We have a great weekend to look forward to, starting on Friday with Queen Lilly in the British Bred Maiden Final at Romford.
Lilly is only a little ‘un but every ounce of her is guts and I thought she ran an absolute cracker in what was only the third race of her life.
I think she should improve for the run and I would hope she can go very close in the final.
The following night we have her brother and sister King Drake and Queen Jessiej in the semi finals of the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby at Monmore.
I can’t say I am happy to have all my three runners in the same semi final, but the draw took place in the restaurant and you just have to take it on the chin.
Of our three, King Axle (T4) looks to be the least suited to the distance, but we knew that before it started.
There can’t be any doubt that his future is over six bends.
Watch the race again and you realise how well King Drake (T6) did c0nsidering how wide he was forced to run around the bends. He was beaten by a very fast and more experienced pup. I know Drake can trap faster than that too, so fingers crossed for Saturday.
As for Jessiej (T3), she was just magnificent. Ideally you wouldn’t want to run a puppy with three races on her card in that sort of company but she showed what a class animal she is.
Our potential Derby dogs all trialled at Central Park last week and are due there again tomorrow (Wednesday).
King Sheeran was particularly impressive with a 16.22 (-05) for the sprint; King Dolly also impressed me – 16.27 (-05). Over the 480, King Cash went particularly well in 28.93 (-20). (Kings) Lennon and Dylan were a bit slow in the 16.40s. Dylan, in particular, badly needed the run.
If all goes to plan in the trials, with the exception of Dylan, they will all be entered in Derby trialstakes next Monday.
Since we have been having a little bit of success with the pups, a lot of people have asked what our secret is. I really wish there was one. It is all just common sense.
It starts out with choosing the right brood bitch. I spend a lot of time studying any potential dam. It isn’t just about ability, it’s about temperament too. Are they calm, are they good travelers? Are they 100% genuine?
You feed the pups well. They have plenty of freedom; we have three paddocks in about eight acres, though you can do it with a lot less. We don’t lock the pups away at night. Quite often we will hear them going a bit manic in the early hours because they have spotted a fox or a badger (so it helps if you don’t have close neighbours), but beyond that, it isn’t rocket science.
I wouldn’t want to be breeding if I had a BAGS or SIS contract. You can stretch yourself too far. You do need to spend some time with the pups, which is enjoyable anyway. But we are not in a unique position. Nor are we the only ones doing what we are doing. Look at the success that people like John Mullins has had rearing for himself, or working with Big Patrick (Janssens).
In my view, the biggest problems facing British breeders is an inferiority complex. If it isn’t reared in Ireland, it can’t be any good.
They tend to pick out the magnificent Savvas as though they were one-offs. Undoubtedly, there has been no one as good as Nick and Natalie. But they weren’t the only ones achieving success. What about Joe Cobbold, or Jane Hicks, or Alice Swaffield, or Theo Mentzis, or so many others?
If you look at people like Patrick (Janssens) or John (Mullins), or Jimmy Wright, or Big Kevin Hutton; they don’t even need to go outside their own kennel for a stud dog.
I don’t think there has been a better time to breed. How many over priced dogs are coming out of Ireland. I remember going to Walthamstow and seeing owners breaking out the champagne when they won an A2 with a dog that cost £25K. Madnesss! Look at the prices that even some of the very moderate Irish dogs are making.
I understand that GBGB are looking to back some £1,000 graded sweepstakes for British bred pups. What better excuse do you need to give it a go?
