Unlike most trainers, Daniel Flanagan doesn't nominate his first winner, a Wentworth Park victory or a Group final as highlights of his career.
For the Hunter Valley trainer, nothing has matched the joy he experienced when Sanjuan Slim won at Wentworth Park in March 2013, or when Explosive Range and Explosive Madame landed a winning double at Richmond on September 19.
"The reason these wins were special is that my three children were trackside on each occasion,'' Flanagan said.
"My wife Nina is the licensee of the Heddon Greta Hotel, where I am manager, so it's not often I am able to bring the kids along to see our dogs racing.''
Flanagan began working behind the bar at the Heddon Greta Hotel, then owned by family friend Errol Moyle, as soon as he left school.
"Not long after that a couple of mates and I got involved with whippets, but there was no money in that so we switched to greyhounds," he said.
"A good friend, Damian O'Connor, was a bit of a greyhound breeding buff and he and I bought two bitch puppies which raced as Fortified Cabin and Signs Of Gold.
"I trained them and Fortified Cabin, who had brilliant early speed, gave my first winner in a 330m race at Richmond in 2003.
"She didn't win in town but was caught in the last stride by Muralitharan over 520m at Wenty in September that year.
"Signs Of Gold was handy and won four of her first seven races.
"My first city winner was Street Ahead at Wentworth Park on April 24, 2004, and he won nine from 35 races.
"He became my first Group race finalist when he drew box one in the 2004 Peter Mosman Classic at Wenty, but the draw didn't help him when he came up with the lids in the final won by Surf Lorian."
Flanagan also went on to have notable results with a another notable pairing.
"When Fortified Cabin was retired she was mated with Surf Lorian and that union produced Sheza Surfy," he said.
"Four local coalminers bought Sheza Surfy but allowed me to train her for them and she won five races.
"Then, when she went to stud, she threw Explosive Madame, Explosive Range and Full Of Wind, the three smart greyhounds I am currently training.
"The four coalminers who owned Sheza Surfy permitted me to keep each of these greyhounds in my kennels."
Flanagan also said gun trainer and friend Jason Mackay had been a huge influence and help with his career.
"Explosive Range has won seven from 29 starts and is second reserve for this Saturday night's Group 1 Ladbrokes Paws Of Thunder final," Flanagan said. "He flashed home to run second to the Jason Mackay-trained Smart Missile in his heat and as Jason had arranged for me to take Smart Missile home for him I joked that because he defeated my greyhound I would be leaving him at Wentworth Park.
"Seriously, though, I could not have anywhere what success I have had without Jason's help.
"He checks my greyhounds over for injuries so they are always physically fit when they go to the track and he is forever ready with good advice on their welfare.
"Explosive Madame is currently on the injured list but she will be back. She has won six of 23 races and gave me a Group One finalist last year when she finished fifth to Zambora Brockie in the Vic Peters Classic final in October.
"Full Of Wind has won five from 17 starts and is ready to win at the provincials, so with Explosive Madame sidelined I only have two in work, but because of my work commitments I can't handle many more than that.''
No wonder, for Flanagan puts in an average of 70 hours per week at the Heddon Greta Hotel.
After racing Explosive Range at Wentworth Park last Saturday night, he was up at 5.30am to feed the greyhounds before heading to the hotel 30 minutes later where his Sunday did not finish until 10.30pm.
Flanagan, 36, gets plenty of assistance from his father John, and says his favourite track is Gosford.
"I like the facilities there too, although if the dogs are good enough I am always a fan of Wentworth Park," he said.
"When it comes to the best greyhounds I have seen I couldn't go past Fernando Bale and Brett Lee, although I have a soft spot for Texas Gold, who won the 2005 National Distance Championship for Jason Mackay.
"Texas Gold's racing style was exciting because he used to be back near the rear of the field in the early stages before rocketing home.
"Ironically, when Jason trialled him on his own Texas Gold could run blistering short course trial times like 22.40 seconds at Maitland.''
