LASS LEAVES A REAL LEGACY

Ian Fortune

It’s with sadness we must report that one of the most influential brood bitches of the past decade, Laughil Lass has sadly passed on.

Paul Jennings confirmed the news saying that ‘Daisy’, as she was known at home, passed on at the ripe age of fifteen.

The September ’06 daughter of Digital and Must Fly may not have been top class on the track although she did manage to win six times around Mullingar, but it was as a brood that she really established herself.

Her first litter by Premier Fantasy saw her produce Laughil Billy, a top-class tracker who reached the Derby semi-finals in 2012 and also reached a Cox Cup final. He picked up over €10,000 in prizemoney in his career.

Her second liter by Royal Impact produced a number of winners although there were no stars amongst them but that changed for her third litter. After seeing how well she threw in her opening litter, the decision was made to send her to Brett Lee.

It was a decision that would influence the Irish track scene for the next ten years. There were a number of talented trackers in the litter but Laughil Blake was particularly special.    

During an incredible career, Laughil Blake emerged one of the most dominant Derby winners of all time in 2014. Incredibly, his brother Laughil Bolt won the Derby Plate that same night. Of course, Laughil Blake has gone on to be a superstar at stud, further ensuring the influence of Laughil Lass will continue.

Laughil Blake isn’t the only son of Laughil Lass at stud, however.

Laughil Duke from the next litter, by Premier Fantasy, was a pure galloping machine. He reached an Easter Cup final after just a handful of career starts and was amongst the fastest in training through 2015 and 2016 but he earned his place in history in September ’15 when becoming the first greyhound to break 32 seconds for 600yds at Shelbourne Park.

In one of the great contests, Laughil Duke got the better of Ballydoyle Honey by a head to stop the clock in 31.91. Some five and a half years later, his record remains intact.

To highlight what a versatile brood she was, Laughil Lass threw top sprinter Laughil Ace in her next litter, by Razldazl Billy.

From six litters, Laughil Lass produced an incredible wealth of talent. Laughil Blake was the clear standout and through his wonderful stud career, the name of his dam will remain in the spotlight for some time to come.