THE TRAINER WITH 15 CENTURIONS

Most kennels would be proud to have a hound with 100 races on its card. Some might have two or three. But how many could boast 15? – writes Floyd Amphlett.

The man behind the figures is Harlow’s Jim Daly senior.

Readers may remember the recent story of Jim’s Ballymac Magnier who was the most prolific runner in Britain with 21 races in the first three months of the year prior to cramping and having a short break.

But not everyone would endorse such a rigorous racing schedule. Some greyhound folk might argue: ‘That’s all very well, but that level of racing is unsustainable. The dogs will soon be finished’

Well apparently not . . . . . because Jim can boast no fewer than 15 greyhounds currently in training with more than 100 races each.

Heading the list with 172 races to date is Croftview Star, a Feb ’13 daughter of Jim junior’s 2008 Puppy Derby winner Jesters Nap. Kodiva Grain, an Aug ’13 whelp, is due to contest his 159th race tomorrow.

There MUST be a catch. The must just be making up the numbers with no chance of winning.

Well actually, that’s not true either. Although, given their vintage, they are inevitably in the lower grades, Kodiva Grain has two wins and four seconds in his last nine races. Next on the list, Veetec Surprise has won three of her last ten.

Yes, there are some struggling to get their heads in front. Nobody is queuing up to back Highhams Sandy, beaten in his last 30 outings, but he is an exception.

So what is the reason for the durability?

The fact that the majority of the dogs predominantly race over the non-taxing 238 metre course is surely a factor. But that would surely be selling the trainer short?

Jim said: “It has nothing to do with me, it is purely down to my daughter Kerry. She is very quick to pick up any injuries. The dogs are well massaged and fed. It is all down to her hard work.”

Since his break, Ballymac Magnier has returned to contest another two races, finishing second last time.

But racing has moved on in his absence. On Saturday, the new joint leader on the ‘appearances’ board will be the appropriately named Active Crystal who will be going to traps for the 27th time this year.

Any guesses who her trainer might be?

Not that any of this would come as a surprise to Harlow regulars though. When the Daly trained Sneezys Ferrari went to traps for the final time last August, his career record showed 235 races.

Views will inevitably be divided on greyhounds having ‘three figure’ racing records. But no one could surely argue that if it was more widespread throughout the industry, the retired greyhound landscape would look very different.