Graham Holland does not expect either of his Boylesports Irish Derby winners to race again after a traumatic night at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.
The biggest shock came with the return to racing of 2020 winner Newinn Taylor who broke down at the first bend after showing the devastating early pace that has been the feature of his career.
Holland said: “It was a slab fracture of the hock which is as bad as it can get. He was made comfortable last night and Rachel (daughter) slept with him to comfort him. We has been to the vet in Cork today and will have the operation either Monday or Tuesday. I am not expecting him to return to the track.”
The meeting also saw the 2019 Derby winner Lenson Bocko win over the 575 yard course after what has been a largely disappointing second season.
Holland said: “He changed his running style from middle to wide to middle to rails, and lost a bit of his early pace as he showed he wanted a longer distance. I wanted to prove that he was sound and still a top class greyhound with one last race. I have spoken to Graham (Box) and as far as I am concerned, that was his swansong. So both dogs will be retired to stud.”
Where will they stand at stud?
Holland said: “That is still to be decided. You get very attached to these dogs and my first reaction is to stand them here. But we are primarily a racing kennel and there are a lot of complications if you are having breeders turning turning up to the kennel on a regular basis. At this stage I would stay it is undecided.”
