Champion She’s A Pearl mated with Group 1 winner Explicit
In a strategic breeding decision, trainer Andy Lord has announced that champion greyhound She’s A Pearl has been mated with Group 1 Melbourne Cup and Phoenix winner, Explicit, marking her third litter.
This pairing brings together two of the sport’s most accomplished racers, aiming to produce a new generation of elite competitors.
She’s A Pearl, whelped on 25 October 2019, has established herself as one of Australia’s greatest greyhounds of all time.
With 64 career starts, she has claimed 39 wins, 10 second-place finishes, and three third-place finishes, amassing $1,769,900 in prize money.
Her remarkable 61% win rate and 81% place rate underscore her dominance on the track.
Notable victories in prestigious events such as the Golden Easter Egg and the Million Dollar Chase cemented her reputation at the top level.
2022 Golden Easter Egg Final Replay – She’s A Pearl
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Explicit, whelped on 9 January 2022, has made a swift rise in the racing scene, securing 27 wins from 37 starts alongside four second-place finishes and one third.
His total earnings stand at $1.978 million, reflecting a stellar 73% win rate and an 86% place rate.
His triumphs in the 2024 Group 1 Melbourne Cup and The Phoenix showcased his ability to consistently perform against elite competition.
2024 Melbourne Cup Race Replay – Explicit
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For Andy Lord, the decision to breed She’s A Pearl with Explicit came down to a simple principle: “Put the best to the best.”
While some might question pairing a proven champion with a first-season sire, Lord has no reservations about Explicit’s credentials.
“He was never hidden, he was never protected, he just kept turning up in the biggest races and he kept beating the best on offer,” he told The Dogs.
His belief in Explicit’s ability to pass on his talent is reinforced by the dog’s proven resilience and speed in top-tier competition.
This latest breeding decision follows She’s A Pearl’s previous litters, the first sired by the all-conquering Fernando Bale, which have now reached 16 months of age, and a second litter by dual Group 1-winning Irish sire, One Time Only, currently six months old.
Lord’s confidence in the Fernando Bale litter was evident at the GRNSW Puppy Auction, where he ‘bought back’ every one of them despite bids exceeding $50,000, convinced that they will justify his investment once they hit the track.
As he looks ahead to the next 12 to 24 months, Lord is confident that this latest breeding decision could lead to one of the most successful periods in his kennel’s history.