Greyhound Trader – Towcester ‘Pre-Derby’ Sale Preview

Greyhound Trader once again head to Towcester for their ‘Pre-Derby’ sale on Friday 29th March and those in attendance will be hoping to unearth the next Savana Beau.  Trained in Ireland by Graham Holland ‘Beau’ had won 3 races prior to heading to the UK for the corresponding sale in 2022.  Purchased by Towcester track promoter Kevin Boothby and subsequently trained by Diane Henry ‘Beau’ went on to become a superstar of the UK open race scene and memorably reached the final of the Star Sports / TRC English Greyhound Derby just a few months later making him look a relative bargain at his £12,500 hammer fall.

Savana Beau and connections Star Sports/TRC Derby 2nd Round Saturday 3rd June 2023 Photo:© Steve Nash

The Towcester sale success stories don’t stop there however.  Antigua Lava anybody ? Sold at the 2021 sale for just £5500 Lava went onto become one of the major stars on the UK staying scene memorably landing the Ballregan Bob Memorial at Hove.

Antigua Sugar arrived at the 2022 Towcester sale known as On Your Marks. Hailing from the Brendan Matthews set up there was obviously going be huge interest in a bitch arriving with a lofty reputation.  The hammer fell at £10000 and she didn’t disappoint running out a super winner of the Greyhound Trader Stakes Final on English Derby Final Night and then adding the Juvenile Classic to her CV in the same year.  That wasn’t all though as Sugar landed the Coronation Cup at Romford in 2023.

Ballymac John may not have come cheaply at £17000 in 2023 however he’s since gone on to win no less than 8 opens including the final of the Seasons Scaffolding Puppy Cup at Hove and also reach the final of the Puppy Classic at Nottingham.

The Other Dancer headed to the corresponding sale last year with just 5 promising but alas so far winless runs under her belt.  Sold at £10500 to a familiar name in Kevin Boothby she is now a winner of opens over four , six and eight bends and under her new name of ‘Savana Jazz’ this weekend lines up with strong chances in the final of the TV Trophy at Oxford.

The gems are there but the question is can you unearth them ?  The sale as usual is previewed in full by Mark Pierrepont.

EMMAS GLORY – Lightly raced September 2022 bitch pup by Broadstrand Bono out of Crossfield Lucy who overcame huge trouble in running to almost get up in a decent race at Cork early in February. Will stay any four bend trip in the UK with ease.

BARNAGRANE STAR – September 2022 daughter of Cushie Jet out of Barnagrane Croia who was a strong running six bend open class winner on the track. Recorded 2980 in a Cork trial earlier this month and looks all set to win plenty on the UK graded scene.

IVY HILL SANCHO – This strapping 82lb son of Ballymac Bolger and Coolavanny Chick ran out an impressive 12 length winner of the only trial on his card in 2900 around Tralee. Will not reach 2yo until November so has a big year ahead on the puppy open scene. Dam Chick was a superstar on the track winning many opens and of course finishing in third place in the 2020 English Derby Final behind Deerjet Sydney. Has been producing the goods in the breeding paddocks since including Cree Jo Jo who scorched around Limerick’s 350 yard trip last year in a track record breaking 1836 in the final of The Treaty Cup. An outstanding prospect who will no doubt improve for many months to come as he matures into his substantial frame.

IVY HILL BRUNO – Strapping 82lb son of Ballymac Bolger and Coolavanny Chick the 2020 English Derby Finalist. Bruno has just the one trial line of form on his card where he ran out a 7 length victor of his sole rival around Cork in 2933. Months of improvement to come and no guessing quite how far this promising and extremely well bred youngster can go.

EASY ZAZA – Unraced bitch pup from the famed ‘Rocks’ establishment who regularly provide top class winners to the UK market. Zaza is a daughter of Kinloch Brae out of Ragaire who of course has already produced the likes of Easy Razzle the sensational Irish open performer who finished runner up in the Irish Laurels of 2023. Words from the kennel is that this lady has been showing serious pace on the home gallops and she’s sure to attract plenty of attention from all those keen to add a quality performer to their strings.

EASY NEWS – This April 2022 son of Good News out of Endurance UK has been absolutely flawless in his trials to date and it has been fairly evident from the very early stages that this youngster is destined for a career at the top of the game. Runs of 2889 twice at Shelbourne Park and a recent 2896 trial around Cork when very much in need of the blow out highlight perfectly the pace this one has in the locker. Another from the Rocks team and another who should be winning plenty in the months to come.

RAPIDO ALI – Super unraced puppy open prospect from the November 2022 litter of Kinloch Brae out of Vancouver. This raw pup ran out a wide margin 15 length winner of the only trial on his card at Waterford crossing the finish line in a super 2922.

PERFECTO DUPONT – August 2022 dog pup from the Droopys Sydney litter out of Scooter. Promising 2946 effort around Waterford in the only trial on his card and with Scooter’s maiden litter to Droopys Buick regularly seen competing in open class there is every reason to believe Dupont could be heading in the same direction.

DROOPYS UGO – August 2022 bitch pup from the Droopys team who has just the one sprint trial on her card in which she posted 1749 at Kilkenny. Plenty to come from this daughter of Droopys Jet out of Droopys Saga who was a high class open performer on the track and who is now a well proven producer of open and competition class performers off it.

DROOPYS BIGTIME – Unraced September 2022 bitch pup from the Droopys team by leading stud dog Droopys Sydney out of Droopys Isabella who hails from the Droopys Rhiona dam line and has proven herself a consistent producer of open and competition class offspring. Half brother Droopys Ambush has been burning it up on the UK open circuit in recent times for the Dartnall team and Bigtime looks set to be making her mark in the coming months.

BLING BLING MEG – June 2022 bitch pup by Malachi out of Killinan Reina who has just the one race on her card when competing in the first round of the recent high class unraced stake at Newbridge. Desperately in need of the experience on that occasion particularly so after a missed break but make no mistake at all there is much better to come from this very likable sort.

MISS GRANGER – Just four races on the card of this March 2022 bitch and a winner of 3 of those in super style including 2875 last time out at Shelbourne Park. Looks destined for a career on the open circuit where bitch confined events here in the UK could suit ideally and further down the line a brood career looks more than a distinct possibility given that this young lady hails from the famed Airport Express dam line.

GOOD DASH – The dam won the prestigious newbridge open unraced bitch and this being only her maiden litter it already includes the exciting Icemans Girl. This fellow held in the highest regard at home from his schooling and has some big clocks already done which include fancy split clocks.

GOOD REX – A full brother to the previously mentioned dash. This fellow is a very smart novice puppy who has completed his schooling and is ready to take on his racing career where he will improve no doubt through plenty racing.

WONDERFUL PAIGE – Promising April 2022 son of Droopys Sydney out of Ballymac Beanie who immediately showcased his potential with an 8 length trial success around Limerick in 2909 and that has since been bettered with a sensational 2886 effort back at the same venue.  This is a youngster with serious pace and he’s sure to attract plenty of attention on sales day. Dam Beanie won the Irish Oaks back in 2020 and she looks to have passed on a good deal of that ability to her pups.

JUNCTIONFOURTEEN – Stunning two time race winner on Irish soil with a 2862 effort around Shelbourne Park when leading all the way really taking the eye.  Desperately unlucky to be eliminated from the Kirby Memorial on Saturday evening but the run showed him in good light. This strapping 82lb son of Ballymac Bolger out of See Of Class doesn’t just have one string to his bow however as he highlighted perfectly when coming from off the pace to win in 2879 around the same venue. A quality performer from the Toms Delight dam line and as with all greyhounds hailing from the Newry base of Brendan Matthews will have been given the very best right from day one.

BARTLEMY LAUREN (ex – Cooladerry Lady) – Unraced May 2022 daughter of Burgess Bucks and Taylor Kate who has taken the eye in a couple of four bend trials at Kilkenny and Cork recording 2943 and 2950 respectively. Kate was an open class performer on the track in Ireland and produced high grade winners in her maiden litter to Premier Fantasy whilst Hutchinson a full brother to Lauren has already performed in open class here in the UK around Monmore.

KILUMNEY JIM – Strong running two time race winner on Irish soil with a 2906 come from behind win around Cork catching the eye in October last year. Sought after wide seeded greyhound who should compete at a decent graded level here in the UK.

FIFTYSHADESOFBLU – September 2022 dog pup by Broadstrand Bono out of Foxhill Nancy who counts UK open race star and Category One Northamptonshire Sprint Finalist Deadly Tornado amongst her litter mates. Blu ran out a wide margin 16 length winner of the only four bend trial on his card in 2932 around Cork.

BLACK CHIFFON – September 2022 daughter of Skywalker Canny and Newinn Melody who clocked 2962 in the only trial so far on her card around Cork. Dam Melody was a top grade performer on the track in her own right and counts the likes of Newinn Taylor the 2020 Irish Derby Champion and superstar of the sport amongst her illustrious litter mates. Super prospect both for the track and breeding paddocks later in life.

BLING BLING ANNE – Lightly raced June 2022 bitch pup by Malachi out of Killinan Reina who really caught the eye with some impressive performances in the recent unraced stake at Newbridge and somewhat unlucky not to qualify for the final going out via a fourth place finish in her semi final. Efforts of 2893 , 2888 and 2894 throughout her time in that stake showcase her consistency in behind some excellent winners and with improvement to come this lady looks set for a successful UK open race career.

BLING BLING DORA – Unraced July 2022 bitch pup by Ballymac Bolger out of Bling Bling Lola who has produced some decent open class sorts in previous litters. Dora posted 3027 at Limerick in the only four bend trial on her card. Rearing and schooling complete and this lady looks set to progress nicely through the graded system.

GOOD COUTURE – Again this lady is from the grangeview ten dam line and has all the attributes of that line which include a lovely turn of early. Will only improve being lightly schooled but left wanting for nothing.

AWAY AND GONE – A august puppy who is from the dam line of the famed grangeview ten. This lady is a strapping specimen who is still only in her schooling process.

TABLE TOPPERS – What a prospect this son of Droopys Sydney and Dolce Vita is.  An initial 1905 sprint trial at Shelbourne has since been followed up with a simply stunning 2851 effort in the first four bend trial of his life. This without any shadow of a doubt is a competition class prospect from the very top drawer.  Hailing from the Newry set up of Brendan Matthews a set up who have provided category one winners from this corresponding sale on more than one occasion.

DE ENFORCER – Not a mark on the card of this son of Malachi and Pennys Lauren however reports from his team back home in Ireland suggest this is a raw pup heading to the top. Breeding to die for he is expected to run well on sale day but with the footnote that there is tons of improvement left in the locker.

SPORTING ARKOSE – Ultra promising September 2022 dog pup by Ballymac Best out of Sporting Pat. This stunning fawn greyhound really caught the eye in the only trial currently on his card when running out a wide margin winner around Tralee in 2886. Without doubt an open and competition class puppy prospect who will be eagerly sought after on the day. Dam Pat was a super strong running open class performer on the track reaching the final of the TV Trophy , Irish Cambridgeshire and Shelbourne Marathon (ex Ted Hegarty) back in 2020 before once again reaching the TV Trophy Final in 2021.

SPORTING CRYSTAL – September 2022 bitch pup who got her career up and running at just the third time of asking when moving through the gears nicely to get up close home in 2936 at Tralee. That was a decent mid grade performance from this daughter of leading stud dog Droopys Sydney and Sporting Faith and with so much natural improvement left in the locker this young lady is sure to be competing in the higher grades here in the UK.

NORTHIES – No doubt about it this June 2022 bitch knows how to win as ably demonstrated on no less than five occasions from just eleven career starts to date. Capable from off the front or just off the pace she won both heat and final of a good class A3 stake over 600 yards at Dundalk recently. A high grade career is a given but given her age she could very well be seen on the open scene in the months ahead.

POLICIA – June 2022 bitch pup from the Ballymac Kingdom litter out of track star Meenagh Miracle who landed the Irish Cesarewitch in 2020 and finished runner up in the Irish Derby Final of the same year. Policia has just two races on her card and caught the eye with an impressive debut win over Dundalk’s 400 yard trip in a time of 2177.

RAPIDO KEN – August 2022 son of Dorotas Wildcat out of Ballintee Annie who has really caught the eye of those in attendance for his two four bend trials around Waterford. An initial 2919 had been backed up with a 2901 when beating off his only trial rival by no less than 14 lengths. Dam Annie ran out an impressive winner of the Munster Oaks back in 2016 and since then has been producing the goods in the breeding paddocks with her offspring regularly seen competing in top grade and open class.

RAPIDO ARLO – November 2022 bitch from the Kinloch Brae x Vancouver litter who posted 3018 around Waterford in the only trial on her card. Has been reared and schooled with no expense spared and should be going through the grades here in the UK at a rapid rate of knots.

DROOPYS DOLL – Not a mark on the card of this unraced November 2022 bitch pup from the famed Droopys establishment. A daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Sweet she is a three-quarter sister to the likes of Droopys Debonair who has been winning opens around Towcester and Oxford for leading UK trainer Kevin Hutton. There will be plenty of eyes looking at this young lady who looks destined to enjoy a top class track career before potentially embarking on a brood career of her own.

DROOPYS MONICA – Superbly bred August 2022 bitch pup from Team Droopys who has shown immense promise throughout the rearing and schooling processes. Dam Droopys Berry produces open and competition class performers with regularity counting the likes of Bubbly Apache the 2021 Puppy Classic champion amongst her previous offspring. Not a mark on this bitch pup’s card and looks sure to appeal to many.

IVY HILL WILLOW – September 2022 daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Droopys Lullaby who was well fancied to win her debut race at Galway early in March however encountered all kinds of trouble around the opening two turns which put her out of contention. Willow is much better than that line of form and is expected to make up into a real nice bitch this year. Half sister Sizzling Ivy won a novice open around Limerick over 750 yards so every chance this lady will benefit from stiff tests of stamina in time.

PROUD BEAU – September 2022 dog pup by Newinn Session out of Proud Prize who consistently produces open class offspring. Beau clocked 2963 around Cork in the only four bend trial on his card beating off his sole rival by 4 lengths.

GOOD HUNTER – From a top class litter being a commrade to miss syd & amazing force who both are open class puppies and this fellow looks to be of the same class. A dog who looks to be exceptionally strong running.

GOOD DUKE – A very nice type here who will develop in to a top grade puppy wherever he goes. A dog who has good early pace he’s a very smart type. Should be a good trial.

REHEARSED – This April 2022 bitch pup showcased where her future lies with an impressive all the way success over 600 yards at Dundalk recently. A daughter of De Machine and Pennys Lauren she showed each of her rivals the way home on that occasion with a dominant 6 ½ length success. Will be well suited by the likes of sale venue Towcester and other tracks of a galloping nature.

INFORMER – Not a mark on the card of this October 2022 son of Malachi out of Pinch Of Salt who competed in top grade at Shelbourne Park and has produced open class performers in her maiden litter to Pestana.  Has reportedly been catching the eye during the rearing process and his on the day trial will be of great interest.

BOBSLEIGH BANDIT – Unraced July 2022 dog pup by Deerjet Sydney out of Bobsleigh Lass who has not a single mark on his card. Lass was a top grade winner over four bends and competed in open class over six so there is every chance that Bandit could well improve significantly for whatever he does early in his career once he’s stepped up to a stiff test of stamina once fully matured.

SWIFT JORDANA – August 2022 bitch pup by Broadstrand Bono out of Swift Angel who hails from the open and competition class producing Swift Erin dam line.

POINT THE CURSOR – September 2022 dog pup by Broadstrand Bono out of Foxhill Nancy who posted 2949 when winning the only four bend trial on his card around Cork by fully 9 lengths.

INTO THE ABYSS – September 2022 dog pup by Skywalker Canny out of Coolavanny Aldi who recorded 2992 in the only trial so far on his card. Dam Aldi is from the famed Yahoo Perlena dam line and thus counts many open and competition class performers amongst her close relations.

DIVERSION – July 2022 son of Droopys Sydney whose ability is clear to see.  Despite running green in his initial sprint trial he still beat off his only rival by fully 10 lengths in 1924.  Since then he’s trialled over four bends for the first time and despite once again showing that he’s far from the finished article recorded a hugely promising 2901 at Shelbourne Park.  Another top prospect from a team well known for providing top class performers to the UK circuit.

BATTER AWAY – April 2022 dog pup who has mountains of improvement to come as he matures into his 79lb frame.  An initial sprint trial of 1924 at Shelbourne Park has been followed up with a promising 2956 at Shelbourne despite showing obvious signs of greeness and sure fire signs that there is mountains of improvement to come.  This lad is a son of Ballymac Bolger and Ring Percilla who of course is a daughter of the super brood Toms Delight. Will manoeuvre his way through the UK graded system with ease and looks likely to prove a very welcome addition to his new kennel.

RAPIDO ANA – Super prospect who as a late November 2022 whelp can only improve massively for some time to come. Looks a real nice puppy open prospect based upon his 2941 trial around Waterford where he beat off his sole trial rival by 11 lengths. A son of Kinloch Brae out of Vancouver the superstar Irish Bitch Of The Year from 2018 who has since been producing some really smart open class types of her own.

SPORTING BARISTA – September 2022 son of Burgess Bucks and Ballymac Saga who posted an excellent 2907 around Tralee when winning the only trial on his card by 7 lengths from his sole rival. Dam Saga was a strong running four and six bend open race winner who reached the final of the English Oaks at Swindon in 2019 and has since produced some decent top grade and open class winners in her litters to date. Barista has been highly thought of for quite some time and looks destined for a career on the UK open race circuit.

GUILTY FEELING – June 2022 pup by Bull Run Bolt out of Dame Iris who showed promise on career debut running on strongly to be beaten just 1 ½ lengths in 2929 at Cork. Dam Dame Irish has produced some quality offspring including but not limited to Carrigeen North who reached the Irish Derby Final of 2021.

BLACK CHINTZ – Unraced September 2022 bitch pup from the litter of Skywalker Canny and Newinn Melody who is a full sister to 2020 Irish Derby Champion Newinn Taylor. Chintz doesn’t have a mark on her card so her on the day trial will be of extreme interest however word from current connections is that this young lady has been showing great pace at home and looks sure to enjoy a successful career here in the UK.