There have been 18 litters of 2018 whelps registered with the Greyhound Stud Book so far this year including a number of eye-catchers writes Floyd Amphlett.

Droopys Roddick Ballymac Mighty 4 2 18/1/18
Farran Cain Narrabane Lane 0 1 4/1/18
Forest Con Banabane 4 5 13/2/18
Kinloch Brae Pretty Lane 0 2 29/1/18
Leamaneigh Turbo Alaska 1 6 31/1/18
Leamaneigh Turbo Cashen Loca 3 8 22/3/18
Leamaneigh Turbo Queen Asia 4 3 13/1/18
Millwards Teddy Millwards Katy 0 1 1/1/18
Paradise Silva Duzzas Pretty 2 1 09/1/18
Romantic Rambo Early Blitz 2 4 7/1/18
Storm Control Hilly Bird 0 3 25/1/18
Superior Product Butts Mott 1 2 5/1/18
Target Harris Banana Fille 4 3 5/1/18
Taylors Sky Wakulla Gold 2 2 1/1/18
Uncle Shay Lefanta Vicky 1 5 1/1/18
United Leeds Colorado Caran 1 1 9/1/18
Viking Jack Ivys Dream 3 6 5/1/18
Zero Ten Santro Cruz 1 1 27/3/18

They include a first litter for Brighton Belle winner Banabane (Droopys Scolari-Ballymac Razl) who produced nine pups from a mating with kennelmate Forest Con.

In addition to her own ability, Banabane’s litter comrades include Harolds Cross Juvenile (Puppy) Derby winner Anopholes, Racing Post Juvenile winner Ballymac Ramsay and the useful Ballymac Deirdre.

Another maiden mum is Queen Asia (Droopys Scolari-Shaws Dilemma). A British Bred Oaks winner at Doncaster, Asia was an Arc runner-up and Lowther Stakes finalist.

She too is impeccably bred being a sister to British Bred Derby winner King Alley, and an older full sister to King Eden and King Kid.

Butts Mott (Archaton Pine-Ardera Spice) is another Brighton Belle winner, in addition to picking up the Lady Godiva Stakes and Angel of the North. Two of her first litter, by Ballymac Vic, have raced to date.

Pretty Lane and Millwards Katy have both been prolific open winners and stakes finalists.

Among the proven dams of open race winners are Ballymac Mighty, whose Take The Crown litter featured four different open race winners, notably Supreme Merlot.