Prominent owner Michael Boots purchased the top lot at Sunday’s Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) Puppy Auction, a seven-month old, half-brother to his superstar sprinter Gold Force.
Bidding by phone, Boots went to $37,000 before securing the son of Fernando Bale and Silver Scissors, a price which was the equal of the 2025 top lot, a pup by Bernado out champion bitch Good Odds Cash.
Considering some of the male pups in the litter sold privately for $20,000 at three months of age, the result is considered a good one for Boots who with Gold Force – who is by Aussie Infrared – has recently won the Group 1 Ipswich Cup and the Mach 10 in Brisbane, to go with his Group 2 Bulli Gold Cup.
In total 160 pups went through the Auction at the Richmond Race Club at an average of $6,173.30. Total sales were $987,727.27.
“It was truly a very successful day for both the vendors and buyers,” GRNSW Chief Executive Officer Steve Griffin said.
“While the total sales and subsequently the average may not have reached the heights of the previous two GRNSW Auctions, we shouldn’t forget that those two events had firstly, four pups from She’s A Pearl’s first litter which went for more than $200,000 together in 2024, and last year we were lucky enough to have three bluebloods out of Good Odds Cash which went for almost $100,000 combined.
“This year buyers got a great variety of pups and there were some real bargains to go through the ring, greyhounds which I am sure we will see have success and more than pay their way when they reach the racetrack.
“What was really pleasing today at Richmond was to see a crowd bigger than the previous two editions, and many new faces.
“There is clearly the confidence out there now for people to want to invest in the sport, and I think it all ties in nicely with our announcement during the week of our PR campaign The Truth About Greyhound Racing which will dispel all the incorrect information being spread about the sport, and show how well we are actually doing.”
Five beautifully bred pups for Frank Gatt and his son Mark, by Tommy Shelby out of Ritza Vonnie pups went for a total of $80,500, with the top sellers being bitches going for $18,500 and $18,000 and a dog for $17,500.
Another successful mating through the ring were the Feral Franky x Blazing Cartier pups for Tom Rees. The six pups went for a total of $81,000 with the top lot a dog auctioned as the fifth last of the day, going for $20,000, the second top lot of the day.
Sunday’s Auction will be attached to the 2027 Puppy Classic Series which has been updated from a winner take all event as it was last year and will be when the 2025 graduates race later this year.
The 2027 Series will consist of three (3) Regional Heats and Finals varying in distances from 300m to 500m. These Finals will be worth $10,000 to the winner and an addition will be that each series will carry a $500 Breeder’s Bonus for all greyhounds nominated (limited to one payment per greyhound) in the series.
A Major Final at 500m+ will then be held with $150,000 in total prize pool made up of $100,000 to the winner, $25,000 for second, $12,500 for third, $4,000 for fourth and $100 for fifth to eighth. Each of the finalists will also earn their breeder a $1,000 bonus.
In 2027 GRNSW will also offer the Puppy Classic Race Series Bonus, where a further $20,000 will be paid out.
