UK Racing EPAR

Ellesmere Port Afghan Racing (EPAR)

EPAR TRACK, Ellesmere Port

 Contact -  Amanda Venables on Amanda.vnables@tiscali.co.uk, (0779 165 0947) or Graham Smith on Grahamsmith6@hotmail.com (0151 200 8189)

EPAR generally race on the 1st Sunday of the month, (notice of any variation from this can usually be found in the Affie Lovers Forum pages) from March to November inclusive. The track is well maintained and has covered areas, together with a cafe, bar and function room.

EPAR have a small committee, Amanda Venables, Lynda and Malcolm Bleasdale, Anne and Glen Wood and Julie and Graham Smith.  Amanda Venables is responsible for the day to day arrangements with the track owner, Kevin. Additional information can be found by emailing committee members at either the above addresses or lyndableasdale@btinternet.com

Directions to Ellesmere Port Greyhound Stadium,Thornton Road, South Wirral,

CH65 5DE

From the M6 to the M56 proceed towards Chester/North Wales until you see M53 signposted Ellesmere Port.
Take junction 15 sign posted Outlet Village follow A5117 to Junction 10.
Left at bottom of slip road, turn right at next roundabout and follow signs for Town Centre on the B5132.
After a couple of small roundabouts and the multi-complex cinema on the right you will see Stanley High School on the left.
Straight after this take the first right which is Dover Road and turn right again at bottom at carry on along this road (with speed bumps)
go around a few bends until you see Ellesmere Greyhound Track on the right straight after the playing fields

Racing Report March 2010

The sun was shining (but not warm), the air crisp and fresh. We had arrived at the first Sunday in March, and as least all my affies seemed to know it was the first racing Sunday of the season. They fidgeted and barked throughout the morning. It was the day for meeting old friends, after going through the interminably long winter months, and for making new ones. The new puppies come out like frisky spring lambs bouncing around the place whilst the old hands deafened us all with their welcoming barks to each other. Judging by the noise that continued throughout the afternoon they all had a lot to say for them selves.

I know I keep saying this, for those of you who have never attended an afghan race meeting before it belies the theory that animals do not know what is going on. As soon as my dogs see the bag with their jackets and muzzles in they are rushing around yelling and generally acting like a gang of very young puppies. The secret is to try not letting them see these things until we get there but it doesn’t seem to work. When we get there every race finds those dogs that can reach the perimeter fence, standing up yelling (barking) the participants around – and those that cannot reach the fence bark and strain at their leashes anyway. It can get wild. Those of you who have never taken your dog racing – you really do not know what they are missing – find you nearest meeting and go along and see what happens. They (and you!) deserve the fun.

This being the weekend ahead of Crufts we expected a limited turnout but attendance was surprisingly high with a good covering of regulars plus healthy sprinklings of visitors. We hope to see some of you again during the season (shows and weather permitting). In all there where 47 dogs racing covering 10 different breeds including 22 Afghans. Of the other breeds there where 5 Border terrier’s, 4 Lurchers, 4 Pharaoh Hounds, 3 Border Collies, 2 Huskeys, 3 Salukis, Whippets and Jack Russels along with a single Cavalier King Charles. That is not including the decent level of visitors (mainly puppies) that came to visit.

At this point I want to thank all our four legged friends for bringing along their pets (us). Without you all this would be pointless.

It was great to see lots of our regular Afghans for the start of the season – Shayka and Kaya Venables, Kabul, Ayesha and Amenti Owen, Lydia and Isis Mort, Bling, Saxo and Leon Kirk, Tails and Merlin Collins and Annie Carr. It was great that not so regular faces where able to attend in between show and other commitments, Taniq, Casper and Tarken Smith, Bamboo and Bea Lloyd, Jamal Wakeling and Chochise, Chanook and Sophie Griffiths.

Representing the other breeds we had A-Zeef Collins the Border Collie, Sultan and Soraya Snape our regular Saluki’s, Murry and Ivy Sheldon, along for another quick 100m canter. Arten, Iomogen and Amber Jones and Petra Kay, Pharaoh Hounds. Lurchers Annie, Lewis, Daisy, Meis and Beauty Peace. Jack Russell’s Rouge Reid and Millie Lewis. Rouge’s Collie brothers Lewie and Dandy also attended. Huskey’s Lex and Taleekha Wakeling with CKC Poppy Price. Finally regular Border Terriers Orey and Livvy Blaydon, Teazle Lloyd and Meg and Phi Sykes. Sue Lloyd also attended but without our professional racing Doberman who has had surgery recently but we hope to see him again in the near future.

If I have missed anyone, or given a wrong name or breed – the fault is entirely mine and I apologise in advance.

Sadly we missed Saluki, Pip Owen (Altaya Sandpiper) who died recently following a short and sudden illness (leukemia). He loved his racing and was good at it too with some outstandingly fast times last season. We all know how hard it is when we lose one of our beloved pets so our thoughts are with John and Caroline at this sad time.

As for the days times there was a lot of shaking off the cobwebs. It was good to see a group of real races with evenly matched dogs. The best time of the day for the afghans in the 260’s was a 22.04 set by Annie Carr, who followed that up with a 22.21, and Sub 24 second times came from Lydia Mort (both runs) and Bling Kirk (both runs) with family members Saxo and Leon Kirk setting 1 time each of sub 24 sec. Much to my surprise my old boy Casper at 8 managed two sub 24 sec times. Well done boy. Carrying on as if she had never been away Bea Lloyd set 2 mid 22 sec times. Finally Kabul Owen and Chanook Griffiths both set one sub 24 second time each.

Tails and Merlin Collins both did the slightly longer 440mtr runs setting times of 55.11 and 44.59 respectively. Of the 100mtr dash runners Taniq Smith managed a 6.5 and 6.9 out of his 3 runs with Jamaal Wakling managed a 6.98 in his 3 runs

Of the other Afghans it was obvious there was more to come during 2009.

Of the other breeds in attendance generally good times where achieved by all dogs, notably the 16.18 by Meis Peace, and other sub 20 second runs from Rouge Reid, Daisy and Beauty Peace, Annie Lewis and Sultan and Soraya Snape. Three dogs attempted the 650 meter. Sultan and Soraya Snape along with Arten Jones with times of 54.06, 48.01 and 65.31 respectively. Well done to all of you. Finally the 100 mtrs. Sub 7 second times came from A-Zeef Collins, Lewie Reid, Daisy and Beauty Peace (5.18 and 5.15 respectively) Annie Lewis Arten, Imogen and Amber Jones and finally Murray Sheldon.

Can everyone please note that racing will be on the first Sunday of the month. This means that the next meeting will be held on 4th April. Please arrive in good time to book in to allow racing to start at 1pm. See you there.

For further details feel free to contact Amanda Venables on mobile number 0779 165 0947 or email amandavenables@virginmedia.com Graham Smith on 0151 2008189 or email Grahamsmith6@hotmail.com).

Racing Report April 2010

It is with some pleasure that I write this April report from the Ellesmere Port Afghan Racing. We had decided to go ahead with our first Sunday of the month meet and where richly rewarded with a bumper turnout of 65 dogs (running – more if we count visitors.) What was equally pleasing was the number of different breeds that where there. A testament to the fact that the message is finally getting through - the dogs love the whole aspect of a racing meets. The continuous noise was breathtaking as all our friends’ barked greetings to each old friend and a welcome to new arrivals. It should be pointed out with all those dogs and people in attendance there was no trouble at all – just good fun.

As mentioned earlier we had 65 dogs racing from 14 different breeds. You may well have worked out by now that I like the lists – so here we go:- There were 24 Afghans, 9 Pharaoh Hounds and Saluki’s, 5 Border Terriers, 4 Lurchers, 3 Collies and Labradors, 2 Italian Spinone’s and 1 each of Akita’s, Border Collie, Dalmatian, Deerhound, Doberman and Huskey. Quite a mixture I’m sure you will agree. These numbers bring with them their own problems, Not least in remembering all the names correctly, so my usual cop out now comes, apologies for errors – they are all mine – so again sorry.

At this point I would like to thank all the people who came for the first time. I hope to see you all again and the nice comments you made to us make it all worthwhile from my end.

Now to name all my friends – they all deserve a mention because whatever their athletic ability is there is no doubt they take part fully. They may not all run in the right direction, and some of them, yes only some of them, do not want to get caught, but the main thing is that they all enjoy themselves.

I make no excuses from starting with the Afghans – they are my first love, I am writing this, so I claim the right. Where times are mentioned they are only from the 260 meter runs and it is because they where noteworthy for one reason or another – omissions of times is in no way a statement about them. Taking part with gusto where Annie (21.92 and 21.81, quickest Afghan on the day) and Bella Carr; Merlin and Tails Collins, Pelli and Sorcha Grey; Sophie, Chanook and Cochise Griffiths; Bramley and Quincy Griffiths (apologies if I have grouped these families together wrong); Bamboo (22.55 and 22.64) and Bea (22.6 and 22.58) Lloyd; Amenti, Ayesha and Kabul Owen; Casper, Honey and Taniq (a creditable 23.65 on his first full run) Smith; Bonnie and Poppy Stainsby; Kaya and Shayka Venables and finally for the Afghans Jamaal Wakling (again another good time for a first full run at 24.19).

For the other breeds – Pharaoh Hounds Rhade (at 21.7 fastest of her family), Sonic and Verdi Belshaw; Arten and Imogen ( at 21.7 fastest of the Pharaoh’s) Jones; Petra Kay; Amber Lloyd and Kiya and Layla Partridge. For the Saluki’s the fastest time came from old (in the nicest possible way) favourite Sultan Snape (19.31) who was there along with family members Soraya (19.34) and a new little addition Shereef. Other Saluki’s present where Russ, Seth, Qassa and Quadifa (If I have these last two names right it is a miracle) Harrison; and Jamaal and Myaz Scowen. Also in attendance where regular Border Terriers Breeze and Livvy Blaydon, Meg and Tess (29.54) Sykes; and Teazil Lloyd. Lurchers where represented by Beauty, Daisy and Mischa Fastest time of 17.75) Peace (good to see no abatement in the family rivalry) and Pippa Tyler. A pleasant addition this month where the Labradors with (These names are correct and I am sure concocted just for me) Lucy Davies and Daisy Lucy along with Max Edwards (28.06). Collies Minnie and Tag Collins with Charlie Kewley. A new one racing for me was the Italian Spinone’s Deto and Micky Gill who attacked the course with gusto. For the single representatives there was Nika (28.31) Usherwood the Akita; Asif Collins, Border Collie; Strake Wakling, Huskey along with family member Sherry Wakling, Dalmation; Doberman Sage Lloyd (27.09); Finally – with some personal surprise because I have always contended Afghans where faster than Deerhound we had Alfie Tyler who went around in a commendable 18.56.

Amongst the fun of the racing we found time, as it was Easter Sunday, to have an Easter bonnet competition. To my shame I cannot remember who won but suffice to say the standard was brilliant and a heartfelt thanks goes from me to all those who took part. You were superb.

Now to next month – having made the statement about the first Sunday of the month, we are going to change it. Mays meeting will not be the Bank holiday weekend, rather the following Sunday which is the 9^th May. Given the success of the April meet can everyone that wants to attend try to get there as soon as possible after 12 to allow time for us to book you in properly.

For those of you that have not been before we race at Ellesmere Port Greyhound Stadium, Thornton Road, South Wirral, CH65 5DE For further details feel free to contact Amanda Venables on mobile number 0779 165 0947 or email amandavenables@virginmedia.com Graham Smith on 0151 200 8189 or email Grahamsmith6@hotmail.com).
 

Photos November 2007

All photos directly Below are © Lynn Williams-2007-2008

Cubanba Photos May 2006

All photos directly Below are © Shona Bettany- Cubanba-2006-2008

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Updated 15/05/2010 18:48