Dog Tales: Kieran O'Brien

Dog Tales / Editor / 22 January 2008 / Leave a Comment

Betfair's man at the track gives us his take on the sport...

Describe your role within the greyhound world...

Just an owner now of one dog that runs at Crayford. He is lovely dog to own and always gives his all and is one of those dogs that desperately needs trap one. Fortunately, with the exception of the Racing Manager at Oxford who put him in Traps 3 and 4, he has always been close to the rails and won 20 races from the red box. Averages one win in four

How did you get into the sport?

Seems like I've in the sport all my life. Started off going to Bristol as a youngster, about 7 or 8. Got my first job there at 14 as a glass collector. Great era for Bristol dogs, even after the fire that saw most of the dogs move to Hackney for a while. Great dogs such as Rolstone Silk (held three track records at one time) and the win machine called Donnas Dixie. Had the bug ever since. Moved away from the UK for 10 years in 1985 and bought my first dog when I moved back and ran it at Bristol with Mervyn Osborne. Been an owner on and off ever since. I'm one of the few individuals who loves hurdle racing

What has been your proudest moment?

Owning Joe Bananas. The dog was a total enigma and it was a total fluke that I came to own it as he was a replacement for a fighter bought from Ireland. The dog never ceased to amaze me and was only 100% sound on one occasion, and thats when he broke the clock Shelbourne Park on Irish Derby Final night. He was constantly wrapped in cotton wool he was that fragile but gave us some great memories. I remember screaming the place down at Wimbledon the night he won the Champion Hurdle

...and your lowest?

Losing a promising bitch at wimbledon last week who was trialling for the Springbok. She was a better jumper of a hurdle than Joe but obviously not as quick. Honestly believe that it could have been avoided.

Greyhound racing is better than horseracing because...

The majority of owners have the interests of the dogs at heart and it's a lot easier to bring your pride and joy home when they retire. Also the gap between races makes it a more flowing form of entertainment.

What are the three most important factors to consider before backing a dog?

Not a big punter and normally leave the first couple on the card alone as normally the hardest to pick a winner.
Track bias is very important and the weather plays a vital key. Doesn't matter how fast a dog is if he or she is running on the part of the track that is decidely slower.
Early pace is key. It's a lot easier to win from the front than behind. There aren't many Westmead Hawk's out there who can plot a route through five other dogs.
Price. Always have it in the back of your mind what price you think your selection should be. If it's any less then I would leave it alone.

Who is the best trainer around at the moment? And who is the greatest ever?

Nick Savva is the best around closely followed by Charlie Lister. The greatest ever for me is George Curtis

Who is your best mate within greyhound racing and why?

I have been fortunate enough to make lots of friends in the sport down the years, be it owners, trainers or administrators so not going to single out any individual.

Which is your favourite-ever dog and why?

That's easy. Joe Bananas. As an owner he put me through every emotion possible. He was my first Open race winner as an owner, my first ever winner of a Sky Race and my first competition winner. He was an absolute pleasure to own and is enjoying his retirement

What one piece of advice would you give someone starting out in the industry?

Treat the sport as fun and don't expect to make a bean from it. the only people who make money out of it are the promoters. Fortunately the likes of the big three put money back into the sport, whereas the GRA will take the sugar from your tea and come back for the milk

Do you ever read the Betfair forum?

Yes, too often

And finally give us a tip for next year's Derby...

Westmead Lord is the forgotten dog and if Nick can't get him back on track then no one will. He will be a stronger dog this year and the last 20 yards will not seem so long in 2008.

* Kieran is pictured above far right