Package deals in the AFL trade period always create headlines, but one occurred in greyhound racing a couple of years ago that has snuck under the radar.

Lara father and son team Peter and Darren Brown are established greyhound breeders, however in 2012 they decided to invest in a new bloodline from interstate.

The decision, which was a massive financial gamble, returned a huge dividend when Magic Diva (Elite State – Encampbell) won last week’s Group 2 Warrnambool Classic.

The story goes that the Browns noticed a litter of three month old pups for sale in NSW, and not only did they buy the entire litter, they also purchased the dam of the pups (Encampbell) as well.

Their decision was based largely on the success of Encampbell’s first litter (to Paddy’s Flame), which produced eight individual winners.

“We paid quite a bit of money for Encampbell and her Elite State litter, and we left the pups in NSW to be reared before bringing four of them home to be trained by us,” Darren Brown said.

“It has turned out to be a great litter with the likes of Magic Diva, her sister Elite Diva, who also made the Warrnambool Classic final, National Time and Benedict Geoff.”

‘While the Browns are coy about how much they spent on the unique package deal, the litter has now won $200,000 in prize money and they don’t turn three until October’

While the Browns are coy about how much they spent on the unique package deal, it would be safe to assume that they are well ahead.

Magic Diva is one of the most reliable beginners in Victorian greyhound racing and she collected a $75,000 first prize in the Warrnambool Classic. That was her 21st career victory, while Elite Diva, National Time and Benedict Geoff have won 14, 12 and 11 races respectively.

The quartet, which turns three in October, has won in excess of $200,000 in prize money.

And despite the temptation of entering Magic Diva for the rich pickings on offer in Sandown Park’s female-only Group 1 Sapphire Crown (heats this Thursday night), she will bypass the event.

“She has travelled to Warrnambool four weeks in a row which takes a lot of a greyhound, so I’ll give her a month off now.”

While Magic Diva is turned out for a brief spell, the Browns are keeping themselves busy looking after Encampbell’s next litter of pups, which are three months old and by Velocette.

Magic Diva’s win in the Warrnambool Classic will ensure interest from prospective buyers, and Brown says they are for sale “at the right price.”

Considering the continued breeding potential of Encampbell, not to mention her star daughters Magic Diva and Elite Diva, it appears as though the Browns have hit the jackpot and set themselves up for years to come.