John McInerney (right), son Jonathon and his partner Kerry O'Connor with one of their stars, Emily Baxter. Photo / Supplied
The 2011-12 New Zealand Greyhound season will be remembered for the astonishing John McInerney season-long training spree, which concluded with the Canterbury dogman preparing 803 winners.
In doing so, McInerney, who operates kennels out of Darfield and Marton, Manawatu, shattered his previous season's record-breaking 612 winning tally. Team McInerney also
set a new stakes earning mark at $1,311,578.
On the racing front, turnovers continued to increase with domestic off-course figures growing by eight per cent, reaching $218 million. There was strong growth in the fixed odds markets which reached $26 million, 30 per cent up on the previous season. And the export market to Australia remained strong, with the Aussies heavily investing in New Zealand greyhound pools.
Two greyhounds broke through the $100,000 stake-earning barrier during the season, with the Lisa Ahern-trained champion Little Mother winning $135,540 and his kennelmate Bigtime Kinvara $102,802. Little Mother's achievements included setting a record for the most race wins. She bowed out with 85 victories for a record-setting total of $377,751.
The Karen Walsh-trained Thrilling Brat exploded on to the Australian scene when contesting numerous group one staying races across the Tasman, which saw him winning A$104,000, including his staggering 11.75-length demolition of his opposition in the Super Stayers' final in Melbourne for his owner and breeder Gary Harding.
