I am very sad to announce that Swift Hoffman has been retired from racing. He trialled at Perry Barr on Friday and came off with a damaged wrist.
At this stage, we are not sure the extent to the injury other than it is at the front of the wrist and probably a chipped bone or damaged ligament. He has been strapped up but will be fine in a couple of days. We will wait for the swelling to die down and then go and get him x-rayed. I have spoken to owner Paul Scott and we have agreed that at just a month short of three and a half, the time is right to bring an end to his career.
We actually talked about retiring him at the end of last year. We were conscious that we didn’t want to damage his reputation and he finished at the top of his career with the Greyhound of the Year award. Phil Simmonds recently asked me about a mating for his open race bitch Genie, and our own brood Little Flame is due in season at any stage. Eventually he will probably go to Ireland to stand at stud.
We are quite philosophical about it all. First of all, there is no issues with the track. The racing surface, as always, was immaculate. Hoffman probably only had a few months of racing left in him anyway and Julie and I feel privileged to have been part of the whole ‘Hoffman experience’. He is the fastest greyhound I have ever put a lead on, and at his peak, it gave me such a buzz to just take him in the van. He drew attention just walking into the paddock and whenever he went to traps, you knew he could produce a devastating run.
As one door closes, we look forward to his stud career. He is from a brilliant litter of three category winners. He has a fantastic physique, an unbelievable temperament and is incredibly intelligent. If he can throw that on in his pups, we really will have plenty to look forward to.
Achievements:
2015 Greyhound of the Year/Standard Greyhound of the Year
Won 2015 RPGTV Scottish Derby
Won 2015 Betfred Select Stakes
Won 2015 Ladbrokes Gold Cup
Won 2014 Ladbroke Festival Puppy Stake
RU Lawrence Jones Memorial 480
Third 2014 Betfred Gymcrack
Fourth 2014 Caffreys Puppy Classic
Times: 17.44-305m Nottingham, 27.70-480m Monmore, 28.07 (TR)-480m Nottingham, 28.24-480m Newcastle, 28.26-480m Wimbledon, 28.78-480m Shawfield, 28.93-500m Nottingham
