Newcomer award for Paradise Madison

Well-known greyhound owner-trainer Sean Meade from Annagh, Miltown Malbay, will be among those honoured at the National Greyhound Awards presentations in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, on Sunday next.

He and Dave Buckley from County Wicklow are joint owners of track sensation Paradise Madison, who has been been named as the inaugural winner of the newcomer of the year award.

Now trained in Meath by Ollie Bray, Paradise Madison was bred and reared by Sean Meade. He explained that he has done business with Dave Buckley in the past and informed him of the potential of Paradise Madison when he contacted him. They later reached an agreement over the new ownership of the dog.

Paradise Madison (Head Bound- Paradise Alanna) burst onto the track scene with some sensational runs in Shelbourne Park during November and December when dipping below the 28 seconds barrier on three occasions.

On November 17, he won the opening round of the 2012 Comerford Cakes National Puppy 525 with a 27.92 run when beating Jacksall Man by 10 lengths. He clocked 27.96 for his second-round win by beating Leamaneigh Turbo by nine lengths and had four lengths to spare when seeing off Oran Maestro  in the third round with a time of 28.15. In the semi-finals on December 8 he again broke the 28 seconds barrier with a sensational 27.67 run, a new national record, when beating Droopys Alder by seven lengths.

He was desperately unlucky in the final when he was knocked over. The final was won in 28.49 by Leamaneigh Turbo from Droopys Alder and Fear Big Star

A son of Miko Meade, Knockliscrane, Miltown Malbay, of the famous Dalcash prefix, Sean has featured in a number of big finals in recent years, winning the Juvenile Classic with Paradise Miami and the Lee Strand with Paradise Santana, both in Tralee.

Nominess for the other awards on Sunday are: Dog Of The Year, (Droopys Jet, Skywalker Puma, Sparta Maestro); Bitch Of The Year, (Borna Gem, Cabra Millie, Milldean Tally); Sprinter Of The Year, (Big Casino, Bulmers Baby, Cambushmore); Stayer Of The Year, (Future Boy, Risky Bart, formerly Stallone Bart), White Soks Roks; Brood Bitch Of The Year, (Dianas Ranger, Razldazl Pearl, Talita Beauty); Stud Dog of the Year (Droopys Scolari, Head Bound, Royal Impact). The Hall of Fame award goes to Rathangan-based trainer Fraser Black and the Special Merit award to Jackie Divine, secretary of the Longford track.