SLANEYSIDE HARE : ONE OF THE GREATEST HOUNDS I KNEW

         

I have had mails from three veterinary students who appreciated my old photographs of injuries to greyhounds and I was interested to see that they were all from young ladies.    This did not really surprise me.  Whenever I advertised for someone to nurse injured or sick dogs the great majority of applicants were girls and ninety per cent of them were really wonderful nurses.  When I was retiring after fifty one years seventy five of them signed a big photograph wishing me years of good health and good luck.   In the midst of the signatures there was a photograph of an outstanding coursing dog called 'Giggles Devoy' sent to me by a decent Kerry bookmaker called Brody Burke.  He became a real favourite in our kennels and we were all disappointed that his wrist did not respond to treatment.  

I have already mentioned this fracture in September when writing about Slaneyside Hare whom I considered to be the best tracker I have known.  British breeders did not appreciate the potential he showed in the few races he had at Belle Vue and more obvious at Wimbledon where his career ended. Two years later, when I retired he was purchased to stand in Ireland.  Racegoers there recognised the quality of his sons and daughters.  His stud fee was raised from my moderate £300 to £500.   As more winners appeared it kept increasing until Slaneyside was recognised as the number one sire and breeders were eager to pay a £1000.

 This bone in the wrist joint is the most susceptible to injury.   It is called the Accessory carpal or the Pisiform.   X-Rays show the severely comminuted fracture found in big fast dogs while running on a fast surface.   I always find it difficult to explain to an owner when I consider that it is not even a true weight-carrier.   The explosive pressure on the stressed tendons must be a vital factor in transferring the force to the bone as the dog lands on the off fore at the apex of the turn while being pulled outwards.  In the great majority of cases we find just one fragment detached from the lower border of the bone. 

This X-Ray shows a scafoid reduced and held in 

position by a plate that I had made by the London

Splint Company.    I 'm not sure whether  Chart 

was the name of the owner or the dog

This hock shows a horrible dislocation and fracture.   I remember it
from 1968 because it made me cry for the poor bitch.    She was a lovely brindled and a great favourite with my wife, children and all our staff.   She had won the Puppy Oaks at Wimbledon.   Her name was Wheatfield Scud and she was by Jerpoint Prince and from Hi Venture.   I bought her sire from Doctor John Hindle of Kilkenny on behalf of Eric Adkins who built many houses in Northampton.  She
was bred in Palmerstown by James Fallon -- one of the dearest friends we ever met in the greyhound world.








This Hock radiograph differs from the majority we see.    The displaced bone is the Cuneiform or Third Tarsal which lies immediately below the Scaphoid and might have a slightly more favourable prognosis.    But, it appears to be a month or more old.    I imagine I would have advised a choice between restriction to exercise on the lead for four months and retirement.

Finding this photo of a typical cracked Scaphoid and seeing that it belonged to Trever Cobbold brought sad memories.   Trevor and his Dad Joe were among my most respected clients.    The date was 1994. From '71 I had been visiting Independent tracks and presenting trophies to winners of races sponsored by the Greyhound Council because these tracks were denied any of the funding given to those with power and influence.  

Out of sympathy with the Independents the Sporting Life put up £750 for a race at Bolton on condition that the entries would run in stud book names.   The NGRC secretary  who was an ex trainer announced that his trainers would not be allowed to run dogs in their real names. !   To help Bolton attract a good attendance I advertised a race for £100 & trophy but  never imagined where I would be on the day the race would be held.

I got an awful shock when I heard that Trevor's short life was ended while he had a lovely wife, young family and so much to live for.   I just had to be among the hundreds of mourners  supporting the popular family at the funeral.  I could not wait for the refreshments in the marquee; I had to get across to Bolton before eight o'clock in the evening.   As I pulled into the car park the gate-man shouted " bring in the trophy; your race is on."   When I got back to Yorkshire early next morning I checked my mileage. I cannot remember what it was but I know that it was over 500 and that I never did more in a day. 

 

    This pair are the uppermost bone in the Hock joint.    They are called Calcaneus or fibular Tarsal.

I show them because of their fracture and hair line cracks.    Greyhounds who sustain such damage during the later stage of a race may not show lameness.   In a subsequent race the crack may become a fracture which causes the dog to break down on the first turn.

I have lost so many good friends since I retired that I'm beginning to worry about how many I will have if I hang on for much longer.    A fortnight ago I lost another rare and true sportsman over in Kerry.   I'm sure you will guess I'm referring to the great Patsy Byrne.   The bad news travelled far and fast.
Patsy was as popular in the world of horse racing as he was with greyhound followers.     He will be much missed for many years.   The sympathy of so many people will help Brigid his wife and family to get over their great loss.
  I remember this presentation he made at Wembley twenty five years ago to Berny Wyatt when Dampit Pride won the Adam Jackson Stakes.   Mrs Wyatt is looking in from behind and their daughter is beside Patsy.  All of the regular racegoers up to ten years ago - will recognise  Denise and John Wileman. They were among the expert, kind and honest trainers I worked for.  They deserved each and every one of the races their dogs won.