Dec 2008
Happy New Year
28/12/08 22:05 Filed in: update
Well yet another year passes us by and hopefully 2008 has been good for you all in many different ways and that it carrys on to next year.
In 3 1/2 years we have sent out 600 winners of which 100 have been Open race winners and we are very hopeful of a very fruitful 2009, lovely bred broods that keep us on our toes and keeps those dreams alive that make working such long hours really worthwhile.
We are hoping that readers will get involved in the running of the blog, stories or special features from others can easily be incorporated into the blog and it could give everyone an enjoyable read, I have attatched a true story from 1 of my friends during our Powderhall days and it would be nice to read other such stories in the future.
I will be doing a regular slot on Injuries and Remedies, some will be my own thoughts, or tips, but most will be extracts from others qualified in their field of work, I hope this will evolve into a nice library for others to look up on from time to time, once again if anyone would like to add anything, please do not hesitate in e-mailing me.
I will shortly be having a chat with our New Champion Trainer Mark Wallis and would like questions from yourselves to direct at him, please leave these questions within the comments page, this will be a regular slot with a whole range of different people within our sport and I shall be looking for Questions from yourselves for these people once mentioned.
We finished the week with Foulden Rebel winning twice more making it 3 wins on the trot straight back from her seasonal rest, absolutely chuffed for the bitch and her owners, wins also for Slam Dunk(Harlow), Revengeful Demon(Hove) and Questhouse Leigh who won the Christmas Owners Final on Boxing Day at Monmore, really pleased for Martin(Burt) her trainer who trains the dogs to a tee.
In closing I would like to wish everyone a very happy and prosperous new year when it arrives and hopefully I shall meet up with many of you over the forthcoming 12 months.
In 3 1/2 years we have sent out 600 winners of which 100 have been Open race winners and we are very hopeful of a very fruitful 2009, lovely bred broods that keep us on our toes and keeps those dreams alive that make working such long hours really worthwhile.
We are hoping that readers will get involved in the running of the blog, stories or special features from others can easily be incorporated into the blog and it could give everyone an enjoyable read, I have attatched a true story from 1 of my friends during our Powderhall days and it would be nice to read other such stories in the future.
I will be doing a regular slot on Injuries and Remedies, some will be my own thoughts, or tips, but most will be extracts from others qualified in their field of work, I hope this will evolve into a nice library for others to look up on from time to time, once again if anyone would like to add anything, please do not hesitate in e-mailing me.
I will shortly be having a chat with our New Champion Trainer Mark Wallis and would like questions from yourselves to direct at him, please leave these questions within the comments page, this will be a regular slot with a whole range of different people within our sport and I shall be looking for Questions from yourselves for these people once mentioned.
We finished the week with Foulden Rebel winning twice more making it 3 wins on the trot straight back from her seasonal rest, absolutely chuffed for the bitch and her owners, wins also for Slam Dunk(Harlow), Revengeful Demon(Hove) and Questhouse Leigh who won the Christmas Owners Final on Boxing Day at Monmore, really pleased for Martin(Burt) her trainer who trains the dogs to a tee.
In closing I would like to wish everyone a very happy and prosperous new year when it arrives and hopefully I shall meet up with many of you over the forthcoming 12 months.
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POWDERHALL Big James coup
27/12/08 22:03 Filed in: Stories
My mate James was on the lookout for a wee dog to run around Powderhall, something that would get him an owners pass and perhaps a wee bet along the way, he was put onto a trainer at Peterborough and a video of a bitches racing was sent to him with instructions from the trainer to have a look at the tape and see if he could spot anything! On receiving the tape James was eager to see what was so special on this tape, he looked 4-5 times and still could'nt see anything,he phones the trainer up and tells him he cannot see anything special, infact its pretty dire, the trainer says "Check the tape again but really study what is happening when she wins", anyhow James goes away and checks it again and again and again and finally he spots it, a phone call to the trainer and the wee bitch was purchased.
Transport is organised and the bitch is delivered to Jane Glass.
The bitch is graded on and starts running 4 bend races and does'nt exactly set the track on fire, its decided that she should be tried over the 6 bend trip and duly has a grading trial, Last, Last and Last in her 3 races over the 6 bends, she then gets put in a handicap with a couple of dogs receiving a start from her, again she finishes nearer last, by now James was quickly becoming the laughing stock with his other mates for having the worst bitch at the track, he takes it on the chin and says "yes, your right, but shes mines so no need to worry" and proceeds to have his "Loyal" £50 per race on her.
As the weeks go by he was tucking his wages away in the bank, the bitch by now has been put off the front of the handicap but the dog behind her is only 1 metre behind, James has his £50 on again and she gets beat, AGAIN.
The week after he gets the advanced card on the tuesday for saturday nights racing.............He's just died and went to heaven, his bitch has been put of the front again but is now sitting 3 clear off her nearest rival and looks like she will lead the bend, he draws his money from the bank on the friday.
Saturday night comes and he acts normal by going to the track by bus with the other guys, as usual he asks the others if they want a bet on his bitch to which they just laugh and he says alright but you have been asked, the race approaches and off he toddles to the bookmakers ring to have what the others think is his routine £50, BANGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG...8 thousand to 1, 6 thousand to 1, and a 4 thousand to 1, the rings going nuts and James mates think he has lost the plot, the hares on the move, the boxes open, the bitch gets round in front and whooshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh away she goes, striding out she goes further and further clear, by the time she hits the winning line she was the only dog in the camera, she won by the full length of the home straight and improved close on 1 1/2 seconds, the trainer was astounded as this bitch had been running on her merit since she arrived and could'nt believe what she had witnessed, James went to collect and 9 grand came back via Alex Farquar(Macbet), Alex being the gentleman that he was shook James hand and said "Well done big man" he had always said the bigger the price the more you have on and thats exactly what James did.
If you have not guessed by now the bitch needed to be left alone, if in amongst dogs she did'nt want to know and the Video from The trainer at Peterboro showed this.
Dave
Transport is organised and the bitch is delivered to Jane Glass.
The bitch is graded on and starts running 4 bend races and does'nt exactly set the track on fire, its decided that she should be tried over the 6 bend trip and duly has a grading trial, Last, Last and Last in her 3 races over the 6 bends, she then gets put in a handicap with a couple of dogs receiving a start from her, again she finishes nearer last, by now James was quickly becoming the laughing stock with his other mates for having the worst bitch at the track, he takes it on the chin and says "yes, your right, but shes mines so no need to worry" and proceeds to have his "Loyal" £50 per race on her.
As the weeks go by he was tucking his wages away in the bank, the bitch by now has been put off the front of the handicap but the dog behind her is only 1 metre behind, James has his £50 on again and she gets beat, AGAIN.
The week after he gets the advanced card on the tuesday for saturday nights racing.............He's just died and went to heaven, his bitch has been put of the front again but is now sitting 3 clear off her nearest rival and looks like she will lead the bend, he draws his money from the bank on the friday.
Saturday night comes and he acts normal by going to the track by bus with the other guys, as usual he asks the others if they want a bet on his bitch to which they just laugh and he says alright but you have been asked, the race approaches and off he toddles to the bookmakers ring to have what the others think is his routine £50, BANGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG...8 thousand to 1, 6 thousand to 1, and a 4 thousand to 1, the rings going nuts and James mates think he has lost the plot, the hares on the move, the boxes open, the bitch gets round in front and whooshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh away she goes, striding out she goes further and further clear, by the time she hits the winning line she was the only dog in the camera, she won by the full length of the home straight and improved close on 1 1/2 seconds, the trainer was astounded as this bitch had been running on her merit since she arrived and could'nt believe what she had witnessed, James went to collect and 9 grand came back via Alex Farquar(Macbet), Alex being the gentleman that he was shook James hand and said "Well done big man" he had always said the bigger the price the more you have on and thats exactly what James did.
If you have not guessed by now the bitch needed to be left alone, if in amongst dogs she did'nt want to know and the Video from The trainer at Peterboro showed this.
Dave
Merry Christmas
23/12/08 21:58 Filed in: update
On behalf of everyone at the kennels, we would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year when it comes.
Christmas is a time for young ones to enjoy and for parents to take pride in watching their young ones have fun, its also a time that people reflect on the past and remember people that are very dear to them, let them never be forgotten at this time.
Christmas day should have seen new pups being born in the kennels, sadly it appears that Questhouse Ellie has not taken and the thought of naming the pups so easily(Mary, Joseph, Angel etc...lol..) will now be forgotten, its still a time to make a fuss of all the dogs and all the broods and pups will have Christmas Dinner of Chicken and Stuffing, definitely no sprouts as their flatulence can be bad enough without the dreaded sprouts, eat, drink and be merry on this festive day.
The last week has seen winners from Questhouse Chloe(Shawfield), Lenn Swartz(Newcastle), Foulden Rebel(Hove), Shimano Sumo(Henlow), Questhouse Leigh(Monmore), Quest Daily Dogs and Oxford Don twice at Nottingham.
We have Andreas Quest and Lenn Trois running in Opens at Pelaw Grange on Boxing Day and Oxford Don will contest The Stadium Christmas Final at Nottingham, many other runners over the festive period, Good Luck to all their connections.
We are on the lookout for any interesting stories you may have heard or been privvy to within Greyhounds, perhaps you knew of a coup, perhaps you would like to write a small article regarding a favourite dog that raced, I'm sure other readers would enjoy reading stories from the past and you can e-mail me dave@questhousekennels.co.uk with anything of interest, any photos included will be used where appropriate.
As a starter here is a true story from days gone past and attatched is a photo of a Ball Hare meeting at Easington, I am trying to put together a story on Ball Hare Racing for the near future.
The Legend of the Easington Hare
23/12/08 20:54 Filed in: Stories
Once the men of Castle Eden were fond of coursing. They bred and trained their own greyhounds and had rare sport. The carpenter would match his dog against the Blacksmiths and the Thatcher would challenge the Shepherd and on the first fine holiday they held their coursing matches around the villages.One year however, they began to be troubled by a strange hare that threatened to spoil their sport. No sooner had they let slip their greyhounds than this strange animal came loping through the hedge and over the furrows. It was not sandy like the other hares, but darker and greyer, oloured almost like a mole, and it ran across the pth of the hounds as if to say, course after me, I am not so fleet as my brothers, and you will soon catch me. It never failed to turn the hounds from their proper game but no sooner had they turned to give chase than it led them a merry dance and drew them after it into the depths of Castle eden Dene. It was in vain for the men to whistle their dogs back. They would leave the hare, and long after it had eluded them they kept coursing through the Dene, barking madly and running backwards and forwards.
Sometimes they ran their heads against the boles of the trees and killed themselves, and sometimes they strayed so far they were lost. Instead of enjoying a days sport the men spent many weary hours tramping through the thick undergrowth in the Dene, searching for their greyhounds.
They soon grew to recognise the mischievous hare, and to wish that they could catch it and put an end to the pranks, for it bought them nothing but inconvenience and loss. It always outsripped the swiftest of their greyhounds, and no trap or snare was cunning enough to catch it. Day after day it ruined their coursing matches, until it seemed that soon the men would have to give them up altogether.
At last they held a meeting to discuss what they could do, when they tried to shoot it, every bullet missed, when they set traps, they were closed but no hare in them, When they coursed it they only lost another greyhound. What could they do?. They were at a loss, but at last one proposed that they should seek advice of an old man who lived near Castle eden and was skilful in healing sick horses and cows and may help them as he was learned in the ways of animals. So they went to visit the old man.
He listened very carefully to their story and said, this hare has powers that no other hare possesses, and it will not be caught by ordinary means. Tomorrow you must take with you not a greyhound, but a blood hound. If it is a black blood hound, all the better, and if it has been fed on human milk I think you will be sure of catching your hare.
The men thanked the old horse doctor and obeyed his instructions. The next day they took with them a coal black blood hound, and as soon as the hare appeared they loosed it. Immediately the hare made for the Dene, and the blood hound followed it. But so slow did the blood hound seem, that one of the men cried out, it is no good, it is like setting a magpie to keep up with a swallow.
Most of the men were of his mind, and when both the hare and hound had disappeared into the Dene, they tied their horses to the branches and prepared for another weary search. But just when they had given up hope they saw the hare running up the bank at the other side of the ravine, with its nose to the ground and its big ears flapping as it ran. For once the hare had been hunted out of its refuge in the woods and forced into open country. The men remounted their horses and crossed the Dene, just in time to see both hare and hound running in a bee line for the village of Easington.
They gave chase, and though the many gates and hedges prevented them from catching up, they drew close enough to see that the hare was limping and the blood hound was gaining on it. On they passed straggling hedges of tall thorn trees, and haystacks standing like cut loaves on a green cloth, and over pasture and pleated plough land, until they came upon Easington village.
Then the hare ran straight across the village green, on the opposite side of the green stood a little stone cottage, with curved brown tiles and a cracked dirty door. There was a little space cut away in the bottom of the door, like an opening left for hens to wander in and out, and through this the hare ran. It was almost too late, for just as it bolted through the opening the blood hound caught up to it, and seized it by one of its hind legs. However the hare shook its leg free and disappeared into the cottage.
The huntsman tried the door, but it was locked. Then they knocked but no one came to let them in. So at last the door burst open and they rushed into the room. But they could see no hare, instead they saw sitting before the fire ann old woman. She was hastily bandaging her heel and trying in vain to stop the blood flowing and to hide a wound. None of thre men spoke to her, perceiving that the old woman knew her witchcraft had been found out at last, they turned and left the room and never was their sport spoiled by the mischievous hare.
Foulden Rebel
19/12/08 18:20 Filed in: update
It has been fairtly quiet on the runners front this week.Oxford Don (Larkhill Jo x Knockeevan Angie) won his third A1 on Monday at Nottingham, this lad has searing early pace but finds the 500m just too far but is doing his owner Richard Coleman and trainer Terry Munslow proud. It is only a matter of time before he wins his opens.
Down at Hove his litter sister Foulden Rebel was having her first run back from a seasonal rest last night. Placed stright into a sprint open she fell out of the box but her great early pace got her to the front and she strode home the winner. I am very pleased for her owners The Foulden Racing Club and hope she wins many more opens for them.
(Foulden Rebel wins again! a D1 sprint at Hove...well done :)
Smoking Shady (Droopys Kewell x Smoking Baby) won his race nicely at Hove for owner Mike Perrin and looks to have a lovely future ahead of him. All this litter are very green and whatever they do up to two years old will be a bonus, these pups will find lumps once they find their feet.
Wombles R We
18/12/08 18:45 Filed in: update
I set off for the bright lights of London and Wimbledon Stadium with the task of making the draw for the kennel’s charity raffle, arrived at the train station with ten minutes to spare only to find that the car park was full up. A mad dash down to the town center, dumped the car, ran (sort of!) up the road and got on the platform with a minute to spare. I guess I was a right sight for sore eyes huffing and puffing.
A phone call to Owen at Wimbledon Stadium to double check the raffle drum was in place and to finalise exactly when and where they wanted me, no point leaving things to chance and with everything sorted, I could relax and enjoy the journey.
I arrived at the Hotel that I and many others had used for many years on visiting for the Derby, it has been completely upgraded after its takeover and is now one impressive hotel (Antoinettehotels.com). A bonus of a new bar bistro that is very smart with very attentive and friendly staff, I am already looking forward to my yearly jaunt to WImbledon in the Summer.
I arrived at the track around 6.15pm, after sorting out the raffle tickets into the drum I could relax a little more. David Miles, whom I asked to make the draw arrived with his wife Elle and i caught up on whats been happening with David outside of the dogs, he has missed the social side of the dogs and I intend getting him back involved in a small way this coming year, hopefully with Jim Cremin (who does’nt know yet, but he’d better start saving up lol) and a few other of his friends.
The racing on the night was absolutely superb with special mention to Romeo Maldini’s run, the pace down the back straight was unreal and as he strode out and went further and further clear I honestly thought “the clocks going to go”. This lad is a credit to Dave Firmiger’s dedicated work, great performances from Wee Gangus’s (Rab McNair to others) pup King Edward and Mark Wallis’s Mountjoy Ruby to name but two.
The final was fantastic with Meenala Amy rocketing from the boxes, very quickly pursued by Droopys Quinta, the bend approached. Amy was having none of it, and made the Oaks winning move in sweeping down on the bend, with this Quinta moved off the bend creating carnage and Amy set sail for home down the back straight, would five lengths be enough? YES it would be and hanging on for grim death she passed the post in first place to the great joy of Kim (trainer) Chris (partner and assistant), Richie and the rest of the owners, a very big well done to them all on a fantastic achievement by Amy and her handlers.
The whole meeting was a success and very nice to see so many smiling faces at a dog track, obviously not all doom and gloom as some would have us believe, think positive and we will be alright.
The main reason for my visiting Wimbledon was obviously the raffle. I am very grateful to Wimbledon for the use of their track and to Sky for allowing me precious air time TV coverage, the winning ticket was number 0472 which belonged to Pamela Francis from Wales.
Pam had at one time been a member of a little puppy syndicate I had put together and I know that she will look after this little girl, the amount raised for Macmillan Cancer Support was £4700 to which they will be eternally grateful. I cannot express enough how much I appreciate the support of the greyhound fraternity, you truly are a wonderful bunch of people and I am really proud to be involved in this sport.
If ever anyone would like to chat to someone about Cancer and what may be available, I am only too happy to chat, if it helps you, please ring 01289 386766 or contact Macmillan at www.macmillan.org.uk
Hopefully I will have news shortly about the 2009 benefit meeting, I shall be having initial talks with a stadium and you will hear developments here first.
A phone call to Owen at Wimbledon Stadium to double check the raffle drum was in place and to finalise exactly when and where they wanted me, no point leaving things to chance and with everything sorted, I could relax and enjoy the journey.
I arrived at the Hotel that I and many others had used for many years on visiting for the Derby, it has been completely upgraded after its takeover and is now one impressive hotel (Antoinettehotels.com). A bonus of a new bar bistro that is very smart with very attentive and friendly staff, I am already looking forward to my yearly jaunt to WImbledon in the Summer.
I arrived at the track around 6.15pm, after sorting out the raffle tickets into the drum I could relax a little more. David Miles, whom I asked to make the draw arrived with his wife Elle and i caught up on whats been happening with David outside of the dogs, he has missed the social side of the dogs and I intend getting him back involved in a small way this coming year, hopefully with Jim Cremin (who does’nt know yet, but he’d better start saving up lol) and a few other of his friends.
The racing on the night was absolutely superb with special mention to Romeo Maldini’s run, the pace down the back straight was unreal and as he strode out and went further and further clear I honestly thought “the clocks going to go”. This lad is a credit to Dave Firmiger’s dedicated work, great performances from Wee Gangus’s (Rab McNair to others) pup King Edward and Mark Wallis’s Mountjoy Ruby to name but two.
The final was fantastic with Meenala Amy rocketing from the boxes, very quickly pursued by Droopys Quinta, the bend approached. Amy was having none of it, and made the Oaks winning move in sweeping down on the bend, with this Quinta moved off the bend creating carnage and Amy set sail for home down the back straight, would five lengths be enough? YES it would be and hanging on for grim death she passed the post in first place to the great joy of Kim (trainer) Chris (partner and assistant), Richie and the rest of the owners, a very big well done to them all on a fantastic achievement by Amy and her handlers.
The whole meeting was a success and very nice to see so many smiling faces at a dog track, obviously not all doom and gloom as some would have us believe, think positive and we will be alright.
The main reason for my visiting Wimbledon was obviously the raffle. I am very grateful to Wimbledon for the use of their track and to Sky for allowing me precious air time TV coverage, the winning ticket was number 0472 which belonged to Pamela Francis from Wales.
Pam had at one time been a member of a little puppy syndicate I had put together and I know that she will look after this little girl, the amount raised for Macmillan Cancer Support was £4700 to which they will be eternally grateful. I cannot express enough how much I appreciate the support of the greyhound fraternity, you truly are a wonderful bunch of people and I am really proud to be involved in this sport.
If ever anyone would like to chat to someone about Cancer and what may be available, I am only too happy to chat, if it helps you, please ring 01289 386766 or contact Macmillan at www.macmillan.org.uk
Hopefully I will have news shortly about the 2009 benefit meeting, I shall be having initial talks with a stadium and you will hear developments here first.
Welcome to my Blog
12/12/08 11:44 Filed in: update
Firstly a warm welcome to everyone.
I aim to keep you updated and enthralled enough to keep coming back for more. I have many things lined up that will require your assistance so please keep popping in to see what is happening.
I have just had my website completely revamped and thanks to David Yanez for his fantastic work, between us we aim to take the site to another level throughout the year.
Please feel free to leave your comments and suggestions about the site, good or bad and we will endeavour to incorporate new ideas as they come.
What has happened?
2008 is a year I will not forget in a hurry, sadly it was largely for the wrong reasons, on a personal front myself and my family had to go through the pain of watching my mother die of cancer. It was an especially trying time for myself and my father as we nursed her through the disease at home until she passed away.
A huge hole has been left in the kennels and it has been hard to keep motivated and if i’m truly honest, I’ve felt like calling it a day on many occassions.
However by launching my new website, buying up some superbly bred bitch pups (future broods), and my mother always telling me never to give up I hope you can see i will be giving it my all in 2009.
Since last year we have added a few nice bitches to the breeding paddocks, they are Jazz Hurricane, Questhouse Lucy, Baby Marge and Droopys Rosari, these will be complimented by the earlier mentioned bitch puppies out of Westmead Hawk x Droopys Charlize and Droopys Shearer x Jewelinthesand.
Valentia Mist and Knockeevan Angie were retired this year and both are enjoying life at the kennels. (Misty is a house pet but Angie is kenneled as they do not get on one bit!)
The kennel has bred over 30 Open Race wins and 150 individual wins in 2008 and we will be striving to increase that score dramatically in 2009 and repeat our Group Race success from before.
We had a fantastic night of racing at Hove in August, with all proceeds going to The Macmillan Cancer Support Charity, please check out the galleries page to view the Hove Memorial Night photos.
I aim to keep you updated and enthralled enough to keep coming back for more. I have many things lined up that will require your assistance so please keep popping in to see what is happening.
I have just had my website completely revamped and thanks to David Yanez for his fantastic work, between us we aim to take the site to another level throughout the year.
Please feel free to leave your comments and suggestions about the site, good or bad and we will endeavour to incorporate new ideas as they come.
What has happened?
2008 is a year I will not forget in a hurry, sadly it was largely for the wrong reasons, on a personal front myself and my family had to go through the pain of watching my mother die of cancer. It was an especially trying time for myself and my father as we nursed her through the disease at home until she passed away.
A huge hole has been left in the kennels and it has been hard to keep motivated and if i’m truly honest, I’ve felt like calling it a day on many occassions.
However by launching my new website, buying up some superbly bred bitch pups (future broods), and my mother always telling me never to give up I hope you can see i will be giving it my all in 2009.
Since last year we have added a few nice bitches to the breeding paddocks, they are Jazz Hurricane, Questhouse Lucy, Baby Marge and Droopys Rosari, these will be complimented by the earlier mentioned bitch puppies out of Westmead Hawk x Droopys Charlize and Droopys Shearer x Jewelinthesand.
Valentia Mist and Knockeevan Angie were retired this year and both are enjoying life at the kennels. (Misty is a house pet but Angie is kenneled as they do not get on one bit!)
The kennel has bred over 30 Open Race wins and 150 individual wins in 2008 and we will be striving to increase that score dramatically in 2009 and repeat our Group Race success from before.
We had a fantastic night of racing at Hove in August, with all proceeds going to The Macmillan Cancer Support Charity, please check out the galleries page to view the Hove Memorial Night photos.