SAVVA – TOP 20 RACERS – PART 2

We conclude with the remaining ten superstars who occupied a comparatively small space in the overall Westmead story – roughly 1994-2007, when the kennel enjoyed its greatest days.

WESTMEAD CHICK

be bd b (I’m Slippy-Westmead Move, Jan 92)

There are very few bitches who can consistently beat the best males in training over the standard distance – Westmead Chick was one of the very best.

The 34 kilo blue brindle was 18 months old when she won her first open at Milton Keynes. She then dead heated in the ‘93 Bazell Puppy Stake. After a winter break she returned to the Stow in March 1994 for a neck victory in the Arc. A month later she polished off Hove’s Olympic.

Chick’s English Derby attempt included a 28.57 heat win before she went out in the quarter finals. There was a small consolation with a win in the Brighton Belle.

Chick was runner-up in the Eclipse, but before the year was out had also landed the Midland Flat and the Oaks beating Droopys Fergie by five lengths in 28.60 for the Plough Lane 480 metres.

In 1995 she won the Derby invitation in 28.65, one spot quicker than final winner Moaning Lad.

A month later there was another £5,000 pay day with a near seven length victory in the Monmore Gold Cup

It was back to Wimbledon for the Wey Plastics Invitation. The 4-5f led home a top class field that included Pearls Girl, Countrywide Fox, Curryhills Fancy, Moral Standards and Deenside Dean.

She also finished runner-up to Westmead Merlin in the Dundalk International and equalled the Walthamstow 475m track record (28.49) before retiring with a record of 29 open race victories.

She voted as the 1994 Greyhound of the Year, the only middle distance bitch to have achieved the feat in the last 30 years.

Chick produced seven litters of pups, four of which contained open race winners, though nothing approaching her own calibre.

Nick says: “I would say that Chick was the fastest four bend bitch that I ever bred. In running style, she could lead but didn’t have to.

“On the night she equalled the 475m track record at Walthamstow the track was like a ploughed field. I always wondered what she might have done on good going.

“It is also worth remembering that she was a ‘six month’ bitch which restricted her racing career. I did try suppressing her, but she was of such a strong constitution that she came in season anyway.”

 

STAPLERS JO

w bk d (Dempsey Duke-Perfect Rythmn

It was back in September 1994 that local breeder and chicken farmer Gerry Beckett began trialling a 15 month old litter by Dempsey Duke out of former local grader Perfect Rhythm.

Among them was the leggy 35 kilo white and black Staplers Jo. His first solo was clocked at 28.30 but three trials later, he qualified some 102 spots quicker, a time that would have qualified him into A3.

Instead, Beckett asked Nick to take the dog and qualify to run graded at Walthamstow. Jo clocked a fastest 29.61 for the 475 metres in trials but was beaten on his debut.

However there was big money for him next time out. Despite missing his break and not leading until the third bend, Jo landed his trainer with a 28.91 time finding enquiry.

After his following win, he was sold for £7,000 to Harrow builder Pat Whelan, who gave the dog to wife Betty as a Christmas present.

Jo’s first big success came in the 1995 Monmore Puppy Derby. Despite repeatedly missing his break, Jo had such incredible early pace that he could lead three to four lengths at the first bend.

It was with precisely that racing style that he won the final in 29.72 (-20) for the 484 metres.

Onto Hackney where the early paced flyer won a heat of the 442 metre Gymcrack by 13 lengths and took over four lengths off the old track record. He won the final at 1-8f.

By May ’95, Jo was ante post favourite for the English Derby but missed the event after going lame in a trial.

He returned with a double at the Stow (28.75, 28.66) before heading to Hall Green for the Produce Stakes.

Jo won all four of his Hall Green races – 28.34, 28.44, 28.52 & 28.49. They were won by an accumulated 23 lengths and his biggest price was 1-4f. Some performance considering he trapped between third and sixth place in every heat.

But it didn’t end there. The sequence continued with another Rye House win (28.80-485) before Jo returned to his beloved Hackney for the Guineas.

Attempting the 484m for the first time, the Betty Whelan owned dog won by just under 10 lengths and sliced 30 spots off Lassa Java’s track record.

He would never be headed throughout the entire competition, which end with a flawless trap-to-line win in 28.98. The winning sequence was taken to 11 when Jo led from box to beam against three of the top Eirean stars in the Anglo-Irish International.

The Greyhound of the Year title followed, but following a three month lay-off Jo’s career was effectively over when he sustained a serious muscle injury in a trial at Hackney. Although he returned briefly, the damage proved irreparable.

Jo went to stud in Ireland where he became the most exciting producer of early pace in the breeding world.

His progeny included Back In Action, El Ronan, Larkhill Bullet, Farloe Hack, Priceless Rebel, Blue Gooner, Kegans Glory and of course his natural heir, the great Larkhill Jo. He also threw more top class bitches than any other dog at stud including Irish Oaks winners Lifes Beauty Borna Survivor and Marinas Tina (x2), plus Miss Tetley, Hopeful Moment, Cooly Cheetah, Ballymac Minnie, Ballymac Bargain and Tullymurry Tango.

Jo was among the top five stud dogs for four years, twice finishing runner-up to Top Honcho.

Nick says: “In breeding terms, Jo was something of a freak being by a dog who threw virtually nothing else out of a dam who was apparently just about useless on the track.

“Staplers, along with Westmead Lord, were probably the best two early paced dogs that I ever trained. Staplers didn’t need to trap because he had such tremendous early pace.

“At his peak, there was no dog in Britain or Ireland that could lead him to the fourth bend. Like all the great dogs, he didn’t have a single fault.

“I really liked Betty Whelan. While her husband Pat was really a horse racing man, the dogs were Betty’s pride and joy.

“Staplers was her ‘special dog’ but she loved all her dogs, nomatter how good or bad they were with equal enthusiasm.

“I was very sad when she developed her illness and subsequently died in 1997. Although Pat carried on as an owner, it was never quite the same.”

 

WESTMEAD MERLIN

bd d (Murlens Slippy-Westmead Hannah, Sep 92)

Merlin is something of a rarity a ‘Westmead’ not actually born at the Cow Lane kennels. He was brought into the world by Reading breeder David Pearl.

At 12 weeks old, Merlin was handed over to Nick, though he entrusted the pup’s rearing up to nine months, to an old and trusted friend, George Hunter from Woburn Abbey.

Nick said: “I’ve known George Hunter from the very earliest days at Westmead. He has a 500 acres farm and has reared numerous pups for me and made a great job of it.

“I love George’s attitude about the game; he doesn’t seek money or success, he just enjoys being involved.”

Merlin was beaten on his debut in A2 at Hackney but was elevated into open class for his second outing and won convincingly in 29.31 for the 484 metres.

His first major victory was in the 1994 Produce Stakes at Hall Green. He won the final in 28.33 (8-11f) and reached a string of other finals without winning any.

The most notable was Nottingham’s Eclipse. In the heats, Merlin had overcome a field that included Westmead Chick, Moral Standards and Moral Director to set a new track record of 29.65 for the 500 metres.

1995 would prove more productive as Merlin first landed the Arc at Walthamstow. He recorded the second fastest time ever at Wimbledon (28.22) but went out of the Derby in the semis and won the consolation in 28.67.

In July he went to Romford and won the Champion Stakes recording 35.20 for the 575 metes en route.

Then in August he led home kennel mate Westmead Chick in the Dundalk International. It was his last major victory.

He went to stud in Kerry and was a limited success throwing three Irish Derby finalists and reaching no.10 on the sire’s table. His fastest UK runner was probably the disqualified McCarthys Duke.

Nick says: “Merlin’s record shows that he was incredibly fast though he wasn’t always completely focused and we had to work on that throughout his career.

“It certainly cost him a place in the Derby Final. He ran an absolute stinker in the semis, for which I blame myself. He also stayed on of course and might have gone further had his career not been ended in a race at Rye House.

“In my opinion the performance of his career was in the Dundalk International following the debacle with the plane journey.”

TOMS THE BEST

(Frightful Flash-Ladys Guest, May 95)

Toms The Best made his racing debut at Shelbourne Park on a cold January night in 1997.

A 29.58 win was followed by a ‘for sale’ advert in the Racing Post and ‘Tom’, was snapped up by luckless owner Eddie Shotton, for £10,000.

After two 29.56 trials for his new kennel, the handsome black made his British debut in graded company at Walthamstow.

Heavily gambled, Tom won third time out in 28.71, earning trainer Savva a steward’s enquiry.

With a total of eight races in his entire career, Tom was entered in the ’97 English Derby where he gave a first glimpse of greatness, a 28.41 run in the quarter finals.

Unfortunately, he found trouble in the semis and failed to qualify for the final by three quarters of a length. But there was consolation on final night with a 28.42 run.

It was then off to Monmore and Hove for the Gold and Sussex Cups, by the end of which he had his first two competition wins and seven-strong winning sequence.

Tom was in the shadow of English Derby winner Some Picture throughout the ’97 Irish Derby, but he produced his best run to date in the semis, 30.26 for the 550 yards.

On the big night the Savva runner was superbly prepared. Connections were confident that their boy would trap faster than ever and they were proved correct.

‘Tommy’ broke in front, surrendered the early lead to Vintage Prince and then hauled in Joe Kenny’s gallant white and black for a one length win in 30.09.

Milton Keynes might not be most people’s idea of a track to suit the big striding black but a sub track record 26.34 trial for the 440m in early 1998 suggested the big black had wintered well.

In May, Tom reached the Scottish Derby Final which turned into a fantastic buckle with kennelmate Larkhill Jo. Tom failed to overcome early crowding and was beaten a length.

Tom warmed up for his second English Derby with a 27.61 460m trial before a surprise first round defeat (bump 1 ran on) by Farloe Mac.

It would be the final defeat of Tom’s career as he finished a truly remarkable career with a five timer culminating in the 1998 English Derby Final and a Greyhound of the Year title.

No greyhound previously had won both English and Irish Derbies – Toms The Best came to within a length of also landing the Scottish and within three quarters of a length of reaching a fourth Derby Final.

His career record showed 40 races Wins-21, 2nds-7, 3rds-8, 4ths-4. He won over £113,075 in prize money.

Tom enjoyed a successful stud career despite numerous fertility problems. He remained a top three sire from 2001 through to 2005.

His leading progeny included Toms View, Louis Saha, Alibulk Lad, Fear No One, Midway Tomsscout, Fear Robben, Frisby Folly, Caloona Striker and Toms Little Jo.

Tom died in December 2008 and is buried at the first bend of Nick’s schooling track.

Nick said: “Toms The Best was a lovely greyhound in both his looks and his nature. He was also an incredibly intelligent dog, and not just in how he pre-empted going racing if he wasn’t fed on time.

“If he went to a track on more than one occasion, he worked out the time and 10 minutes before he we were due to arrive in the van he would start barking.

“When he ran in the Derby final at Wimbledon, we were 10 minutes from the track and Tom hadn’t murmured. I said to Tom Andy Elias ‘what is the matter with Tom?’ but within two minutes he started, which was a bit of a relief.

“My biggest regret was that I wasn’t able to put Tom over the longer distance, I think he would have been sensational.

“Eddie wouldn’t have it, he was convinced it would ruin his stud potential. He wouldn’t even let me give the dog a trial over 620 metres at Milton Keynes. I would have loved to have known what he could have done.”

 

LARKHILL JO

(Staplers Jo-Westmead Flight, Sep 95)

Jo was conceived at Westmead but was born and reared in Ireland on owner Pat Whelan’s farm. He arrived at Westmead at 11 months old and instantly impressed his new trainer.

“There were three bitches and a dog in the litter. They did a very good job of the rearing.” recalls Nick.

Jo made his debut on February 15 1997 in a Walthamstow graded puppy event.

The 17 month old pup finished fifth but was punted next time out (9-4 to 7-4f) winning by eight lengths in the fastest time of the night -29.07. In almost identical fashion to his father. Larkhill also earned his trainer a ‘stewards’.

By his fifth race his personal best was 28.74. Next time out was a puppy open at Monmore and a new track record for the 460 metre trip – 27.15.

Larkhill’s first major final was the Stylefield Law Puppy Stake at the Stow. A 28.64 semi winner, he was beaten at 2-9f in the final by 29.02 outsider I’m Frankie.

There was more disappointment in the English Derby where he was eliminated in the third round but he added the Monmore 480 metre clock (27.95) in the Gold Cup. In the final though, he failed to get a run and was beaten by kennelmate Toms The Best.

Despite his indifferent Derby form, Nick sent the dog back to Wimbledon for a trial where he clocked the fastest time ever recorded over the track’s 460 metre course – 27.16.

He followed that up with a fine win in the 480 metre Stanton Memorial.

Despite missing his break, he accelerated to lead at the first and clock a stunning 28.41.

Jo picked up a wrist injury in the Coldseal Classic and after failing to find his form was ignored by the press for Nottingham’s first staging of the Select Stakes.

But he was drafted in as a reserve for Blue Murlen, was made the 5-4f and reminded everyone of his ability with a 30.19 win over El Premier.

Three weeks later there was another £7,000 payday as Jo again justified favouritism for a 30.48 win (.50) in the Eclipser Final.

After a winter’s break Jo returned to the Stow for the of the Arc. He qualified for the final with heat wins in 28.51, 28.82, and an incredible 28.56 (-30) in the semis.

Unfortunately, for connections and punters the 4-9f blew it in the final when third to Ceekay and Greenwood Flyer.

But consolation was just around the corner.

On the big Shawfield circuit, the big black set up a series of great runs (29.07, 28.88, 29.40) to see him go unbeaten through to the Scottish Derby Final.

Slow into his stride, he was actually last early on, Larkhill stormed through to win the decider and take revenge on his great rival and kennel mate Toms The Best.

Both went onto Plough Lane. Jo won a couple of heats, best 28.53 before finishing lame in the third round and going out.

Next up was an assault on the ‘98 Irish Derby.

Jo took to the big Shelbourne circuit like a duck to water. He went unbeaten through to the Derby final with wins in 30.32, 30.31, 30.10 and 30.18 and was 9-4 second favourite to new record holder Eyeman.

Drawn six in the final, Jo broke reasonably but was mid divison when forced wide at the first. He came through the field chased the favourite into the last two but then checked. He was half a length adrift at the line with Cool Panther stealing second place by a short head.

Larkhill Jo never returned to England. He stayed with Seamus Graham for whom he landed the last major event of his career – the Shelbourne Leger. He sired his first litter is September ’98 but returned for a short third season of racing before being finally retired in July ’99.

Jo was a massive success at stud. Despite a large number of misses, he managed to stay in the top three of the stud table for four years, achieving a highest position of second.

His progeny included two Irish Derby winners, Climate Contol and Like A Shot, plus Fear Haribo, Slip The Lark, Droopys Kewell, Tinys Bud, Hilcroft Josie, Digital, Disguised, Larking About etc, etc.

He also sired the outstanding litter our of Mega Delight that featured Westmeads Joe, Olivia, Aoifa, Nicole, Major and Liz.

Nick says: “Joe was an outstanding dog, 100 per cent genuine, a lovely nature with a fantastic running action, very low to the ground. There was nothing between Jo and Tom and whenever they ran together I backed the wrong one. I would say his best performance was in the Scottish Derby though he also ran Monmore very well. He ran most of his career with a minor wrist problem.

“He didn’t really have any faults other than he could get a little bit hyper if he was off the track for a while – he was just so genuine. I think that came through from is grandmother Westmead Kim who was a little bit similar.”

“His most impressive win by far was in the final of the Eclipse. It was absolutely pouring down and the track was bottomless but he showed tremendous tenacity to come through the field. At the pick-up he was absolutely caked in sand.”

 

SONIC FLIGHT

bk d (Frightful Flash-Westmead Flight, Feb 98)

Sonic won his first open race in 26.89 for Milton Keynes’ 440 metres when he was only 18 months old.

A very slow breaker blessed with good early pace and excellent track craft, Sonic had won 10 opens when he went to Hall Green to contest the 2000 Blue Riband.

He clocked 28.38 (-10) in the heats and went to traps as the 5-4f for the final but finished second and lame behind track record breaker Vintage Cleaner.

The powerful railing black spent nine months on the sidelines with a ruptured main tendon that had to be operated on twice.

He seemed unlikely to race again but returned in early 2001 with an open win at Oxford. Just over a month later he was a six length winner of a £4,000 invitation at Stainforth.

The following month he headed to Shawfield where he went unbeaten through the 2001 Scottish Derby beating Droopys Vieri three and a half lengths in the final.

He then headed to Wimbledon. By the time he reached the final he had completed an eight race unbeaten sequence including the fastest semi (28.61). He was cramped for room in the decider (10-11f) and was beaten more than three lengths by 28.71 winner Rapid Ranger.

Two weeks later and at 4-11f, the big striding black came from last place to land the £6,000 Select at Nottingham.

Sonic was then dispatched to Ireland and under the care of Dolores Ruth He clocked 28.40 at Shelbourne but when out of the Irish Derby in the third round. Dolores then targeted the Irish Laurels which he won in 28.41 from Micks Mystic. Two weeks later he won the Waterford Masters in 28.40.

Sonic was retied from racing at four years and two months of age due a recurrence of the flexor tendon problem.

He was a limited success at stud with many of his progeny showing an inclination to stay.

In Ireland, his big race winners included Green heat (Produce Stakes) and Satellite Flight (Ladbrokes 600). In Britain there was Ronnies Flight (Grand Prix), Paint Man (Produce Stakes) Westmead Swift (Coventry Leger), plus of course a handy hound called Westmead Hawk!

From a rare frozen semen mating, he also sired a litter out Paul Wheeler’s Rosemary Bale, the star of which was the 2009 Australian National Distance Champion Jarvis Bale.

Nick says: “He didn’t race for 10 months after that initial injury. In fact, when he ran in the Derby, he still had the stitches in his wrist. The knot even pierced through the skin but he was so genuine it didn’t affect him.

“I thought he was unlucky in the English Derby final when the four and two crossed in front of him out of the traps.

“He ran well in Scotland to beat Droopys Vieri on merit, but Dolores also did a very good job with him in Ireland. I think the best race of his career was probably in the Waterford Masters.

“We would have put him over the distance, he would definitely have stayed, but the injury recurred and we didn’t get the chance.

“Sonic was as fast as any I have trained and I don’t think he ever got the recognition that he deserved. He was incredibly genuine and blessed with amazing track craft.

“Although he wasn’t the fastest trapper, he only found trouble in two races, the English Derby and the Blue Riband Final. It was that track craft that he passed onto Hawk.”

Sonic returned to Westmead and spent many happy years in retirement. He was put to sleep following a short battle with bone cancer in February 2011.

 

WESTMEAD HAWK

Sonic Flight-Mega Delight

Hawk already has his own chapter – though in the time since the book was written it is worth updating on his impact at stud.

There is no better place to start than English Derby winners Sidaz Jack and Taylors Sky.

Other outstanding progeny included Jazz Apollo, Tudor Prince, Head Iton Jason, Ballyard Buddy, Take The Crown, Eden The Kid, Borna Mindy, Millwards Teddy, Rockchase Bullet, Droopys Nidge, Vulturi, Droopys Ward, Accordello, Mind The Net and so many more. He duly retained his sires title in 2011 and was in the top five for the following six years.

But his greatest contribution was arguably through his daughters. The Dunphy brothers owe plenty to Hawk’s daughters Droopys Laramie (dam of stud dogs Droopys Cain and Droopys Sydney), Droopys Start (dam of Droopys Roddick, Billys Bullet, Touch Tackle etc) and Droopys Thrill (Wuheida, Crossfield Molly etc).

Liam Dowling has been well served by another of Hawk’s daughters, Ballymac Scarlet (Ballymac Matt, Ballymac Bigmike, Bockos Alfie etc).

Following a lengthy battle with cancer, Westmead Hawk died in 26 May 2014 and is buried at Westmead next to his sire and dam.

 

WESTMEAD JOE

(Larkhill Jo-Mega Delight, Feb 04)

The 38 kilo Joe was unschooled when he arrived at Henlow in late July 2005. He was big and green, just a bit hyper and clocked 29.42 for the 460 metres after slipping at the traps. Two trials and three weeks later, his personal best was an open class 27.81.

Beaten on his debut in a tough A1, the enormous striding black then won first six consecutive opens, clocking 27.49 (TR 27.28) at Henlow and 29.84 at Hove (515m).

The sequence included an unbeaten run through the Bedfordshire Puppy Derby with littermates Major and Olivia in second and third.

It was a remarkable demonstration of track craft and pure pace – many minor open class dogs were clocking 3.90 sectionals. Joe’s fastest in the entire competition was 4.10.

After a winter lay-off, Joe was packed off to Hall Green where he won one of his three qualifiers on his way to the Blue Riband Final.

In the £10K decider, he trapped last but ran right through the field to beat Kays Quest by half a length in 28.58.

Following a 28.66 trial over the English Derby course, he was workmanlike throughout the heats finishing 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 1st (28.60) and 2nd on his way to the £100,000 final.

Of course all eyes were on little (36kg) half brother Hawk in the final, but Joe ran well, coming from last to fourth and beaten just two and a quarter lengths.

He went unbeaten (29.30, 29.31) to the final of the Coventry Derby but finished third to 29.32 winner Coventry Bees in the final.

He then contested the first round of the Swindon Produce without a trial and reduced the 480 clock to 28.52, before breaking it again (28.50) in the semis. The 4-9f beat sister Olivia in the £15K final in 28.59

A month later, Joe landed his third category one final with a 27.89 run in the final of the £10K Monmore Gold Cup.

An odds on favourite for the Hall Green Produce Stakes, Joe was injured in the opening round and withdrawn.

Joe’s final event of the year was the Eclipse, but after leading in his heat, he cramped and only just qualified. Likewise in the semis, he was challenging for the lead at the last bend, cramped and was beaten a head for second spot. He wouldn’t be seen on a track again for another five months.

Joe warmed up for his ’07 Derby campaign with a trialstake win but he found barrow loads of trouble every time he went to traps. In the third round, he faced one battle too many (Crwd & Fcdtock2) and finished last.

Although he trialled over the 460 metre course in 27.35, Joe never really ran Wimbledon and he was beaten a length by 28.48 winner Savana Highlands in the Derby Invitation.

Joe ran another six opens, winning two, but with winter approaching, and his cramping problems invevitable, he was retired with a racing record of 46 races for 20 wins and 10 seconds.

Nick said: “I don’t think there was ever more than a length between Joe and Hawk, and I wouldn’t want to guess in whose favour.

“Unfortunately for Joe, he suffered throughout his career through cramp and with high anxiety during kennelling.”

Joe was very lightly used when he went to stud and following two heart strokes he died just short of his seventh birthday.

 

WESTMEAD LORD

(Droopys Kewell-Mega Delight,Jun 05)

The 37 kilo Westmead Lord arrived at Henlow with no schooling beyond a couple of sessions behind the whirlygig.

His debut was in A5 but with three wins and a second in his first four races, he was soon contesting puppy opens and won his first at Romford in a calculated 24.58.

Blessed with exceptional early pace the youngster was lightly raced during the winter of 2006.

By the time he took his place in the first round of the Paddy Dunne Puppy Cup in late April 2007, his record showed six wins and five seconds from his first 12 races.

He went unbeaten through the juvenile event landing the £4,000 final at 4-9f.

He was still a pup when he contested a Derby trialstake at Wimbledon, winning in 28.77.

Into the main event, and it looked as though the 480 metres was beyond him. Despite leading in each of his first three rounds, he was “Ld run-up to Rn in”) on each occasion.

On the plus side, Lord was consistently breaking 29.00 and only being passed by one rival.

In the quarter finals he trapped more slowly and was well beaten by the fastest dog of the round – Loyal Honcho (28.46).

The big scare came in the semis. Three dogs clocked identical sectionals, and Lord on the outside took a first bend bump. But the 4-5f kept going and qualified in third.

At 6-1, Lord was fourth in the betting in the 2007 Derby final with the market lead by Loyal Honcho (6-4f) with kennelmate Dilemmas Flight next best at (2-1).

To win the decider Lord would have to produce the performance of his career – and that is exactly what he did.

When the traps opens, he exited like a black missile to clock the fastest sectional of the competition (4.79).

Lord was a length clear at the first bend and extended that lead all the way to the third bend.

By the final turn, the field, headed by the favourite, were gunning him down, and they drew closer with every stride of the long Plough Lane run in.

At the winning line, Lord had just half a length to spare over Loyal Honcho in 28.47 (+20), with Forest Scholes a neck back in third and Dilemmas Flight a length back in fourth.

(The form would be franked a year on with Loyal Honcho winning the 2008 Derby Final in 28.60).

Unfortunately, Lord finished lame with a toe injury and he didn’t race again for another nine months.

It took a couple of races to lose the ring rustiness and he went out of the ’08 Derby in the second round. (It was the first time in his 27 race career that he hadn’t finished in the tricast places)

But the form seemed to be returning with heat and final victories in the Stud Book Trophy at Monmore (28.24, 28.37).

But after only one win in seven races, the toe problem recurred and resulted in another nine months off. After another 11 disappointing races, the 2007 Derby winner was retired.

Nick was determined to have a litter by Lord, but arguably the most handsome dog ever to grace Westmead Kennels, was sterile. He was retired and at the time of writing was living out his latter years with Henlow trainer Kim Taylor.

Nick said: “Lord picked up the original toe injury when he was being reared and it continued to trouble him. He had three operations on it, but we were never able to get it right which was a huge disappointment.

“I know that the public never got to see Lord at his peak, he was barely two years old when he won the Derby, but that was just fate I’m afraid. I certainly never bred a faster dog to the third bend.”

 

 

SPIRIDON LOUIS

(Droopys Vieri-Early Flight)

Spiridon Louis, named after the first marathon winner of the modern Olympics (1896), would become the fourth Greyhound of the Year born at Westmead Kennels.

Whelped in Dec ’04, Louis left Westmead to join trainer Mick Puzey soon after he had completed his schooling.

He qualified into P8 company at Walthamstow making steady, if not spectacular progress. By his 13th race, he had risen to A3, but was already being tipped as a future staying star.

He made his staying debut art 21 months old, looking several classes better than the opposition when coming from last to first to win the Peterborough Puppy Cesarewitch.

Two races later, and around his own patch, he gave a start and a six length beating to the Stow’s top stayer, January Tiger.

At 1-5f in the heats of the Racing Post Puppy Stayers Louis broke the 640 metre Stow track record (39.19), but found trouble in the final and was beaten at 1-7f.

But after a series of poor runs, Louis was switched to Lorraine Sams’ kennel.

The big white and black finally showed his old zest in the first round of the 2007 Regency.

Indeed, it was the start of a nine race winning sequence that saw him go unbeaten though the Hove event, followed by the TV Trophy at Yarmouth where he set a new 843 metre record, and finally the prestigious Dorando Marathon on Derby Final night.

In October, ‘Mike’ was again asked to take on the best six benders in the country in the St Leger at Wimbledon. He reached arguably the best Leger final for a generation and came with a brilliant late run to catch Lenson Joker by three quarters of a length.

Back to eight bend he won the £4,000 VC Marathon followed by the £1,500 Essex Record Marathon.

In January, Louis duly carried off the Greyhound of the Year title, along with the ‘Best British Bred’, and the awards as the top stayer, and top marathon greyhound.

Louis appeared briefly for a third season of racing, but recurring injury problems saw him retired in May 2008.

His career record showed 64 races, from 475-880 metres for 33 wins and 12 seconds.

Born with no testicles, Louis had no stud potential, but spent his retirement with owner Gail May.

Nick said: “At the time that the litter were schooled, I had no space for racing dogs and suggested to the owners that they should be sent away to gain experience. Some of the litter went to Puzey, and others, including Dilemmas Flight, went to Spencer Mavrias at Sittingbourne.

“I had no idea that Spiridon Louis would turn out as good as he did, you seldom can, at that early stage, with stayers. But he turned out a top class dog and I couldn’t have been more pleased for Gail who is a real enthusiast.

“Under normal circumstances it is almost impossible for someone in Gail’s position, as a school teacher, to own a real champion. However, Spiridon Louis is proof that those sort of dreams can sometimes come true.”