‘What happens when breeding goes into decline but the demand remains strong?’ writes Floyd Amphlett
There is a gradual transition as dogs previously discarded as being of relatively low value find their stock rising.
For years, Irish owners have struggled to find races for their older and slower dogs. That is less and less the case with racing managers struggling to fill cards.
The following chart shows the ages of all winners on tracks in Ireland in three separate Januarys: from the left, 2019, 2016 and 2013.
The orange section of each chart represents the youngest selection of runners (year 1), in the case of the 2019 column, the orange represents winners born in 2017. The equivalent is true for 2016 (’14 whelps) and 2013 (’11 whelps).
The respective blue sections represent 2016, 2013 and 2010 whelps etc etc
It may be subtle but the signs are there of an age shift. There is a particularly interesting comparison between the 2017 and 2013 charts as they feature virtually an identical number of runners: 1,157 v 1,152.
It is clear to see the decline in the number of young dogs coming through – 405 v 486 (35% v 42%). Moving on – in January of this year, 548 races were won by greyhounds whelped in 2016. The comparative aged group figure for January 2013 was 503.
Why does it matter?
Well think about it in these terms. In January 2013, there were 17 fewer ‘year 1’ winners than ‘year 2’ winners. In January 2016, there were 18 fewer ‘year 1’ winners than ‘year 2’ winners. In January 2019, there were 143 fewer ‘year one’ winners than ‘year two’ winners.
Very few ‘year 2’ winners (or older) are likely to be exported. But when Britain comes looking to buy the rest of those 2017 whelps. . . .
