IT’S just a week since his thrilling Irish Derby victory and Razldazl George is enjoying a relaxing afternoon off. His brindle coat glistens in the September sun and as he poses for photographs, basking in the sunshine and the glory he looks every inch a champion greyhound.
His trainer, Dolores Ruth, has not been afforded the luxury of relaxation. Two nights before, her broodbitch whelped. In the kennel block across the paddock there are seven tiny puppies, all being cared for by their mother. Among the seven there is perhaps another Derby winner to add another illustrious chapter to the stunning success of Dolores Ruth and her dazzling dogs.
“I was born into it,” Ruth explains. “My father had greyhounds and when I left school my father was sick at the time and I helped him out for a bit. I came to Kildare and set up on my own. I came to Kildare through Ger Canty, the optician. He had a friend who wanted me to train a few dogs and that gave me the enticement to move to Kildare and move out of Dublin. I didn’t end up training for him and I went solo. It was daunting enough but every minute of every day was taken up with my dogs. I put my head down and got soaked up in the dogs.”
A pioneer in so many ways, 20 years later Ruth is still swimming against the tide.
“There are still very few women training dogs. It’s difficult for women. Training greyhounds is a huge commitment. There are loads of women out there who would make great trainers,” she says.
But every trainer needs a big race winner to set them on their way and for Ruth a match race with a Dublin-Kildare spice got her going.
“Paddy Cross from Rathangan had a really good sprint bitch and he put up a challenge to take her on in a two dog match so I did. There was a really good owner of mine who was involved in printing and he did a lot of profile on the race and we filled the place in Newbridge. I was the Dub taking on the locals and after we won people sat up and said ‘Who’s yer wan?’ and that’s how I got started.”
Major success came early in her training career.
“I started out in 1991 and I won my first group race, the Tipperary Cup in 1994 and two years later I won the English Derby with Shanless Slippy who was undefeated in 13 races. He won the Produce Stakes in Clonmel before he went to England.”
Although she was continuing to be successful, things were tough personally and she gave it all up in 2004.
“I was in an unhappy relationship and I had a tough time and I ended the relationship. I had worked too hard for too long and taken no time out. I took at bit of a sabbatical and moved back to Dublin. I kept the house in Kildare but all the dogs left. I was so worn out at the time, it was the best thing to do. I needed to recharge my batteries. I came to a crossroads in my life and had to decide what road to take. I decided to take the road heading for the motorway and I’ve been on cruise control ever since!”
It has been one of the most remarkable sporting comebacks. The success that Dazzling Kennels has had in the last five years is incredible with Billy’s Irish Derby and Pearl’s Puppy Oaks victories just the start of an amazing run of victories. Their son Makeshift is one of the best dogs in the country and has won the Champion Stakes and Easter Cup. Pearl is also the dam of this year’s Derby hero George. The road to Classic glory started with two amazing greyhounds – Pearl and Billy.
“I ended up getting a few puppies. One turned out to be (Razzldazzl) Pearl and the other was (Razzldazzl) Billy who won the Irish Derby in 2006.”
Pearl won the Puppy Oaks to crown a spectacular comeback but the motorway to success hasn’t been a free flowing one. A horse riding accident left Ruth with serious injuries but her passion and belief kept her going.
“Personally it has been very satisfying and I am very proud of what I achieved. When I got into breeding it could have taken many years to be successful but I did it in a short time. I have had great success with Liam Marks, who was into breeding. We bought Billy and Pearl and that was the start of everything that has happened in the last few years. It’s a real team effort.”
After seeing the musical Chicago in London, Ruth decided that the names of her dogs would reflect the fact she ‘wanted (her) dogs to put on a show.’
Razldazl George’s sire, Kinloch Brae, was brought to Ireland by Michael Dunne in Portlaoise, from America.
“As Kinloch Brae is American I had to call the dogs after something famous in America so I chose President’s names for that litter, George, Jayfkay and Barack.”
Kinloch Brae is also the sire of Dundooan Diva’s first litter and the American themed names continue with Dmagio, Monroe and Marilyn ones to look out for.
And what of the dogs that started this amazing comeback?
“Pearl (7) lives in the house and has taken over the sofa and enjoys bread and butter pudding and ice cream!” Sadly Billy is no longer around. He dropped dead from a heart attack.”
Razldazl George’s dramatic last gasp triumph in the Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park last week was the culmination of all her work since she came back into racing.
“To have bred George and watch him being born and have him at home right the way through is incredible. I was right on the line at Shelbourne Park and I had a feeling George was up but I said nothing. It was the longest time of your life just waiting but it was a super feeling, just a great sense of wow!”
When legendary GAA commentator Michéal Ó Muircheartaigh announced his retirement The Irish Geryhound Board knew just what to give him as a gift. He was presented with a greyhound Razldazl Rioga, bred by Dolores, on the Late Late Show.
Seeing Ruth with her dogs it is abundantly clear that they mean the world to her.
“I’m not in it for the money. It’s what you get out of it and no money could buy what we’ve got out of dogs. You need a lot of luck and the right person behind the dogs to be successful and if you don’t have that you could end up with nothing, but you need a lot of luck. I have a great belief in going forward. I’m always positive and I believe in my dogs.”
Her deep faith has been richly rewarded.
This article first appeared in The Nationalist 20 September 2011
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