Pearl's Prized Pups Headline Auction Return

The newly-introduced Greyhound Racing NSW Puppy Auction has been handed a massive boost with the announcement four pups out of superstar millionairess She's A Pearl will headline the sale.

Andy Lord, who prepared She's A Pearl throughout the majority of her stellar race career, confirmed pups from the champion's regally-bred first litter, by Fernando Bale, will be offered in the auction.

The auction will be held at Richmond on Sunday, May 26.

It will feature an associated race series – in the mould of thoroughbred racing's Magic Millions concept – offering in excess of $200,000 prizemoney and worth $150,000 to-the-winner.

The Fernando Bale – She's A Pearl pups are a marketing dream; greyhound breeding simply doesn't get any better.

She's A Pearl won 39 of her 63 starts, earning $1.776 million in prizemoney (second on the all-time Australian list), highlighted by the Million Dollar Chase, Group 1 Golden Easter Egg and Group 1 Paws Of Thunder.

Hall Of Fame sprinter/sire Fernando Bale won 35 from 44, was an eight-time Group 1 winner and the first greyhound to surpass $1 million in earnings.

Incredibly, Fernando Bale's progeny have exceeded $150 million in prizemoney.

"I just think you put the best to the best," said Andy Lord.

"The four pups (three male, one female) I'm putting in the auction are genuinely for sale.

"Everything is for sale, but obviously, I'm going to put a reserve on them. 

"We'll see what they go for. It's going to be very interesting.

"It's not just that they're out of She's A Pearl. They still have to be good types and these are beautiful pups.

"The dog I'm not putting in the auction has a bent tail, like his mother. 

"Jodie (wife) really likes him and with his tail he probably wasn't suitable for the auction. But apart from his tail, he's a beautiful pup too."

Lord didn't wish to speculate on what the pups could fetch, adding he'll have to give the reserve figure "plenty of thought".

"I've already been offered really good money from overseas – Ireland – and locals too, but I was always keen to put them in the auction," he said.

"I like to give a bit back and I think everyone in the industry should support the auction. 

"We don't have a breeder's incentive scheme, so this is like our incentive scheme. 

"Breeders can either sell their pups and get a good return or buy them back and have a go at a race worth $200,000."

Lord has underlined his support for the auction, with pups by Group 1 Dapto Megastar winner Good Odds Emma (by Shima Shine), Group 1 placegetter Bandit Jane (Bernardo) and multiple Group finalist Coast Model (Feral Franky) also going under the hammer.