Blonde Snapper: Retired on a high before the William Hill Classic
To many greyhound racing fans, it is quite astonishing to see, Blonde Snapper, getting retired ahead of the William Hill Classic, but the legendary dog’s owner, Mark Currell, is pleased with his decision to pull his iconic hound from the racetracks forevermore at what he claims the ‘right time’.
On Tuesday, June 19, Currell announced at Oxford that he was not going to run, Blonde Snapper, any more as he did not want to see the dog losing after his glorious triumphs.
This decision came in the wake of the celebrated hound’s classic conquest in the Williamhill.Com Greyhound Derby Final. It turned out to be his last outing that took place at Wimbledon racecourse on May 26, 2012.
Since the dawn of 2012, the four-year-old brilliant sprinter had accomplished a number of glaring victories. From February 20 to March 15, he elegantly grabbed four victories along with a runner-up rank in a row. He moved on to win a big race on April 6.
The talented son of Droopys Kewell out of Rough Charley, stepped ahead to lift the ace title of The Millennium Stand Bookmakers Golden Sprint Final on April 20. This race was held at Romford.
He won the Heat 5 (4 To Qualify) on April 27. Finally, there came the day when the skilled runner landed a sterling victory in the Greyhound Derby Final to bag £125,000.
This tremendous triumph spiked up Blonde Snapper’s confidence greatly for Sunderland, where he was supposed to defend the title of William Hill Classic, but the hound’s owner called it a day and a career, and retired him to stud.
Justifying his abrupt decision, Currell said, “We want to go out at the top – and he’s not getting any younger. If it had gone wrong at Sunderland, and say been knocked over, we’d feel terrible. We will do the right thing for him and ensure he enjoys the rest of his days.”
The dog’s trainer, M. Wallis, backed the decision by saying, “I'm pleased with Mark's decision - we're going out on the biggest high that you can imagine."
However, many sports analysts and common followers are not happy with Blonde Snapper’s early retirement, as they claim that the dog was quite fit to run some more races or at least the one at Sunderland.
The idea to retire with a ‘happy ending’ does not suit to the spirit of the sportsmanship. The hound must have faced the challenge in the William Hill Classic, but it is not to be.
Blonde Snapper started his career in April 2010. He managed to break his maiden on May 7, and from then onwards, he kept winning with regular intervals, stringing together long winning streaks, and registering epic hat-tricks. He ran and won most of his races as a favourite.
Some floating rumours tell that he will be purchased by some racing association or betting company.
Whatever happens to the dog, it is sad to note that his fans will no more watch him dancing on the British racing tracks. It is not going to be a charming experience to watch the William Hill Classic without him.
Bettor.Com presents rich tribute to, Blonde Snapper for his services to the sport. May he have a comfortable post-retirement life.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not reflect Bettor.Com’s editorial policy.
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