Caption: John McCarthy’s advice is giving his son Ben a leg-up into the greyhound industry.
Each month Chase puts the spotlight on a person and/or their ‘best friend’ – a story that gives an insight into the true heart of greyhound racing. It showcases all that is good in this sport and is a monthly tribute to much-loved greyhound identity Daryl ‘Albert’ Gleeson.
By David Brasch
BEN McCarthy has tagged along with his parents, John and Maggie, and their greyhound racing passion ever since he was a kid.
He’s dabbled in ownership over the years and got himself a few winners.
But now, he and his family are about to give greyhound racing a try of their own.
Ben, wife Skye, and kids Chase, 13, Evie, 10, and Ruby, 3, moved into a 20-acre property at Fernvale late last year with the aim of emulating Dad, or at least having some fun.
John is best known for such greats as Dagenham, Rather Dapper and Slick, each of them Group stars.
Toss in prolific winners like Proper Gent, Just Spiffing, Aza Zeus, Balmy Nights and Pearl Za Zinger and you understand why Ben is keen to try his hand at the training caper.
Dad is backing Ben’s move to the hilt.
Not only have the pair “walked the property” planning sites for kennel block, pup yards, straight track, but John has been put to work painting the home.
“He’s got to have something to do with his time and after a lifetime as a painter he’s got the credentials,” said Ben, 39.
John helped prompt Ben into training.
“I was a teenager living at home and Dad gave me a pup as long as I helped with the rearing of the litter,” said Ben.
Racing as Jack The Lad, he was a multiple Albion Park winner.
A chippy by trade, Ben now has his own construction business and while laying some concrete for a mate of John’s he came home with a pup.
Named Jimmy Are, John took him to Albion Park wins.
Then not so long ago, yet another of Ben’s ownership forays was named Got The Runs.
“She won a race at Ipswich, but the highlight was she landed a $10,000 jackpot on the night,” said Ben.
Ben and his family had been firmly ensconced at Brassall, but sold up and bought the 20-acre property at Fernvale before Christmas.
“I’d been searching through Greyhound Data looking for a broodbitch prospect until Dad came to the rescue again,” said Ben.
This time it was John’s long-time friendship with Mary and Ray Burman.
“They offered me the choice of Brockie Magic or Smart Lilly to breed with on a pup deal,” said Ben.
“I could not believe it. What a wonderful offer. Thanks Dad. Thanks Mary and Ray. I went with Smart Lilly.”
Smart Lilly (Aston Dee Bee-Bizarre Barbie) is a half-sister to such stars as Champagne Sally, Magic Hornet, Blue Diva, Big Bad Bruce, Dynamite Lucy etc.
She won 13 races and $97,000 and was third in The Tempest at Albion Park and a finalist in the G3 Origin Distance and the then-Listed Dashing Corsair.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Ben said. “Getting such a quality bitch, from such bloodlines, and without having to pay big money or breed with a lesser quality bitch.
“I’m establishing the Fernvale property now and learning from all Dad’s wisdom in how to establish it.
“But it will be one thing at a time.
“I’ve worked with Dad and the dogs for years, but now I’m really picking his brains about training, fine-tuning everything.”
He has grabbed a pup by Dyna Lachlan-Pearls A Diamond bred by John and at 15 months closing in on a race career. Pearls A Diamond, at the Fernvale property as a “mate” for Smart Lilly, also has a litter by Aston Rupee.
Ben and his family’s next move is to plan matings for Smart Lilly.
“My family is right into this move,” said Ben. “Our son Chase is already hands on.”
Ben was a quality soccer player as a youngster, winning premierships with Brisbane Valley (when coached by his father) and then three in a row for Ipswich Knights.
“I trialled for Queensland rep teams as well,” he said.
Ben is marking time in his fledgling training career, all the time taking advantage of John’s knowledge.
That knowledge is passed down only when John has “smoko” from the Fernvale painting work he has to finish first.
