JAMIE KINSLEY, trainer of Matchbook Maiden Derby winner Hellofakerfuffle – his first Category One success. Photo: © Steve Nash
He might have landed his first Category One final when Irish bred Hellofakerfuffle landed the Matchbook Maiden Derby Final at Towcester last weekend, but Jamie Kingsley is backing his future with British bred pups.
From a family with deep greyhound roots – his nan is former trainer Mal Cumner – Jamie took over the license seven years ago and switched from Central Park to Hove back in 2018.
He said: “I worked with my nan and had a spell with Ricky Hollolway, but Nan didn’t want me to be dependent on greyhounds so I went to work for Virigin installing broadband and and phones but I hated it. So I came back into the dogs and have never regretted it.
“We took over Paul Garland’s old kennel at Brands Hatch four years ago and because of Paul’s illness, it had become quite overgrown and the kennels needed some attention. It has taken all this time to get the place as we want it.”
Although the exploits of Hellofakerfuffle showed that bargains could still be found, Jamie took a pragmatic view of the industry when deciding his strategy for the future.
He said: “Most of our owners are normal working people who can’t afford the the ten, fifteen, twenty thousand dogs. So we decided that we would breed a few and with any luck we might get a few nice ones among them. Though, we did get a bit caught out when most of the bitches we decided to breed with all came in season at the same time.”
In May 12 2021, Baran Spitfire produced 8 dogs and 2 bitches by Ice On Fire. Four days later, Ace Queen produced three and one by Newinn Jacko. Eight days later Go Millie Go produced 5 dogs and 3 bitches by Roxholme Hat and then six weeks later Seaglass Celine produced four dogs and three bitches by Roxholme Nidge.
Jamie said: “Now, we suddenly we have a full kennel and of the 80 greyhounds we have here, probably 60 are under two years old including a lot of British breds.
“In some cases, like with Steve Baran, he owns the whole litter. In other cases we have done pup deals or sold the pups to existing owners in the kennel. They love seeing the pups growing up and we have another bitch, Ballymac Iona, in whelp to Ballymac Bolger.”
HELLOFAKERFUFFLE leads round the first turn on his way to Matchbook Maiden Derby victory from Savana Camino (t5). Photo: © Steve Nash
Matchbook Head of Communications Aidan O’Sullivan presents the Maiden Derby trophy to Melanie and Mark Curtis, owners of Hellofakerfuffle. Also pictured are Charlie Mumford (left), Beth Noble, with trainer Jamie Kingsley on right. Photo: © Steve Nash
