FLYTLINE STRIKES FOR THE FIRST TIME AS A SIRE

Ian Fortune

Droopys Flytline was a greyhound with the world at his feet, showing exceptional quality before he even made it to the track for the first time. Debuting in the Denis Linehan Solicitors Open Unraced Stake at Curraheen Park, he quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young greyhounds in training.

In fact, so impressive was he through the stake that his connections chose to allow him serve a few bitches before returning to racing action at Shelbourne Park for the crack at the Juvenile Derby.

It quickly became clear to anyone that saw the sensational son of Derby champion Laughil Blake and the brilliant Droopys Curio in action that he was going to be a sire in the future. But for one defeat in the second round behind subsequent English Derby champion De Lahdedah, he was flawless.

Showing the most wonderful early speed and fluency in his races, he emerged a wonderful winner of the Juvenile Derby, seeing off a top-class field in the final.

Sadly, it would be his final race. He was being readied for a return to action the following spring but suffered a hock injury and was immediately retired to stud. The decision to serve some bitches early in his racing career is starting to bear fruit as he had his first runner as a sire on Friday night at Shelbourne Park and Droopys Apollo duly did his bit, coming home in front.

Trained by Johnny Linehan, Droopys Apollo, who is out of Droopys Meteor, flew up the fence to take control on the corner before emerging a comfortable winner in 28.73. It was a bright start to his career and also that of his sire in his new career.

There are a number of reports of more Droopys Flytline pups flying around the country so one suspects we will be hearing much more of him in the coming week and months.