LATEST NEWS
22nd December
SID ARRIVES IN ENGLANDSid arrived at Derek Knights kennels on Tuesday, a day earlier than expected. And hopefully he is settling in OK. I will be popping down to see him on boxing day and trying to find out what Derek has planned for Sid. I will also attempt to take some nice photos of Sid.
I would like to wish everyone a happy Christmas and the best of luck in the new year.
16th December
Sid had a 2 dog trial at Clonmel on Monday evening the 13th Dec. He come 2nd beaten 4L. Although his time of 30.11 ( the winner clocked 29.79 ) was slower than his previous 525yds trials never the less I was very very pleased with that run.The dog that beat Sid was his litter brother who has been doing 28.80's around Limerick and is thought to be a very good pup by his connections.
It was the other dogs first look at Clonmel so Sid had a slight advantage over him in that respect. In the trial Sid's litter brother flow from the traps and had a 6L lead but Sid bless him got it down to 4L at the winning line
The owners of the other dog were disappointed in the time, But everyone agreed that the track must have been very slow that evening. I on the other hand was over the moon because I didn't believe that Sid could get within 10L of his litter brother.
I have been talking to Dennis again about moving Sid to England. Due to the Xmas holidays Sid will be sitting around for 2 or 3 weeks without having any trials. And I would prefer that he spent that time getting used to his new surroundings over here.
I phoned Claude Gardiner to see if he could take my pup, but he said he will not have any room for new intakes until the new year.
As I do not want to wait that long I gave Derek Knight a ring and he said he could take him in next week. So long as we can get him transported over here, which is what Dennis is trying to arrange at this very moment,
If we do get Sid over here next week, then I will be able to go and see him on Sundays over the Xmas period. And that would be the best Xmas present I could have this year.
6th December
Sid's trial times are continuing to improve. On Saturday 27th Nov he clocked 17.01 over 300yds at Clonmel, then on Saturday 4th Dec he had a trial over 525yds and clocked 29.87 on a track rated 30 slow. That is his best time so far and I still Believe there is a lot more improvement to come.Dennis said he is hoping to give Sid a mixed trial on Saturday and he hopes Sid continues to improve.
I am still hopeful that Sid will turn out to be a 6 bend dog, but for now I will just have to wait and see.
22nd November
After having another two weeks rest, Sid had a trial at Clonmel on Saturday 20th over 300yds and he clocked 17.21, Dennis said he seems to have come off OK so should be having another trial on Sat.After having a chat With Dennis while I was in Ireland, we have decided to bring Sid over to England in January 2005. We are both hoping that Sid will be having 4 bend trials by then and staying injury free.
I have had a word with a trainer at Hove and he said he would make room for Sid at his kennels in January. then it's all up to Sid to do a grading in time.
I will be finding out what the grading in times are in January.
20th November
Well I finally got over to see Sid on Wednesday 17th November and I wouldn't say he was much to look at. Although his temperament is fantastic and he loves a good fuss.While I was there Dennis gave Sid a gallop and he went OK. He was certainly keen enough when he got to the dummy Hare.
Although Dennis had told me a few months back that Sid had a dropped hip, I didn't realize just how bad it looked when viewed from the back.
I believe that I will be lucky if Sid turns out to be an average grader somewhere as he seems to be coming off sore after his trials, and is spending more time laid off than we would like, it is going to be very difficult to get Sid fit enough to grade in somewhere if he is going to need weeks off between trials. But Dennis is prepared to persevere and Sid should be having a trial at Clonmel today.
Below is a recent photo of Sid.
And below is a bad photo of Sid at the end of his gallop
4th November
Sorry for the delay on Sid's update, but I have had some trouble uploading to my web server. The problem seems to be solved now.Sid had a 7 week rest period to recover from his injury, and 2 weeks ago was given a trial over 300yds at Clonmel, his time was 17.38 and he came off sound.
Sid should be having 2 more sprints before going back up to 525yds but I have read in the racing post that Clonmel was flooded last week and racing was canceled so his preparation has been held up.
Only 2 weeks now until I fly over to see Sid. (and Dennis of course) when I return I will add some new photos of Sid plus any news on trials that he might of had.
8th October
Well the latest on Sid is that the bone he fractured was a sesamoid a small bone between the top of the toe and the metacarpus.Dennis said that Sid seems to be responding well to his treatment, and that he will be giving Sid a gallop at the weekend. I will be keeping my fingers crossed that Sid doesn't come off lame.
It has been over a year since I last saw Sid when he was just 5 months old. He is now Officially 19 months and I have decided to pop over for a day on November 17th and give him a fuss and take some photos of him. I managed to get a return flight with Ryanair for 24p each way Plus taxes & charges, so the full price for a return ticket was £27.65p Now that's not a bad price.
2nd September
Poor Sid's gone Lame.Sid had a trial at Limerick on the 31st August over 300yds and clocked 17.27 Dennis said he was disappointed with the time as Sid had clocked 16.96 at Clonmel which is a much slower track. Two days later Sid was found to be very sore, so a trip to the vets was arranged and it turns out that Sid has a slight shoulder injury, but the vet also found a fractured bone just above one of his near fore toes. The vet said that she believes that with treatment Sid will make a full recovery, Fingers crossed. Sid will have to go back and see the vet in 4 weeks time. So he will not be having any more schooling for at least 5 or 6 weeks.
22nd August
The latest news on Sid this month is that he has had two more trials at Clonmel one over 300yds where he clocked 16.96 and one over 525yds where he clocked 30.01 Dennis said that I might think that was a slow time for 525yds but he said it was a good run on a slow track and that we should learn more about Sid after his next trial, unfortunately that will not be for a week or two as Sid is a little off colour at the moment. But I am more than happy with Sid's progress as he is improving with every trial. and still only 16 months officially 17 months.1st August
Dennis has sent me an update on Sid. At Clonmel last week Sid had an unofficial trial over 300yds and clocked a respectable 17.06, and Sid might be having another trial this week.16th July
Sid had his first official trial today at Clonmel. He came 2nd beaten 1/2L running over 300yds from trap 6. His time was slow 17.82 but I have seen slower. A good sprinter would do 16.50 or faster. I would say that 17sec would be about average. But Sid is breed to stay and I think should make into a six bend dog.I am beginning to get excited now that Sid is getting closer to becoming a racer. It seems such a long time ago that I first paid my £200 deposit and saw that photo of Sid before he had even opened his eyes.
I haven't heard from Dennis yet so I do not know if Sid lead or came from behind. But at 15 months of age ( officially 16 ) there is sure to be some more improvement in him to come.
24th June
I have some bad news and good news this month. first the bad news, on the 9th of June my wife Susan had a stroke and will be in hospital for some time. I was supposed to be going over to Ireland on the 5th July for 3 days and was looking forward to seeing how Sid had grown and also see him trial at the schooling track. These cheap flights with Ryanair are very good but they don't refund you money if you can't go.Now the good news. Dennis has sent me an update on Sid. He has finished having handslips and Sid has had 2 schooling trials out of the traps in the past couple of weeks. In the first trial he was outside the qualifying time but in the second he improved and was inside the qualifying time, he is of course very green and also slow out of the traps, but he is still learning the ropes. Dennis said he was pleased with his progress and Sid will be having another trial today at the Newcastle West schooling track.
28th May
Dennis took Sid to Newcastle West schooling track on Sunday just to let him have a look around and to have a ride in the van. He traveled well and after letting him watch a trial, Dennis was pleased with his reaction and decided to give him a hand slip. Sid chased keenly and from what Dennis saw he doesn't think there will be any problems with Sid chasing. That's the first hurdle out of the way. Dennis said he will gradually increase the distance of the hand slips so by the end of June Sid will be going four bends and possibly from the traps.18th May
Sid had his first run up the gallop last week. Dennis his breeder said he was a bit novicy as you would expect as he is a fairly big dog.Dennis will be giving Sid a hand slip at the schooling track in a week or so.
Fingers crossed, lets hope he chases.
6th May
Well its May already and Sid is now just 13 months old. And here are some up to date Photos of him that Dennis has sent me.
30th April
I have received an e-mail from Dennis, that said Sid has now been moved into the kennels, and he will begin his schooling shortly.
Sid has also been marked up, and Dennis is happy with his attitude.
Weather permitting Dennis will be trying Sid up the gallop at the weekend. And we are both hoping Sid will chase the lure first time.
20th April
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SID
1 YEAR OLD TODAY
11th April
Whilst visiting the IGB Web Site, which I do regularly to keep an eye on the times dogs are doing at various tracks.I noticed that Sid's two Brothers and Sister have now been named and registered. they are.
Torphin Ray ---------- Blue Dog
Smooth Drumsna ---- White & Black Dog
Smooth Performer -- Blue Brindle Bitch
The other Brother & Sister both died of a virus when they were a few weeks old.
No news on Sid at the moment, but at this age no news is good news. ( So I'm told )
New at IGB, if you register with them you can pick up to 5 Greyhounds and if any of them are entered for a race, or win a race or trial, they will Text or E Mail you to let you know. And its FREE. Now that is what I call the dogs Bits.
18th March
The only news this month is that I have made my regular payments for Sid's keep.
Dennis has promised to send me some photos of Sid when he gets the time to take them.
Sid will be one year old on 20th April so there should be a lot more to write about this year.
I haven't seen Sid since he was five months old, so he should be a lot bigger by now.
I hope to see him when I visit Cork in July, and hopefully I can see him trial.