“There was a time when you would look forward to getting an exciting pup in the kennel and there might be one to two competitions – tops – as options. If he wasn’t suitable for a particular track, say the Nottingham 500 metres for the Puppy Classic, you were even more restricted. It made it very difficult to justify owners spending £10-£15K on a young dog.
“This year there is a Category One puppy event every month bar Derby month. I think they have done an absolutely phenomenal job with the Calendar, I really do.”
You may read two things into the above statement. One – Kevin Hutton is a ‘half full’ rather than ‘half empty trophy cabinet’ kind of guy. Two – he reckons he has some pretty decent pups in the kennel – writes Floyd Amphlett.
So who are the pick of the crop and what are their plans? We asked Kevin to pick out three of the best. He chose Rioca Joey, Romeo Atomic and Zaya.
He said: “Rioja Joey (Droopys Sydney-Nice Mystery, May 21) was bought at three months old by Paul Woodburn and joined us unraced and with virtually no schooling. He won in 28.27 at Monmore on Saturday, on a track I personally thought was running a bit slow. It was his first race and he runs in the final on Saturday. These are exciting times with a young dog. He could come out and find a couple of lengths, or he could miss his break, and with no experience of coming from behind, not get anywhere near them. But he has a touch of class about him.”
“Romeo Atomic (Romeo Recruit-Fabulous Mila, Apr 21) is another fabulously fast dog bred by Dave Firmager. He is absolutely flying. Atomic has won his last three for me (best 27.07 Oxford) and is in the British Bred Puppy semi final at Oxford on Friday. Although he still has to prove it in higher class company, I think he has the makings of a Derby dog and will be better suited to the 500m at Towcester.”
“I bought Zaya (Bull Run Bolt-Tibet, Jun 21) as a pup from Mark Lowther and had her here before John (Mullins) could take her for rearing. She is still unraced but impressed David Pruhs in schooling and has already done 27.31 (calc) at Oxford.”
“Depending on their ages and how they progress, we are looking at Monmore for their Puppy Derby to begin with, particularly for Joey, followed by the Steel City Puppy Derby at Sheffield.”
Further along the supply chain are some home bred litters who will soon be joining the racers.
Kevin said: “We have quite a few pups out for schooling at the moment, and more to follow. The oldest are seven September pups by Dorotas Wildcat out of (Brighton Belle winner) Galloping Moon. They have all chased well. Six are coming back here within the next week or so, with the other one going to Jason Bloomfield.
“Then there are half a litter by Magical Bale out of (Oaks winner) Bull Run Byte. They are a bit younger but when they come back we will be sending the Wildcat’s out of Not Too Late.”
The recently confirmed Dam of the Year Forest Natalee is due in season at any stage and will be mated for a final time.
Kevin said: “We are still deciding who to send her to. I like Good News as a sire. We’ve had a few of his pups here and they always impress me. The other option would be to use a straw from the Australain stud dog Tommy Shelby. In some ways, that would suit us better because we wouldn’t have to send her away. She enjoys the home comforts of the sofa too much.”
Natalee’s youngest litter by Droopys Sydney will be among the next group ‘off to school’, by which time her son Signet Denver might have picked up another award. He broke his hock in the British Bred Derby at Sheffield recently.
Kevin said: “It was just unfortunate, a tangle of legs. The operation went exceptionally well and there is a chance of him racing again. But if he isn’t as good as before we won’t bother.”
And that award?
Kevin said: “Most years, if you won the Laurels, the Produce Stakes and the Stud Book Trophy, you’d have a pretty good chance of British Bred Greyhound of the Year. This year we have the little issue of Romeo Magico and Fabulous Azurra to take on. It’s great to see to be honest; it might encourage more people to try their hand at breeding.”
Of course the biggest upswing of the last year at Signet Kennels was the re-opening of Kevin’s spiritual home, Oxford.
So how has it gone?
Kevin said: “I absolutely love the place. I always did and I still do. It is a proper old fashioned dog track for me, with the bookies next to the grandstand and the kennels close to the track. It is a 35 minute drive from here and I can’t tell you how much I love racing there.”
Any criticisms?
“Yes, I don’t like the starting traps and can’t wait for them to be changed. Secondly, I would like to see more done with the track preparation. You turn up some meetings and the tractor clearly hasn’t been around. I’ve told Kevin, that should be done and the track should be kept watered.”
Is the new circuit similar to before?
Kevin said: “It seems such a long time since we raced there but I seem to remember it as a ‘trap one early pace’ track. I don’t think it is now. Certainly more dogs are coming off the pace. I love having the 450 option too. Towcester is fine, but it doesn’t suit every dog and if you don’t stay 500 metres, not every dog is suited to Romford.
“It is also a great track for pups. You might not want to put them over 500, but it isn’t fair to put them against sprint specialists either. Oxford is a great option.”
And the best thing about it?
“Definitely the atmoshere. There was nowhere ever quite like it for me and that hasn’t changed. The locals love their dog racing and the place has a real buzz about it. As for owners, we could fill the kennel ten times over with people wanting to own dogs there.”
