Happy Mother's Day to all our greyhound mum's
Today we say a big happy Mother’s Day to all our greyhound mums out there and an extra shout-out to those celebrating their first!
The quality of breeding in South Australia has never been better, highlighted by a number of high-profile SA greyhounds who have become first-time mums in 2021. 2019 SA Greyhound of the Year Alicante Bouchet whelped her first litter in March for breeder Tanya Rawlings with the 2019 Group 2 All Stars winner at Cannington sent to dual Australian Sire of the Year, Barcia Bale. Blessed with lightning early pace, Alicante’s first litter to the sire presents an exciting prospect for all involved and SA racing fans in general.
Barcia Bale’s record as a sire is an obvious attraction for breeders, siring Melbourne Cup winners Dyna Double One and Aston Dee Bee as well as Million Dollar Chase winner Mystic Riot and Adelaide Cup winner Raw Ability to name just a few. Another exciting pairing with Barcia Bale is the brilliant 2018 SA Greyhound of the Year nominee and 2019 Group 1 Australian Cup finalist Shima Breeze who had her first litter in March for breeder Tim Aloisi. Shima Breeze was an exceptional race dog who posted a best time of 29.30 in the 2019 SA Sprint Championship win over the 515m trip at Angle Park as well as winning the final running of the Strathalbyn Cup in 2018, so this will certainly be a litter to keep an eye on for connections and fans.
Early speed is highly sought after in a broodbitch and 2020 Murray Bridge Cup winner Hot Sophie is another first-time mum blessed with this. Her first litter to Barcia Bale was only just recently whelped in April for breeder Joan Schadow which will no doubt have all involved keen to see those pups progress. It’s exciting to also note, that while not their first litters, Group 1 winner Luna Jinx recently whelped her third litter to Barcia Bale for breeder Gavin Harris while Molly Be Nimble, who produced sprint Queen Coorong Lucy for Cameron Butcher, also had a litter to the sire in April.
Not all breeders went to Barcia Bale however! Eden Valley breeder Jan Jones also recently bred two litters with her star pair of Gawler Produce feature winners Dream A Little and Star Anise both becoming first time mums earlier in the year using 2 different sires. Dream A Little’s first litter is to ‘The People’s Dog’ Feral Franky who was a crowd favourite during his race days winning multiple Group races interstate and is just starting to make his name at stud dog. Conversely, Star Anise’s first litter is to the country’s current leading and proven sire in Fernando Bale so it will be very interesting to see these litters progress as Jones always has very handy greyhounds in her kennel.
‘I always admired Feral Franky for the tenacity and determination he showed in his racing, always wanting to move through the pack and just loved that about him,’ said Jan Jones when asked about how they chose Feral Franky. ‘We sought advice as well, and the fact he is from Collision matched well for our breeding line. The pups are great, very well-sized and I’m loving spending time with them.’
Another well-performed greyhound becoming a first-time mum this year is 2018 St Leger winner and former Angle Park 388m track record holder Victa Louise who had a litter to leading local sire Worm Burner in February for breeder Graham Smith.
The scene is set for some exciting times ahead for SA breeders and racing fans alike as these star progeny come through the ranks.