There is invariably an interesting tale behind every big race win. But throw in a ‘breeding element’ and you introduce a whole different level of excitement and interest.
For 33 year old Carl Jackson, watching Watchhall Sid destroy a top class field of pups in Friday night’s BGBF British Bred Puppy Cup Final it was simply “the best day of my life*.”
(*Obviously apart from birth of your kids and meeting the missus – who just might read this Carl! – Ed)
Carl wasn’t from a ‘doggie’ background and discovered racing on a chance visit to Wheatley Hill when he was 16. He was smitten and has never looked back, cutting his teeth on the still vibrant North East flapping scene.
He gave up a career as an apprentice joiner to work for Tom Heilbron and did some open race travelling for Jimmy Wright. His partner Krista McNicholas is from the Sunderland training family with sister Chantelle holding the licence.
Carl said: “We have eight at home in the back garden and to get a dog like Sid is just unbelievable. I was actually very calm all week and even before the race. But when he hit the front and I looked back and realised he was going to win it – well I can’t describe the feeling. Owner John Metcalfe and his wife Karen came down for the weekend to watch the final and apparently John and I just wouldn’t stop smiling. I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling since.”
Watchhall Sid now takes his place in the ARC Northern Puppy Derby first round starting on Thursday. Although one of the youngest in it – as a June pup – his Oxford form would make him a serious player. His 27.19 for the 450 metres was recorded on -10 going. The track record is held by Fromposttopillar in 26.82 (N), who just happens to be the English Derby favourite.
Carl said: “To be fair, he ran the track like a dream. He absolutely drove those first two bends, better than he has at Newcastle so far. But I am hoping that those race will bring him on. I was desperately keen to try him on another track to help him learn.”
The Friday night win was Sid’s sixth from 11 races having started out in A5 back in November. In fact, in early December, and following an article referring to Skate On (see below), Carl was in touch suggesting he thought he had a pup that “might be a bit useful”.
The first line on Sid’s card, at 15 months and a fortnight old, was a sprint solo at Newcastle when he recorded 17.66.
Carl said: “Apart from one handslip, his whole career, including his schooling, is on his card. That solo was his first ever time in the boxes. I then gave him another sprint and then a 480 and he did 30.32. I was gutted, I was expecting so much better. But he then did 30.00 and 29.47 in his next two trials and I knew I had got something.
“There are some very good dogs going to Newcastle, particularly that Links Maverick, but I really think there is a lot more to come from Sid. And I can’t tell you how excited John and I are.”
Then of course, there is the ‘breeding story’
John Metcalfe once owned a very fast bitch called Skate On, who Rab McNair bought on behalf of Brendan Keogh with the promise of a pup from the first litter.
That first litter was by Tullymurry Act and featured a dog and six bitches. That sole male turned out to be Greyhound of the Year King Elvis with the Queens includes Adele (Henlow Mini Derby), Anna (National Sprint), and open winners Britney, Paloma and Whitney. The non-Queen among them was Watchhall Winnie.
Winnie won A1 at Pelaw Grange and did 27.72 for Doncaster’s 450 for John, but wasn’t really the class of her sisters. Indeed, her first litter by Droopys Roddick were mainly graders. But the June ‘2021 second litter by Sydney could prove a bit special. Sister Watchhall Annie will also take her place at Newcastle on Thursday.
There are also a couple still in Ireland with Michael and Craig Kelly – who also reared Sid and Annie.
Meanwhile Glenn Lynas has four of the litter, and given previous history, don’t be surprised if at least one of them doesn’t make an appearance in the forthcoming British Bred Maiden Derby (an event that he seems to want to own!)
One last point – Sid was named after a close friend of John’s who died following a brain hemorrhage. Which takes us onto a whole different tangent and the 2022 Northern Puppy Derby finalist. You know the words, ‘There’s only one Micky . . . “
Jaguar Macie is the stand-out name from the most recent two dozen litters registered with the Greyhound Stud Book.
The three time Category One winner produced seven pups by Magical Bale back in October.
Brighton Belle winner/Oaks third Lights Out produced half a dozen by the same sire a wek later. While her sister Liberty Belle produced a sole dog pup by Newinn Jacko.
Another useful British bred, Go Pat Go (British Bred Maiden winner) produced a litter by Pestana.
Doncaster’s fastest stayer in 2021 Hather Daisy produced her first litter by Roxholme Nidge.
There was also a first litter for Greyhound of the Year Signet Ace who produced seven pups out of Heather Dimmock’s prolific open race stayer, Popworld.
To date there have been 143 litters registered for 2022 to date for a total of 935 pups (467d – 468b) for an avarage of 6.54 pups per litter. There were 186 litters whelped in 2021 though that includes late registrations. Pups whelped in December 2022 need not be registered before the end of March.
Litters eligible to commence their schooling (15 months old) from today.
