It is a little over ten years ago that the foundations were laid for the four McNair trained runners to finish 1-2-3-4 in the final of the 73rd Breeders Forum Produce Stakes. Despite all the successes of the kennel, Rab McNair rated Saturday night’s final as among his most significant.

He said: “I have never been more nervous before a race in my life. I have never known pressure like it. So many people kept telling me, ‘its in the bag’ but dog racing has taught me not to take anything for granted.”

This is hour the final unfolded. . .

Left-right Simon Senyk, Rab McNair, Bob Gilling, Liz McNair, Liz Mort (Chairman of BGBF) and Brendan Keogh – photo Josh Sealey

The fantastic four: Rab McNair with King Dylan, Jo Atkins with Queen Cher, Liz McNair with King Sheeran, Sarah Swadden with King Cash – photo Josh Sealey

It was yet another milestone for the KSS Syndicate who have won countless Cat One races, produced a Greyhound of the Year in King Elvis and come so close with King Turbo.

But like many of the great success stories, the turning point for the venture has its roots in failure and disappointment. Rab remembers the incident as occurring on 16 August 2009.

He said: “It was the night Shaneboy Luke broke a hock. I told Brendan (Keogh) the bad news . He said, ‘now what to we do with him?.’ He was re-homed of course, but I said, ‘instead of always buying dogs, why don’t you buy some decent bitches?

“At least they still have breeding potential. Give me the chance to breed some pups at least as good as the ones you keep buying from Ireland.

“He took me at my word and before long we had Shaws Dilemma, Skate On and Droopys Ruby, who threw King Lee and Fifis Rocket. We put the land aside for rearing and I don’t think he has ever regretted it.

“Brendan had always spent decent money on dogs in Ireland but probably only one in three ever developed to full potential. Can you imagine how much those four at Swindon would have cost him if we was buying them as racing dogs?”

All four of the McNair runners, plus King Turbo, are now likely to head to Monmore for either the Gold Cup or Stayers Classic.

 

There was an additional bonus for the kennel with Liz and (kennel lad) Rab McNair moving above their closest friends Angela Harrison and (kennel lad) Jimmy Wright in the Trainers Championship.

It comes only days after Velvet Juliet’s win in the Lloyd Classic had seen Angela leapfrog Liz on the table – much to Jimmy’s delight.

But it was short lived reign and Rab is hoping that the kennel can maintain its dominance, at least until the quartet next go on holiday together.

He said: “I’ve already had ‘Our Jim’ on the phone for an hour this morning. Apparently Angela is trying to play down her role in all of this. I don’t see it that way. As far as I am concerned, they are both going to be thrown in the pool.”

Pos. Trainer W R % TPM Pts
1 P Janssens 122 354 34% £82,250 633
2 M A Wallis 103 549 19% £74,353 452
3 E Mcnair 53 155 34% £58,425 392
4 S A Cahill 74 266 28% £47,460 370
5 A Harrison 58 162 36% £58,490 342
6 K R Hutton 74 331 22% £72,325 333
7 H Keightley 27 68 40% £33,170 288
8 R J Holloway 25 83 30% £24,250 216
9 D Mullins 60 357 17% £47,345 192
10 P W Young 48 446 11% £39,160 191
11 J G Mullins 58 301 19% £37,975 189
12 H J Dimmock 35 135 26% £35,635 182
13 P J Simmonds 57 401 14% £37,610 177
14 D Childs 37 107 35% £18,250 153
15 P Hennessy 9 18 50% £106,025 140
16 K P Boon 34 198 17% £21,075 130
17 B Draper 25 119 21% £22,360 121
18 M P Brown 26 131 20% £19,340 120
19 D D Knight 42 133 32% £17,950 119
20 G D Holland 14 42 33% £29,750 118