Footnotes:Fall auction buzz
It was another outstanding NGA Meet, with auction totals rivaling some of the glory days from years past. Expect that to continue….
The thinking around here is that, as long as there are profitable places to race, and as long as quality pups keep coming to NGA Meets and auctions, the NGA Auctions (and thus the gatherings themselves) are going to continue to do just fine.
Such was the case (again) in October in Abilene. Far more young greyhounds than anyone imagined—515 in all, when most expectations hovered around the 400 figure—were entered in the NGA Track Stakes. Most of those—462 to be exact— were also consigned to the auction.
There was nothing in the manner in which these pups performed during the weeklong Track Stakes in mid- October that would suggest they were of any lesser quality than the smallish group of 258 pups that gathered here last April, many of which went on to excel in an impressive fashion over the next six months of 2011. As a result, the Fall Meet Auction exceeded most everyone’s expectations by a wide margin. To sum up—it was another bonanza event with more than $900,000 in pup sales and a surprising $40,000-plus in brood sales.
What some thought would be a $600,000 sale turned out to be the best and biggest NGA Auction, in virtually all statistical areas, the last three years.
Some mistakenly read into the NGA Auction results that this is a sign that the industry isn’t really hurting. No sense fooling oneself or being in denial; this is unquestionably a challenging time for our sport. Fact is, though—again: as long as the there are profitable places to race and as long as the NGA Auctions attract quality pups, future auctions will be OK. Even thrive....
Two crackerjack pups led the way in the sales, going for $30,000 each. Whereas the spotlight last summer was on the Spring Meet’s heroine, SE’s Tali Aspen (who immediately shot up the grade ladder at Tri-State in the summer), this winter all eyes will be on Green Smith’s two acquisitions, Money Maid and Flying Adamonis, purchased from Lisa Riches and Vince Berland, respectively, after they sped to main-stake wins in exhilarating fashion during Meet Week. Their promise appears to have no bounds at this juncture….
But there were many other sales that will be worthy of watching as well—some perhaps like the sale of a not-soimpressive pup named Craigie I Am Jak last April for a measly $2,500 to Michelle and Tammy Edgar, only to have the pup go on to win the Derby Lane Fall Sprint Classic. Or Jimmy Blanchard’s $4,500 purchase of Hug N Dodgem, eventual winner of the Dubuque Puppy Stake in early October.
Loosely paraphrasing a popular old movie: If you bring it (i.e., quality pup stock), they (the buyers) will come.
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Incredibly mild days— other than a few windy ones, especially during the week of schooling— and pleasantly cool nights made for a great backdrop to the Fall Meet. Big numbers from all corners of the greyhound world pilgrimaged to Abilene to take in the week-long national happening, and attendees were not to be disappointed. Each day (and night) offered its own brand of excitement and fun. Simply put—for most everyone, it was really, really good to be in Abilene during Meet Week….
Those there to watch the races enjoyed more than their fill—what with 17 full stake events, plus the two special features on closing day (the Slack’s Best of 4 and Borchers stakes). On top of that, the NGA Board ruled to allow all the also-rans to return for secondround consolation races late in the week —something that had been tried successfully for the first time last spring. There’s no arguing that having a second chance to show one’s stuff aided consignors and the auction, as 33 of the consolation pups (separate from the Flite I and Flite II qualifiers) sold in the ring for a total of $86,700. Two rounds for every pup will now be a permanent part of every meet….
The social activities were equally enjoyable. On Tuesday night, about 70 Greyhound Hall Of Fame Club members gathered for a barbeque and were highly entertained by a folk-country singer-songwriter named Pete Gile, from North-central Kansas. (We observed Pete selling quite a few of his CDs after the program that evening.)….Wednesday night belonged solely to veteran NGA member Greg Fast, honoree at the NGA Fall Banquet at the local Elks Club. The program was excellent, wonderfully emceed by close friend (and former honoree) Helen Stout (see Dave Bergmeier’s feature this issue). Special guests in town from the racetracks for the banquet and other activities during the week included the usual loyal NGA Meet attendees and Hall Of Fame supporters—folks such as Bill Lee, Tim Leuschner, Shane Bolender, Eric Wilson, Sally Briggs, Jim Gartland and Karen Keelan. Always good to have them join the week-long celebration…. One of the highlights that evening was the drawing for the three prizes in this year’s Pup Giveaway (see Track Talk for results) ….Thursday’s social program at the museum was all about a man and his dog—namely, Vince Berland and Kiowa Sweet Trey, who were both inducted into the Hall Of Fame that evening. Lance Berland made the Sweet Trey presentation to Vince and co-owner Kay Smith, who in turn made the presentation to Vince for his enshrinement. A big dinner party with a live band, hosted by the Berlands, with all invited, was held at the Eagles Club after the ceremony….
Earlier that day, Lester Raines hosted a chuckwagon barbeque lunch in Brown’s Park south of town (prepared and served by Abilene’s own Dollop & Pinch caterers) that was thoroughly enjoyed by nearly 200 of the Meet attendees. This was similar to the barbeque luncheon Lester sponsored in the spring—only this time, twice as much food was needed….What better way to re-energize after Thursday’s final races than to enjoy a few bourbon baby-back ribs with good company on a pleasant fall afternoon—just enough nourishment to carry one through to the Berlands’ evening meal at the Eagles! Yes, evening the eatin’ was great during Meet Week….
Next year’s NGA Meets? Dates have been set for Apr. 23-28 for the spring event and Oct. 8-13 for the fall. You really shouldn’t plan on missing either…. Honorees at the Spring Meet Banquet will be Daryl and Peggy Brumage of Byers, CO. Emcee for the event has already been named: former veteran greyhound track manager and official Bill Lee….No doubt Track Stake entries will be less for the Spring Meet, but very possibly bigger than last spring.
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Changing of the guard: with the retirement of Dick Figurilli from the Board of Directors, newly elected representative from the 3A District is Melvin Johnson of Calhan, CO. Re-elected unopposed from their districts were Jim Blanchard (1A) and Fred Fulchino (2A)…. Newly elected NGA president for the 2011-12 year is Kenny Allen of Abilene, with S. Lester Raines of Charleston, WV, elected as vice-president….
This being the last issue of the calendar year, you’ll find a preliminary list of nominees for the 2011 NGA’s Rural Rube and Flashy Sir Award (best sprinter and best distance greyhound of the year, respectively) elsewhere in this issue. The final list of nominees, along with your ballot, will be carried in the Jan/Feb 2012 issue, with results announced in the Mar/Apr issue…. Your help’s vitally needed here. Readers, members and track personnel are requested to submit names of qualified nominations and their accomplishments by the Jan. 9 deadline, for final publication….
From staff and officers here at NGA, best wishes for a wonderful Holiday Season to all NGA members and Review readers….
Gary joined the NCA staff in 1971 as Coursing News editor and has served as NGA Secretary-Treasurer since 1982, also coordinator of the American Greyhound Council, Inc. for the past decade. The last of his and lovely wife Terri's children will be on his way to KU this fall, while 12 grandkids scattered nationwide keep them busy on the homefront in Abilene. Contact info: garyg@ngagreyhounds.com
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