SAPPHIRE HAS A LITTER OF LITTLE GEMS

Ian Fortune

On Sunday, it will be a year to the day since Susie Sapphire raced to a sensational success in the 2021 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby.

In victory, she became the first female winner of the classic this century, the first unbeaten winner since College Causeway since 2009 and the first bitch to record the Oaks/ Derby double.

They were all wonderful achievements but the daughter of Droopys Jet and Jetstream Lynx will feel her latest is her greatest. Jennie Comerford yesterday confirmed that Susie had become a mum. Incredibly, Jeannie, who has documented every moment of Susie’s life wasn’t present.

Instead, she is on a rather badly-timed holiday in Chicago but confirmed that Susie Sapphire had a little of ten to Droopys Sydney on Saturday night. The litter consists of four dog and six bitches. I’m not sure if Peter Comerford is currently answering his phone but I’m sure it has been ringing of the hook ever since.

I think it’s fair to suggest that most can’t wait to see the pups hit the track in late 2023, early 2024. Given the incredible strike rate of Droopys Sydney and the brilliance of their dam, there seems to be a presumption the pups will be champions. Time will tell but they certainly have a better start than most. We wish Peter and Jeanie the very best of luck with them and we can’t wait or Jeannie to get back from her holiday so we can start sharing some pics of the litters.