Caption: A colourful mix … members of Lilly Sur Seine\’s much-sought-after litter by My Redeemer.

By MIKE HILL

YOU know you have a potentially hot litter when the pups are \’sold\’ before they\’ve even been born.

That was the happy dilemma Dundathu (near Hervey Bay, Qld) owner-breeder Russell Farrell faced prior to Lilly Sur Seine producing her second litter in mid-January.

\”She had nine pups – six males and three females – but I lost two (male and female) in the first couple of days,\” Farrell said. \”One was small and the other wouldn\’t suck and just went backwards.\”

The litter is by the highly-credentialled sire My Redeemer.

\”Lilly missed with an earlier service to Fernando Bale so I decided to go to for one of his top sons,\” Farrell said.

He was originally thinking of Sennachie, but at the last minute switched to the well-bred My Redeemer (Fernando Bale-Where\’s Demonica).

Before venturing into the dog game about 20 years ago Farrell was training gallopers at Beaudesert, but a serious accident forced him to change direction.

\”It was suggested I get a couple of greyhound pups as part of my rehabilitation, and things just went from there,\” he said.

Now Farrell just concentrates on owning a few dogs and breeding the occasional litter and it\’s proving a rewarding hobby.

The demand for the latest litter is understandable following the outstanding success of Lilly Sur Seine\’s first litter to Zambora Brockie.

The six-member litter – all multi-winners – comprised:

Ÿ Dual Group finalist Stinger Noir (67 starts: 25 wins, 15 seconds, nine thirds; prizemoney: $145,825).

Ÿ Group runner-up and three-time Group finalist Sequana (37: 20-7-3; $104,055).

Ÿ Easy Al (63: 15-13-7 $32,690).

Ÿ Made In America (23: 14-3-1; $28,190).

Ÿ No Easy Beat (12: 6-2-1; $33,375), and

Ÿ Inspired Hope (22: 7-5-1; $13,525).

And the litter was blessed with speed.

Under the guidance of master conditioners Mick and Selena Zammit, Stinger Noir and Sequana developed into two of the classiest chasers in Queensland last year.

Sequana clocked a stunning 29.48s (PB) when a courageous second to Sennachie (29.39s) in the G3 Golden Ticket (520m) at Albion Park in late 2019, one of 13 occasions she has broken 30s at the track.

She won 10 of her last 12 starts in 2020, including a super 34.60s effort over 600m.

Stinger Noir has also bettered 30s 13 times with a 29.61s PB, while No Easy Beat\’s best at headquarters was 29.60s.

With intimate knowledge of the litter, Mick Zammit put his hand up early for as many pups as possible from the latest grouping.

\”Mick wanted to buy them all before they were born,\” Farrell said.

In the end, Zammit will be taking three dogs, Peter Hare, owner of Stinger Noir, one male pup and Kevin Bryant, who owns the retired No Easy Beat, picks up the remaining male pup.

However, the Zammits could finish up with more than three members of the litter in their kennels once the pups start racing.

Farrell said he was keeping the two females.

\”I seem to have a lot of luck with the bitches,\” he said.

He kept Sequana from the first litter and will breed from her once she finishes racing.

The fact that unraced Lilly Sur Seine (Barcia Bale-River Seine) is proving such a success as a brood bitch doesn\’t surprise Farrell.

\”Her mother River Seine (by Kiowa Sweet Trey from the Brett Lee bitch Tail Lee) was a handy performer,\” he said.

\”She won the Bundy Oaks and a couple of feature finals and her first litter by Collision produced Allez Brigette – a Vince Curry winner and Ipswich 630m record holder.

\”Lilly Sur Seine broke in the best of her litter but unfortunately she snapped a leg before she could race,\” he said.

She survived by having a plate and screws inserted in the injured leg.

For Farrell, it wasn\’t a hard decision to keep \’Lilly\’ for breeding … he knew what he had. She was a litter mate to the classy Group 1 stayer Big Easy Red (22 wins, 14 placings from 57 starts and $132,878 prizemony).

So, it\’s almost certain eyes will be keenly watching her My Redeemer pups as they develop and progress towards the race track.