Lucky Bannon

 
The son of Michigan Jack and Valoretta, was whelped in September of 1967 by Ed Craig. He died on Oct. 4, 1978, at the age of 11 years.

Owner Bob Thomas said he was his "smartest" greyhound on the track. In 1969, Lucky Bannon broke the Southland track record twice and won both the Southland Juvenile and the American Derby on his way to becoming an All-American. He posted a 32-10-2 record in just 50 starts.

In sire standings, Lucky Bannon was a constant Top 10 finisher, passing his great racing ability on to generation after generation of descendants. His bloodline boasts three Hall of Fame inductees, six American Derby champions, and a number of members of All-America teams. The Hall of Fame inductees include Kunta Kinte, Perceive and Buzz Off. The American Derby victors were Abella, Position, Anxious Waite, Swedish Episode, Prince Proper and Granny.

The three Hall of Fame inductees were out of Lucky Bannon's daughter, Lucky Terra. She produced Kunta Kinte, who then produced Buzz Off. Another of Lucky Terra's offspring, Lucky Carmell, produced Perceive. Lucky Terra also produced Futurity winner Kizzy and St. Petersburg track breaker Stan Shaw, who won the Derby Lane Distance Classic.

Kunta Kinte's ability as a sire was the primary reason for induction into the Hall of Fame. His descendants proved to be great producers of winners of the American Derby and the Flashy Sir Award, won by Swedish Episode and Granny.

Perceive was one of the most consistent track greyhounds of all time, being named to the All-America team three straight years. He went on to become a leading sire in 1989. Bred to Perceive, Buzz Off produced in one litter an All-American, two All-Worlds, and the dam of another All-American.

One of Lucky Bannon's sons, Yankee Clipper, was a Derby Lane stakes winner and sire of All-American Malka, who produced offspring who won the American Derby and St. Petersburg Derby. Yankee Clipper also produced two great brood matrons, Carolina Rose and Maid's Day Off, whose descendants include Prince Proper, winner of the American Derby and two-time winner of the Wonderland Derby.

Lucky Bannon's daughter, Abella, won the American Derby and made the All-America team as well; and, her offspring, Position, also won both honors, making three generations of winners.

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