Relations Prospering

It took a lot of research and legwork before I could assemble my new team of broods at Drumscraw. It will take a few years before I can be sure if I choose well but the early signs are good and the blood relations of my broods have been excelling of late on the track.

Mineola Di

Her two brothers, Farloe Reason and Ninja Jamie are raced very sparingly by the maestro Charlie Lister. He is as they say a man with a plan. Both have tasted group success this year and I feel will have a massive say in next years classics. Big sister Farloe Mirror also won a group race recently, the prestigious Brighton Belle.

Half brothers Fear Zafonic and Farloe Merlin have also been making the news. To put it simply "Zafonic" is the best pup in the UK and if he stays sound will win a classic next year. That's a bold statement but he has the ability and when fully mature will be a serious dog. He has already won the Group 2 Graphite Puppy Derby at Walthamstow beating two big profile Westmead dogs on route. His times for a pup are unheralded, 2838 for a pup around the Stow is crazy fast. "Merlin" has been a little less high profile but none the less is proving himself to be a very useful dog in his own right. A Group 3 winner at Stainforth he is being aimed at the big puppy stake which starts next Monday in Nottingham. He should go well as he has won his last two races there in very useful times.

Very interestingly for me, a full sister of the dam of Di, Farloe Reserve, has a litter to Hondo Black which have just commenced their racing career. If mine turn out like this then I will be a very happy camper. Farloe Tico already holds a track record at 20 months of age and is also now with Lister, a runner in the Nottingham Puppy Classic as well. I think he will be very special over 6 bends, although could be a little short of early pace for classics over 4 bends. Sadly a brother of "Tico", Farloe Cyclone suffered a nasty injury when grading in around Oxford, according to local reports he was every bit as promising as his brother. It looks like a litter to follow, especially over longer distances.

Blue Amarillo

Belle's immediate blood relations are nearing the end of their racing careers but it appears there is a kick left in them yet as her sister, star bitch Handy Princess, ran a great race to finish an unlucky second in the final of the Youghal Oaks last Friday night. Half Brother Firshill Boy qualified for the second round of the Irish Derby last night when finishing second. He is a little short of the class required for a Derby winner but I wouldn't be surprised to see him going a few rounds, he did already reach a Group 1 final this year.

Line of Fire finished a disappointing last in the Classic St Ledger final at Limerick a while back and appears to have lost a few lengths through injury. It will be interesting to see if they retire him and try him at stud, although I wouldn't put it past Owen McKenna rekindling the old spark in the dog.

Half sister Cleenas Lady continues to defy her advancing years and was very unlucky in the Seniors Derby Final at Peterborough last month. She was odds on after winning her heat and semi-final but a big bump at the first bend ended her chance over a trip slightly short of her preferred distance.

Belle's first litter to Boherduff Light are now 10 months old. In another 5/6 weeks they will be brought into the schooling kennel. They have already had one spin up the gallop and I'm satisfied with what they are showing so far. Their sire is doing himself no harm of late and I will definitely be returning with a bitch to him next year.

Droopys Rosari

Sparky is now well settled into her new home at Drumscraw. We called her Sparky because she is a real live wire, original I know. It has been an exciting time of late for her littermates and half brothers and sisters. Full brother Droopys Carvalho won the Group 1 Sussex Cup at Hove last month, undefeated and beating some top dogs along the way including Ballymac Under and Barnfield On Air. It will be interesting to see what he is aimed at next as I think a big galloping 4 bend trip is perfect for him but he could really clean up over the shorter 6 bend trips with his electric early pace.

Litter brother London Walter is a pup going places. He has a 50% strike rate, all in open class, and was a little unlucky this past week in the final of the Group 1 Puppy Derby at Wimbledon when his chances where wrecked by a first bend bump, taking nothing away from a very worthy winner. I hope they campaign him sensibly as he will need a little more time before he is able to see out a strong 4 bend trip.

Sparky's illustrious three quarter brother Si Senor has been retired to stud. He will stand with Christine at Merefield Stud. I think he will be well supported and stands a good chance of proving himself at stud.

Of particular interest to me is that the first two half sisters of Sparky to be bred have both produced useful pups. Droopys Cheala has thrown a very useful litter to Yeah Man. A few of these are racing around Lifford where I have seen them in the flesh. Whilst lacking a little pace to the bend they have huge motors and are very pacey dogs. Droopys Betty has a litter on the ground to Kewell and the first two to run have both raised the flag in pretty good times for Novices around Newbridge so exciting times lay ahead.

I have been doing a little research into what sire would suit Sparky best and I'm swayed towards Boherduff Light at present but that could change over the course of the next 6 months or so as I don't intend mating her till next spring at the earliest.