GETTING TO KNOW IRENE BARNARD– by Emily Wallis

It’s safe to say Yarmouth trainer Irene Barnard would be right up there in the sport with people who have truly dedicated their life to greyhounds. From being in the sport since she was 13 years old many would know how much she loves her dogs and how committed she is to them still having a large kennel strength at Yarmouth and turning out many winners each week. 

Irene first got involved in greyhound racing when her dad took her to the Yarmouth track. At a young age she started working part time for trainer Richard Keable who was in charge of the greyhounds kept at the stadium. When she left school she decided this was what she wanted to do full-time so stayed working with the dogs at the track where she learnt everything she knows. 

When the kennels closed down she decided to take out a licence and train her own greyhounds and has done this for the past 45 years. 

Over her training career, Irene would have experienced all the highs and lows that come with the sport but she still massively enjoys training. “The best thing about being a trainer is seeing my dogs progress to the best of their ability and seeing them enjoy what they do.” 

Irene has had many dogs that have given her great memories over the years but the most special and her favourite to train was kennel favourite Jackdaw Summer. “He had great runs in the derby and won numerous opens at different tracks.” When he unfortunately died last year, aged 14, the Greyhound Star itself pointed out in a column he had won opens on 8 different tracks, including a 2nd round heat of the derby at Wimbledon, and contested a total of 202 races. He stayed with the Barnards through his retirement and was very much loved on and off of the track. 

In a 45 year training career, Irene has seen many changes in her personal and work life. In terms of in the sport she says the biggest change would be that there are many more rules now, particularly in regards to welfare “which can only be a good thing.” 

In other terms, she has raised twin daughters, now 24, all whilst juggling being a trainer and having the contract at Yarmouth. Both girls have the same passion and love for the dogs as their mum and work full-time for her. “I am glad Louise and Megan are heavily involved with the kennels as we are a close family, the greyhounds are a huge part of all our lives. I hope that one day in the future they will take over and continue to grow and develop the kennels.” 

However it doesn’t stop there…Irene now also has two granddaughters and both, it’s safe to say, have greyhounds in their blood from both sides of the family. You can certainly tell – “My eldest granddaughter Willow (3) is great at handling the greyhounds and even helps at feeding time! I love seeing them with the dogs.” Irene is also quick to say how well behaved and gentle the dogs are around the girls and interaction with them helps the dogs with their next stage in retirement too. 

Irene has built and developed a successful, respected kennel over the last 45 years and has the next two generations lined up to carry it on when the time comes. Although she would like to see changes in the sport to make it a more sustainable model for them, she says “the main thing I’d like to see change would be the level of prize money, as everyone knows everything is getting more expensive.” She also stressed there needs to be more promotion for the rehoming side and getting the word out there more that they really do make such great pets.

Family favourite JACKDAW SUMMER (t1) wins heat 10 in the second round of the 2011 English Derby at Wimbledon Pic Steve Nash