We have another busy weekend coming up with the highlight being the Easter Cup Final at Shelbourne Park where Skywalker Rory has trap four.
He came off from the semis with a spike in his foot. It won’t stop him participating but I won’t be able to gallop him this week. I thought he was a bit unlucky in the semi final because he tangled with Lenson Sanchez at the second bend which enabled Jaytee Jet to get away. I think Rory must have a reasonable chance in the final. I am happy with the draw in four, but he will need to lead up the five (Jaytee Jet) if he is to to do any good.
We sent 11 down to Limerick for the Con & Ann Kirby Memorial. Nine of them made it through including four winners. Jo Jos Fantasy was marginally the quickest of our four (28.25). He is one of the oldest dogs in the event which is a big advantage and I would hope he could keep going.
Clares Rocket did 28.27 which was very pleasing. He is a very good greyhound indeed, and came into the event slightly fresh as we have been keeping him in cotton wool. I think he needed the race and would expect him to come on for it and keep improving. Ballinakil Clare (28.32) broke brilliantly in her heat, she must have been close to the sectional record. She needs the rails so T6 in the next round is far from ideal. Silverhill Pat ran in the same heat. I think he is still a bit immature but will make into a cracking dog as her grows older.
Clares Queen (28.94) showed great determination to win her heat. Really she needs 575 to be at her best but hopefully she can keep qualifying. Another of our runners Nice Manner (Skywalker Manner) was in the same heat and ran very well. I think he can improve next time out.
We also have two bitches running in the Cork Oaks, Skywalker Pearl and Silverhill Pearl. I hope they can both qualify. Silverhill needs a look at the track but if she can get through Saturday, I would expect her to keep improving throughout the competition.
Our life is pretty full with racing and trialling, but if I get a few minutes to spare, I like to spend it with the pups.
When we first came over to Ireland, I was hoping to earn a living whelping down bitches and rearing pups, and it was only because we bred a couple of good litters that I was able to start training.
These days, the breeding takes second place but we still have a handful of litters around the place, for the interest as much as anything. At the moment there are litters here out of various broods including Leeview Lady, Milldean Tally and Coolavanny Pandy. Some of the pups are payers, but we own a few ourselves too. There are probably just over 30 in total, which is as many as we can cope with.
We have seven paddocks including a two acre field and the pups see plenty of 
wildlife. We have had a bit of success with breeding, I suppose Broadacres Turbo is the best dog we bred. I consider greyhounds as pack animals and that is how I like to see them reared. Their hunting instinct has to come out if they are going to be good racing dogs in my opinion.
They are well looked after, and well fed, but they will have lots of years after their careers are over to be pets.
