Just Andrew*

It was only a matter of time before Just Andrew, Imp., the greatest Australian import of them all and ancestor of so many other Hall of Famers, would himself be inducted into the Greyhound Hall of Fame. Some consider Just Andrew to have been the most versatile, multi-talented greyhound in history, excelling in three separate careers during his lifetime.  As a courser in Australia, he was never led to a jack. Later. on the race tracks of America, he was one of the very best. As a sire ( the career for which he is most remembered), he produced many champions. His name lives on in the pedigrees of more than 80 percent of America’s racing greyhounds.

In 1929, wrestling champ and greyhound fancier John Pesek went to Australia to take on all comers in the ring. He’d heard of a pup named Just Andrew, who was undefeated on the coursing field. Pesek paid $8,500 for the pup at a time when $2,000 was an unheard price for any greyhound. This was the beginning of the greatest foundation of greyhound track and coursing championship strain that the United States has ever enjoyed, and perhaps will never be surpassed.

Just Andrew’s litter out of Mustard Roll was his greatest, namely Ben Andrews, Perfect Roll, Just Roll, and Hall of Famer Lucky Roll. They came closest to matching their illustrious sire for speed and general conformation.

Many of the Hall of Fame inductions carry the bloodlines of Just Andrew.  They include Real Huntsman, Never Roll, Lucky Roll, Flashy Sir, Rural Rube, Indy Ann, Lucky Pilot, Fern  Nature,  Mixed Harmony and   Feldcrest. Most of today’s greyhound stars carry two, and sometimes several, crosses of the great Just Andrew in their pedigrees.

When it came to all-around talent, there have been few that would challenge the record of Just Andrew.