Why Houdini Boy Can Prove Magical At Stud

VICTORIAN trainer Kel Greenough has prepared enough superstar greyhounds to know when he has stumbled upon yet another.

When Kel speaks, people listen.

So, when he raves long and hard about the ability of Houdini Boy he means what he says.

Greenough trained Houdini Boy (Zambora Brockie-Pechey by Magic Sprite) for Mark Ruff, but also prepared his mother Pechey, and his Group 1 winning granddam So Seductive.

Greenough has the highest of “wraps” on Houdini Boy and is not surprised by the huge interest in him from broodbitch owners.

“Everyone knows what he was able to run over 400 metres, 500 metres and then 600 metres,” said Greenough. “Those times showed he had ridiculous speed.”

He ran a scorching 33.76 over 595m at Sandown to prove Greenough's point.

“It makes him greatly appealing as a stud dog.”

And that's what  he has just become … retired to stud with Nicholas De La Roche at Newhaven Stud where he will stand for a fee of $1980.

He joins other Group 1 stars Get It Gizmo, Flynn, and proven Group sire Moreira at the stud.

Multiple Group 1 winner Houdini Boy started just 28 times for 14 wins, 10 placings and earned $267,000 in stakes.

The dog broke a hock late in February when looking a big chance of securing another Group 1 victory in the Fanta Bale Super Stayers at The Meadows.

Greenough was instantly overwhelmed by the response from broodbitch owners to use him at stud.

He knows only too well those broodbitches owners also knew only too well the speed Houdini Boy possessed. He and studmaster De La Roche have every reason to believe the dog will not only be well patronised but a great success.

He was a multiple Group 1 winner of the Sale Cup and Zoom Top.

He also won the Speed Star 600m, was third in the Group 1 Bold Trease and a finalist in the Group 1 Vic Peters (at his tenth race start) and Super Stayers.

Nicholas jumped at the chance to get Houdini Boy at stud, knowing only too well his lightning ability, chase and pedigree credentials.

The fact both Zambora Brockie and Magic Sprite (both found in Houdini Boy) already have a hugely proven “nick” with Barcia Bale means any daughter of this great stud dog will perfectly suit.

With the number of daughters of Barcia Bale available throughout the country, if Houdini Boy never mated another bitch other than those by Barcia Bale, it would not matter.

He will also suit bitches with Dyna Double One and close relation Dyna Lachlan as well as Barcia's son Aston Dee Bee.

Bitches who carry El Grand Senor could also suit. That's because his second dam So Seductive was mated to El Grand Senor to produce a successful litter that included Bunga Bunga.

Go Wild Teddy, sire of Houdini Boy's second dam, has much in common with Collision, so potential matings of bitches with Collision, and his close relation Cosmic Rumble, also appeal.

An extremely interesting potential mating for Houdini Boy could come via daughters of Worm Burner. Another could come via bitches with Glen Gallon.

Houdini Boy carries no Where's Pedro or his litter brother Hallucinate.  He is crying out for bitches with these two stud greats. Barcia Bale, of course, has Hallucinate as his damsire. But, daughters of My Bro Fabio, whose damsire if Where's Pedro, is another.

He is devoid of any Wheeler bloodlines. With the huge impression dogs like Barcia Bale, Fernando Bale, Dyna Double One, Dyna Villa, Dyna Tron etc. have on bloodlines, it also makes sense for their daughters to be introduced to Houdini Boy.