Bicester based Jeff Sealey is hoping to see the fruit of his hard work with a 14th winner of the Swindon Produce Stakes on Saturday.
The veteran puppy schooler had hoped to make it past the unlucky number last year but missed out when Badabing was short headed on the line.
He said: “I should have a better chance this time around with four or possibly five in the final who were schooled here.
“I know I schooled Carn Brea, King Elvis, Rushbrook Rocco, and Apache Kid, and there is a question mark over Ballyoak Petal, who might have been among some Poole pups who came here.”
It doesn’t seem so many years since Sealey was sending out the novices along with kennels at Ockenden, Beaverwood, and Kidderminster, and the veteran handler now sees very few opportunities for young British breds to learn their trade.
He said: “Most of the other tracks have gone but somebody needs to school the youngsters. Thankfully, we are well patronised with pups from all over the country though we could do with some acknowledgement from the Greyhound Board if we are to continue.”
The Sealey brand goes beyond schooling with grandson Josh involved in manufacturing track equipment including hare systems, hurdles and the new eight-dog traps at Central Park.
So looking back, was there any category one potential immediately obvious among the class of ’15?
Sealey said: “I told John (Mullins) that Carn Brea was going to be a bit special and the same goes for King Elvis (Rab McNair), it was just obvious. Having said that, I have just schooled another litter for Rab and I think he has one who could be equally as good.”
His name?
“You’d better ask Rab”
