Someone recently asked prolific NSW breeder Frank Gatt for his recipe for success when buying pups.
It was a simple reply.
"I told them to buy out of proven race bitches, and buy out of proven producers,"Gatt said.
It is that recipe that has stood the test of time for Gatt and his family, so much so that they have been churning out super race dogs for decades, and still do.
Gatt, for the first time, has five puppies, two dogs and three bitches, for sale at the upcoming Greyhound Racing NSW Puppy Auction, to be held at Richmond on Sunday, June 28, littermates by Tommy Shelby from grand race bitch and producer Ritza Vonnie.
Ritza Vonnie was a high class race bitch, from a fine litter, but she has become a broodbitch goldmine.
And, Frank has some words of wisdom for potential buyers of his pups.
"They are fabulous looking, will be nine-and-a-half months old at the time of the sale, and they will virtually break themselves in," he said.
"They run all day and are as keen as mustard. I describe them as racey, racey-looking, just like the damline produces."
Ritza Vonnie is a goldmine at stud because she is already the mother of superstar Ritza Piper (20 wins, $425,000) winner of the Group 1 Topgun Stayers and a multiple Group winner, placed and finalist.
Ritza Piper after claiming the Summer Distance Plate in 2023
"Ritza Vonnie herself is a very racey looking bitch, and so is Ritza Piper," Gatt said.
"These Tommy Shelby pups are all the same, very racey looking. They tick all the boxes for anyone wanting to buy into this damline."
The five pups are lots 56, 80, 109, 129 and 154.
So, why has Frank decided for the first time to put pups into the GRNSW Puppy Auction?
"I've got five litters of puppies here being reared, so these pups are for genuine sale," he said.
"I tell anyone interested to come out to my place and have a look at them. They won't be disappointed."
And, to prove his point about their quality, he pointed to the greatness of the progeny of Tommy Shelby as well.
"Two of his offspring just ran first and second in The Sandgroper over at Cannington," Gatt added.
