Toomaline Jack, the ‘nearly’ dog, retires.
Sometimes, for whatever reason, things just aren’t meant to be.
The connections of Toomaline Jack will, this morning, be feeling that way after the star attraction of Dolores Ruth’s kennels had to be retired after tearing a gracilis muscle during the final of the williamhill.com Grand National at Wimbledon.
It has been a career full of near misses for the Irish-based greyhound. When it came to the big occasions, he always seemed to fluff his lines.
None more so that in the English Derby final in May where he went off as the favourite, but could only finish fifth behind Bandicoot Tipoki. His progression through that competition was one of the most impressive runs to a Derby final in the recent history of the sport, and plenty were left shocked when he failed to take the title home.
It was also a case of what might have been on Tuesday night as he lined up in the Grand National final. Sent off the 2-5 favourite, his appearance on the winner’s podium was seemingly inevitable, as he possessed raw speed that put him in a different league to the other five runners.
But despite breaking smartly, he seemed far from at his best as he failed to make any-inroads on his less illustrious opponents, eventually finishing last. The post-race examination revealed that his previous injury, that kept him out of the Irish Grand National final last November, had recurred and all involved with the hound decided that this was the end of the line for his racing career.
Trainer Ruth said: "It's the end, I'm afraid. He's done his gracilis again."
"It's very disappointing, but I owe this dog so much. He got me buzzing again. It's been like regeneration. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time in England with him for both the Derby and Grand National, and have made some super friends.
"I'll definitely be back to Wimbledon on a regular basis in the future."
Indeed, she will back to grace Plough Lane, but for Toomaline Jack, a life full of regrets awaits him at the retirement kennels.
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