An English greyhound breeder yesterday was granted a temporary High Court order restraining a Co Kildare breeder from parting with a greyhound whose progeny, Tom's The Best, recently won the Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park, Dublin.
Mr Wanless Fenwick, of Ashington, Northumberland, secured an interim injunction against Mr Ian Greaves, of Lughill Kennels, Monasterevan, Co Kildare. The order, granted by the President of the High Court, Mr Justice Costello, continues until next Tuesday.
In an affidavit, Mr Fenwick claimed that in 1993 a Newcastle-upon-Tyne trainer, Mrs Dawn Milligan, bought Lady's Guest from an Irish breeder. Shortly afterwards, the animal was injured in a trial race and was not fit to race again.
Mr Fenwick said Mrs Milligan agreed to his suggestion that the greyhound be sent back to Ireland for breeding purposes.
He agreed the dog could be moved to Mr Greaves's kennels and that she should be mated by Frightful Flash. He further agreed that Mr Greaves would be entitled to keep half the litter while the other half should be returned to Mrs Milligan.
In April 1995, Lady's Guest produced a litter of six dogs and three bitches.
Mr Fenwick said that he was astonished to see that Mr Greaves had, in early 1997, placed an advertisement for the sale of two litters of pups.
Mr Fenwick said he contacted the Irish Coursing Club and was told that ownership of Lady's Guest had been transferred from Mrs Milligan to Mr Greaves in April 1996. Mr Fenwick said that Mrs Milligan had informed him that the signature purporting to be that of "D. Milligan" was not hers.
Following further contact, Mr Fenwick said, the Irish Coursing Club reinstated Mrs Milligan as owner and Mrs Milligan had subsequently transferred ownership of Lady's Guest to him (Mr Fenwick).