‘Greyhound racing’s Shergar’: the amazing story of English Derby favourite Clares Rocket


He’s one of the world’s most exciting chasers on the verge of his greatest triumph. But a bold kidnapping attempt by Irish mobsters almost derailed Clares Rocket’s English Derby campaign before it began.

In the small hours of Sunday morning, Clares Rocket will jump as the favourite in one greyhound racing’s most revered – and richest – events. Undefeated through the series, the story of the greyhound with the €1m price tag is just as remarkable for what has happened off the track as it is on.

The 33kg white and black star created international headlines in December last year when he was kidnapped from his trainer’s property in County Tipperary. Entering his prime at two and half years of age and with a reputation as one of Ireland’s fastest greyhounds in decades, Clares Rocket was touted by many as the favourite for the English Derby still seven months away.

The kidnappers demanded a €100,000 ransom be paid for Clares Rocket’s safe return in what was quickly described as the ‘Shergar of greyhound racing.’

But unlike his equine compatriot, Clares Rocket was returned safely to his trainer four days after being taken. Shaken but in one piece, with no money changing hands. Four men were arrested in relation to the crime.

“He’s come back in good condition,” his trainer Graham Holland told The Guardian at the time.

“He’s a little bit distressed but happy to be home, so hopefully he’ll be OK.”

Clares Rocket resumed trialling in January and moved across the Irish Sea in April to prepare for the gruelling six round series. Despite being winless in his first two starts at the picturesque Towcester track, his first race starts since the kidnapping, his performances were impressive enough for tab.com.au to install him the $13 favourite for the series. And he quickly showed why, breaking the track record in the first round of the Derby and reaching the final as the only undefeated chaser in the series.

And just in case anyone has any plans to kidnap Clares Rocket – or any other finalist for that matter – race organisers have arranged for all finalists to be escorted to the track by its own verified security team.

The 87th edition of the English Derby is the highlight of what some have dubbed the greatest card of racing seen in England. Other Derby finalists include Droopy’s Acrobat, purchased by his current owners for just £10,000 six weeks ago and now rated a $13 chance to claim the £175,000 ($295,000) first prize. He is one of two runners for Seamus Cahill, one of England’s leading conditioners, who lost his young daughter to cancer just four weeks ago.

And there’s Hiya Butt, the third place getter in last year’s Derby and whose connections have shown some interest in contesting our own TAB Melbourne Cup.

Tyrur Shay was a fast finishing second to Clares Rocket in their semi final and is our good friend Julie Collier’s tip to be crowed Derby champion.

The English Derby final will be run at 5.56am on Sunday morning. You can watch the action via Towcester’s live stream, and click here for the latest TAB.com.au market.

Paw note: All English Debry finalists are exempted into the Melbourne Cup heats.

Clares Rocket wins his English Derby semi final

For more information about Towcester, or the English Derby, towcester-racecourse.co.uk.

Follow Towcester greyhound on twitter @towcester_tv

Cameraemoji2Clares Rocket with his trainer Graham Holland, courtesy of The Irish Times

 

DFD

Mick Floyd
About Mick Floyd - Mick is the Racing and Media Manager at Sandown Park and has 15 years of experience in the sport. He has a finely tuned talent for finding three legs of a quaddie. You can follow his ramblings on Twitter - @mickfloyd
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