This is the photo from Group Skater's recent victory in the Examiner 750 at Clonmel. That is me in the red jacket with Jade Alleway next to me and friends Lauren and Matthew behind her. Joe and Mary Kenny are with the trophy and Clare and David Hanley are pictured to the right. It made my trip to witness Skater's win. His littersister is here in the States in the D'Arcy kennel getting ready to begin her American racing carreer followed by brood duties for me.

Yes you are seeing clearly! That IS a German Shepherd bitch nursing 3 of Brenda Lee's wee Fine Silver* pups. My friend, Gina, has a great nurse maid bitch and we decided to let this girl raise a few of these pups. Brenda had a whopping TWELVE Silver pups and in her weakened state and lacking milk, this was a good decision. Brenda is well on the road to recovery but we still might take more of the burden off of her and let others raise a few of these babies.

Hanks Cool Cat* surprised us.....four days late....with a whopping male Group Rooster* pup! Henry swiftly donned him Hanks Surprise! Cat and Surprise are doing well.

Word is that the Fine Silver* pups at the tracks morning schooling can f-l-y! Bear, Kasey and Mean E will all be headed to Tri-State on March 2nd. They are the last to leave training.

Plans have been finalised for my return to Ireland in Spetember for the Irish Derby. My dear friend Linda Russi will be accompanying me on this trip. We are both looking forward to the extended weekend in Dublin for a night at Harolds Cross and of course Shelbourne for the Derby.

Next to whelp is the highly anticipated litter of Farloe Black* ex Oooga Chockah. She is the brilliant middle distance bitch from Southland. She is due on Friday. I don't think we have 12 pups in there but she does have a nice sized litter. I am guessing 8.

Now I am off to some much needed (and deserved) sleep! I was up tube feeding pups every 2 hours last night! HUGE thanks to my dear friend, Dr. Jane Barber for assisting with Brenda's whelp. It was a long process but all pups and Brenda are doing well!

Oh...I almost forgot! We will be offering the remaining semen on Fortified Speed* and Waterview Star for sale! All semen is being relocated here and I am offering it on behalf of World Class Sires - Australia. Call or email for price/availability! This is the end of the Fortified Speed semen! Get it while it lasts!

Ireland was a ton of fun! It was great to see friends both old and new! The highlight of the trip was watching Group Skater win the Examiner 750 at Clonmel. He is a full brother to Group Rooster*. He went trap to line in dominating fashion. I was in the photo with the trophy so I hope to have a copy to post here soon! Skater is a litterbrother to my Group Singer* who has now made her way down to St. Pete and is snuggled in the D'Arcy Kennel at Derby Lane! GO Singer!

DC Brenda Lee (Brett Lee ex Sn Tan Gem) is due to whelp her litter of Fine Silver* pups this coming weekend. She is absolutely enormous with pups. Oooga Chockah is due to whelp her litter of Farloe Black* pups a week from this Friday and is also huge with pups. Jt's Petey Girl is scheduled to be bred to Ardkill Jamie* this week as well!

The litter of Fine Silver pups out of JR's Prelude are now either at tracks or scheduled to leave Joey Lingle's training facility. 4 pups will be at the McMillon and Country Roads kennels at Tri-State in West Virginia and 2 are with the B&J Kennel at Jacksonville. Another Silver pup owned by Rob Cross will also be going to the B&J Kennel.

Maryville Rumble* continues to be the most dominant import stud in America. Kelsos Granola just won THREE AA's in a row at Wheeling! Rumble is currently #8 in sire points for 2009! His breedings have skyrocketed in the past 2 weeks and I can see why. I came home from Ireland to news of pups winning by double digits....including one hot pup at the Gulf who not only won both schools but won it's maiden by 19.5 lengths in a very speedy time!

Best of luck this coming weekend at Shelbourne to Oran Legend who is a "hot" young pup out of Fine Silver's littersister! This is a big puppy stake final and we wish him and all connections a great race!

Our new hauler should be starting next week. He will originate out of Wheeling to Tri-State to us, back to Tri-State and Wheeling every week. As always Don Jairrett can bring your broods up from all points south including all of Florida and Georgia for implants!

Chat is on for Wednesday and Sunday evenings! See you there!

Ireland trip

Kristin's trip to Ireland!

Monday, January 26, 2009

I am getting ready to leave for the UK and Jade Alleway's kennels. We will go racing on Thursday at Monmore and then head over to Ireland. In just this afternoon our itinerary has been filled! We will be visiting Michael Dunphy and the Droopys Stud, Blackcastle Kennels (home of the "Group"dogs), attending the Popgun International at Thurles, then onto Newpark Stud for a tour and feast, over to Clonmel for racing then three days of coursing! I have tons of mobile numbers to call and people to meet up with. I will post pics in a scrapbook version when I return. I can be reached through the email on this site if you have a question about stud dogs or want to book a female. Or you can call Brett on 704-305-2099 and he can assist you in my absence.I will update this blog in 2 weeks!