Paw Licking, one of the most admired greyhounds in the country, has been retired to stud after dropping a back muscle while trialling.

Trainer Kelvyn Greenough said that after consultation with owner Allan Lang it was decided to retire the superstar on 54 starts for 32 wins, 14 placings and $430,000 in prize money.

“I could have got him back to racing but with that type of injury greyhounds lose three or four lengths. It’s hard enough winning group races when you are 100 per cent fit let alone when you’re not,” Greenough said.

Paw Licking (Elite State – Kingsbrae Di) will stand at Greenough’s Pearcedale property for a fee to be determined over the coming days.

“I don’t think anyone can deny that he always gave 100 per cent virtually every time he raced. Even when the chips were down he’d find a way to get to the front, and because he was such a great dog on horse shoe shaped tracks he was a very valuable race dog.”

“It’s hard enough winning group races when you are 100 per cent fit let alone when you’re not” – KELVYN GREENOUGH

“I can remember the days when you raced in a country cup for next to nothing, but these days greyhounds earn more than $43,000 for winning one of those races plus $5,000 for winning a heat. So that’s almost $50,000…the money is unbelievable,” he added.

Greenough said his most memorable moment with Paw Licking was when he won the Group 1 Hobart Thousand last year, while his biggest disappointment was when he was run down in the 2014 Group 1 Temlee at The Meadows after breaking the second sectional record during the run.

Incidentally, Paw Licking is the People’s Choice Most Popular Greyhound for the month of April, after voting closed today.

“Hopefully he proves just as popular when he goes to stud,” Greenough laughed.

Paw Licking was also the People’s Choice Most Popular Greyhound in March.