On March 3rd, Farneys Willie became the first runner for newly licensed Richard Wales. He had bought the dog ‘for very reasonable money’ from Norfolk handler Kevin Boon. The debut was a heat of the Queen Mother Cup at Sheffield. The blue brindle started at 7/1, was KO’d at the first bend and beaten a distance in a race won by Savana Heross – who would go on to win the final.
The pair met for the first time since on Friday night in the final of the ARC Grand Prix at Sunderland. This is what happened next.
The winner’s time of 39.33 was just seven spots outside the quickest 640 of the year as Willie’s calculated times tumbled across the three races from 40.34-39.95-39.53.
It was the biggest success for the Wales family who have a lifetime in greyhound racing.
Richard said: “My dad (Trevor) had a licence a few years ago and had a decent dog called Markeys Star (3rd in the 2008 National Sprint) but generally we have been flapping people: Highgate, Whitwood, Kinsley, years ago, all over the country really. In more recent years at Askern. When it closed we decided we had better take out a licence again and what has happened since is just madness.”
As a manager of a boarding kennel, Richard is surrounded by dogs all day and he is very philosophical about the success.
He said: “Kevin Boon advertised him for sale and it was obvious from his form that he was a fast dog. Maybe he hadn’t won as many as he should, but he had always been in good company. So we thought we would take a chance on him.
“He arrived in great condition from Kevin but it has taken him a few weeks to settle in. He has got better and better as he has felt at home and he showed it last night.”
Willie’s next outing will probably be back at Sheffield for the ‘Three Steps’. Maybe Heross will be waiting for him?
Richard, Troy and Amanda Wales with Farneys Willie
The £500 supporting Cat 3 final saw a 1-2-3 for Harry Burton wirth Johnny Whiskers leading home March On Frankie and Ballybough Mags. Jonny Whiskers picture with Glenn Foot
