When Peter McDermott and Denis Donoghue met at Harold Park back in the 1990’s, neither dreamed their next three decades in the dogs would provide some box office memories.
“We’ve had a really good ride, it’s been amazing and something you couldn’t write a movie about because no one would believe it,” McDermott said.
Denis, already a greyhound owner, talked Peter into buying a share in his first chaser, and within a few weeks, the ‘Dee And Pee’ ownership syndicate had been established.
Their first purchase - a black bitch they named Chica Destacada.
One of the most popular greyhounds of her era, ‘Chica’ won 24 races, claimed the Group 1 National Sprint title in 2014 and earned over $340,000 in prizemoney for the duo.
Her exploits on the track amazingly surpassed by her superstar performance in the breeding barn, with her first litter of pups to Fernando Bale producing the likes of Blue Moon Rising, Poco Dorado, Veloce Nero and Two Times Twice.
“Two of them were Group 1 winners in Blue Moon Rising and Veloce Nero. Two Times Twice was a Group 2 winner and Poco [Dorado] was the star distance girl,” McDermott gushed.
“She was in 14 Group finals and still holds a record of 11 straight wins at Wenty Park over the 720m. An interesting fact about that litter as well is that Poco Dorado in 2018, Veloce Nero in 2019 and Blue Moon Rising in 2020 were all NSW State Distance champions in consecutive years.”
That quartet alone combining for 428 race starts, 137 wins and more than $1.37 million in career earnings.
The ‘Dee And Pee’ boys good breeding fortune continuing when Poco Dorado was served by Group 1 winning sprinter, Flying Ricciardo.
The dual Group 3 winner (and 2018 National Futurity finalist) producing litter sisters and 2024 Ladbrokes National Futurity finalists, Ain’t Waiting and Gets Late Early.
“For these two girls to be Group 1 finalists under two years of age is pretty impressive. It’s important to give young dogs opportunities like this and time will tell if they can go on to make open class, but this is a good way to begin their racing careers,” McDermott added.
“Gets Late Early went 5.30 early in the heats and Ain’t Waiting was a little bit behind that but they both showed pace and finished off well. If they can get around the first turn cleanly, they could prove hard to beat.”
“The Victorian bitch [Aunt Virginia] had a really strong run home time in her heat so she’ll be thereabouts but hopefully ours can do their best. Whether I’m at Wenty Park or at home, I’ll certainly be screaming out for them.”
And the good times only look set to continue for McDermott and Donoghue with more ‘Poco Pups’ aiming to hit the track over the coming years.
“The Futurity girls are part of her [Poco Dorado] second litter and there’s another sister called Binalong Time who won over 600 at Richmond last week so maybe a bit of the ‘Poco’ strength is coming out now as well,” McDermott added.
Ain't Waiting ran in the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase Maiden final behind Zipping Megatron in October
“Her third litter by Superior Panama are about 10-months-old and she also had a fourth litter born to Shima Shine about two weeks ago so we’ll find out more about them in time.”
“It is nice though that ’Chica’ was an absolute star brood bitch and now ‘Poco’ is carrying on the legacy. She’s not at the same standard yet, but we’re very lucky she has thrown some pups that are metropolitan standard.”
The 66-year-old also eager to honour the legacy left behind by long-time trainer and friend, John Finn, who sadly passed away in October.
“John was a very quietly spoken person but whenever he spoke, you listened very intently because he knew everything there was to know about greyhound racing,” McDermott offered.
“It was very sad that John passed but Minnie is a tireless worker and has retained the methods he employed. She’s always done 20 hours of work in a day, she never stops and we don’t think anyone could have done any better with our dogs.”
“Every greyhound we’ve had has had the chance to reach their potential because of John and Minnie and that’s all you can ask of a trainer.”
The 2024 Group 1 Ladbrokes National Futurity will be run this Saturday, January 20 with Gets Late Early currently on the third line of betting at $3.50. Ain’t Waiting is $21.
