearance in the Pall Mall and only missed out on a place in the final in a photo finish.

Next up was the 1983 English Derby at White City. In the qualifying round she beat a young open racer called Whisper Wishes by five lengths in a fast 29.88. Alva survived another round but was then eliminated.

Her next appearance was at Harringay on the night before the 1983 Derby Final. This time she beat Whisper Wishes by nearly four lengths in a new Harringay 475m track record of 28.34. She was retired soon afterwards with a hind muscle injury.

Alva’s first litter were by the American sire Ks Prince and included a talented marathon performer in Westmead Helen.

The second litter were also by a sire who would fail to make it at stud – Matthews World, however, it did feature Wembley Gold Trophy winner Olivers World.

Alva’s third litter were the first by a successful stud dog, and old rival Whisper Wishes.

The star of the litter was Westmead Claim. With more ability than luck, the early paced white dog was second (1-2f) in the 1988 Produce Stakes Final and was also runner-up in the Anglo-Irish. Four of the litter won opens.

However it would be the lesser known Allglaze Crystal who would make the biggest impression at stud through her grandsons Highmoor Valley, Highmoor Glen (Ebor) and Tarn Bay Flash (’97 Grand National).

But it would be Alva’s fourth litter which would prove to be her best. The two biggest stars were Bens Baby and Westmead Havoc who finished 1-2 in the away leg of the 1989 Anglo-Irish.

Havoc also finished third in the Wimbledon leg and like half brother Claim, was beaten favourite in the Produce Stakes.

Brother Maggies Magic won a £1,500 stake at Hove, and another four members of the litter also won opens.

Alva was duly voted the 1989 Dam of the Year.

Alva’s fifth litter, by Fearless Champ did little on the track. The sixth litter was a repeat to Flashy Sir.

Blessed with a little more stamina than the first litter, the most successful on the track was Westmead Gypsy (Boxing Day Marathon, RU Greenwich Cup).

Although another three members of the litter won opens, it would be Celtic Lady who would prove the most significant.

When mated to Shanless Slippy she produced Westmead Leo (Greenwich Cup), while to Toms The Best she threw Westmead Woofa (Puppy Classic) and Toms The One (Derby Plate, RU Pall Mall).

From her mating to Daleys Gold, Lady threw Deneview Pearl, dam of Toms View, Astronomic and Mustang Buster.

Alva’s final litter to Greenpark Fox were probably her worst, a bunch of massively built, but otherwise untalented, graders.

 

WESTMEAD TANIA

bd b (Glenroe Hiker-Westmead Satin, Apr 81)

Knowing the depth at which you can start a youngster takes good judgement and a degree of bravery.

So it was something of a surprise when Nick entered the 18 month old novice Westmead Tania in the 1982 English Oaks at Harringay.

Tania had been beaten in her first three opens but had trialled well. Nevertheless, her 28.49 run in the first round was a stunner. She was quicker than the eventual winner of the stake Duchess Of Avon (28.54) and recent Irish Oaks winner Quick Suzy (28.77).

In fact, Tania’s time was only 12 spots outside the Harringay 475 metre track record.

She won second round heat in 28.71 but went out in the semi finals and was put away for the winter.

The brindle made her reappearance in the first round of the Pall Mall and finished a creditable second.

In the second round she collided with another runner at the first bend. He was KO’d, she was eliminated. It would be Tania’s last race as a pup.

Her first as an adult was in the heats of the Midland Oaks, which she won in the fastest time of the night.

The 7-4 favourite for the final, the brindle was well placed when she became the first of a long line of fast Westmeads to break a hock at Hall Green. She never raced again.

It was 18 months later that Tania produced her brilliant litter to Whisper Wishes (see Westmead Move).

Her second litter by Special Account were very disappointing, though the third, by his son Fearless Champ was better.

The star was the 1988 St Leger runner-up Westmead Pulse. Comrades Olivers Question and Westmead Dream won opens while another sister, Wetmead May threw Saucy Sadie (Northumberland Gold Cup).

Litter number four were the ‘TV litter’, while the fifth and final litter was a repeat mating whelped so tragically some 14 months later.

Most were minor open racers though one of the bitches, Westmead Kara, went on to throw Stones Silver Collar winner Touch Again.

 

WESTMEAD KIM

bk b (All Wit-Westmead Satin, Mar 82)

Kim and brother Milos were sold to Colm McGrath soon after schooling and the black soon joined her new owner in Ireland.

At 20 months old Kim ran won a semi and then ran third to Kerogue Nell in the Sean Graham 700 at Dunmore.

She returned to England but was suffered a freak accident in a trial at Milton Keynes.

Nick says: “It was a windy night and the traps were blown back onto the track. She swerved to avoid them and in doing so broke a wrist.”

Sold onto Pat Dalton, Kim threw litters by For Real, Whisper Wishes, Gambling Fever, Sail On II, Ps Riptide and Curryhills Gara.

The best was the Whisper Wishes bunch which featured American Juvenile Classic winner Whisper Wit, a race in which litter brother Energy Pack came third.

To Sail On II, Kim threw Rymer who won the 1989 National Puppy Stakes at Shelbourne Park and proved a decent dam in the USA.

The story might have ended there, but for Nick’s chance visit to Pat Dalton’s Tipperary Kennels in 1991 where he spotted nine year old Kim.

He said: “It was pure luck. I was driving through Golden with Paddy Dunne and had a chance thought to pop in and see Pat.

“I asked about Kim and it turned out she was due to be put down the following day. Pat had originally promised me a pup which I had never taken up and I asked if I could take Kim home instead.

“She had some bad teeth which were removed. I had no plans to breed with her again but she returned to such good condition that I decided to have a litter out of her.”

The dog and two of the three bitches were graders, but the other bitch, Westmead Flight, did just enough to justify a trial litter (see breeding section).

A strange twist of fate had determined that the last roots of the last remaining original Westmead bloodline were about to burst back into productivity.

 

WESTMEAD MOVE

bk b (Whisper Wishes-Westmead Tania Nov 84)

Move began her racing career in a Reading puppy open on May 1 2006. Despite being beaten in her first few races, the 19 month old pup was made favourite and easily won the Upton Rocket Stakes in 28.69 for the Stow’s 475 metre – just 15 spots outside the track record.

Despite her age, Move was tested over the ‘short’ six bends at Catford had been laid to lose £28,000 in ante post bets when she lined up for the final of the 1986 Gold Collar.

She had failed to win a round but had shown improvement in every round. Backed from 4-1 to 11-4 on the night, the 22 month old pup was in second place with a circuit run, behind Essex Vase winner Rosehip Trish. But showing great speed around the last two bend Move went on to win by two and a half lengths in the fastest Gold Collar decided ever, 34.80 for the 555 metres.

It was then on to Walthamstow and the Grand Prix. She was beaten once during the qualifiers but started at 10-11f for the £5,000 final. Clear at the first turn, the pup went on to win by more than five lengths in 39.35 – five spots inside Ballyregan Bob’s track record. She also ran both legs of the Anglo-Irish finishing second and fourth.

In 1987 she easily won the Midland Oaks and Brighton Belle (29.79) and finished runner-up in the Select Stakes and produced her first litter later in the year.

At four years old Move returned to the track and won the Midland Oaks, the Stewards Cup at Walthamstow and won a semi final of the English Oaks.

Move’s first litter, by Fearless Champ, were 11 months old when she retired for the second and final time. The star would be Westmead Harry though there were five open race winners in the litter. Westmead Cruise won two thousand pound stakes – beating Chicita Banana in one. Westmead Flow and Mistley Supreme both reached the Produce Stakes final. Of the bitches, Westmead Wendy finished runner-up in the Brighton Belle. Litter sister Westmead Fairy (alias Swallowed A Cat) went on to throw stud dogs Mustang Jack, Shoot To Freedom and the useful American brood Articled Clerk.

Move’s next litter, Nick’s least favourite, were by Tico. The hyperactive dog and ten bitches featured five minor open racers with the dog Phantom Move (29.44 490m – Wembley) the best of them. Interestingly though, a couple of the bitches later appeared on the dam lines of some decent open racers: Westmead Glow (Glue Vixen, Skywalker Ace, Elderberry Vixen) and Westmead Athena (Colourful Champ, Castleboro Katie, Pinewood Blue).

Litter number three were the ‘feisty’ January ’90 litter by Daleys Gold, and arguably the best of all Move’s litters. Eight months after her Daleys litter, Move threw seven dogs and two bitches by his son Airmount Grand.

Once again there were category one winners among them and none better than Westmead Darkie. He won the 1992 Grand Prix and finished third in the same year’s St Leger. Like the Daleys litter, there was great variety among the litter comrades including the early paced Next Move who won the Henlow Derby and was runner-up in the Produce Stakes. Litter brother ‘Mount’ won the Test and mention too for the game Westmead Paddy who won 31 opens from 440-685 metres.

Litter number five featured four pups by I’m Slippy. They had problems in rearing and only one, Westmead Vicky, made minor open class.

Whether Nick would have used I’m Slippy again had he known how they would turn out is debatable, but they were only eight months old when Move produced a repeat mating of five pups. The star was of course the great Westmead Chick. Also in the litter was Westmead Hazzard, a big handsome brindle who was injured early in his career and eventually went to stud in the USA, though he wasn’t a great success.

One interesting member of the litter was Westmead Odd, who as his name replies was a strange looking sort. While a big strapping specimen, facially, he was as under shot as a bull dog. He nevertheless went on to win numerous opens specialising in the Stow’s 415 metre trip.

On the track, sister Westmead Mystic was always in Chick’s shadow, despite winning a dozen opens including the final of Sheffield’s Autumn Puppy Cup. She also reached the finals of the Oaks, Puppy Oaks and Gold Collar.

Mystic only produced one litter before dying prematurely but it included Westmead Josie, dam of Gold Collar/Sussex Cup winner Toms Little Jo.

Litter number seven was a repeat mating to Daleys Gold and resulted in seven bitch pups. The best turned out to be the Attwater family’s Westmead Lynx who went on to throw the 2000 Produce Stakes winner He’s Nobodys Fool and Golden Jacket winner Sundar Storm. Two of the bitches went to the USA where they threw some decent grade winners.

Move’s final litter were by Murlens Slippy, and fittingly had the most stamina with Westmeads Amour and Spur both marathon performers. Another sister, ‘Flirt’ was also exported to the USA and threw a string of AA and stake winners.

Westmead Move was put to sleep in February 1996 following a losing battle with cancer of the shoulder.

Twice voted Dam of the Year, she threw 275 open race winners and was the leading dam of the 1990s.

Move litters

By	Pups in litter	Open winners	Opens
Fearless Champ	8	5	38
Tico	11	4	12
Daleys Gold 1/90	11	10	109
Airmount Grand	9	6	58
I’m Slippy 5/91	4	1	1
I’m Slippy 1/92	5	4	47
Daleys Gold 3/93	7	1	1
Murlens Slippy	7	2	9

Nick says: “The best bitch that I ever bred. She was so consistent, a tremendous tracker and in my opinion, only ever ran one bad race.

“It was in the St Leger heats and she ran terrible. I was convinced that she had been got at. She passed blood and was in a very bad way. The vet examined her and agreed with me but we had no other evidence that she had been doped.

“Apart from that, she was brilliant. We received an invitation to run against Ballyregan Bob but I declined it because I honestly thought that we would beat him and I wasn’t prepared to do that.

“I often thought that she was retired too early which is why we brought her back to run in the Oaks.”

MEGA DELIGHT

bd b (Smooth Rumble-Knockeevan Joy, Jun 99)

Mega Delight made her racing debut in a confined 575 event at Cork in June 2001. Trained by John Kiely, she won her heat by more than 12 lengths and the final by almost as far.

It was most unusual for Bob Morton to buy a non-Westmead but stud keeper Richie O’Regan was so convinced of the brindle’s potential that he convinced Nick, and Bob Morton, that she was worth buying.

‘Meg’ joined Westmead and won a 620 metre open, but Nick reckoned “the penny hadn’t dropped” in terms of her commitment and he suggested she return to Ireland for more schooling. She returned to Kiely and soon afterwards reached the Munster Marathon final but the following month she joined Derby winning trainer Seamus Graham.

Nick says: “It was John’s suggestion to send Meg to Seamus because he realised that she would be running regularly at the top tracks and Seamus was in a better location. It proved to be a good decision.”

Within weeks she had landed the Evelyn 750 at Harolds Cross. A month later, she polished off the Irish Cesarewitch in a new 600 yard track record at Mullingar, swiftly followed by a six length win in the Corn Cuchulainn.

In May 2002 she won heats and semis of the Barrys Tea 700 by a combined 13 lengths but was beaten at 1-3f in the final.

A month later, Meg won a semi of the Irish Leger in 29.75 but she finished second to Larking About in the final.

Meg was retired in September 2002 and returned to Westmead soon afterwards. She came into season in the spring of 2003 and was covered by Sonic Flight. It was an interesting mating in that Aussie sire Eaglehawk Star was relatively close in the pedigrees of each parent (a 3 x 4 cross).

The four dogs and four bitches were born on May 2 2003. The star would be a dog entitled to his own chapter in this book, the great Westmead Hawk, but it was far from being a ‘one dog litter’.

Buzzard possibly outshone Hawk in the early days, winning a Hall Green A1 in 28.51 while still only 17 months old. Unfortunately, he had his card marked five races later.

Although he went on to win a string of opens including a 29.34 for Sittingbourne’s 480 metres, he remained ‘dubious’ and later went on to the independent circuit.

Another brother, Eagle finished runner-up in the Blue Riband and was beaten odds on favourite in the 2005 Swindon Produce Stake. Switched to Ireland, he was beaten a short head by Tyrur Ted in the Ladbrokes 600 and contested the consolation final of the 2005 Irish Derby.

The other brother Lark won a couple of opens including an identical time around Sittingbourne to Buzzard.

Of the four bitches, Swift was head and shoulders the best. She finished runner-up in the 2005 Swindon Produce and Ladbrokes Stayers Final.

The following year she ran third in the Gold Collar, fifth in the Grand Prix and won the £15,000 Coventry St Leger.

At the time of writing she was also the most successful brood having thrown Wimbledon Puppy Derby winner Westmead Logan and the Peterborough Derby winner Laindeans Flyer in her first litter plus Westmeads Guru (Henlow Derby) and Shaw (Henlow Puppy Derby in subsequent litter.

Swift’s three sisters were all top heat graders.

Meg’s first litter were nine months old when she produced 4 dogs and 6 bitches by Sonic’s half brother Larkhill Jo.

They really were a strapping bunch from the 38 kilo Westmead Joe, down to the 34 kilo bitch, Westmead Joy.

The male star was Westmead Joe. Litter brother Major, who broke 28.00 at Henlow on debut, showed promise of winning stakes before breaking a hock. Another brother, Max, was a prolific minor open winner and Billy was a grader.

All six of the bitches won open races, two won category ones. The most prolific was the strong running Aoifa whose wins included the Coventry Maiden Derby, the Summer Stayers Classic, the Select Stayers and the Gold Cup. She also collected the only Top Dog award ever staged.

Next in line was Olivia who was runner-up in the ’06 St Leger and Coventry St Leger. Her biggest win came in the ’06 Prestige and she was runner-up the following year.

Liz finished runner-up in the Coventry Derby and won a string of opens. Nicole won 16 minor opens, Joy had ability but was injured shortly after winning her third open, while Delight went on to win in decent class races at Shelbourne and Harolds Cross.

The third litter produced three dog pups by Droopys Kewell. Whelped in June 2005, the litter featured Westmead Lord, plus brothers Prince and Duke.

They were a litter blessed with great early pace. Prince won the 2005 Peterborough Puppy Derby and finished runner-up in the London Scurry. He went on to win a string of opens, mainly over sprint distances.

Brother Duke was a sprinter who ran A2 at Hall Green before export to Pakistan.

The repeat mating, whelped in January 2006 was two dogs and six bitches and they showed more versatility than their older half brothers.

The pick of the boys was Westmead Keawn, winner of the VC Puppy Standard, the ’07 Romford Puppy Cup and runner-up in the Sunderland Puppy Derby. Brother Baliff Brian was a minor open race stayer.

Westmead Tina was the fastest of the females with wins in the Totesport Puppy St and runner-up in the 2009 Champion Stakes. Sisters Amy, Class and Debbie were minor open racers.

Litter number five were by Toms The Best. Though not the quickest overall, with no category winner among them, they were extremely genuine with all nine members of the litter winning open races – mainly over 575 metres or above.

Nick’s particular favourite was the giant Westmead Ace, though Pal was the most prolific dog. Zippy and Frisky were the top two bitches.

Westmead Hawk had been at stud for six months by the time Meg’s next litter were born.

The seven dogs and two bitches, by Droopys Scolari, included Texacloth Puppy Derby winner and Harold Cross Puppy Derby winner Westmead Grant. Another two brothers Scolari and Bond contested the 2010 Scottish Derby Final.

Megs final litter were whelped in December 2008, two of each by Droopys Maldini. The star was Sunderland Puppy Derby winner Westmead Maldini though two of the quartet were fighters.

Mega Delight died on January 19 2010 and was buried alongside Toms The Best near the first bend of the schooling track.

Her legacy is a series of achievements that may never be equalled. Her Larkhill Jo progeny won more open races than any other litter in the history of British racing– 140.

Meg is the only brood to have thrown three English Derby winners. At the time of writing, her 38 successful progeny had won (UK win prize money only) more than half a million pounds.

Nick says: “Meg was a brilliant mother. She stayed with her pups until they were several months old. She would discipline them but she was also very patient. Several of her daughters seem to have inherited that devoted maternal streak.”