British breeding is rallying well despite the ravages of both Covid and an unknown factor that has seen a large number of bitches fail to conceive, or lose their litters in the very early stages.

The exact nature of the issue is not clear, though many breeders, including Rab McNair who had at least half a dozen failed matings, believe that a form of herpes is responsible. A course of treatment to keep the virus in check is showing positive results.

The latest updated figures from the Greyhound Stud Book show 93 litters of 2021 whelps have been registered to date, though there is always a significant time lag between the whelping date and registration which suggests the figure will increase significantly over the next six months. The 2020 total was 143 litters.

There is a significant number of matings to UK based stud dogs with none proving more popular than Ice On Fire with a dozen litters. Glatton based Hiya Butt has seven litters on the ground.

Among the new arrivals in the country are Farloe Rumble, sire of Irish Cesarewitch winner Meenagh Miracle.

Full list of litters – see below

Another big race double for sire Droopys Sydney following last week’s Produce Stakes success.

Brookside Richie‘s dam Droopys Greatest clocked 24.14 on debut at Romford at 18 months old but was hampered by injury for much of her career.

This, her first litter, included Puppy Classic finalist Doghouse Dazzler.

Greatest was from a brilliant litter that included Droopys Verve (RU Derby, Won All England Cup, Dund. Intern.), Droopys Biker (29.16 Towc) and Itsurmate.

Droopys Jackie (Blackjack Tom-Macy Gray) is a sister to Wimbledon Puppy Derby winner Droopys Tops and Oaks finalist Deanridge Vixen.

 

Coolavanny Aunty is from Yahoo Katie’s first litter. It includes Roaming Prima, three wins from three including a 28.65 at Clonmel last week.

Katie reached the semi finals of the Future Champion Unraced and won in 28.88 at Shelbourne in a career of five races. She is a sister to Mark Wallis’ prolific Coolavanny Messi.

Perlena was a fabulous racer winning the Youghal Champion Stakes, runner-up in the Munster Oaks and winning the Night Of Star’s bitch’s race in 28.25 at SP.

To Kinloch Brae she threw Bockos Belly and to Taylors Sky she threw All About Taylor and Ivy Hill Skyhigh.