The influence of American sires in UK and Irish Greyhound Racing
After his look at the sires from Australia last week, Floyd Amphlett discusses the influence that American sires have had on the sport in the UK & Ireland
SIRES LINES – THE USA INFLUENCE
Despite the influence of Pat Dalton who brought American sires lines such as Rocket Ship, Sail On II and Downing to Ireland, it wasn’t until the arrival of Sand Man, a minor stakes runner from a great litter, in the late 1970s, that American breeding made an impact on European bloodlines.
Sadly, the influence of a dog who produced outstanding sons such as Whisper Wishes, Game Ball, Easy And Slow and, the greatest marathoner of all time, Scurlogue Champ, has all but vanished from modern bloodlines.
But the Yanks would be back through the likes of Hondo Black, Kinloch Brae and the hugely underrated Kiowa Sweet Trey.
Ironically though, with American racing all now but extinct, their bloodlines are absolutely thriving in Australia. Take a quick glance at the ‘Understood’ line through Gable Dodge. Absolutely bristling with the best modern Aussie bloodlines.
As for the pure European lines, they have almost disappeared. We traced back even further on them – back to the early 1970s – to identify the two former kennelmates at Jack Mullan’s Newry range, Monalee Champion and Newdown Heather, the greatest track and coursing sires, respectively, of their generation.
Readers might also notice that we have included Aussie import Iso Octane among the European lines as he is descended from the former Shelbourne 750 yard track record holder Waverly Supreme.
As we have mentioned previously though, peel off another couple of layers and the picture becomes disproportionately complex . . .yet ultimately, it then goes back to absolute basics.
For another time maybe.
