Damien Matthews praised the innovation of Thursday’s greyhound sale at Monmore which turned over £77,530 with 42 of the 49 lots finding new owners.
Top lot: Eileensdover
Matthews, the Chairman of the Irish Greyhound Owner & Breeders Federation produced the top lot at £9,500 in Eileensdover – a February pup with very similar lines to Unlock Unlock, though it was the foresight of the Greyhound Trader set-up that most impressed the Irish breeder/trainer.
He said: “The whole concept is revolutionary. Quite honestly, if we had been relying on those who turned up on the day, I don’t think it would have gone so well. But I understand the whole Covid situation, so it was understandable. But to have that backed up by the telephone and internet bidding made a significant difference in my view.
“Broadcasting these sales is definitely the way forward in my view and in Nathan and James, you have two people who could not be faulted in doing everything possible for both the vendors and the buyers.
“I hope and believe this is just the start. Some of these tracks haven’t staged sales in the past. By knowing you will get decent money for good greyhounds, it is a huge encouragement to bring more in the future, which I intend to do.
“As far as Eileensdover is concerned, her form is there to be seen and I would be most disappointed if she didn’t find 40 spots in her next trial just for having been around the place before.”
Joint promoter Nathan Corden said: “Monmore were fantastic and the whole racing team there led by Tony Williamson made us feel very welcome and could not do enough for us.
“It was great to see so many familiar faces in the auction ring from across the Midlands and they certainly played their part in our most successful sale to date. We cannot wait for our next sale now on Wednesday 25th August at Romford which should see another good crowd turn up.”
James Corden reported “Top lot was Brendan Matthews’ Eileensdover who sold for £9,500 and she will be staying at Monmore in Brian Thompson’s kennels. Another one to note was Farm View (sold for £7,000) who joins Diane Henry and will surely return to Monmore for their Category 1 Summer Stayers after posting the 4th fastest time of the year over 630m in his sales trial. We must thank all the vendors once again who continue to show their support to us.”
