Ashlee Williams provides us with a puppy to couch tale in two parts. In the first, how he came to own part of Who Needs Wings and his racing career. 

Buster’s background

Let me tell you about the racing and after racing life of my dog Buster. A son of Good News and Banabane, Buster was one of 14 puppies from the litter. I knew from day one how special this little blue puppy was going to be.

I’d always wanted to have a share in a greyhound as my dad had owned dogs in many different kennels. From Sonia Spiers way back in the day to Paul Young and Seamus Cahill to name just a few.

I can remember clearly taking care of this litter every day when I worked full time at the Cahill Kennels. Myself and Teresa (Cahill) would hand feed and care for these wonderful puppies. We had to help Betty (Banabane) as there were too many for her to handle.

I would give them custard in the mornings and when I wasn’t working in the kennel – or hiding – I would always be found with the puppies. I’d even spend my afternoon break before my evening paddock shift with these wonderful playful creatures.

After winning a few hundred pounds on a horse racing bet, I said to Teresa that I wanted to get involved and finally become a greyhound owner. Luckily enough I was offered a half share in Buster, said yes right away and sent Teresa  the money. I knew each and everyday that Buster was special.

It’s always sad when the puppies have to leave for Ireland to be schooled. When he came back after a year out there with his brothers and sisters, I was absolutely ecstatic and buzzing to be able to see him back in the kennels every single day.

The start of his racing career

Once he had trialed in and began racing at Hove it only took him two races before he got first win, an A6.

I would pester Teresa and Seamus all the time about how I thought this dog was special and I managed to convince them to give him a trial at Towcester. After two winning efforts Seamus put him into a RPGTV Puppy Derby Trial. Unfortunately he missed the break, leading to trouble at the first bend and he was back to Hove for graded racing.

A few months later I asked if we could give him a spin around Monmore and Teresa and myself took him and his brother Speechless. Buster ran very well, we even started him in trap four rather than on the rails to allow him to glide into the bend, which he did perfectly.

A week later he was entered into a OR at the track, missed the break and got into trouble at the bend. So, he was back on the graded card at Hove once more! He did manage to prove me right by getting to A1/Open class at Hove though.

A Derby tilt

Coming into May, Derby season, the dog was running well at A1 level. I had always wanted to have a Derby runner. More so to walk a Derby dog so, I convinced Seamus and Teresa to take Buster to Towcester.

He needed to do around 29.50 to be considered for the Derby and after clocking 29.53 we entered him for the competition.
At this point I was only part time at the kennels having moved into my own place in Canterbury. I remember being on a break while the draw was being done and once I saw he was in with Mr Chelm and Romeo Command, I knew we were in trouble.

Building up to the race I didn’t expect too much from Buster except for him to run his absolute heart out, and he sure did. At odds of 25/1, he led from the first bend to the third. At that point he received a little bump from Romeo Command that slowed his run down a tad. He continued to run on to finish second behind the dog who would be Derby runner-up! I couldn’t have been prouder of this blue dog and couldn’t stop smiling at what he had done.

We did get knocked out in the second round though. This time behind the eventual Derby winner Gaytime Nemo who moved middle to scupper our chances.

Derby Final night

I asked if we could enter him into the BGBF Truframe Champion Stakes. He managed to qualify for the final on Derby final night. He would lose to a superstar in Signet Goofy. Although it was disappointing, I couldn’t have been happier to have had my dog run on the big night.

We went back to Hove into open racing, hoping to be in the Sussex Cup. After being last in a trial stake he returned to graded racing to build up some confidence. He’d win an A1 and continued to run in the top grade.

Next stop was Swindon for the British Bred Produce Stakes. Buster managed to do a good time around Swindon for a first look around, 28.57 calculated. Unfortunately, the following morning he was lame and after a check from the physio he was found to have a bad injury to his wrist.

Return from injury

Following a long period off the track, roughly four months on the sidelines, he began to trial back at Hove. We were taking each week step-by-step and always putting his welfare first.

After four trials he managed to get back on the card in A1. I did think it was a bit unfair after he’d been off so long, straight back into top grade was a bit harsh on the dog. He lost that race and was downgraded into an A2 getting third and second in most of his next races. He was genuinely trying his hardest but clearly wasn’t the same dog he was before the wrist injury.

Retirement on the horizon

Thursday, August 1 Buster was in an A3,  four dog race. I went to the track with Seamus and Ian as part of me knew that his final race was coming but I wasn’t sure when it would be.

On a dark, mild evening I was nervous throughout, waiting for his race to come. I got him out of the kennel, let him empty out on the bank at Hove and geared him up ready to run, making sure he knew what he had to do. Unfortunately, he didn’t break as I expected and had major trouble at the first bend. He finished the race in fourth place, five plus lengths behind the winner.

On the way back to the paddock I took a photo of Buster in his racing gear. That was just in case it was his last race. I took him into the paddock, gave him some water and watched the replay on the TV. Someone said your dog is holding his wrist up and at that moment I knew Buster was finished with racing.

I rang Teresa right away and said I think it’s time for retirement for Buster. It was such a heart breaking moment for me seeing the puppy I loved and cared for so much, seeing him doing what he loved to have his career end after all the time and hard work in getting him back ready for racing.

Part 2 about Buster’s retirement at home with me coming soon.